HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL TESTIMONY
Dr. Kenneth McFarland has written, “Thinking is so terribly important in the art of speaking that one should do as much of it as possible in advance.”
I Peter 3:15 says, “but sanctify in your hearts Christ as Lord: (being) ready always to give answer to every man that asketh you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, yet with meekness and fear.” ASV Also, Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so…”
David, the Psalmist, in Psalm 119:46 said, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.” When Paul, the great apostle who wrote Romans, stood before King Agrippa, he didn’t resort to doctrine, nor to a dissertation of love, such as I Corinthians 13, nor the many other things recorded in his thirteen books of our Bible. Instead we find in Acts 26, Paul said, graciously, howhis life was before that eventful day, when on the road to Damascus—WHAM—he encountered the living Christ, and how his life is now different. In studying Paul’s testimony, you can see three things: (1) He established polite contact with his listeners (verses 2-3); (2) He related the facts and scripture in an interesting manner (verses 4-23); and (3) He appealed for the listener’s action (verse 27).
God will use your testimony, too, IF you’ll be ready! Be a good ambassador for Christ to kings and others—write your testimony.
When you are aksed to share your testimony, be certain to:
1. Share it with loving enthusiasm in the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 says,
“and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” NAS
- Speak loudly and clearly in a natural, relaxed tone of voice (avoid ministerial
“twang”.)
- Avoid mannerisms when you speak, such as: rubing your nose, jingling coins in
your pocket, swaying, clearing your throat and saying, “uh” or “ah”. DO pray.
- Avoid arguing. You are an authority on only one thing—your experience. Don’t
feel you have to know all the answers for all your listener’s questions or
problems. Acts 1:8; I John 1:3
5.Make it personal—don’t preach. Tell what Christ has done for you. Use “I”, “me”, and “my”—NOT “you”.
- Keep Christ central. A good testimony always highlights what He has done.
- Memorize your testimony and practice it until it becomes natural and then allow the love of our Lord to shine through.
“There can be no mistakes so bad…as the greatest mistake of saying nothing for Christ.” Henry Clay Trumbull