SHARING

STEP 2 - SHARING YOUR TESTIMONY - CHAPTER 13

BE RELATABLE - BUILD RELATIONSHIPS

Being Relatable Empowers A Relatable Gospel Message.
Establish a connection and identifying with the unbeliever in their human struggles or circumstances.

Be God-conscious and then be conscious of sharing your testimony and then be conscious of people where to share your story.

Although it is crucial to write out your testimony, the purpose is not to memorize it and deliver it word-for-word. The goal is to help you communicate your experience with words so your listener can understand and know what has happened to you. The choice of the right words and the flow of your story is essential in telling your testimony. And understanding how to start and how to end is critical.

As you begin your outline, ask the Lord for wisdom, understanding, and insight in just how to share your testimony. Be open to advice and recommendations from others. A lot of people have said that this work effort on their testimony has been hugely beneficial and helpful. Take time to practice and sharpen this tool of sharing the Gospel with having "an answer to everyone," many people have come to Christ. Trust and believe God to help you to accomplish this task in working hard. Invest time, care, thought, and prayer to this significant and influential part of discipleship.

BE RELATABLE!

FINDING THOSE WHO ARE OPEN TO THE GOSPEL MESSAGE

As you live, a genuine Christ honored life and serve in your community, asking God in prayer to guide and direct you to people who are responsive and open to the Gospel, and they will often find you. You need to be wherever they are and communicate honestly and naturally about your faith, hope, and confidence in God. Sometimes this process takes time. Just be open and be prepared when the opportunity presents itself by being ready to share.

You may already identify with individuals that if you challenged them, they would be open to you sharing the Gospel. Or open doors to invite them to a home study or a life group in your home or church. Or an Alpha Series at a church in your area where they can explore life, faith, and meaning.

We need to start dialogues with people. Begin with general topics that lead to significant conversations that lead to spiritual conversations.

HOW TO START CONVERSATION

A. Be Accessible to God and People.
Read 2 Timothy 4:2 - What does this scripture verse mean to you?
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

God is more affected and interested in your availability than your ability, understanding, talent, experience, and knowledge. God will bring souls to Christ through you when you are available and prepared for Him.

B. Ask God to give you opportunities to discuss the Gospel Message with Individuals.
1. Be specific. Pray for God to direct divine meetings. Ask God to direct you to individuals.
2. When you are alone with a person for a few minutes, be available to relate and share as it could be an answer to your prayer.
3. Be God-conscious and prayerful all day long to share your story at any given time. Look for opportunities and be excited to see what God by the Holy Spirit can do.
4. It is imperative to recognize an opening to start a discussion as a PRIVILEGE, not a duty or obligation.

C. Meet Individuals where they Are.
A lot of Christians spend their time with other believers, without leaving much time and opportunity to meet unbelievers. To share Christ with non-Christians, we must go where they are and get involved and relate to people, not just our Christian circle. Be alert and observant and share as the Lord gives you an opportunity.

It Is Essential to have a spiritual mindset every moment of the day to be willing and available to share your story no matter what the circumstances are. You will be surprised at the opportunities that will present themselves as you listen carefully to what the non-Chrisitan is saying, especially if you have your testimony prepared. Sharing will be easier, and you will be more relaxed and be more relatable to the non-Christians searching for life answers.

IMPORTANT: It is not too late to start or continue using your rough draft testimony on THREE SEPARATE SHEETS OF PAPER labeled one BEFORE, one HOW, and one AFTER.

 

D. Leading Into Your Story (Testimony.)

After you have finished your three rough separate sheets of paper, one BEFORE, one HOW, and one AFTER. Next, then shorten your testimony to three minutes and practice, practice, and practice. Then when you feel comfortable presenting your testimony, you might begin asking yourself some questions.
"When do I share the Gospel with non-Christians?"
"How do I guide the discussions, so it will lead to me in presenting my testimony?"

You Will Find The Following Recommendations Helpful.

1. Include some "small talk" before talking about spiritual matters.
Talk about family, work, hobbies, education, interests, etc. Crucial in finding common ground to help in relating to the non-Christian.

