The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum Advice on Testimony

Hi All,

I was asked to give my testimony at church in about a week. I've been thinking about it, and I really have no idea what to talk about right now. Does anyone have any suggestions. Honestly, my heart is not really enthusiastic about this since I'm somewhat of a private person (not necessarily to those around me, but in a large public setting). So I've been praying that God would be gracious and guide me in what to say and that His will would be done and not mine.

Thanks,
John

John,
First I have a couple of questions. Why did they ask you to give your testimony? What kind of church do you attend and what do they expect you to talk about?

If this were me, I'd share with those who want to know my testimony, that God by His grace has begun a good work in my life and I'd like to describe the journey so far. I'd reflect on how His grace has impacted me and transformed me. You could mention a few examples of where you were before Christ came into your heart and the kind of changes that He has brought about. Be sure to share the particular Scripture texts that God used to open your eyes. I'd share that I now love God with all my heart because He first loved me and now I want to live the rest of my life to serve Him. I'd give all the praise and glory to my loving Savior Jesus Christ who loved me and gave His life for me to save me from my sin.

Just a few thoughts... I hope they're helpful.


Wes <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bravo.gif" alt="" />

John,

The one thing I would suggest that you do NOT do is give your audience the impression that if someone converts to Christianity, everything that was bad becomes good. I would focus upon the fact that the Gospel is that which changes life, rather than a Gospel of the changed life. For some, it may be entirely true, that before they came to Christ their marriage was on the rocks, their business was in dire straights, their children gave them no respect, they engaged in heavy drinking, etc., etc.... but afterward, these things improved. But it is no less true that many of God's children after being called out of darkness into light experienced many trials and tribulations. Not a few have seen their marriages end in divorce, lose their jobs, contract some serious illness, etc.

All too often I have heard "testimonies" which amount to nothing more than an advertisement for Jesus. They make Christianity nothing more than one of the many other items found in the religion supermarket from which people can choose. So, their "testimony" sounds like more of a sales pitch to pique the interest of the potential "buyer".

I would focus upon what has happened indeed, but on the inside; e.g., God in His mercy and grace gave you eyes to see the blackness of your heart, how your life was filled with sinful desires and wicked acts, even though they might have had the appearance of virtue. You could stress the wonders of grace in that the Lord revealed Himself to you and gave you a deep love for Him and an insatiable hunger for His Word and to be conformed into His image. I would think that everyone who has been brought to a living relationship with God could speak of these things naturally. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

What do you think of the use of the phrase "I had a life changing experience"?

While that is certainly true, can it be used without falling into subjectivism or sentimentalism? I used it once and the person to whom I was witnessing said, "Oh, really? Well I have too: when I realized I was gay."

I followed up with how this life-changing experience is founded on objective, God-given truth.

Of course, this suggestion WAS from the FAITH course, so I'm considering the source here...

Not much! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/rofl.gif" alt="" /> And you answered for me by giving the example of the gay individual's response. A Buddhist could testify in the same manner, as could one who converted to Mormonism, or any other religion. But if we stick to the objective teaching of Scripture in regard to what has happened to us; e.g., conviction of sin, holiness of God, righteousness and active obedience of Christ, forgiveness of sins in His blood, etc., then we are proclaiming the Gospel that CAN change a life; a life that was dead and made alive to God by grace through faith in Christ alone. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

Pilgrim,

Yes, I too don't want to give the impression that Christianity makes your life perfect. I'm not so concerned about that particular point, though, because my life has just as many problems as before I was a Christian. I'm truly thankful that I can deal with those problems with the benefit of God's grace and His guidance. I am a little more concerned about falling into the "advertisement" error or, on the other hand, focusing too much on me and not enough on Christ. I agree with the last paragraph you wrote. I think that is sound advice. But even if that is what I want to do, sometimes it's hard to put it into practice. I guess because of my sinful heart, there a parts of me that want to take this opportunity to advance my own agenda (whatever that may be at a particular time). I'm always struggling with that.

