Our MOPS Steering Team Coordinator found this for our steering team to use to help us write our Faith Testimonies out so we might have them prepared to give them at our last meeting of the year, which is our "Tea & Testimony".  I thought it was a neat little guide line.  Especailly for someone like me who can tend to wonder without meaning to because something poped into my head.  So I thought I'd share!

I don't know who made the outline up, but if you do please leave me a comment or email so I may give credit where due!

Preparing Your Testimony:  The Four Parts of Your Story

 

If you became a Christian as an Adult:

1.       What my life was like before I met Christ.

a.       What common circumstances would an unbeliever identify with?

b.       What were your attitudes that an unbeliever would identify with?

c.       What was most important to you?

d.       What substitute for God did you use to find meaning in your life?

 

2.       How I realized I needed Christ.

a.       What significant steps led up to your conversion?

b.       What needs, hurts, or problems made you dissatisfied with the way you were living without God?

c.       How did God get your attention?  What motivated you?

 

3.       How I committed my life to Christ.

a.       What specifically did you do?  Where did it happen?

b.       What did you say in your prayer?  Be specific.

 

4.       The difference it has made in my life.

a.       What benefits have you experienced or felt?

b.       What problems have been resolved?

c.       How has Jesus helped you change for the better?

d.       How has it helped your relationships?

e.       Give a current example.

 

If you became a Christian as a Child, but walked away or never grew until a deeper recommitment as an adult:

 

Use the same four steps above, but with this modification:  You made the decision for Christ as a child, but your life was characterized by spiritual immaturity-a lifestyle similar to a non-Christian-until you made a later recommitment of your life to Christ.  Evaluate whether your early conversion was genuine.

 

If you became a Christian as a Child and never strayed:

 

Use the same four steps above, but with this modification:  Point out some deep need or common problem you see other people trying to resolve.  Point out how unsuccessful their attempts are to meet their own need.  Then explain why you never experienced that problem by trusting Christ early in life.  Don’t say the exact age.  Continue with Steps 3 and 4.

 

 

THE TESTIMONY PYRAMID

 

1.       Spend the least time on Part 1

2.       More time on Part 2

3.       Even more time on Part 3

4.       Spend most of your time on Part 4   

 

 

 

 

THE VALUE OF YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY

 

1.       It is unique!  There are no others just like it.

2.       It is personal and easy to understand.

3.       You are the authority on it.  It’s difficult to argue with.

4.       People love to hear personal stories and they remember them.

5.       People can relate to it.

6.       It builds a relational bridge.

7.       In our postmodern world, it may be your most effective witness.

 

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”  1 Peter 3:15