2. Be observant of expressed needs such as relationship problems, financial problems, raising children, or stress at work.
There is a God-story for each struggling relationship, each financial crisis, each stressful work situation, every alienated child, and parent. Always remember, God doesn't give partial victories. God has encompassed you, and all the powers of heaven are at His control to protect, preserve, defend, and provide for you. May God stir up your faith for you to share your story with conviction and trust. And recognize, every trial and tribulation you experience is an opportunity for the world to be transformed by your God-story. You can use one or two areas to show how Christ has helped you through the same areas. Be relatable!

3. Express present and past concerns, anxieties, needs, and inadequacies in your life.
"I used to struggle at my job," or, "I struggled with marriage problems," "I used to allow the pressures at home to get to me." Lead-off with, "Then I discovered something that made a tremendous difference in my life."

4. Discuss current situations in the news or your region.
"I see on the news that drugs are an epidemic in our area. It looks like people are trying to find something that satisfies themselves, so they turn to drugs and other things to find answers. But in the end, does it work?"

5. Develop connections and relationships with them.
It may take five minutes or five hours or five days or five months, but build and strengthen relationships. The Gospel is best shared between two individuals who’ve connected r over some time. When trust is built, people are usually more willing to open up and share their stories. When we develop relationships with somebody from other cultures, religions, backgrounds, and belief systems, we establish connections and open the door for the Gospel message to be shared.

6. Don't criticize an un-believer for living a non-Christians lifestyle.
Always keep in mind what you were like before you came to Christ. Your purpose is to share how they can have a more satisfying life in Christ.

7. Avoid one-sided "religious" remarks.
"Jesus is the solution to all your problems." He is, but they don't even understand who He is, much less anything He can do in their lives and circumstances.

8. Avoid debates on moral issues.
You can predict non-Christians will have struggles with clear biblical teachings. Recognize they do not have a logical and trustworthy foundation from which to make correct moral choices. Nothing will be accomplished by ARGUING AND DEBATING. You will meet some folks that love to disagree and debate with questions that may be intellectual coverup and smokescreen. You could answer all their questions to their satisfaction, and they would not still put their life into Jesus's hands. Be kind and loving to folks that like to argue and pride themself in head-knowledge. But at some point, it becomes an unending argument and a contest to win, but eventually, you have to leave them in God's hands and timing.

Finally, it's not about pressuring others into an understanding of "winning or persuading" a debate. It's about sharing the Gospel message of faith and confidence that we have and believing God to change their hearts and minds.

9. Stay Focused on the Gospel Theme.
In a lot of cases, an un-believer will want to change the subject. Examples:

• Talk about a bad church experience.
• Religious or world theology.
• How can God allows such and such?
• How can Jesus be the only way to God?
• Why is there so much suffering and evil?
• I am a good person.

In a kind and loving way, do not let the goal of sharing the Gospel be sidestepped. Another question that comes up is, "How could a Christian do such a thing?"
Respond by saying,
"Christians are not perfect, and some fail badly, but many are honest and caring, but it is Jesus we ultimately trust." Then clearly explain God's message of Grace.

It is okay to say,
"I do not have all the answers, but this I know ..." or
"That is an interesting subject we can discuss that another time and go on with sharing ..."

10. Combine humor and laughter in sharing.
We've all discovered that laughter is the best medicine, and it's true. Laughter reduces anxiety, stress, increases our mood for the better and makes you stronger and happier. But humor is also useful in sharing your story with strangers or in new relationships. Humor can be a powerful tool not just for drawing the other person, but also for subduing any awkwardness that arises during the process of getting to know one another. Humor can smooth over differences, lower everyone's stress level, and allows us to communicate in a way that strengthens and deepens our relationships.

Example of adding humor:
"I gave a young lady at work a ride home and offered her a joint. She said no thanks but offered to take me to a mid-week service that night. I was so excited about a date night. But that night, when I heard God's message at the evening church service, I realized that I needed something more..."

The door is now open to present and relate the Gospel to the non-Christian's situation in a non-threating and non-judgemental personal way. At the end of the presentation, I add it was the best "date night ever, as I turned my life over to Jesus that night and married that young lady one year later."

