( what is a testimony? )

[Lindsey]

||TESTIMONIES?||
( some information on what a testimony is )

Stumped on what a testimony is? Think you dont have one?
Heres some ideas.

What is a testimony?
When we commit ourselves to Jesus, a change takes place in our
lives. This changed-life story is known as a testimony. “Testimony” means
sharing how your relationship with Jesus has impacted your life. The
Bible tells us that when we become Christians our “old” self is put in the
past and that we are made new because of Christ. The process of being
“made new” is what a testimony reveals.
Testimony comes from the word testify. You might recognize this
term as something that a witness in a court might give – they “testify” as
to what they know or what they saw. When you share about what Christ
has done in your life you are testifying to His presence.
Telling the story of Christ in your life is part of reaching out to
others by telling them about God. You don’t need to be a Super-
Christian to give your testimony, and your story doesn’t need to be flashy
or dramatic; you only need to have a desire to tell others about God in
your life and a commitment to living God’s way.

Why should I share my story?
Why tell your story? Because it will probably be a great experience
for you, and others need to hear different examples of how God works.
There is mutual blessing when a testimony is shared. How? In Romans
1:12 the Apostle Paul tells us that it is beneficial for us to be “mutually
encouraged by each other’s faith.”
Everyone receives encouragement when a testimony is shared. You
get encouraged because in order for you to share your story you will need
to spend time thinking, praying and writing. And, that very process will
serve as a reminder of all that God has done in your life. Since it’s so
easy to lose sight of that, telling your story will bring it all back and give
you a proper perspective of God’s work in your life.
As an added benefit, the listeners will also receive encouragement.
Like you, Christian listeners will be reminded of how great God is, and
this can cause them to be more receptive to God’s presence in their lives.
Also, non-Christians get a real, live example of how God makes a
difference in one’s life. Many non-Christians dismiss their need for God
because they don’t see how God is relevant to their daily life. But, they
can’t disagree with your story. No one can…it’s your story! When a non-
Christian hears about your journey with God, it immediately proves that
God is real and alive in your life. Please understand this…no one can
deny YOUR story!

What if I don’t have anything interesting to share?
If you’re a Christian that means that there was a time in your life
when you weren’t (no one is “born” a Christian). So how did you get from
there (non-Christian: a life without Christ) to here (Christian: a life with
Christ)? It doesn’t have to be a wild, sex-filled, drug-induced incredible
story. Some people have those stories, but most don’t. Most people
come to know Christ through a process of asking questions, getting
answers, watching other Christians, and accepting God’s free gift of
forgiveness and eternal life. Nothing extravagant…but genuine and real.
Maybe you don’t have a story that will make someone cry or stand to
their feet to applaud, but if you know Jesus, your story will encourgage
someone else’s faith journey.
Or maybe you grew up in a Christian home and can’t remember a
time when you didn’t believe. Talk to your family and have them help you
identify the period in time when you realized you wanted something more
than church and/or religion, a time when you wanted a real relationship
with God.
Maybe even more important than a “when” is a “what”…what is
God doing in your life today? The Christian faith isn’t a one-time event.
It’s an ongoing relationship with the God of the universe. So, what are
you learning? What are you going through? What’s the condition of your
heart? What has God taught you through some recent challenges? Keep
in mind that great stories aren’t always success stories.

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