ICS Daily Devotions
Take Time to Prepare Your Testimony
1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV) But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
Scripture commands that we should always be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. Therefore, all of us should take time to pen down our reason for accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour so that we will be able to share it when the opportunity arises.
Most people come to know the Lord through the personal witness or testimony of another. Your personal testimony is a powerful tool in sharing about what Jesus has done in your life because:
• It is an event that took place in your life (i.e. your history = His story).
• It is a personal encounter – the first-hand account of an incident – so hearers will be more attentive because you are relating a story from your heart.
• It cannot be disputed or judged by the hearer’s theological or religious knowledge because it is an event and not a teaching.
• While many deny, ignore or reject the Gospel, they cannot deny what you said happened in your life. This gives them cause to stop and think!
• We can do it whenever and wherever we are, on a one-to-one basis or in a group, and it can be an hour or a minute long, depending on how much time you are given.
Remember that preparation is of utmost importance. We need to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in our preparation, and we should write and edit it several times so that it is our best effort.
Usually, our testimony will contain four parts:
1. My life before becoming a Christian.
2. How I realised that I needed to follow Jesus.
3. The details of how I accepted Christ.
4. What it means to me to be a Christian.
Some points to note include:
• Start your testimony with an “impactful” statement.
• End your story with a challenge.
• Share your testimony with joy.
• Don’t use “Christian” jargons such as saved, convicted, born again, sin and glorious (these words are often misunderstood by non-Christians).
• Avoid reference to specific people, churches or denominations – especially in a negative connotation.
• Don’t criticise other faiths.
• Don’t give false hope.
• Avoid arguments – your testimony is to touch lives, not defeat people.
• Avoid preaching and high-pressure sales tactics.
While not everyone is ready to receive the full sharing of the Gospel, they will not reject nor refute your personal story and journey with God. Remember, every life story is captivating because it is unique and interesting. God wants to use your story of how He has changed your life to impact and influence the circle of influence He has placed around you. We will also be filled with praise and thanksgiving when we begin to make a recollection of how God has found us, welcomed us into His family and changed our lives forever for the better.
Sermon Series: My Personal Testimony
