4. We must learn or master our personal TESTIMONY.

In other words we must be able to tell the story of how we came to embrace a faith in Jesus Christ as
Savior and Lord and how that decision has impacted our lives so that when we get a chance to share it
and I Peter 3:15 infers that we will all have just such a chancewe will know what to say. There are
many reasons why a Christian ought to learn to used his own experiences in witnessing.

First of all people identify with a personal testimony. This is why advertising agencies never tire of using
them. This is why biographies are usually more interesting than essays. This is why the average person
remembers the illustrations in a message longer than the message itself. Also, a testimony has great
power. You are the worlds authority when it comes to your experience with Jesus Christ, so prepare to
share it with others. And, to do this well we must DEVELOP our testimony. We must put it together in an
organized fashion and practice repeating it. Im not saying that we need to memorize it word for word
but we do need to put enough thought into it so that we can define the most significant events of our
journey in our relationship with Jesus.

I think the best outline to follow in sharing your testimony is three basic points, each of which answers a
question:

What was your life like before you became a Christian?

How did you come to know Christ?
What has your life been like since you received Christ?

Now, if you grew up in a Christian home and therefore became a Christian at an early age you may not
have much to say about what your life was like before you became a Christian. But all of us have
something to say about how knowing Christ impacts our work, our marriage, our parenting, and the way
we deal with the inevitable problems of life. All of us have a powerful testimony to share. So make
yourself ready to do just that..and as you prepare, ask the Lord to give you wisdom and guidance. When
you get an opportunity to give your testimony, be yourself and dont use Christian jargon that might be
unclear to unbelievers. Im referring to words like saved, convicted, converted, or born again. As I told
you last week, sometimes even the word, sin, does not communicate to a non-Christian. So use real
wordsterminology that is genuine and down-to-earth. I would also encourage you to write your
testimony down and practice it on friends or family. Know it cold so that when you are given the chance
you are readyprepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you. This morning Ive asked two
Redlanders to share their testimonies..so that you can have a concrete example of how yours might
sound.

Did you catch the word - testify? The Bible uses another word for sharing our story; its
called testimony or witness. When we share the story of Gods work in our life we are
sharing our testimony. Thats exactly what God expects from each of us as His followers
to simply share the Good News, to share the story of how that Good News has changed us!
He wants us to share our testimony. He wants us to be witnesses to what we have seen Him
do in our lives.

Sharing that kind of story is powerful and life changing! I would dare say that most of you
here this morning are here because someone shared their story with you and it brought you
to Jesus! So relax, you dont have to know everything in the Bible to be a witness. You dont
have to be a graduate theologian to share the Good News. You only have to be willing to
share the story of what God did in your life.

During His time on earth thats exactly what happened. Jesus would work in someones life
and they would simply share that story with others.

When Jesus healed the blind man, the blind man said: I know this: I was blind, and now
I can see! (John 9:25)

When Jesus forgave the Samaritan woman she told everyone, Come and meet a man
who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah? (John 4:29)The
people of her village later told her, Now we believe because we have heard him
ourselves, (John 4:42)

These were simply common people telling an extraordinary story of Jesus working in their
lives. Thats why Jesus told His disciples you must also tell others about me
(John 15:27).

But lets be honest, sometimes we are ashamed to tell our story. Were not
ashamed of the story, but we are ashamed that we dont really we can meet the
expectations of that story!

In other words, our lives dont always match what we know God has done in us.
Instead of living a good story and having a good testimony we get sidetracked and our
testimony, our lives become a mess. We become ashamed of our testimony.

Thats what the author of our passage this morning in Galatians chapter six is dealing
with.

Galatians chapter six begins with a believer losing his testimony, a Christian is overcome
by some sin. If anything will mess up your testimony getting trapped in sin will certainly
do it!

#1 Do Good
Its that simple. You want to have a powerful testimony? You want others to want to hear
your story? Do Good.

Galatians 6:10 says, Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to

everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters. Thats it. Do good. We
are simply to do what God calls us to do do good to everyone!

