Remember Jesus’ Great Commission?

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV).

People’s salvation is up to Jesus. That said, He wants us to introduce Him to others. One way we do that is by sharing our testimony.

Sometimes we writers don’t know what we think until we write it out. Creating a written testimony is like that. It solidifies what God has done for us. It’s not only a testimony to others; it’s also a testimony to ourselves—a reminder of how Jesus has been at work.

If you’re building an author platform, you probably have a website or blog site with an About Me page. That’s the perfect location to post your testimony for all the world to see. “But how do I write a testimony?” you ask.

When writing up your testimony, keep it simple and personal. Skip the theology. Don’t worry about quoting scripture or spouting church doctrine. Just talk about Jesus.

1. What was your life like before you knew Jesus?

What was your main problem before you knew Jesus? What was your attitude toward others? What types of things did you do? How did that make you feel? How did others react to you? How did you try to live life on your own strength? What were you trying to do? What wasn’t working right? What was causing you trouble, friction or pain?

Focus on your emotions to empower your testimony. Were you angry? Hopeless? Empty? Insecure? Unloved?

2. How did you learn about Jesus?

Was there a specific time or circumstance that pointed you to Christ? Or was it a long journey? Was there a specific person who led you to Christ? Or a specific person who caused you to need to search for Christ? Share what you were going through at the time.

3. How has knowing Jesus changed things?

How has Jesus changed you? How has He changed your attitude, your thoughts, your outlook, your relationships? How has being forgiven made you feel? What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus? What is Jesus doing in your life now? How is he continuing to change you?

Share emotions you feel now: hopeful, secure, loved, compassionate, encouraged.

4. Keep it real—your emotions, your language and your attitude.

 Avoid words unbelievers might not understand. Instead use words and phrases that are clear:

• Instead of “saved,” say: knowing Jesus has given me hope of how to live a better way
• Instead of “reborn,” say: Jesus has renewed my spirit
• Instead of “Gospel,” say: good news that Jesus came to show us God’s love
• Instead of “sin,” say: disobedience to how God wants us to live

If you’ve ever had to look up a Christian-ese word in a dictionary—don’t use it in your testimony. You’re not trying to impress people with your big words. You’re trying to impress them with your big God.

So get started writing. Then share it with the world. 

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Carol Peterson writes to educate, entertain and inspire. She has four books for use in classrooms grades 4-7. Her With Faith Like Hers Bible study series looks at the lives of women recorded in Scripture to see what we can apply from their lives to ours.  Carol can be found at carolpetersonauthor.com