Share Your Testimony
We will need to copy & paste so that you can answer the
question and then you can
email it back to us
handofrefugeministry@yahoo.com
A Personal Testimony is not simply a story of how God rescued someone from a life of horrible sin. It is an
account of how God transforms lives no matter where the person comes from or what circumstances the
person has experienced. Many people are encouraged by the testimony of someone who was introduced to
the LORD at an early age and who then avoided many pitfalls of growing up. God uses each of us as we are,
created in His image and transformed by his power.
Before You Start
Ask the LORD to guide your thoughts and written words. Then trust him to do so. Remember, your story can
bring Glory to Christ and also be a plan for the salvation of others.
Write as if your were sharing with just one person. Many first-time speakers make the mistake of speaking to a
group instead of an individual. But if you write as if you are talking to one person, your testimony will be more
direct. Each person in your audience will feel that you are sitting beside him or her personally to share you life
A good testimony should be no longer than 15 minutes and no shorter than 5 minutes.
· Putting It on Paper
1-Before I received Christ
2-How I Received Christ
3-After I received Christ
4-Conclusion
· Decide what is most important to your testimony
· Always say “I” and “Me,” not “You” The Ideas is to share, not preach.
Remember, everyone has a different background and each one is just as important as the next one, because
those who are listening come from different backgrounds too, and will only be able to connect or relate to those
individuals that they have something in common with.
Your testimony is a declaration of truth as you have experience it. A testimony is your own story and not
someone else’s. As you prepare to give your testimony, remember that you are telling others what Jesus Christ
has done for you.
Why give your Testimony
A. In 1 Peter 3:15, the Apostle Paul instructs us to always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks
you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. 1John 1:3
B. Your personal testimony is one of the most effective means you have for making such a defense of your faith
in Jesus Christ. There are times when an individual is not willing to sit down and go through a Gospel tract or
when doing so would be inappropriate. However, people are often more interested in knowing your story: how
you came to put you faith in Christ and the difference that decision has made in your life.
C. There are numerous examples of individuals sharing their testimony through the New Testament. Who is
giving the following testimonies and who is listening to them?
1- John 4:39-
42_______________________________________________________________________________________
2- John 9:24-
34_______________________________________________________________________________________
3- Galatians 1:11-13, 2:1-
21_______________________________________________________________________________________
4- Acts 21:40, 22:1-
21_______________________________________________________________________________________
5- Acts 24:10-16, 24:
24_______________________________________________________________________________________
6- Acts 26
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul’s testimony in Acts 26 is a biblical model you can follow in writing your own personal testimony.
Lead-In verses 1-3 Before - verses 4-11 How - verses 12-20 After - verses 21-23
There are Three Basic Testimonies:
[1] The Covenant Child, [ Romans 3:23, Genesis 12:1-7, Galatians 3:6-29 ]
These are individuals who have grown up in the faith, Children of believing parents, who were faithfully nurtured in
the Word, in Prayer, and in the Church. Their lives demonstrate they are covenant keepers and heirs to the
promises of God.
Timothy is an example of such an individual who had known the holy scriptures since he was an infant which
were able to make him wise unto salvation [ 2 Timothy 3:10-17 ]
These individuals certainly understand their own sinfulness and need of a Savior and that Christ alone is that
savior. Their testimony will not contain a radical “before conversion’ but will demonstrate a life of growth in
grace, sometimes slower and sometimes faster depending on the circumstances in their lives. It is appropriate to
include a statement about what you have seen others try to make their lives meaningful that failed and it is by
God’s love that you did not follow a similar path but it is in other ways that rebelled against God.
[NOTE: Our culture does not seem to value this type of testimony as much as it does one that exhibit’s a life of
radical sin and then conversion. Somehow it is suggested that it takes more of God’s grace to save someone
from a life of radical sin that sustaining a lifelong faithful walk with Him. The only ingredient that makes either
work is God’s grace.]
[2] The Conscious Convert [Acts 9:3 ]
This conversion usually takes place anywhere from the late teens through adulthood. This person has typically
pursed many avenues in search of happiness and attempting to fill the void in their life only to get disappointed
time and again. Nothing has worked. Some are on this search for a few years. Other’s for decades.
