How to Write Your Testimony

Skeptics may debate the validity of Scripture or argue the existence of God, but no one can deny your personal experiences with God. If you tell someone how God worked a miracle in your life, how he blessed you, transformed you, lifted and encouraged you, or perhaps even broke and then healed you, no one can argue or debate it. When you share your Christian testimony, you go beyond the field of knowledge into the realm of relationship with God.

5 Steps to Writing Your Testimony

These steps explain how to write your testimony. They apply to both long and short, written and spoken testimonies. Whether you're planning to write down your full, detailed testimony or prepare a quick 2-minute version for a short-term mission trip, these steps will help you tell others with sincerity, impact, and clarity, what God has done in your life.

1 - Realize Your Testimony Is Powerful

First and foremost, remember, there is power in your testimony. The Bible says we overcome our enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony:

Then I heard a loud voice shouting across the heavens, “It has come at last— salvation and power and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth— the one who accuses them before our God day and night. And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die. (Revelation 12:10–11, (NLT)

Many other Bible verses reveal the power of sharing your testimony. Spend a few minutes looking them up: Acts 4:33; Romans 10:17; John 4:39.

2 - Study an Example in the Bible

Read Acts 26. Here the Apostle Paul gives his personal testimony before King Agrippa. He tells about his life before his conversion on the road to Damascus when he persecuted the followers of the Way. Next, Paul describes in detail his miraculous encounter with Jesus and his calling to serve Christ as an apostle. Then he goes on to tell of his new life after turning to God.

3 - Spend Time in Preparation and Prayer

Here are a few things to consider before you start writing your testimony: Think about your life before you met the Lord. What was going on in your life leading up to your conversion? What problems or needs were you facing at the time? How did your life change after knowing Jesus Christ? Pray and ask God to help you share what he wants you to include.

4 - Use a 3-Point Outline

A three-point approach is very effective in communicating your personal testimony. This outline focuses on before you trusted Christ, how you surrendered to him, and the changes in your life since you began walking with him.

• Before: Simply tell what your life was like before you surrendered to Christ. What were you searching for before coming to know Christ? What was the chief problem, emotion, situation, or attitude you were dealing with? What motivated you to seek a change? What were your actions and thoughts at the time? How did you try to satisfy your inner needs? (Examples of inner needs are loneliness, fear of death, insecurity, etc. Possible ways to fill those needs include work, money, drugs, relationships, sports, sex.) Remember to use concrete, relatable examples.
• How: How did you come to salvation in Jesus? Simply tell the events and circumstances that caused you to consider Christ as the solution to your searching. Take time to identify the steps that brought you to the point of trusting Christ. Where were you? What was happening at the time? What people or problems influenced your decision?
• Since: How has your life in Christ made a difference? How has his forgiveness impacted you? How have your thoughts, attitudes, and emotions changed? Share how Christ is meeting your needs and what your relationship with him means to you now.

5 - Words to Avoid

Stay away from "Christianese" phrases. "Churchy" words can alienate listeners/readers and keep them from identifying with your life. People who are unfamiliar or even uncomfortable with church and Christianity might not understand what you are saying. They may mistake your meaning or even be turned off by your "foreign language." Here are some examples:

Avoid using the term "born again." Instead, use these words:

• spiritual birth
• spiritual renewal
• spiritual awakening
• come alive spiritually
• given a new life
• my eyes opened

Avoid using "saved." Instead, use terms like:

• rescued
• delivered from despair
• found hope for life

Avoid using "lost." Instead, say:

• heading in the wrong direction
• separated from God
• had no hope
• had no purpose

Avoid using "gospel." Instead, consider saying:

• God's message to man
• the good news about Christ's purpose on earth
• God's message of hope for the world

Avoid using "sin." Instead, try one of these expressions:

• rejecting God
• missing the mark
• falling away from the right path
• a crime against God's law
• disobedience to God
• going my own way with no thought of God

Avoid using "repent." Instead, say things like:

• admit I was wrong
• change one's mind, heart, or attitude
• decide to turn away
• turn around
• make a 180 degree turn from what you were doing
• obey God
• follow God's Word