That twenty-second true story has put a big smile on non-Christians face every time and breaks down barriers instantly. The end result is the listener lets his or her guard down and becomes more comfortable to listen. It also encourages the one sharing as you are connecting to the non-Christian by God's help.

Take time to relate something from your testimony, something humorous and attention-grabbing, but very down to earth and relatable to the individual you are sharing with. Folks can relate to humor in human stories much easier if you come across as not perfect, but God is still doing a work in you by His Grace.
Note:
On your rough or finished testimony, add a short down to earth humorous part of your story that is relatable to the unbeliever. If nothing comes up, pray about it and ask the Lord to bring something into remembrance. Humor does work in breaking down barriers every time.

11. A relational approach to evangelism.
It is being persistent in the development of new friendships, time in prayer, and generosity, among other things. It symbolizes being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ in ways that take us out of our comfort zone and into a place of dependence on God. The Gospel is all-powerful and dynamic, but so too are the methods we use to deliver it to individuals. Let's determine to share it through relationships, with awareness, understanding, receptiveness, and openness.

BE ENGAGING, RESPONSIVE, RELATABLE, UNDERSTANDABLE, APPROACHABLE, CHARISMATIC, CORDIAL, HUMOROUS, AND INTERESTING.
(Recommend putting these words on the top of your written testimony as a reminder.)

Ask God to give you a loving, caring interest in individuals you meet. With these thoughts in mind, review and add where needed on your rough or finished written testimony.

E. Why do We Share our Testimony?
"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1 Peter 3:15.)

The likelihood that someone will directly ask you, "What is the reason for your hope?" is slim. Yet how many of us have been asked the same question in roundabout ways? We shouldn't wait for people to ask specifically. We not only need to be listening attentively for these opportunities that will undoubtedly occur if we are living as we should be, but we also need to be prepared with a response.

There may be opportunities in small or large group settings but primarily in one-on-one conversations where we will have the opening to share with someone how and why Christ became such an essential part of our lives.

Examples of opportunities to insert all or some of your testimony into everyday conversation:

• You don't seem to be as stressed about work as I am. What gives?
• What do you mean you don't believe in sex outside of marriage? It seems a bit risky to go without a test drive.
• You always seem so joyful. Life stresses me out. What's up with you?
• I have heard there are a lot of ways to get to heaven. What do you think?
• Of course, you can be a spiritual person and not go to church. I don't see the connection.
• I never hear you curse. How is that possible?
• You don't seem to complain about much. Doesn't anything get on your nerves?
• Why are you so open and honest with people? I could never tell people exactly how I feel.

What is the answer to all of these questions? "Jesus!"
"Jesus is in my life – and that same relationship is available to you."

Consider yourself the bait! God wants to use you to catch others for Himself. Once you have a prepared testimony to share, you can use it with any opportunity that comes your way.

"I know in my own life…"
Try starting with a sentence like, "I know in my own life…" then fill in the blank. It's a great transition sentence. You will be surprised at what comes out, once you have prepared and practiced, practiced, and practiced your story ( testimony.)

Practice on a captive audience:

• At a restaurant.
• You are waiting at a bus stop.
• You are waiting for an appointment.
• You are watching your kids at the park with other moms or dads.
• You are talking to the person sitting next to you on an airplane, bus, car, or train.

Recently in a waiting room, I started talking to a lady. Within a minute of our conversation, she tells of her son that died a week ago. Be available, prepared, and sensitive to the Holy Spirit for divine meetings. The more you practice in these "captive settings," the more you will be ready when others ask you (family, friends, co-workers, etc.), directly or indirectly, "what is the reason for your hope?"

Why are testimonies effective?

• People enjoy listening to personal stories; therefore, you have the attention of people who might not otherwise stop to listen.
• Because it is your story and your experience, no one can argue with you about it.
• It does not appear that you are trying to convince them of anything or preach to them. You are simply sharing an essential part of your life with them.
• People are touched because you are opening your life to them, making yourself vulnerable to them. This can lead to a personal conversation, which opens the door for more faith sharing, or even an invitation to an upcoming event, home study group, life group, or an Alpha program.
• It makes the concept of God more relatable, concrete, specific, and personal.

