Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.
E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk
Note to the reader:
If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you merely telling me where in the world you are based- I do not need any other information. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that all over the globe the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.
Thank you.
Herman Abrahams,
Cape Town, South Africa.
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A GUIDE TO GIVING YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY IN PUBLIC
1. What did Peter and John speak about?
Acts 4:20 “For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. (Also 1 John 1:3)
2. How could you cope with difficult theological questions?
John 9:25 ‘He (the blind man) replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I DO KNOW: I was blind but now I see.”
3. Do I need a lot of training to give my testimony?
John 4:28.29 “Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”
3.1 How much training did the Samaritan woman have?
4. How much can I expect God to use my testimony? What were the results of the Samaritan woman’s testimony?
John 4:39 ‘Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”’
John 4:42 ‘They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the saviour of the world.”’
(See vs 40-41 The seed was sown by the woman, the Lord watered it, God made it grow)
5. Even when results appear to be negative, God is still at work.
Mark 4:26-28 ‘He also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. 27. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. 28. All by itself the soil produces corn - first the stalk, then the ear, then the full kernel in the ear.
5.1 What does God say grows? (vs27) ……………………..
5.2 When does this growing take place? (vs27) ..................................................
6. When it comes to giving your testimony, it’s not only true that “you reap what you sow” (Gal 6:7), but it’s certainly true also that if you do not sow, you will not reap. Nevertheless, God in his grace will enable you to reap where you have not sown (John 4:37 and 38).
All this adds up to immense encouragement to speak as a witness.
7. SOME TIPS ON GIVING YOUR TESTIMONY.
7.1 A SIMPLE PATTERN
We will use Acts 26:1-23 as our example of how to give your testimony.
¨ Introduction (Acts 26:1b-3)
Make it short , snappy and interesting
¨ A testimony should have 3 major points in its main body:
1. Before I became a Christian (what I used to be like). (Acts 26:4-11)
2. How I came to know Christ (Acts 26:12-18) / What/how much Jesus has done for you.
3. Life after I received Christ (the changes He has made). (Acts 26:19-23)
Use a few scriptures if necessary, but not too many
¨ Conclusions
1. You can perhaps make an appeal, eg. “What God has done for me He can do for you also” but do not preach.
2. Don’t say “finally’ six times.
7.2 SOME ‘DON’TS’
1. Don’t draw attention to yourself.
2. Don’t speak for too long (eg. more than 5 minutes).
3. Don’t beat about the bush - be direct.
4. Don’t be dishonest about your experiences.
5. Don’t give the impression that Christianity is a bed of roses.
6. Don’t speak critically about any individual or group or denomination.
7. Don’t put on a special pulpit voice, however, be courteous; don’t say “I don’t care
who you are.”
8. Don’t say anything which would require an apology afterwards!
9. Don’t be unreal.
10. Don’t try to impress people (e.g. by quoting scripture references incorrectly).
11. Don’t glory in your past sins or how bad you were.
12. Don’t preach.
13. Don’t use jargon words any more than you can help.
14. Don’t share how you’ve failed Christ since you became a Christian.
15. Don’t chew gum whilst giving your testimony.
7.3 SOME “DO’S”
1. Speak out loudly and clearly
2. Be positive
3. Be yourself
4. Look at the people and not the windows, walls or ceilings.
5. Try to be relaxed.
6. Be humble
7. Talk slowly and don’t be afraid to pause.
8. Try to avoid mannerisms like rubbing your nose or clearing your throat.
9. Give sufficient details, but don’t be embarrassing.
10. Smile! Ask the Lord to give you a happy face.
11. Smell good (Use deodorants & perfumes; breath mint if necessary).
12. When talking to a large group, use the microphone, if available.
The giving of a testimony is an important part of presenting the Gospel; relax and let the Spirit do what He wants with what you share.
7.4 A PRACTICAL EXERCISE
Write our your testimony and speak it out loud to yourself, keeping in mind the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’. Do not speak for more than five minutes. (It is better to leave people wishing you had spoken longer, than to have people longing for you to finish).
7.5 YOU NEED TO BE AWARE THAT:
1. Every person who wants to be used by God must go through the appropriate apprenticeship. This hold true in the experience of giving your testimony?
2. There are no exceptions to this rule. Jesus worked a 30 year apprenticeship.
3. The person who has learnt, with an apprentice’s attitude, about this matter, will eventually be able to respond to the spontaneity of the Holy Spirit in any given situation.(end)
