Preparing Your Personal Testimony

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have, but do this with gentleness and respect.... 1 Peter 3:15

Every time we tell our story (our testimony) we give honor and glory to God, and He is pleased with that.

Your story — regardless of how “spectacular” or “ordinary” you think it is — is a story about God’s character. It is your eyewitness account of how God rescued you from sin and death through Christ, and changed your life as a result.

When we share our story with others we help them get to know what God is like and what He can do.

Be Ready

Whether you are in line at the grocery store, sitting with a family member or standing in front of a group of people, the Bible calls us to “always be ready” to explain our hope in Christ with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15-16, NLT).

Sometimes we like to think that because it’s our story, we don’t have to do anything to be ready to tell it. After all, we were there when it happened, and we’re living it now.

Yet we can get nervous, become side-tracked or forget things when sharing our testimonies, which can be confusing or distracting for those listening. This is why a little preparation and practice can be so valuable.

Put it Together

Let’s take a look at how to put your story together, section by section. There are five basic parts to your story: the opening, your life before Christ, how you came to Christ, your life after Christ, and the closing.

The Opening. Identify a theme you can use to frame your story. What did your life revolve around (e.g. relationships, your reputation, money) that God used to help bring you to Him? Briefly illustrate how that influenced your life.
Your Life Before Christ. Paint a picture of what your life was like before you came to Christ. Don’t dwell too much on, or brag about, past sin struggles. Share only the details that relate to your theme –– just enough to show your need for Christ.
How You Came to Christ. Give the details about why and how you became a Christian. Communicate in such a way that the person you are talking with, and anyone who overhears you, can understand how they can become a Christian, too. Even if your listeners are not ready for that, God could use your story and explanation of the gospel to draw them to Himself in the future.
Your Life After Coming to Christ. Share some of the changes that Christ has made in your life as they relate to your theme. Emphasize the changes in your character, attitude or perspective, not just mere changes in behavior. Be realistic. We still struggle as Christians. Life is far from perfect, but what's different about your life now?
The Closing. End with a statement that summarizes your story and connects everything back to your theme. If you want, close with a Bible verse that relates to your experience.

HELPFUL HINTS

Pray before you write out and share your story.
Write the way you speak.
Don’t be overly negative or positive. Be honest.
Don’t criticize or name any church, denomination, organization, etc.
Think about your listener(s). Avoid overly-religious terms.
Keep it short. Aim to tell your story in three to five minutes.
Practice telling your story until it becomes natural.