Sharing you personal story of faith is an effective way to tell an audience or an individual your gratitude or appreciation of what God and He alone has done in your life. Here's a great way to prepare your own to share with friends, family, and your congregation.
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I. PRE‑OUTLINE
A. Pray for the Lord to give you wisdom and guidance as you work out your testimony (James 1:5‑6). B. Think through any spiritual changes or guidance that God has brought about in your life. Then pick a topic that best applies to your life, whether it relates to what God did for you, what He means to you, how important God is in your life, or how God brought you to faith. C. Pick one or two scripture verses that best apply to your topic. D. At the end of your testimony you may wish to sing a favorite song or quote a portion of a song that best applies to your topic. II. OUTLINE A. A carefully planned and well organized presentation can help you present Christ in a clear, attractive and simple way, better than one given without much thought. B. Below is a suggested outline to follow:
III. WRITING A. A short, well planned testimony will do more than one that is long, dragged out, and causes the audience to become lost. Try to be short and to the point, about three minutes. B. Emphasize that Jesus makes the difference in your life. C. While writing, avoid the following:
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Here are a few examples of our youth sharing a prepared form of personal witnessing.
So I've been sick for the past week and I didn't want to talk at all today because my throat was so sore but God had different plans. Filling up at a convenientstore a lady asked me to help her with her car so I walked over and did what I could. She began telling me of her problems and trials in life and how it seemed nothing was going right. After listing quite a few terrible circumstances she asks me with tears in her eyes, "what do I have to look forward to?" I simply said, eternal life. That was such a God thing cause I kept wondering what I could say to her. That situation reminded of a great passage in Matthew 25:37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Although I didn't want to talk today and rest my voice, God wanted to speak about the gift of living water, eternal life, through me. So cool! - J.R. Townsend, 2014 |
Personal Witnessing Thought Starters and Ideas
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PICK THE BEST TOPIC THAT APPLIES TO YOUR LIFE
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FOLLOWING ARE SOME HELPFUL THOUGHTS
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PICK ONE BIBLE VERSE
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YOU MAY INCLUDE A SONG
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1. Jesus saved me from my sins
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Share the joy of God's forgiveness through Jesus Christ. "I was once eternally lost, but now I am saved through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ."
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Isaiah 12:2
Isaiah 43:25 Romans 6:23 Romans 10:13 Ephesians 1:7 1 John 1:9 |
Freely, Freely
Robe of Righteousness God is so Good Hallelujah, Let Hosannas Ring Love is God's Gift Sing Alleluiah |
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2. Jesus gave me the Assurance of Heaven
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Share the joy of knowing that when you die you will go to heaven through believing in Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin. You may incorporate one of the witnessing methods in this personal witness.
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John 3:16
John 4:13 John 5:24 John 17:3 |
For God So Loved
The Steadfast Love of the Lord I Am the Resurrection Love Is God's Gift |
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3. Jesus delivered me from an accident, or rough surgery, or through a death in the family
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Share how God has kept or strengthened your faith in Jesus while going through one of these trials. Share how you were totally helpless while in the hospital and compare that with the lives of your audience: "I am totally helpless when it comes to saving myself, but Jesus Christ saved me by dying on the cross. He forgives my sins and assures me of eternal life with Him."
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Psalm 23:4
Psalm 27:1 Matthew 11:28 Romans 8:35 2 Corinthians 1:10 James 1:2-3 1 Peter 1:6-7 1 Peter 4:12-13 |
Cast Thy Burden
I Know Where I'm Going Through It All Love Was When Promises Be Ye Glad |
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4. Jesus strengthened my Christian faith through OAFC
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Share what your faith in God was like before and after you attended your first OAFC weekend, and how God strengthened your faith through the OAFC witnessing methods. Tell how God gave you the absolute assurance that you will go to heaven by faith. Always give the glory to God and not a person or thing - tell how God worked through OAFC.
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John 11:25
John 20:31 Romans 5:1 Romans 10:17 Ephesians 2:8 |
Use your favorite OAFC song or hymn
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5. Jesus is First in my life.
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Share how other people or material things were first in your life and God came after. "God showed me how lost in sin I was without Him. Now I believe in Jesus as my Savior from sin. He is now and always will be number one in my life. He means more to me than anything in this world because He died for my sins.
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Matthew 6:33
John 12:25 John 14:6 Ephesians 2:8 Hebrews 13:5 |
He's Everything to Me
Dear Jesus Seek Ye First The Greatest Gift All I Once Held Dear |
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6. Jesus is my Best Friend
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Share how you can sometimes trust in a friend. "But now in my life Jesus is my best friend, whom I can totally trust as my Savior from sin, giver of eternal life, and provider for my needs. Jesus will never lie or leave me."
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Proverbs 18:24
John 14:18 John 15:13-15 1 Corinthians 1:9 2 Thessalonians 3:3 |
Happy Am I
Jesus, Jesus What a Friend We Have In Jesus |
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7. Jesus gives me a purpose for living
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Share that as a Christian you can be assured that your sins are forgiven and that you've been given eternal life NOW. "My purpose for living is to always be a witness for Christ: sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ through my life and vocation.
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Isaiah 43:10
Matthew 16:24 Matthew 28:19-20 Acts 1:8 Galatians 2:20 1 Peter 2:9-10 |
Be of Good Cheer
Good Morning Lord Everybody Ought to Know |
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8. Jesus gives me direction for living
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Share how God has made a difference in your life, even from before you believed in Christ to now. "Jesus changed my life from living for the world and for myself to living for Jesus. I was once a loser, but now I am a winner through Jesus Christ. God's Word gives me direction to live for Jesus and not the world."
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2 Corinthians 5:7
Galatians 2:20 Galatians 5:16 Titus 3:5 Hebrews 13:6-7 1 John 1:7 |
Free
The Answer Titus 3:5 If Any Man I Know Where I'm Going Glorious Day |
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9. Jesus brought me to faith through a friend, family member, or spouse.
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Share what your life was like before you believed in Jesus (empty, lost, no purpose, etc.) and what your life is like after you believe in Jesus as your Savior from sin (peace, happiness, assurance of heaven, forgiveness, etc.). Share when and where a friend told you about Jesus Christ and how God's Word worked faith in your heart.
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Psalm 119:67
John 1:12-13 John 6:44 Romans 5:1 Romans 10:17 |
I Am
I Am the Bread of Life I Know Where I'm Going The Answer All I Once Held Dear Light of the World |
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10. Jesus brought me to faith through Holy Baptism
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Share that you were brought to Holy Baptism either as an infant by your parents or as an adult. Share that through Baptism you are a new born Christian by the blood of Christ through the Holy Spirit. Share how the Spirit has worked in your life through Word and Sacrament, through devotions, Church, Sunday School, and OAFC, always strengthening your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior from sin. Boast about what God has done FOR YOU.
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Matthew 28:19-20
John 3:5 Acts 2:38 1 Corinthians 12:13 Galatians 3:27 1 Peter 3:21 |
His Sheep Am I
The Steadfast Love of the Lord Baptized into Your Name Most Holy Jude Promises See This Wonder in the Making Battle Hymn of Moses |
| personal_witness_training_and_thought_starters.pdf |