F. Transition to Meaningful and then Spiritual Conversation.
For example: If the conversation turns to talk about the stress and challenge of raising children you could say something like;
"I know what you mean. I am a follower of Jesus, and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have Jesus to give me patience and strength each day."
Or
If the conversation turns to talk about the economy or the state of our world, you could say something like;
"The world seems to be spinning out of control, and no-one seems to be able to fix it, but as a follower of Jesus, I know God is in control and that Jesus is the solution to the needs of the world!"

 

G. Ending Your Testimony.
When you have shared your personal story, you may want to end with a comment that makes the individual reflect and consider what you have just shared. What you say will depend on how the listener has been reacting and responding to what you have shared. If their response seems to show interest you could say something like:

1. "Have you ever experienced something like that?"

2. "Have you ever thought about whether you have eternal life?"

3. "What is your opinion on eternal life?"

4. "Can I share how I know for sure that I have eternal life?"

5. "Can I explain how a person can know for certain that they have eternal life?"

If their answer seems negative, uninterested, neutral, or vague, you could say something like:

1. "Do you have any doubts or questions on what I have just shared with you?"

2. "Well, that is what transpired for me. If you ever want to chat about it any further, I would be glad to do so."

3. "If you are interested, I would like to share more with you sometime."

 

Situations will direct how much detail and how long you take to share your testimony. It would be best if you were prepared to give a brief, medium, and more extended version, depending on the circumstance. Some people err to the extremes: either too short and brief and come across as not clear in sharing the gospel message or too long-drawn-out because of a lengthy explanation of circumstances. Most testimonies that are too long can be redundant and go beyond a salvation testimony. Remember your goal and purpose is a salvation testimony, then direct it that way!

Examples below that you can use filling in your details with a "ten-second," "thirty-second," and a "sixty-second" testimony

LIFE BEFORE (RELATE) . . . HOW (REVEAL) .. . . LIFE AFTER (REJOICE)
To instill your testimony outline securely in your memory, you should establish a "ten-second" testimony that outlines the basis for a complete personal testimony.
For example a "ten-second" testimony:
LIFE BEFORE - "There was a period in my life when I was desperate and confused."
HOW (TRANSFORMATION) - "Then I had an encounter with Christ that transformed my life."
LIFE AFTER - "Since then, I have had a new purpose and goal for living."

Another “ten-second” example would be:
LIFE BEFORE - "I always assumed I wasn't that bad of a person and would be going to heaven no matter what."
HOW - "However, God had a distinctive plan to which I acknowledged and responded too."
LIFE AFTER - "Now I know I'll go to heaven."

LIFE BEFORE
Try to use descriptive words that a non-Christian will know, which would describe your life before knowing Christ. Some identifying words are fearful, selfish, lonely, no meaning, good person, troubled, without hope, full of anxiety, always trying to be #1, without purpose, lost, etc.

HOW (CONVERSION)
Then characterize your conversion in terms that a non-Christian will immediately understand. Phrases such as "got saved" or "my sins were covered by the blood" or "prayed at Calvary," while meaningful to Christians, will typically not be understood by a non-Christian. You might explain your "HOW" encounter with words like forgiveness, direction, assurance, peace, love, faithfulness, compassion, gentleness, etc. Or phrases such as: "I realized God loved me" or "I recognized Jesus was God's Son" or "I understood that God had a plan and a purpose for my life."

LIFE AFTER:
Use words common to a non-Christian to describe your life experiences now. Phrases as: "I found a purpose." "I stopped trying to be the center of attention." Or "I found forgiveness. My guilt is gone." Or "I have found the only means to true living."

Learn to keep your "ten-second" testimony simple and straightforward. Use more details in your "three-minute testimony."

EXAMPLES OF TEN SECOND . . . THIRTY SECOND . . . SIXTY SECOND TESTIMONY

Ten-second testimony:
LIFE BEFORE - "In my life, I had no lasting peace and happiness, but a friend told me this was because I didn't have a relationship with Christ."

HOW - "After my personal relationship with God was secured,"

LIFE AFTER - "I discovered forgiveness, joy, true peace, and direction."

The above ten-second testimony developed into a thirty-second personal testimony:
LIFE BEFORE - "In my youth, I couldn't find lasting peace and happiness in anything or anyone. My friends and family and activities could not fulfill that void in my life."