Of course, as my Momma used to say, Thats easier said than done!

Doing good is not always the easiest thing to do. Its really tough to do the right thing when
everyone around you is expecting you to do the wrong thing. Galatians 6:12tells us
that some people dont want to do whats right because they are afraid of
persecution. They are afraid of what others will say or do to them.
You take a stand for Jesus and there will be those who dont like it. But you cant
worry about the crowds when it comes to your testimony.

What will make your story so powerful is that you actually allowed God to work in
your life.

Most people in this world ignore Gods purposes for their lives.

The crowd usually follows the easiest way not the best way.

Weak fish swim downstream, its the strong fish that swim against the current.

God calls us to do good. While the rest of the world tells us to do bad, to do wrong we
simply must determine that whatever we do will be good and Godly!

But doing good is not enough. If it were we could all just turn in to philanthropists
and forget about God.

The problem is that its impossible on our own to do good all the time.

Were going to fall; were going to fail if we attempt to just be good or do good.

Thats why the Apostle gives us the second strategy for living a powerful testimony:

#2 We have to keep our Focus on the Cross.

As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world died long ago,
and the worlds interest in me is also long dead. (Galatians 6:14).

You may not have been around the Lord or Christians long enough to notice something,
Christians love to share their horror stories. They love to tell all the bad things they did
before God forgave them. Its almost as if they are bragging on their sins.

I noticed early on, when I was just a kid, that you could fill an entire church if you
announced that some Christian with a really bad background was going to speak. Everyone
came waiting to here all the bad things that person had done. It made for a really good
story. There was only one problem, it was the wrong story! Most people walked away
remembering all the bad things, more than the fact that God had forgiven those things.

So whenever you share your story the focus needs to be on what Jesus did not
what you did!

Thats why the Apostle Paul said, God forbid that I should boast about anything
except the cross of our Lord. That advice works for everything! Focus on the cross.

Weve all seen TV or movie scenes where focus is illustrated. First we see a large
scene, lots of action, lots of people, things going on everywhere. Then the camera moves in,
everything is blurred except for one small object. All you see is that object. Thats
called focus.
Its easy to get our attention on anything, everything but whats important. Its
easy to find our selves distracted and sidetracked (thats what the second part of the
chapter was all about). But we have to stay focused. What Jesus did on the cross must
hold our attention because it means everything!

Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave to give us forgiveness, freedom and a
whole new life eternal life. The cross is the symbol of every purpose God has for us.

Theres a benefit to focusing on Gods purposes for our lives. The more we focus on the
cross the less we focus on the stuff that weighs us down and holds us back.Thats
what the end of the verse we just read explains: Because of that cross, my interest in
this world died long ago, and the worlds interest in me is also long dead.
(Galatians 6:14b).

The more we focus on Gods purposes the less we focus on the world. You will also
notice something else. The longer you live for God and His purposes the more friends
and acquaintances who do not want to live for God will begin to drop away. When
you stop partying like the world, talking and walking like the world the less people who live
for that stuff will want to be around you while they live that way.

But dont lose hope. Many of those same people will start coming around again
when they see something in you they know they need: Jesus. They will begin to
notice that you are different and that difference makes all the difference! The Apostle
addresses that difference in the next strategy.

#3. We have to realize we are not the same any more.

What counts is whether we really have been changed into new and different
people. May Gods mercy and peace be upon all those who live by this principle.
They are the new people of God. (Galatians 6:15-16)

You want to have a powerful testimony. You want to have confidence to share your story
with others. Then realize that you are not the same person you were before. When
Jesus came into your life, when you turned your life over to Him, accepted His forgiveness
and made Him the boss, when you began a personal relationship with Jesus Christ you were
given a new life. You became a new person!

Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same
anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:17)

See what it says: all those who live by this principle. Its not just knowing that God
has forgiven you and given you eternal life you have to live by that principle.

Each morning you have to begin your day by declaring to God that you plan to live by that
principle.

