A Simple Way to Share Your Faith.
It is my opinion that the reason most people do not share their faith in Jesus Christ is because they are not prepared to do so.
And, once again it is my opinion, that the second reason that people do not share their faith in Jesus Christ is that it is difficult to make the transition from a casual conversation to the Gospel.
The Apostle Peter wrote in his epistle
1 Peter 3:14-16 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
The Apostle Paul’s testimony, found in the 26th chapter of Acts, is a great example of a biblical method of giving your own testimony.
· Hook (going from a casual conversation to presenting the Gospel) — Verses 2–3
· The Man or Woman I was Before — Verses 4–11
· Circumstances of my Salvation — Verses 12–20
· Where I am today — Verses 21–23
· Exit Plan — Verses 24–29
The Apostle Paul’s Declaration of the Gospel Message
Acts 26:2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 especially because you are familiar with all the customs and controversies of the Jews. Therefore I beg you to listen to me patiently.
4 “My manner of life from my youth, spent from the beginning among my own nation and in Jerusalem, is known by all the Jews.
5 They have known for a long time, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion I have lived as a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king!
8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
9 “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.
11 And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.
12 “In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
13 At midday, O king, I saw on the way a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, that shone around me and those who journeyed with me.
14 And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’
15 And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.
16 But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, 17 delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you 18 to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’
19 “Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 20 but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance.
21 For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.
22 To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass:
23 that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.” [Three minutes and twelve seconds]
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.”
25 But Paul said, “I am out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words.
26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
The Hook
How do you transition from a casual conversation to telling the greatest story ever told?
· Be ever vigilant
· Be prepared
· Be intentional
· Be “heartbroken over their lostness.”
The Three Minute Testimony Worksheet
Note: there are six main parts to your three-minute testimony
Preparing
During a conversation, be:
· Ever vigilant
· Intentional
· Heartbroken over their lostness
The Hook
Always be aware of the “hook.” I refer to the “hook” as the transition from a secular conversation to a spiritual conversation.
Hooks cannot be written down and memorized…they depend on the situation.
1st Minute
Before meeting Jesus – a brief general statement of what your life was like before you met Jesus.
2nd Minute
How you met Jesus – this is where you would state the events and circumstances that brought about your conversion.
You would want to include the gospel here – all have sinned, sin’s penalty, Jesus paid that penalty, must receive Jesus.
3rd Minute
After meeting Jesus – again a brief description of how your life has changed, what a difference He has made in your life
Call to Action
Ask them to take some form of action with you, perhaps it’s to:
· attend church with you.
· Attend a bible study with you.
· Pray with them about what is going on in their life.
· accept Jesus.