Writing a Testimony of Salvation

Every Christian must learn how to share his/her testimony of salvation, that is, how he/she became a Christian. God can use your sharing to lead or attract someone to Christ. The length of your testimony should not be more than 3 minutes long when read out at the usual speed of speaking. After you have written it, memorise it and use it to bring the good news to someone. I have reproduced (with some minor modifications) a helpful article I read athttp://christianity.about.com/od/testimonies/a/howtotestimony.htm.

A three-point approach is very effective in communicating your personal testimony. The outline focuses on before you trusted Christ, how you surrendered to Him and the difference afteryou received Christ and since you’ve been walking with him.

Before

Simply tell what your life was like before you surrendered to Christ. What were you searching for before coming to know Christ? What was the key problem, emotion, situation or attitude you were dealing with? What motivated you? What were your actions?

How did you try to satisfy your inner needs? (Examples of inner needs are loneliness, fear of death, insecurity. Possible ways to fill those needs include work, money, drugs, relationships, sports, sex.)

How

How were you converted? Simply tell the events and circumstances that caused you to consider Christ as the solution to your searching. Take time to identify the steps that brought you to the point of trusting Christ. Where were you? What was happening at the time? What people or problems influenced your decision?

After

How has your life in Christ made a difference? How has his forgiveness impacted you? How have your thoughts, attitudes and emotions changed? Share how Christ is meeting your needs and what a relationship with him means to you now.

Important Tips to Remember

Stick to the point. Your conversion and new life in Christ should be the main points.

Be specific. Include events, genuine feelings and personal insights that clarify your main point. This makes your testimony tangible – something others can relate to.

Be current. Tell what is happening in your life with God now, today.

Be honest. Don’t exaggerate or dramatize your life for effect. The simple truth of what God has done in your life is all the Holy Spirit needs to convict others of their sin and convince them of his love and grace.