This individual may have been raised in the church and learned all the right words to say and things to do, but
never came to know Christ personally or they may have grown up in a totally pagan world.
At some point, the call of the Spirit of God is heard in their lives and they turn in repentance to Christ for His
forgiveness of their sins an life eternal. While the daily struggle in life does not go away, it is no longer empty and
there is a sense of purpose and growth where there was once only emptiness. Living for Christ becomes a
consuming passion and as a result of that, every area of life is touched.
The Apostle Paul is a clear example of this type of conversion and testimony,
[3] The Wandering Believer [ Ephesians 4:27, Acts 13:22, Psalm 51]
This individual has a history of walking in the faith, but allowing the Devil a foothold in their lives an for a season
walks in the shadow of darkness. Typically this individual was raised in the faith and strayed in the teenage years,
or even after an adult conversion, they became ensnared by the things of this world and allowed their Christian
walk to falter. In God’s own time He called these individuals back to faithfulness.
David, a man after God’s own heart is an example of this type individual, and is a wonderful prayer of
confession and repentance, while seeking God’s forgiveness and renewal.
Writing, The Before, How & After
1- Before: I accepted Christ
You will need to use additional paper to answer the questions
This section covers what your life (as an adult) was like before you accepted Christ.
[The following questions may help you think through what you want to convey]
[Start at a time in life which relates to your experience with Christ. Remember that this is not a biography from
childhood.]
1-What were the unmet needs in your life? Some possibilities include: loneliness, lack of significance, lack of
purpose, a sense of emptiness, fear of death, aimlessness, lack of peace etc.
2-How did you attempt to have these needs met? Some possibilities include: accomplishments, accumulation of
wealth or things, drugs, alcohol, sex, finding fulfillment in work, education, athletics, etc.
3-What things were most important to you? What did your life revolve around?
(Examples-money, marriage, career, etc)
4-Why were they so important? What basic need were you attempting to fulfill?
Many people’s actions spring out of their unsatisfied deep inner needs.
[ Check Those that apply to you ]
lack of peace fear of death no meaning to life something missing desire to be in control
lack of security loneliness lack of purpose lack of significance no real friends
no motivation Acceptance Self Worth Other____________________
Non-Christians are usually trying to satisfy their deep inner needs through unsatisfactory solutions. In the past,
what unsatisfactory solutions did you use to attempt to meet those deep inner needs?
[ As you develop your testimony, list positive as well as negative solutions you may have tried.]
marriage/family work drugs/ alcohol sports/ fitness money career medication counselor
education hobbies/ entertainment sex wrong friends physician Suicide Other
Communicate Your Testimony, Before I accepted Christ
A- What was my life like? How can I communicate this in a way that will relate to the non Christian? (Don’t
focus on the religious upbringing side of your life)
B-What did my life revolve around the most? What did I get my security or happiness from? The non-Christian is
relying on something external to give him happiness.
C- How did those areas begin to let me down?
2 - How: I Received Christ
This section describes the circumstances and events that caused you to consider Christ and the steps you took to
become a Christian.
a-Describe the circumstances that caused you to consider Christ as the solution to your deep inner needs. Identify
the events that led to your conversion. In some cases this may have taken place over a period of time.
b-State specifically the steps you took to become a Christian. If there is a particular passage of Scripture that
applies here, you may want to use it. Usually you will simply paraphrase it.
Include the gospel clearly and briefly.
Examples:
·All have sinned
·Sin’s penalty
·Christ paid the penalty
·That there was nothing I could do to save myself
·Must receive Christ, for that is the completed work done on the cross
·Always uphold the Bible as the authority. Don’t say Pastor told me I was a sinner, say Pastor showed me from
the Bible that I was a sinner.
Communicate Your Testimony, How I Received Christ
1-When did you first hear the message of Christ and what was your reaction?
2-When did you first begin to feel positive toward the gospel and why?
3-Why did you make the decision to trust Christ, and how did you specifically do that?
4- How did God speak to your heart?
5-Who did God use and how did they witness to you?
6-Where were you when Christ found you?
7-How did you respond to the call?
In answering these questions your are seeking to identify specifically the process that brought you
to the point of receiving Christ. This is the climax of your testimony.