Wes,

I'm not sure exactly why the pastor asked me to give my testimony. If I remember correctly, maybe it was to get to know me better. Sorry, the pastor caught me on the way out the door after church one day, so it's a little fuzzy in my mind.

The church I attend is rather small (20-30 people) and the members are from many cultures and backgrounds. In some ways, the diversity is good, but as you can imagine with people from so many backgrounds there is quite a range of beliefs there. Many of the theological errors I've been seen discussed on this board, I hear at church from different people. The pastor, who is fairly new, came from an Assembly of God background. As you may recall from some other posts I've had some disagreements with the pastor and I'm actually seeking another church to attend.

Thanks for the other advice. I do want to use a few verses from Scripture. I don't really remember any particular text that God used to "open my eyes", but there are some particular verses that have always impacted me more than others. In truth, I'm not really sure when I actually became a Christian. I grew up in a Christian family, so I was always exposed to the Bible. I thought I was a Christian as a child, but now that I am adult I'm not so sure that I was then. I think this is a common experience for people who grow up in Christian households.
You suggested the following (I need to learn how to use the quote function)

"I'd share that I now love God with all my heart because He first loved me and now I want to live the rest of my life to serve Him. I'd give all the praise and glory to my loving Savior Jesus Christ who loved me and gave His life for me to save me from my sin."

I think I know what you are saying here, but it's easy when saying this to give the wrong impression. Honestly, there is part of me that this is true for, but there is a part of me that this is not true for. I mean, I truly wish that "I loved God with all my heart ..., I want to live the rest of my life to serve him ... , etc", but this is not the case. Every day I'm confronted by the fact that, even though I am a Christian, I don't love God with all of my heart, and there are many many times that I don't want to serve God. I guess this is what we read about in Romans 7. That's why I'm so glad that Christ died for my sins. Of course, those things are true in my life to a degree now that I am a Christian, but they are not perfect (nowhere near). I don't want to give the impression (as Pilgrim suggested to be careful of) that after becoming a Christian all our problems are solved.

John

John, maybe I can help you out. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bigglasses.gif" alt="" /> Put these "tags" before and after your quote.
That's all there is to it! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/compute.gif" alt="" />

wow, that's easy. Thanks.

John

John,

I have a dear friend who is from Japan. He's a Christian businessman here in the Midwest and I have a close relationship with him. No one else in his family are Christians and they all live in Japan. They hold to the national religion of Japan, Buddhism. However he has come to know the living God, whom to know is life eternal, and is now a vibrant Christian. In the last year when he returned to Japan on one of his many trips there, he had the opportunity to share his testimony to the grace of God in a church in his home town. Knowing my friend Kim I'm sure this opportunity was used by the Lord to touch many lives. I can tell you there has been much progress in his life and he probably couldn't have given this testimony only a few years ago. That's because Kim is a very sensitive quiet man but as he grows in his faith he's also gaining boldness. It's a beautiful thing to behold.

Don't worry if you can't give a dramatic testimony. Just tell your story. Did you know that you've had a tremendous privilege being raised in a Christian home? Even though you feel that you weren't a Christian when you were a child you were still blessed by the grace of God through your exposure to the Bible and your Christian parents. You may not realize it but it probably has a lot of influence on the man you are today. Now it appears you agree with Paul that there's a struggle that goes on because sin dwells in us. Let me just encourage you that the closer you get to the Light the more obvious your sins will be. Don't get discouraged because every believer fights this same battle. Repentance and faith is not only our response to the Gospel but it is our daily practice as we continue in fellowship with our Savior. Don't try to give anyone the impression that you have no problems. Just remember who has begun this good work in you and will also bring it to completion. Praise Him!

May God bless you as you give testimony to Jesus Christ in your small congregation in Japan.

Here's a couple of biblical examples of changed lives:

Acts 4:13 "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus."

Acts 9 tells us of a man named Saul who was breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord until he was converted on the road to Damascus. As you know he was transformed from one who was persecuting the church of Jesus Christ to a chosen vessel who preached that Christ is the Son of God in the synagogues. God also prepared him to be a great missionary.

As John Newton wrote, "Once I was blind, but now I can see." The Light of the world is Jesus.