God, you made me a new person when I accepted Jesus into

my life. Now Im going to live that way! My actions will be
different, my attitudes will be different, my desires will be
different. I am a new person living for Your purposes. I will
do good, focus on the cross and live like the new person that
I am!
I know what youre thinking! Pastor Paul, its not that easy!

I didnt say that it was. As I often say, its simple, but its not easy!

Thats why the Apostle ends this challenge by saying:

From now on, dont let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my
body the scars that show I belong to Jesus. (Galatians 6:17)

Dont bother me if your plan is to discourage me.

As Joylyn would say, Talk to the hand cause the face aint listenin!

You may be afraid to share your story to live out the kind of life God is asking because
you are afraid. Sometimes living for God hurts.

People misunderstand. They say hurtful things.

They accuse us of thinking we are better than they are.

They laugh at us because we dont do some of the things we used to do.

They try to drag us back into the gunk God saved us from.

But the author of this passage, the Apostle Paul, confidently shouted: DONT LET
ANYONE TROUBLE ME!

Dont trouble me. Dont mess with me. Its not going to work.

You may try to hurt me but I already carry the scars!

You see, the Apostle Paul was hurt, big time! He was rejected by his best friends. He was
beaten more than once within a few strokes of death. One time he was even stoned to the
point of death, but he lived.

He was willing to take the hits and still live for Gods purpose.

#4. We must be willing to take the hits. We must be willing to wear

the scars.

The Apostle Paul could literally take off his shirt and point to the scars. Scars very similar to
what must have been on the back of Jesus Christ after He was beaten before He was nailed
to the cross.

Paul was saying Im willing to take the hits as long as it means I can live for Jesus.
You want to have a powerful testimony?

Do you want to live a life that people point to and say Hey, that person really
lives for God. Thats a true believer a genuine Christian.

Then

Do good...

Focus on the cross, focus on Gods purpose for your life

Live the new life God created you to live

And be willing to take the hits and the hurts for God.

Your story can have a powerful impact on someone elses life, even if its just a
little part of that story!

Your testimony, the way you live your life is Gods story to your world! So follow
these strategies and share your story!

8 Steps to Use Your Personal

Testimony
Each Christian has a personal story of how he/she came to know Jesus in a personal,
life-changing way.

You can use your personal testimony to spread the Gospel of Christ in personal
evangelism.

Make sure you avoid the cheesy clichs be authentic.

1. Use your testimony.

You have both current stories of Gods work in your life, as well as your conversion
story.

Even if you had a less-than-dramatic experience in becoming a Christian, it is still

important.
You can talk about how the Lord is changing your life on a daily basis.

Tell how He is helping you raise your children or do your job. This is particularly helpful
if you sense a similar need in your friend.

Read The power of personal testimony

You might want to think in terms of transformational stories, rather than testimony.
Testimony may have been confined only to the conversion experience. But we can talk
of Gods current work in transforming our life today.

2. Your story has power.

First, its personal. You dont have to memorize Bible verses, or worry about telling it
correctly.

Second, it is conversational. Its not a sermon. It can be shared over a cup of coffee or
after a round of golf.

Third, no one can dispute it. If you have joy, peace, and love in your life as a result of
knowing Christ, that will be evident.

Fourth, it is interesting. Its natural for friends to want to know more about each other.

Even if your friend is antagonistic to the Gospel, he/she may still be interested in why
you value your relationship with a man named Jesus.

3. Plan your testimony.

You can use Pauls testimony in Acts 26 as your outline.

(1) Tell about your life before Christ.

You dont need to go into embarrassing detail, but you do need to be frank enough
about your story so that those who hear it can compare the you back then with the you
right now.

(2) Describe the conversion experience that you had.

Be honest and genuine and provide the relevant details. After all, this is when you
receive the gift of eternal life.

(3) Explain what your life is like now.

What have you stopped doing, or started doing as a result of your new life?

If you need help developing your testimony, start with this Personal Evangelism
Testimony Questionnaire

4. Point people to Jesus.

This is your story, but it has meaning only because Jesus is part of it. The purpose of
your story is so that the other person will come to Christ.

The key question to keep in mind:

Where is Jesus in this story? Where is the activity of God?

