The Power of Your Testimony
I meet a lot of Christians who tell me that their story doesn’t matter. Maybe that’s you! Have you ever questioned the significance of your testimony or thought that no one was interested in hearing it? Allow me to share a profound truth from Revelation 12:11 with you: “And they overcame [the enemy] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony…” Your testimony is not just a story, but a powerful tool in the hands of God.
In fact, God purposefully has given you a unique and mighty story to share. So, as we continue sharing our faith here in May as part of GO Month (with our partners, Go Movement), I’d like to impart to you a few tips you can utilize in order to use your testimony to start spiritual conversations: know the power of your story, make the connection, be genuine, and make the contrast. Let’s look at each one!
KNOW THE POWER OF YOUR STORY
Testimonies matter. God has given each of us a powerful story to share. And it’s the first act of sharing the Gospel with others. When Jesus healed the man filled with demons in the Gadarenes, He said, “Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he has had compassion on you.” We are called to do the same! One of the most effective tools we have to start spiritual conversations with others is our testimonies. And often, hearing about how Jesus has changed our lives is a mighty catalyst that creates opportunities to share the Gospel. When we know how powerful sharing our story is, it gives us confidence to bring it up in conversations and share it!
MAKE THE CONNECTION
Now the big question is how do we share it? How do we make the connection? How do we naturally and lovingly start the conversation? Well, think about what you like to talk about with your friends. You want to hear about their life! And this is also true for your coworkers, friends, and family—they want to know about you, too. You might be surprised at how many of them would love to hear your story about how Jesus has changed your life. This is why our testimonies are so powerful! God has crafted the human heart to connect with others through sharing experiences. Jesus connected with people the same way—through hearing their stories and sharing with them about Who He is—the Savior who has come to redeem them.
BE GENUINE
In a culture that combats finding what is true and what is a lie, people now more than ever are looking for genuine, authentic relationships. They want to hear the truth. And when it comes to sharing our testimonies, it’s important to remember to be genuine and vulnerable while telling others our story. God may have you sharing with a “Divine Appointment”—a person He has drawn to you to hear your story for a purpose. It could be that the same struggles or hurt you have faced they are facing now. It could be the very things God has redeemed in your life they are dealing with, too. Make sure to ask the Holy Spirit to guide your conversation and what you should share, and be open and truthful with what God has done in your life.
MAKE THE CONTRAST
Another great way to share your testimony is by making the contrast. Start with what life was like before everything changed or before God stepped in. Then, share what God did. End your testimony with something about the confidence you have concerning Heaven and eternal life. An example would be something like, “The greatest thing about all of this is that I know for sure that if I died today, I’m going to Heaven.” This leads very naturally to asking them questions about their own spiritual life and sharing the Gospel with them.
The truth is God has blessed you, changed you, and transformed you. Tell the world how! I hope these different tips will help you boldly share what God has done in your life. If you’d like another resource, you can visit www.whatsmystory.org to use our free online testimony builder. This website walks you through writing your testimony so that you can capture the moment Jesus changed your life. Then, you can share your story in person or online through your email or social media.
Take the bold step. Share your story this month. And may God bless you as you do so!
John Sorensen (Doctorate of Divinity, Knox Theological Seminary & Doctor of Humane Letters, Montreat College) is the president of Evangelism Explosion International (www.evangelismexplosion.org) and host of Share Life Today (www.sharelife.today). Sorensen has authored the books Well Done, Your Story Counts, and The Christ of Christmas and travels the globe for Evangelism Explosion. In 2023, Evangelism Explosion International equipped just under 2 million Christians worldwide to be witnesses for Christ, and saw, by the grace of God, 20.8 million people make a profession of faith in Jesus. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina, with his wife, Ann, and he has four adult children and seven grandchildren.
