05. how do i share my testimony

Understanding the GospelUnderstanding the Gospel

What is the Gospel Message?What is the Gospel Message?

Basic Gospel MessageBasic Gospel Message1. Why we need Jesus - sin, death,

judgment, hell and wrath (eternal death- separation from God forever)

2. What Jesus did for us - became a man, sinless life, cross, death, punishment, wrath and resurrection

3. How we can be restored in our relationship with God and receive eternal life - through Jesus by repentance and faith

Basic Gospel MessageBasic Gospel Message

Sin is rejecting and rebelling against God, denying Him his rightful place in your heart and life. It is to chose to be your own god and look to created things to find meaning, purpose and happiness rather than looking to your Creator.

Basic Gospel MessageBasic Gospel Message

Repentance is being convicted in your heart that you have sinned against God, confessing that conviction with your mouth, and turning in your heart from sin to God.

Basic Gospel MessageBasic Gospel Message

Faith is putting your trust in Jesus and all He did and committing yourself totally to Him.

Proclaiming the GospelProclaiming the Gospel

How Do I Share My Testimony?How Do I Share My Testimony?

What is a testimony?What is a testimony?

It is your story of how you came to be a follower of Jesus.

It is telling others of what Jesus has done for you.

It is one sinner telling another sinner how to find peace with God.

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

1. Because Jesus wants you to.

2. It is the greatest way to love people.

3. So that more people will worship God and experience eternal life.

4. Because it is wise.

5.It is one of the ways you overcome the devil.

6. Because it is one of the most effective ways to share the gospel.

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Luke 8:38-39

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Matthew 28:18-20

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Mark 16:15

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation…

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

But in your hearts set apart 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.

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

Revelation 12:11

Why share my testimony?Why share my testimony?

For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. . .

Romans 15:8-9

TreeTree

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he who wins souls is wise.

Proverbs 11:30

Examples from the BibleExamples from the Bible

Mark 5:18-20 (The man who had been demon-possessed)

John 9 (The man who had been blind)

Acts 22:1-21 (Paul giving His testimony to the Jews)

Acts 26:1-23 (Paul giving His testimony to King Agrippa)

Why don’t I share?Why don’t I share?

FearFear

Fear of the UnknownFear of the Unknown

Fear of People

Fear of FailureFear of Failure

Fear of Being ExposedFear of Being Exposed

Too BusyToo Busy

Wrong PrioritiesWrong Priorities

Live in a Holy BubbleLive in a Holy Bubble

LazyLazy

Bad Experience in the PastBad Experience in the Past

IgnoranceIgnorance

SatanSatan

Why don’t I share?Why don’t I share?

Fear - of the unknown, of people, of failure, of hypocrisy

Too Busy / Wrong Priorities

Lazy, Live in Holy Bubble

Bad Experience in the Past

Ignorance

Satan

How to Share Your TestimonyHow to Share Your Testimony

Important Considerations Important Considerations

Be Real Be Real

Be Humble Be Humble

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

1 Corinthians 2:1-51 Corinthians 2:1-5And I, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Glorify God Not Yourself Glorify God Not Yourself

Focus on Jesus Focus on Jesus

Use Bible Verses Use Bible Verses

TestimonyOutline

TestimonyOutline

Testimony Outline Testimony Outline

1. What my life was like before Jesus.2. How I realized I needed Jesus.3. How I came to repent of sin and place

my faith in Jesus. 4. How my life is different now because

of Jesus.5. Ending questions and invitation.

Testimony OutlineTestimony Outline1. What my life was like before Jesus.

Life Before JesusLife Before Jesus

What was my life like before Jesus?What were my attitudes, needs, and

problems before Jesus?What did my life revolved around?What did I look to for happiness and

security? How did this disappoint me?What was my belief and attitude about

Jesus? What were the key issues and struggles

in my life before Jesus?

Testimony OutlineTestimony Outline2. How I realized my need for Jesus.

Realized My Need For JesusRealized My Need For Jesus

What did God use to open my eyes to Jesus?

What events led up to me trusting or believing in Christ?

What were my struggles just before I received Christ?

What made me aware of my sin and my need for a savior?

Testimony OutlineTestimony Outline3. How I came to repent of sin and place

my faith in Jesus.

Repentance and FaithRepentance and Faith

What made me decide to repent and put my trust in Jesus? Describe how it happened.

How did I commit my life to Jesus?

Testimony OutlineTestimony Outline4. How my life is different now because of

Jesus.

Life After JesusLife After Jesus

What happened after I placed my faith in Jesus?

What difference has Jesus made in my life?

How has my life changed, and when did I notice that change?

How am I motivated differently now?What is a difficult area of obedience or

struggle for me now?

Testimony OutlineTestimony Outline

5. Ending questions and invitation.

Questions and InvitationQuestions and Invitation

So what do you think?Can you relate to anything I said?Are you willing to turn from your

sins and place your faith in Jesus right now?

If Jesus is real do you want Him in your life?

Are you ready to stand before God and give an account of your life?

Invitation from JesusInvitation from Jesus

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

Invitation from JesusInvitation from Jesus

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Revelation 3:20

Testimony Outline Testimony Outline

1. What my life was like before Jesus.2. How I realized I needed Jesus.3. How I came to repent of sin and place

my faith in Jesus. 4. How my life is different now because

of Jesus.5. Ending questions and invitation.

Testimony Guidelines Testimony Guidelines

Things to AvoidThings to Avoid

1. Religious or church words, unless you explain them.

2. Mention of non-central doctrines, denominations, or churches.

3. Using specific places or people.4. Being negative or critical of people or

churches.

Things to AvoidThings to Avoid

5. Exaggerating or lying to try to impress or convince people.

6. Giving the impression that the Christian life is easy.

7. Using a consumer marketing approach.

Things to AvoidThings to Avoid

8. Forcing yourself on people.

9. Trying to argue or pressure someone into the kingdom.

10.Don't go into inappropriate details of past sins or experiences.

Things to DoThings to Do

1. Be real.2. Be humble.3. Glorify God not yourself.4. Make the main focus Jesus and the

gospel.5. Use Bible verses in your testimony. (Hebrews 4:12)

Things to DoThings to Do

6. Be prepared. (2 Timothy 4:2)

7. Relax and trust God- you can’t save them only God can.

8. Pray to God.

9. Allow the Spirit to guide your conversation.

Things to DoThings to Do

11.Know when to stop – don’t overwhelm people with too much information.

12.Pay attention and actively listen to the person with whom you are talking.

13.Be gentle, courteous, respectful, patient, merciful, and gracious. (1 Peter 3:16)

14.Keep it about 3 to 5 minutes long.

Jean’s TestimonyJean’s Testimony

Five Things TractFive Things Tract

Five Things TractFive Things Tract

Five Things TractFive Things Tract

Develop Your TestimonyDevelop Your Testimony1. Pray

2. Write out your testimony

a. Use outline to structure your testimony

b. Include your gospel definition

c. Add key Bible verses

3. Practice sharing your testimony

a. Alone

b. With friends and family

c. One-on-One

d. With groups

Have Beautiful FeetHave Beautiful Feet

EndingEndingRomans 10:13-15Romans 10:13-15

For “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? …

EndingEndingRomans 10:13-15Romans 10:13-15

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (NLT)