A training session on how to share your Christian testimony by Evangelist Darrel Davis of Foundation Ministries. www.onlyfoundation.org.

1. Sharing Your Personal Testimony An easy way to introduce people to Jesus Christ.

2. Your Story is a Powerful Tool! Every believer has a personal testimony of their experience with Jesus. God can use every believer’s testimony! You don’t have to be super sinner to be used effectively by God!!! Your testimony is God’s story, not yours! Not about God saving you from sin. It’s about God transforming you to be more like His Son.

3. Your Story is a Powerful Tool! It can be shared in just a few moments. It doesn’t require lots of scripture memorization or training. Since it is your story, it is difficult for people to refute. It speaks to our post-modern culture. It can stand alone as a witness or it can be used as part of a larger gospel presentation.

4. Three Major Parts of Your Story… What was my life like before I met Jesus? How did I meet Jesus? When, Where, How… How has Jesus made a difference in my life?

5. Paul’s Story – Before Jesus (Acts 26) He talks about his religious heritage (vv. 4-5). He talks about his reputation (v. 4). How he was a persecutor of Christians (vv. 9-11). Everything that Paul said pointed to the fact that he was an enemy of Jesus.

6. What about You? Were you raised in church? Not? Did you come to faith early in life? Later? Who were some of your influences? Parents? Teacher? Pastor? Was there a difficulty or trial that led to seek God? Can you look back and see how God pursued you?

7. My Story… Grew up in a difficult home – father mentally ill. Family stopped attending church when I was young. Uncle took me to church. False conversion and baptism at age 15. Struggles in high school with depression and suicidal thoughts. Dabbling with false religions and new age. Bitterness and anger in college.

8. Pause Take a few moments to jot down some things about your life before Jesus.

9. Paul’s Story – Meeting Jesus Where he was and what he was doing (v. 12) His holy vision of Jesus (vv. 13-14) Hearing the voice of the Lord (vv. 14, 15-18) His obedience to Christ and conversion (v. 19)

10. What about You? Where were you when you met Jesus? Who influenced you or shared the gospel with you? How many times had you heard the gospel before? What made you realize the bad news/good news?

11. My Story… Went to work for Easco Aluminum. Met Tim Parker. Heard him talk about the Lord and saw the difference in his life. Spring 1994 – knelt by my bedside and gave up living life on my terms. People began to notice an immediate difference in my life.

12. Pause Take a few moments to jot down some things about how you met Jesus.

13. Paul’s Story – After Meeting Jesus Immediately testified of who Jesus was in Damascus and Jerusalem. (v. 20) Was himself persecuted for Christ. (v. 21) God has helped him from that day until now to proclaim the message of Christ. (vv. 22-23)

14. What about You? Have people seen a change in you since coming to Christ? How have your actions changed? Do you have assurance of salvation?

15. My Story… He gave me assurance of my salvation and security. God gave me a desire for His Word. He has helped my with my anger issues. He has called me into full time ministry. He has allowed me to share His message in 10 countries and 17 states.

16. Pause Take a few moments to jot down some things about how life has been different for you since meeting Jesus.

17. Some Other Thoughts… Avoid Christian terms when possible. Keep it short – 2-3 minutes, 5 minute max. Keep the focus on Jesus. Avoid derogatory remarks toward people and groups. Give details, but avoid details that might bring dishonor to Christ and others. Practice! Practice! Practice!