WRITING A FIVE-MINUTE TESTIMONY by Bobbie Ann Cole

The Bible tells us: Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15)

 

With a story from our walk with God at the ready, we will be more willing to share it with others, because we will feel confident doing so: 

·   We’ll tell it in a more lively and coherent way  

·   Sharing our personal story draws us closer to others.  

·   They may be inspired, comforted, encouraged by our words 

·   You may be instrumental in their accepting that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

Revisiting an episode from our walk with God also benefits us:

·       We will be reminded of what God has done for us,

·       That story  will strengthen our faith.    

·      It will help us think about what He is doing in our life today. 

 

The Elements that Make Up Our Story

 

Every testimony is an ‘I’ story in which you are the main character.

 

Before writing anything down, ask God to remind you of that time of blessing. Thank Him for bringing up the memories.

 

Now, thinking of what happened, write down:

 

·        What was the opening situation (problem)? 

·        The point of change – what did God do that changed the problem or how you felt about it?

·        How did you react? 

·        Why? 

·        What was the outcome?

 

Keep it lean—we are looking for a 5-minute story.

 

Pointers for Sharing A Testimony 

 

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?... As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”  Romans 10:13,15 

 

 

One aspect of sharing our story better is knowing what not to say.

 

  

·       Avoid using Christian jargon that has the potential to exclude others. Expressions like, “I got saved,” are meaningless in the secular world.   

·       Avoid statements that assume acceptance of Christian faith, for example, “The Holy Spirit came upon me.” Such statements can alienate your listener

·       .People won’t have an issue if you talk rather in terms of your own experience:   

·                I felt   

·                It felt like  

·                I believe  

·                To me  

·                It seemed like 

·                I experienced something I can only call… 

 

I invite you to get your notebook or journal out, take some quiet time, and get writing your 5-minute testimony.

 

‘When we submit our lives to what we read in Scripture, we find that we are not being led to see God in our stories but our stories in God’s. God is the larger context and plot in which our stories find themselves.’ — Eugene Peterson  

 

Christian Author, Speaker and Writing Teacher Bobbie Ann Cole is currently teaching her pilot Book Compass Course that helps Christian writers become write-ready through planning their content, publication and time management.

The Book Compass Course will be available on a self-paced basis from January 2022.