5. Clearly explain the Gospel

message.
Take pains to explain the Gospel clearly and simply.

Perhaps use one of the gospel scripts.

Make sure you know how to use a gospel script.

Its easy to get caught up in the emotion of reliving your life-changing story, but the real
story is the Gospel.

But be sensitive to the moment and discern if the Holy Spirit is opening the doors for
this.

6. Share several key Scripture

verses.
Youll probably want to share John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; and
John 1:12.

Add any favorite verses you may have.

Most gospel scripts have a string of verses that support their story.

7. Avoid abstract Christian terms.

As a test, define the following terms as simply as you can, so your non-Christian friends
understand them: saved, born again, sin, faith, repentance, receive Christ, lost, eternal
life.

See my use of Christianese: What is a prayer burden?

8. Explain how you actually

received Christ.
Share enough detail so the other person will know what to do if he/she has the desire to
know Christ. Often, not knowing the logistics of receiving Christ keeps people from
doing what their hearts long for.

For example, my friend last week asked me, How do I start following Christ he wanted
to know how to pray, how to receive that gift. He actually asked me to help him pray.

Who Do I Tell? My3.

Every Christian has a story to tell and every Christian has someone to tell. You can start with
My3. My3 is a simple way to share your story with three of your friends and/or family.

List All Unchurched I Know. First, sit down and prayerfully ask God to reveal to you all the
names of people you know that are unchurched. An unchurched person is someone who rarely (if
ever) attends a local church service. They may or may not be a Christian and they may or may not
be a member of a local church. What concerns you is that they are not connected to a local church
so you feel burdened to share your story with them. This list of unchurched is important because
it is now a prayer list for you. You can make it as long as you wish (In fact, the longer the list the
better).

Ask God to Reveal My3. With your list of names before you, pray and ask God to reveal to you
three names that you should start with. Circle these names because they are your first three people
for you to share your story. Pray that God would give you an opportunity to boldly share your
story with clarity. Eventually, your goal is to share your story with everyone on your list. But for
now, start with My3.

Tell My Story to My3. The next step is to meet with the first of your three people. I highly
recommend having other Christians pray for you and encourage you to do this. When you meet
with them, share your story (three parts) then thank them for taking time to listen to your story. If
they say they are a Christian, follow up by inviting them to your local church or a church close to
their home. If they say they are not a Christian, follow up with something like: Thats how I
came to know Jesus. Would you like to know more about becoming a follower of Jesus? If so,
share the gospel with them.

Why Do I Share? My Motivation

Every Christian has a story to tell and has someone to tell the story to; but unless they see the need
to tell the story, they never will. What motivates a Christian to share their story with their friends
and family? What would compel a Christian to open their mouth and boldly share with others
about Jesus? The answer is love and obedience.

Love Motivates You. While there are many reasons to do something, the greatest motivation is
always love. If you were to ask me about my favorite pizza, I would quickly and passionately tell
you about it and urge you to try it. If you were to ask me about my favorite sports team, I would
zealously seek to convince you that my team is the best and you should consider becoming a
supporter as well. If I can be so passionate about food and sports, then I must be more passionate
about someone much more important: Jesus Christ. Your motivation for sharing must be rooted
in your love for Christ and this love is fueled by His great love for you (John 3:16).

of the Obedience Motivates You. Another motivation for sharing your faith is obedience. Jesus,
your Lord and Savior, commands you to share the good news of the gospel with others. In
Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us to Go. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said: But you will receive power when
the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the end earth.

And He said to them, Follow me, and I will make you

fishers of men. Matthew 4:19 (ESV)
When Jesus walked the earth, he took ordinary guys and showed them how to be
evangelistsfishers of men. Today, through the power of the Holy Spirit, ordinary
people are still spreading the Good News about Jesus. And just like 2,000 years ago,
its not always easy. Still, every follower of Christ is called to share the Gospel. Here are
some ways to get started.
 1. Identify your mission field. (It may be closer than you think!)
Have you ever heard the expression, Bloom where youre planted? Thats what God
wants us to do with the Gospelmake the most of our circumstances and reflect His
love to everyone around us. You dont have to be a pastor or missionary to tell people
about Jesus, either; just think of all the people around you in need of hope.