3-After: I Accepted Christ
This section explains the changes that have occurred in your life since receiving Christ. This should relate back to
the specific issues you discussed in the “before” section.
A-State how Christ filled or is filling your deep inner needs. In the before, you expressed your needs and how you
tried unsuccessfully to meet them. You now want to briefly show the difference that Christ has made in you life.
B-Conclude with a statement like: “But the greatest benefit is that I know for certain that I have eternal life. The
person you talk to will tend to comment on the last thing you say. Often it is natural to move from the testimony
into a clear presentation of the gospel.
Communicate Your Testimony, After I Received Christ
1-How did Christ specifically satisfy the basic need you stated in the before section?
2-What changes have occurred in your life as a result?
3-How do you know Christ is in you life?
4-How has this change impacted your personal life?
5-How has your changed life impacted others?
The Conclusion
Your conclusion should be a summary statement of one or two sentences referring back to your initial basic
need and the fact that Christ now fills that need.
[Example: I made this decision over 10 years ago. It was the most important decision I have ever made.
During this time I’ve had a growing sense of purpose, peace, and fulfillment based on my personal relationship
with Jesus Christ, not based on my successes in life.]
Don’t be too wordy, Have a clear point and direction to your words. Don’t emphasize how bad you were.
Be Realistic Share how Christ enables You to walk through you problems, rather that removing them from you
life.
Is the gospel so simple and clear that a non-Christian would be able to receive Christ as a result of hearing Your
Testimony?
Procrastinating. Yes, this may be hard, and it will take hours. Putting it off doesn’t get it done.
JUST DO IT!
We would love to hear from you and post your testimony on the Hand of Refuge Ministry Web Site.
Be Sure and Send Us Your Testimony, Copy & Paste the worksheet and send it to us. Or Write out your
testimony on a separate sheet of paper
E-Mail @ - Handofrefgueministry@yahoo.com
-0r-
YOU CAN WRITE TO US @
Hand of Refuge Ministry
404 Poplar Street
Harlan, Kentucky 40831
WEB SITE: http://www.handofrefugeministry.com
We will need to copy & paste so that you can answer the
question and then you can
email it back to us
handofrefugeministry@yahoo.com
A Personal Testimony is not simply a story of how God rescued someone from a life of horrible sin. It is an
account of how God transforms lives no matter where the person comes from or what circumstances the
person has experienced. Many people are encouraged by the testimony of someone who was introduced to
the LORD at an early age and who then avoided many pitfalls of growing up. God uses each of us as we are,
created in His image and transformed by his power.
Before You Start
Ask the LORD to guide your thoughts and written words. Then trust him to do so. Remember, your story can
bring Glory to Christ and also be a plan for the salvation of others.
Write as if your were sharing with just one person. Many first-time speakers make the mistake of speaking to a
group instead of an individual. But if you write as if you are talking to one person, your testimony will be more
direct. Each person in your audience will feel that you are sitting beside him or her personally to share you life
A good testimony should be no longer than 15 minutes and no shorter than 5 minutes.
· Putting It on Paper
1-Before I received Christ
2-How I Received Christ
3-After I received Christ
4-Conclusion
· Decide what is most important to your testimony
· Always say “I” and “Me,” not “You” The Ideas is to share, not preach.
Remember, everyone has a different background and each one is just as important as the next one, because
those who are listening come from different backgrounds too, and will only be able to connect or relate to those
individuals that they have something in common with.
Your testimony is a declaration of truth as you have experience it. A testimony is your own story and not
someone else’s. As you prepare to give your testimony, remember that you are telling others what Jesus Christ
has done for you.
Why give your Testimony
A. In 1 Peter 3:15, the Apostle Paul instructs us to always be ready to make a defense to everyone who asks
you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. 1John 1:3
B. Your personal testimony is one of the most effective means you have for making such a defense of your faith
in Jesus Christ. There are times when an individual is not willing to sit down and go through a Gospel tract or
when doing so would be inappropriate. However, people are often more interested in knowing your story: how
you came to put you faith in Christ and the difference that decision has made in your life.
C. There are numerous examples of individuals sharing their testimony through the New Testament. Who is
giving the following testimonies and who is listening to them?