HOW - "A friend of mine told me how Jesus had died for me so that my life could have direction and meaning. I then understood that I was a sinner in need of God's mercy and forgiveness. I asked God to forgive me of my wrongs, and genuinely believed and accepted that Jesus Christ is my Savior, receiving Him into my life."

LIFE AFTER - "After turning my life over to Jesus, I have found that the Bible gives all the key answers I need. No matter what circumstances and concerns come along, God's faithfulness, joy, and peace are mine forever."

The above thirty-second testimony developed into a sixty-second testimony:
LIFE BEFORE - "In my youth and as a young adult, I couldn't find lasting joy or peace in anyone or anything. My friends and I were always busy doing something, and it seemed there should be a lot more to life than what we all were experiencing. We would get excited about new things, and over time they did not satisfy us for very long. My friends even agreed that there seemed to be a big void in our lives."

HOW - "One day as I was talking with a friend about some problems I was having, and he informed me that my biggest obstacle was not having a personal connection and relationship with Jesus. He showed me through a Bible verse in Romans 3:23 that no one was perfect, which means that everyone has sinned. And, I discovered that the Bible, in Romans 6:23, tells me my sins had earned a certain wage for me, which was death. Nonetheless, God didn't leave me in that place. Jesus died for me, so my sins could be forgiven and pardoned, and I could enjoy a connection and a relationship with God and receive His free gift of eternal life."

"All I had to do was to believe that Jesus died to pay the punishment for my sins. And that He raised from the dead so I could have a new and unique life. My next step was to ask God to forgive me of my sins. My prayer request was simple; I said, 'God, please forgive and pardon me for my sins. Thank you for giving your Son, Jesus, to die for me and to live so I could have everlasting life. Please save and deliver me from my sins, and take charge of my life, Lord Jesus.'"

LIFE AFTER - "After turning my life over to Jesus, God's continuing and satisfying peace and joy have been mine as I have embraced God's Word to overcome difficulties. I still have trials, but I am now trusting and convinced that God will help guide and strengthen me when difficulties and problems come."

 

Preparing a Personal Testimony: General Comments

What is a testimony? Sharing about your relationship with God. Your life before Christ, your coming to Christ (conversion), and your life in Christ (after.)

1. Primary Purpose
The main aim is for you to create, develop, complete, and give your personal testimony in approximately 3 minutes from an outline on a 3 x 5-inch card.

2. Amount of Drafts
The amount of time, work, and energy it will take to prepare and develop your testimony will differ significantly from person to person. This has little to do with your intellect or spirituality. It is the issue of the complexity of your testimony. Some stories are exceedingly harder to express clearly. Some have to be condensed to the proper length.

Others need to be extended. So there are many factors influence how long it will take you to create and develop your written testimony. If yours comes easy and fast, don't be smug about it. And if the preparation and development seem to be more challenging for you than others, don't be deterred. Be faithful in prayer for yourself and others that might join and connect with you in this vital task.


3. Difficult and Challenging but Rewarding and Satisfying
Many find this work on their testimony to be hard and sometimes discouraging and daunting. On the other hand, several find it to be the most effective, stimulating, and helpful. Your approach and how motivated you are to do the work can make it as easy or hard on developing your testimony. Like anything else, you have to make up your mind and work hard! Pray for God's wisdom, guidance, and direction. It will be the best life decision you have made.

Recommend printing out this study guide "Be Relatable." Downlaod the PDF here.

Next Study Guide - Chapter 14 - YOUR STORY IS GOD'S STORY

Fun Contest: we will pick one testimony to win a free Bible once a month.
Your testimony will be judged by the sincerity and thought that went into it. Everyone's story is important to God and us.
Join the Contest here.

See you tomorrow. We will be looking at sharing your testimony in more detail.

RECOMMEND:
PRAYER BOOKMARK IN SHARING THE GOSPEL PDF DOWNLOAD
( Recommend Printing Bookmark PDF To Use In Your Bible - Makes 4 Bible Bookmarks.)
PRAYER GUIDE IN SHARING THE GOSPEL PDF DOWNLOAD HERE
(Keep a copy in your Bible.)