Psalm 96:3 tells us to Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works
among all the peoples! Keep your eyes open for people you can talk to and ways you
can connect the conversation with Christ. Catch up with a family member by phone or
text message. Use social media to encourage a friend. Let a coworker know you are
praying for him or her. Take dinner to a neighbor in need. Ask a cashier how their day is
going and really listen. Be intentional about forming relationships with people around
you.

One more tip, and this is a biggie: Dont underestimate the power of prayer. As Billy
Graham once said, Prayer is crucial in evangelism: No matter how logical our
arguments or how fervent our appeals, our words will accomplish nothing unless Gods
Spirit prepares the way.

Want to share the Gospel around the world without leaving home? Learn more about BGEAs
Internet evangelism ministry, Search for Jesus.

Sharing Jesus doesnt have to be awkward. Watch the funny 30-second video below, then
see how you can get involved in this falls My Hope outreach, which combines video
programs with the power of personal relationships.

2. Focus on the Gospel.

Billy Graham has said, I do not have to make the Gospel relevant; it is always relevant
in any part of the world [and] I must get the whole Gospel in [every] sermon.

The Gospel has power to transform lives. If youre short on time and want to explain the
Good News in a nutshell, share John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave
his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

There are also things you can do to show your faith over time:

Live a consistent, Christ-centered life. (Need help? Find 9 ways to grow in your faith.)

Be a friend and a good listener.

The Holy Spirit gives us power to share the Gospel (Acts 1:8). Pray He will give you
opportunities to share your faith.

Avoid arrogance and preachiness.

 Remember, were all sinners in need of a Savior. Try to see people as God sees them
as treasured creations made in His image and loved unconditionally. When we see
others that way, we will want to follow Gods command to share the hope of the Gospel
(Matthew 28:19-20).

How exactly do you share the Gospel, step by step? What do you say and how do you
approach it? Read Sharing Your Faith 101.

Do you know someone with a specific spiritual need or question? Maybe someone struggling
with loneliness, grief or addiction? Share one of these pages on Facebook or Twitter to
address their needs and point them to Christ through our online evangelism ministry, Search
for Jesus.

3. Share true stories of Gods power.

No matter how ordinary yours may seem, weve all got a story to tell and you never
know what it can mean to someone until you share it. Jesus often talked in parables so
people could better grasp Gods plans, instructions and power. In the same way, you
can use personal experiences and stories to relate to others and tell them about Christ.

Keep in mind, though, that most people will only give you a few minutes to get your
point across. So you dont ramble on and on, try writing down your storyfocusing on a
few key points. Ask God to give you guidance as you write (James 1:5-6). These
questions may also help you narrow your testimony down to three minutes or so:

What was life like before you accepted Christ?

How did you receive Christ? What did you hear? How did you respond? Why did you choose
to put your trust in Christ? Try to mention a Bible verse or two, but be careful not to
overwhelm your listener.

How has life changed since accepting Christ? Its OK if you stumbled or struggled in the past.
The important thing is to be honest and relatable here.

Do your best to write the way you speak and practice your story until its natural.

Cant work up the nerve to share your own story just yet? Singer Lacey Sturm has often
shared her testimony of overcoming suicidal thoughts. Whether you want to share this
video of her story with someone who doesnt know Christ, or study it to learn how to
better express your story, this may help:

Above all, remember that its Gods business to turn a persons heart towards Christ.
Though we are to be obedient in sharing our faith, our persuasion alone is not enough.
As 1 Corinthians 3:6 says, some plant, some water, but it is God who makes the seed
grow.
Witness
The Bible often uses the word "witness," that is, someone who is able to testify to what he
or she has seen and experienced personally.

If you were a witness in a court of law, you would be asked to describe what you saw, what
you experienced. If you tried to tell about what someone elsehad said about it -- beyond
your own personal experience -- you would be told it was hearsay and not admissible.

