10 Tips for an effective Testimony

To witness to someone can also be viewed as story telling. Jesus used stories to relate to people in their immediate situations. By using the scriptures and your personal intimate stories that relate directly to an individual can be a powerful tool when witnessing to an unbeliever or when encouraging a believer. Jesus has commissioned us to be witnesses of the gospel

Though people can deny the truth of the stories in the Bible as they would in any other book, they can not deny the truth about what Christ has done for you personally. No one can argue with you the reality or validity of your first hand personal experience.

John 21:24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

We are to be led by the Spirit of God when sharing our Testimony, but it would be a good idea to be prepared when you share your personal testimony by gathering your thoughts, writing them down and reading them. This will allow you to deliver your testimony in a clear and concise way when the opportunity arises.

There are different testimonies to be shared. Your personal story on how you came to know Christ is a very powerful testimony. There are also times of personal victory in individual situations that many people can relate to. Healing testimonies build the faith of those that need healing. Provision testimonies create faith for those with needs when shared. Testimonies of signs, wonders and miracles are for the unbeliever to draw them by the Spirit towards God. It is important to be prepared to share the “Hope in you” at any time that the situation permits.

When writing out your personal testimony the following is a good outline

1. Write down your life and attitudes before you came to know Christ. Be honest with the state of where you were, being careful not to glorify Satan. Tell about your home life, your early Christian experience and any people that influenced you as a child

2. Share how you came to know your need for a Savior/ your crisis of faith moment
3. Describe in detail how you came to know Jesus personally. Quote any scriptures that had significant meaning for you.

4. What has happened to you since? Share your relationship with God now.

When sharing about victory or personal experience

1. Share the facts of the situation and all of the difficulties or problems that were present, share your truthful attitude in the situation
2. Explain how your relationship with God and Jesus revealed to you the victory. Share scriptures, prophetic words, dreams, miracles and or any change in your attitude
3. Reveal how God has changed or is changing the situation ( be sure to give glory to God)

Just a note- with victory testimonies you may be required to share a testimony that has not manifested in it’s fullness, but that you have been given victory over in faith. Be sure to edify, encourage and lift up the hearer as you share.

10 Tips to help make your Testimony more effective

1.    Keep it direct and to the point- do not go off about other topics unrelated to your testimony.

2.    Only share important facts and information relevant to your testimony

3.    Do not make it too long in length, you do not want them to loose interest

4.    Be very descriptive and use descriptive words to develop a visual picture.

5.    There is nothing wrong with adding humor to make it more interesting

6.    Make sure it relates to the audience- example change the terminology and examples for youth

7.    Be sure to have scriptures to emphasis your testimony

8.    Give living examples and references to enable your audience to understand

9.    Be sure to honor others when your testimony involves other individuals

10.      Remember Jesus always gets the Glory!

 Excerpt from book-10 Tips for an effective Testimony by Charmaine Hinds