SHARING THE MESSAGE OF THE MISSION
The Great Commission - Part 2
John Reed and Gerry White

But you are the ones chosen by God, ... God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you

1 Peter 2:9 (Msg)

He has given us this message of restored relationships to tell others. Therefore, we are Christ's representatives.

2 Corinthians 5:19 (GW)

1. CRAFTING YOUR LIFE MESSAGE

A personal testimony is still the most powerful form of communication today.
"I've tried tide, you should try it too"
"I use the Tide Pen, and I don't have spots on my cloths"

The Bible is full of testimonies:

DAVID

Come and listen, and I will tell you what God has done for me.

Psalms 66:16 (NCV)

THE WOMAN AT THE WELL

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony.

John 4:39 (NIV)

THE MAN BORN BLIND

I don't know whether he is good or bad, but I know this: I was blind, and now I see!

John 9:25 (LB)

PETER AND JOHN

We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard.

Acts 4:20 (NLT)

PAUL

On six different occasions (Acts 22-26) Paul used his personal testimony to share the Good News with unbelievers.

JESUS

Listen carefully. I'm speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay.

John 3:11 (Mes)

What you don't have to know

  1. You don't have to figure it all out
  2. You don't have to know all the ends and outs
  3. You don't have to know all the theology
  4. You don't have to be a Bible scholar

Just say, "Jesus Christ made a difference in my life." And tell them the difference he made.

We cannot stop talking about what we've seen and heard.

Acts 4:20 (GW)

Listen carefully. I'm speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes.

John 3:11 (Msg)

Nothing second hand or hearsay!

There are six values to your testimony that make it unique:

  1. There are none others like it. Yours is totally unique to you.
  2. It's personal and easy to understand.
  3. You are the authority on it. "This is what happened to me."
  4. People love to hear personal stories.
  5. People relate to stories.
  6. In our post modern world, it may be your most effective witness.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

We are to share our hope. The Bible never, ever tells you to share your faith. Why? Faith is what you believe, hope is the benefit of it. You're to share what difference it's made in your life.

People don't care if you're a Christian or not. Before they know how you became a Christian, they want to know why you became a Christian.

They want to know what difference does it make?
Is there any solution to any problem than might help me?
Is there any advantage of becoming a Christian?
Are there any benefits of becoming a Christian?

THE FOUR PARTS OF YOUR TESTIMONY IF YOU BECAME A CHRISTIAN AS AN ADULT

1. WHAT MY LIFE WAS LIKE BEFORE I MET CHRIST.

What common circumstances would an unbeliever identify with?
What were your attitudes that an unbeliever would identify with?
What was most important to you?

What substitute for God did you use to find meaning in your life?
(sports/fitness, success at work, marriage, sex, making money, drugs/alcohol, having fun, entertainment, popularity, hobbies)

2. HOW I REALIZED I NEEDED CHRIST.

What significant steps led up to your conversion?
hat needs, hurts, or problems made you dissatisfied with the way you were living without God?
How did God get your attention? What motivated you?

3. HOW I COMMITTED MY LIFE TO CHRIST.

What specifically did you do? Where did it happen?
What did you say in your prayer? Be specific.

4. THE DIFFERENCE IT HAS MADE IN MY LIFE.

What benefits have you experienced or felt?
What problems have been resolved?
How has Jesus helped you change for the better?
How has it helped your relationships?
Give a current example.

The Testimony Pyramid - Spend the least amount of time on Part 1, more time on Part 2, even more time on Part 3, and most of your time on Part 4.

God allows experiences in my life so I can relate to others who need Christ!

COMMON GROUND CIRCUMSTANCES

Could you give a testimony about how Jesus helped you with any of the following experiences?

POSITIVE:

Adoption, breaking a bad habit, financial gain, raising kids, marriage strengthened or restored, new baby, new business, new friends, new home, new marriage, new job, success, renewed love, restored relationships.

MAJOR CRISES:

Abuse, accident, addiction, abortion, bankruptcy, broken dream, eating disorder, death, depression, disease, discrimination, divorce, empty nest, financial problems, infertility, incest, jail, rape, surgery.

  • Realize you have more than one testimony!
  • Different situations will require different testimonies!
  • Choose the testimony that best matches your listener.
  • Realize you can tell about how others' lives have been changed too. Your small group can share your stories with each other.
  • Don't use religious terms or cliches or broad generalities.
  • Ask: "If I were an unbeliever, would this make sense to me?"