Why? Because people can hold a wide variety of beliefs -- whether they are true or not. But
what has happened to them personally, their story, that is something about which they are
"expert witnesses."

When you met Christ and he rescued you, your life began to change, perhaps radically. Your
story, your testimony, of what things were like with you before, what happened to you
when you found Christ, and what has been different since then -- that will often interest
people. They won't argue with your story. You are the expert on your own life. Often they'll
listen.

We will come back to your witness or your personal testimony in a moment.

The Great Commission

One of the last instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples is known as "The Great
Commission" -- our marching orders.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teachingthem to obey everything I
have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
(Matthew 28:19-20)

Jesus also gave his disciples this promise:

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
(Acts 1:8)

Since they had seen Jesus in action personally and had heard his teachings with their own
ears, they were credible "witnesses" to their world and beyond.

Mapping Your World

What is your world? Who are the people whom God has put around you to love, to pray for,
and perhaps to be a witness before?

Friends
 Family

Work or school associates

Neighborhood or store
personnel

Recreation, clubs, teams

Why don't you take a few minutes to fill in two or three names of people whom you know in
each category -- especially people who you would guess aren't committed Christians at this
point in their lives.

This is not a "hit list" but rather a "love list" -- a list of people with whom you have some
influence. This list will remind you to:

1. Pray for them. God will hear your prayers for them and work in their lives. If you love
them enough to pray for them, they'll know you love them when you talk with them about
Jesus.
2. Introduce them to your Christian friends.
3. Invite them to your baptism, if that is coming up. Having them witness your
commitment to Christ can be a powerful way to introduce them to God at work.
4. Look for opportunities to share your witness. Because you are praying, the Holy Spirit
will be working in their lives. Sometimes these opportunities come in the form of an
extended conversation. Often they come when your friend mentions problems that are
going on in his or her life. Remember, however, God hasn't put you there to fix your friend's
problems, but to be a loving listener.

Possible outcomes of listening to a friend's problems and needs could be:

Share how God has helped you when you have been in trouble, and plant the thought that
God can help them, too.
Offer to pray for them. If your friend knows you care enough to pray -- and that you have
a spiritual side that believes in prayer -- he or she may open up even more. But don't forget
the power of prayer. As you pray, God will answer your prayer for your friend.

Ask: "Is it okay if I pray for you?" If that is okay with your friend -- and you feel
comfortable with this -- bow your head and speak out your prayer for your friend. If that
doesn't seem the thing to do, pray for your friend during the week. Then, next time you see
 your friend, say, "How are things going since we talked? I have been praying for you." God
may surprise you!

Prepare Your Testimony

When God gives you an opportunity to share what Jesus has done for you, it is very helpful
if you have thought ahead of time what to say. That way your testimony can be more
clearly communicated. Here is the typical structure of an effective testimony:

1. This is what my life was like before I met Jesus. Share how you used to be and
problems you were experiencing. Often the person you are talking to will begin to identify
with some of these same problems.
2. This is how I met Jesus. These are the circumstances. This is how I came to the place of
saying "yes" to him. Explain what happened.
3. These are the differences in my life since I met Jesus. Do not be afraid to admit that
God is still working on you and you are not perfect. But share some of the clear changes
you have seen so far.

You will find it very helpful to write down your testimony -- using this outline -- on one or
two sides of a page. Yes, it is work, but it will help clarify things for you.

Your testimony shouldn't be phony or contrived. You don't want to memorize it. But you will
find it helps to write it down and practice saying it to someone. That way, when it comes
time to tell someone "for real," you will be much more comfortable in doing so. Being able
to share it in just three minutes is a good goal to aim for. That will help you cut it down to
the important elements. You can always elaborate, if you need to in a particular witnessing
situation.

You may find that when you share your testimony "live" to a non-Christian friend, it comes
out differently than you had planned. That is okay! It is probably the Holy Spirit working to
fine-tune your testimony to speak to this particular friend's needs.