1- John 4:39-
42_______________________________________________________________________________________
2- John 9:24-
34_______________________________________________________________________________________
3- Galatians 1:11-13, 2:1-
21_______________________________________________________________________________________
4- Acts 21:40, 22:1-
21_______________________________________________________________________________________
5- Acts 24:10-16, 24:
24_______________________________________________________________________________________
6- Acts 26
__________________________________________________________________________________________
Paul’s testimony in Acts 26 is a biblical model you can follow in writing your own personal testimony.
Lead-In verses 1-3 Before - verses 4-11 How - verses 12-20 After - verses 21-23
There are Three Basic Testimonies:
[1] The Covenant Child, [ Romans 3:23, Genesis 12:1-7, Galatians 3:6-29 ]
These are individuals who have grown up in the faith, Children of believing parents, who were faithfully nurtured in
the Word, in Prayer, and in the Church. Their lives demonstrate they are covenant keepers and heirs to the
promises of God.
Timothy is an example of such an individual who had known the holy scriptures since he was an infant which
were able to make him wise unto salvation [ 2 Timothy 3:10-17 ]
These individuals certainly understand their own sinfulness and need of a Savior and that Christ alone is that
savior. Their testimony will not contain a radical “before conversion’ but will demonstrate a life of growth in
grace, sometimes slower and sometimes faster depending on the circumstances in their lives. It is appropriate to
include a statement about what you have seen others try to make their lives meaningful that failed and it is by
God’s love that you did not follow a similar path but it is in other ways that rebelled against God.
[NOTE: Our culture does not seem to value this type of testimony as much as it does one that exhibit’s a life of
radical sin and then conversion. Somehow it is suggested that it takes more of God’s grace to save someone
from a life of radical sin that sustaining a lifelong faithful walk with Him. The only ingredient that makes either
work is God’s grace.]
[2] The Conscious Convert [Acts 9:3 ]
This conversion usually takes place anywhere from the late teens through adulthood. This person has typically
pursed many avenues in search of happiness and attempting to fill the void in their life only to get disappointed
time and again. Nothing has worked. Some are on this search for a few years. Other’s for decades.
This individual may have been raised in the church and learned all the right words to say and things to do, but
never came to know Christ personally or they may have grown up in a totally pagan world.
At some point, the call of the Spirit of God is heard in their lives and they turn in repentance to Christ for His
forgiveness of their sins an life eternal. While the daily struggle in life does not go away, it is no longer empty and
there is a sense of purpose and growth where there was once only emptiness. Living for Christ becomes a
consuming passion and as a result of that, every area of life is touched.
The Apostle Paul is a clear example of this type of conversion and testimony,
[3] The Wandering Believer [ Ephesians 4:27, Acts 13:22, Psalm 51]
This individual has a history of walking in the faith, but allowing the Devil a foothold in their lives an for a season
walks in the shadow of darkness. Typically this individual was raised in the faith and strayed in the teenage years,
or even after an adult conversion, they became ensnared by the things of this world and allowed their Christian
walk to falter. In God’s own time He called these individuals back to faithfulness.
David, a man after God’s own heart is an example of this type individual, and is a wonderful prayer of
confession and repentance, while seeking God’s forgiveness and renewal.
Writing, The Before, How & After
1- Before: I accepted Christ
You will need to use additional paper to answer the questions
This section covers what your life (as an adult) was like before you accepted Christ.
[The following questions may help you think through what you want to convey]
[Start at a time in life which relates to your experience with Christ. Remember that this is not a biography from
childhood.]
1-What were the unmet needs in your life? Some possibilities include: loneliness, lack of significance, lack of
purpose, a sense of emptiness, fear of death, aimlessness, lack of peace etc.
2-How did you attempt to have these needs met? Some possibilities include: accomplishments, accumulation of
wealth or things, drugs, alcohol, sex, finding fulfillment in work, education, athletics, etc.
3-What things were most important to you? What did your life revolve around?
(Examples-money, marriage, career, etc)
4-Why were they so important? What basic need were you attempting to fulfill?
Many people’s actions spring out of their unsatisfied deep inner needs.
