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Living Testimonies - Inspiring Others in a Community for Jesus
A Christian's most powerful tool for sharing the gospel is their story. Their story of how God has changed their lives through a relationship with Jesus is their living testimony.
Christians should be ready to share their faith with others in many ways. One important way is by service to others.
Testimony of Faith
A Christian’s testimony is the story of how God has acted in their life and the resulting change or transformation. It can be about their journey to becoming a Christian--also known as their conversion story--or it may be about the ways in which God has shown up in their lives, like a healing miracle or answered prayer or a powerful Bible teaching they've heard.
Testimonies can come in all shapes and sizes; some may be very dramatic, with wild turning points and big 'ah-ha!' moments; others can be more subtle or slow to develop, but no less impactful. Whatever shape it takes, though, it is always meant to give glory to God and point people to Christ.
Sharing one's testimony is an important part of the Christian faith, and we all have a story to share! This personal, unique and incredibly powerful tool is an excellent way to show God's hand in our lives. It's also a great way to build up and encourage fellow believers in the Body of Christ. But, like any other tool, it can be used for good or evil. It can be counter-productive, if we are not careful how we use it or present it. But, it can also be a blessing to others if we take the time to create and practice it well.
Keeping your testimony short and to the point is a great way to capture attention, and it will also respect the person you are speaking with and their time. Try to keep your testimonies to around 15 seconds, so they can be easily digested and remembered by others. community for jesus
The 15-second testimony tool is designed to provide individuals with a framework for their stories and helps them to be ready at any moment to give an eyewitness account of how God has transformed their lives, giving glory to Him. It encourages them to focus on key aspects of their testimonies, including their previous state of brokenness or struggle, how they encountered God or the Gospel message and how this changed their lives.
Testimony of Change
When someone has a testimony of change, they can tell of how God has helped them turn away from sin and to live more faithfully. Their story may involve a dramatic turning point or an “ah-ha!” moment. Other testimonies are less dramatic, but are no less compelling. Testimonies of change often include great struggle and a long journey, but they also include a change in thinking that leads to greater commitment.
One of the most powerful aspects of Jesus’s ministry was that he worked in community. He seldom went off alone to minister or speak to crowds of people by himself. Instead, he took disciples and taught them to be part of a community that shared values, cared for one another, and served others. This kind of community is essential to the gospel.
It is a place where members are willing to take turns in leadership roles and rely on one another for counsel, support, and accountability. When a member of the community is sinning, a leader in the church can help them repent and return to God. The church can also assist in correcting and reconciling relationships—as shown by the way Aquila and Priscilla helped correct Apollos (Acts 18:24–28).
Sister Oaks has seen firsthand the value of working in community. She and her husband, Elder Oaks, are responsible for making thousands—if not tens of thousands—of Witness Glove kits. The gloves teach children about their own baptismal covenants, and they can be used for other teaching purposes. During singles conferences, for example, Sister Oaks has had children pair up and use the gloves to discuss their own testimonies.
She’s also found that the gloves help families share their own testimonies. She’s had them teach the five points to their family, and she’s seen them talk about the Five Points with friends and teachers. She hopes the Witness Gloves will be used in other ways as well.
The Witness Gloves were created with the help of many partnering organizations in Canada, including USC Shoah Foundation and Living Testimonies Archive at McGill University. Together, they deposited a total of 1,257 Holocaust testimonies into the Visual History Archive.
Testimony of Service
Throughout church history, the Bible has instructed God’s people to publicly share about how God is working in their lives. These testimonies are a part of the church’s social worship, and they provide a wonderful opportunity for us to honor and praise the Lord.
Often, these testimony times were held before a sermon or special occasion in the church. Typically, a preacher would ask if anyone wanted to stand up and share their experience with God. Some people didn’t feel comfortable speaking in front of others, while others struggled to articulate their experiences with the Holy Spirit. But despite these challenges, the testimony time still had many benefits.
In the early church, the community of believers worked together to encourage one another in their Christian walks. They helped one another to grow in faith, and they worked to support those who were struggling. They also provided a place for individuals to correct others who strayed from the path, just as Aquila and Priscilla did with Apollos (Acts 18:24-28).
Sharing your testimony with others can be an intimidating task, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re talking with friends, coworkers or neighbors, your life is a living testimony of Christ’s love. By putting your faith into action, you can show the world that Jesus is real and that God’s power is transforming our lives.
A powerful way to share your testimony with the world is through service. When you volunteer at a local organization or help a neighbor in need, you’re displaying the truth of Christ’s message of hope to those around you. People will be able to see the peace and joy you possess in your daily struggles, and they’ll be inspired to learn more about your relationship with God. In a very quiet way, you’re inspiring those around you to follow the path that leads to eternal life.
Testimony of Hope
When we share our testimonies of hope, we help others see that God’s love is greater than any situation or challenge they may face. We are a light in the dark world, a testimony of God’s power and grace. The testimony of a believer’s hope in Christ shines brightly and helps us all remember that “with God, all things are possible.”
While some testimonies are dramatic with wild turning points and 'ah-ha! I get it' moments, others may be less so. They might involve a few different incidents that make more sense after the person reflects with Jesus. Either way, every story of a person encountering Jesus and responding to His call is a testimony of hope.
A testimony is a verbal or written description of an experience, event, or achievement that you consider to be significant. A good testimony can inspire others, and it may even change the way someone thinks about you.
Jesus is a great example of one who used his testimony to encourage and inspire others. He did this in a variety of ways, including sharing stories about Himself, calling people to follow Him, and even healing those who sought out His help.
He also used his testimony to show how much He cared for people. He spoke the truth, even if it was difficult or uncomfortable. For example, when he called the Pharisees a brood of vipers, it was not because he wanted to gain political influence; it was because He was concerned about their spiritual well-being.
Similarly, He showed how much He valued the relationships of His disciples. He seldom did anything alone and often had several disciples with Him at the same time. He spent time mentoring and encouraging them, and His example of community is still very relevant to today’s church.
In the end, the greatest testimony a person can offer is the gift of their life to Jesus and the work that He has done in their life. He offers hope and forgiveness to a lost world, and it is our responsibility to share this testimony with the people around us.
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