The Holy Spirit and Witnessing

The Holy Spirit is your internal guide in witnessing, too. God can "speak" to you through the
Holy Spirit. Sometimes the Holy Spirit will put a very strong impression on your mind that
you should speak to a certain person. Go ahead. Follow through with this. Many times you'll
find that the Holy Spirit has been preparing them and that they're ready to hear your
testimony of what Jesus has done for you.

Think of yourself as the junior member of a team. The Holy Spirit is the lead player who
sets up the shots. But sometimes he'll pass the ball to you. Be ready for this.

Testimony and the Gospel

There is an important difference between sharing your testimony with a person and sharing
the Gospel or Good News with him or her. These are complementary, but different.

Your testimony is what Christ has done for you.

The Gospel is explaining what Christ has done for the person to whom you are witnessing.
 At this point you are learning to share your testimony, which prepares people to hear more.
Ask your mentor or pastor to help you to learn to share the Good News itself. There are
many simple ways to share it -- the "Bridge," the "Four Spiritual Laws," the "Roman Road,"
to name a few. But for the moment, learn to share your testimony.

Some Cautions

1. Be careful about associating with old friends who will influence you to go back to your
old, sinful lifestyle. It is okay to talk with them about Christ. That's good! But remember
that you have an enemy who wants to tempt you to sin. Be careful.
2. Avoid "missionary dating." Sometimes a Christian guy feels "called" to date a beautiful
girl "so he can witness to her" -- or vice versa. Because we are sexual beings, too often our
Christian love gets mixed up with other desires, and the clarity of our testimony is lost. Be
wise.
3. Be sensitive to people. Because your values have changed relative to those of your
friends, you will probably seem a little weird to them. That is understandable. But
remember to love. Don't be pushy, rude, impatient, or judgmental. Remember, it is the
Holy Spirit who brings people to God; it is not all up to you. Love is primary here, not
"success."
4. Don't be afraid of not knowing all the answers. No one expects you to. Just say, "I'll
find out about that and then get back to you." Then ask your mentor or pastor to help you
answer the question.
5. Don't be ashamed. Sometimes we are very aware that people may look down on us as
Christians. That is to be expected. Some looked down on Jesus and persecuted him, too.
But that did not stop him from his mission. St. Paul says:
"So don't be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join
with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God." (2 Timothy 1:8)

The Centrality of Love

The central core of Christianity is love -- unselfish, giving, forgiving love. That needs to be
our central motivation when we witness to people. I say that because it is easy to fall into
wrong motivations.

One of those motivations is pride. "Look at how great I am! I helped a person to Christ!" It
truly is exciting when God uses you this way, but be sure to give the true credit and glory to
God.

Another motivation can be doctrine. I have heard street preachers whose main message is
how people are going to hell. That is true. But most hell-fire and brimstone preachers seem
to have too much self-righteousness and judgmentalism, but too little love.

The people who hear us share about Christ need to be able to sense our love for them. If
they can't sense our love, then we need to pray until we can love as Christ wants us to.

The Testimony of Our Lives

The most powerful testimony you have is Christ working in your life to make you into a new
person. Jesus said:
 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a
lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to
everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may
see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)

When your friends see your life changing, they'll be amazed and curious -- and probably a
bit threatened. This is kind of a three-step process.

1. Your lifestyle is undergoing visible transformation. It speaks for itself.

2. Your words point to Christ, so people can understand the reason for the transformation.
Unless you explain that this is Christ working in you, people will probably assume that you
have "got religion" -- and miss the power of what is happened. Your explanation is your
powerful testimony that points directly to Christ.
3. Your love demonstrates Christ's love for the people you are witnessing to.

Don't wait until you are perfect before sharing your testimony with those around you.
People don't expect perfection -- really. But when they see humility, love, and sincerity
they'll be attracted to you -- and to your Savior.

Prayer

Father, I pray that you will use me to help other people find you. Help my life to bring glory
to you. When I am fearful of what other people might think, give me strength. Help me to
share my testimony of your working in my life with whomever you inspire me to share. Let
me be your witness. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Memory Verse

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and
praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16, NIV)