[ Check Those that apply to you ]
lack of peace fear of death no meaning to life something missing desire to be in control
lack of security loneliness lack of purpose lack of significance no real friends
no motivation Acceptance Self Worth Other____________________
Non-Christians are usually trying to satisfy their deep inner needs through unsatisfactory solutions. In the past,
what unsatisfactory solutions did you use to attempt to meet those deep inner needs?
[ As you develop your testimony, list positive as well as negative solutions you may have tried.]
marriage/family work drugs/ alcohol sports/ fitness money career medication counselor
education hobbies/ entertainment sex wrong friends physician Suicide Other
Communicate Your Testimony, Before I accepted Christ
A- What was my life like? How can I communicate this in a way that will relate to the non Christian? (Don’t
focus on the religious upbringing side of your life)
B-What did my life revolve around the most? What did I get my security or happiness from? The non-Christian is
relying on something external to give him happiness.
C- How did those areas begin to let me down?
2 - How: I Received Christ
This section describes the circumstances and events that caused you to consider Christ and the steps you took to
become a Christian.
a-Describe the circumstances that caused you to consider Christ as the solution to your deep inner needs. Identify
the events that led to your conversion. In some cases this may have taken place over a period of time.
b-State specifically the steps you took to become a Christian. If there is a particular passage of Scripture that
applies here, you may want to use it. Usually you will simply paraphrase it.
Include the gospel clearly and briefly.
Examples:
·All have sinned
·Sin’s penalty
·Christ paid the penalty
·That there was nothing I could do to save myself
·Must receive Christ, for that is the completed work done on the cross
·Always uphold the Bible as the authority. Don’t say Pastor told me I was a sinner, say Pastor showed me from
the Bible that I was a sinner.
Communicate Your Testimony, How I Received Christ
1-When did you first hear the message of Christ and what was your reaction?
2-When did you first begin to feel positive toward the gospel and why?
3-Why did you make the decision to trust Christ, and how did you specifically do that?
4- How did God speak to your heart?
5-Who did God use and how did they witness to you?
6-Where were you when Christ found you?
7-How did you respond to the call?
In answering these questions your are seeking to identify specifically the process that brought you
to the point of receiving Christ. This is the climax of your testimony.
3-After: I Accepted Christ
This section explains the changes that have occurred in your life since receiving Christ. This should relate back to
the specific issues you discussed in the “before” section.
A-State how Christ filled or is filling your deep inner needs. In the before, you expressed your needs and how you
tried unsuccessfully to meet them. You now want to briefly show the difference that Christ has made in you life.
B-Conclude with a statement like: “But the greatest benefit is that I know for certain that I have eternal life. The
person you talk to will tend to comment on the last thing you say. Often it is natural to move from the testimony
into a clear presentation of the gospel.
Communicate Your Testimony, After I Received Christ
1-How did Christ specifically satisfy the basic need you stated in the before section?
2-What changes have occurred in your life as a result?
3-How do you know Christ is in you life?
4-How has this change impacted your personal life?
5-How has your changed life impacted others?
The Conclusion
Your conclusion should be a summary statement of one or two sentences referring back to your initial basic
need and the fact that Christ now fills that need.
[Example: I made this decision over 10 years ago. It was the most important decision I have ever made.
During this time I’ve had a growing sense of purpose, peace, and fulfillment based on my personal relationship
with Jesus Christ, not based on my successes in life.]
Don’t be too wordy, Have a clear point and direction to your words. Don’t emphasize how bad you were.
Be Realistic Share how Christ enables You to walk through you problems, rather that removing them from you
life.
Is the gospel so simple and clear that a non-Christian would be able to receive Christ as a result of hearing Your
Testimony?
Procrastinating. Yes, this may be hard, and it will take hours. Putting it off doesn’t get it done.
JUST DO IT!
We would love to hear from you and post your testimony on the Hand of Refuge Ministry Web Site.
Be Sure and Send Us Your Testimony, Copy & Paste the worksheet and send it to us. Or Write out your
testimony on a separate sheet of paper
E-Mail @ - Handofrefgueministry@yahoo.com
-0r-
YOU CAN WRITE TO US @
Hand of Refuge Ministry
404 Poplar Street
Harlan, Kentucky 40831
WEB SITE: http://www.handofrefugeministry.com
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| They That Sow In Tears Shall Reap In Joy |