Wes <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bravo.gif" alt="" />

John,

I don't know how it is possible, but perhaps you haven't noticed the table below where you type in your messages? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> On the left side there are the "Graemlins" and on the right side there is the "Advanced UBBT Code". Each item has a dropdown menu where you can find many different options, including the "Quote" tags. See the screenshot below:

Also, when you reply to someone, you also have the option to click "Quote" button, which is right beside the "Reply" button. Then you can delete that portion of the message you are replying to which is irrelevant.

<script language="JavaScript" src="includes/ubbt_blink.js"></script><span id="blink"><blink><font size="4"><font face="Comic Sans MS">HAVE FUN!</font></font></blink></span><script language="JavaScript">blink();</script>

Wes,

Thanks for your encouraging words. I do consider it a priviledge to have grown up in a Christian family and wouldn't have had it any other way. Mainly, I was pointing out that for people who grow up in a Christian family it is often hard for them to know when they became a Christian. I agree that the more you see of God's holiness and perfection, the more of a sinner you feel like. But this knowledge helps to point me to Christ more and more every day. I am currently reading "Religious Affectations" by Jonathan Edwards and he has a lot to say about this topic. It's a very good book. It's funny you mentioned Philippians 1:6 because it was one of the verses I am considering using. It's one of my favorite verses and is always very encouraging to me.

Pilgrim,

I'm not sure how I missed the quote buttone. It's so obvious now that you pointed it out. I've seen the graemlins' tool bar before, but I haven't really explored all the options there. I will take some time to check it out.

John

David F. Wells, in "No PLace for Truth, or, Whatever Happened to Evangelical Theology?" had the following to say about testimonies:

"Evangelicals have always insisted that Christ is a person who can and should be known personally; he is not simply an item on a creed to which assent should be given. But from this point they have drawn conclusions that become increasingly injurious. They have proceeded to seek assurance of faith not in terms of objective truthfulness of the biblical teaching but in terms of the efficiacy of its subjective experience. Testimonies have become indispensable items in the evangelical fare. Testifying to having experienced Christ personally is peculiarly seductive in the modern context, because it opens up to view an inner experience that responds to the hunger of the 'other-directed' individual but often sacrifices its objective truth value in doing so. The question it poses to the outsider is not whether Christ is objectively real but simply whether the experience is appealing, whether it seems to have worked, whether having it will bring one inside the group and give one connections to others.

"In any genuine knowledge of God, there is an experience of His grace and power, informed by the written Scriptures, mediated by the Holy Spirit, and based upon the work of Christ on the cross. What is not so clear from the New Testement is that the experience should itself become the source of our knowledge to others. To be sure, there was plenty of witnessing that went on in the early church, but it is anything but clear that this should be understood as the use of personal autobiography to persuade other that they should commit themselves to Christ. New Testament witness was witness to the objective truth of Christian faith, truth that had been experienced; our witness today is witness to our own faith, and in affirming its validity we may become less interested in its truthfulness that (sic) in the fact that is seems to work."

(p. 172-173)

I was up at a youth retreat at the camp that I work at a few weeks ago. We had four sessions with the speaker throughout the weekend. His first session was on the horrendous problem of sin. The next session was on the solution: Christ's substitutionary atonement. The third session was on our response to the gospel: "Take up your cross and follow me..."

For the last session, he shared his testimony. It was awesome. Besides the fact that his testimony was awesome, the whole focus was right. It was basically "This is Truth, and because it is truth, I had this experience," rather then the typical "This is my experience, and because I had a good experience, this is truth."

It's quite late, so I'm probably not elucidating this as well as I'd like to, but in that context his testimony was a beautiful thing. I've seen far to much of the opposite in my life.

Hi,

Just as an update. I gave my testimony this morning at church. I think it went well and I wanted to thank everyone for their wonderful suggestions. I tried as best I could to keep it focused on Christ and not so much on me by focusing on what Christ has done for me. My prayer is that God would use my testimony in whatever way He sees fit (of which I am confident He will), and if there was anything that I said that was not in line with Scripture, that it passed by the ears of those listening.

John