These are ingredients of an effective personal testimony:
• What my life was like before I received Christ.
• How I met Him and received Him (through what instrument and circumstances).
• What life has been like since I received Him.
Billy Graham writes on witnessing: "We are stewards of the Gospel. The power to proclaim the greatest news in heaven and earth was not given to the angels; it was given to redeemed men. Every Christian is to be a witness; every follower of Christ is to preach the Gospel. We can preach by sharing our experiences with others. We can preach by exalting Christ in our daily lives. Sermons which are seen are often more effective than those which are heard. The truth is, the best sermons are both heard and seen."
Helping Strategy
1. In order to witness effectively, an individual must know Christ personally. Ask the inquirer if he or she has received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. If appropriate, present "Steps to Peace with God," page 11.
2. Jesus must be real to the Christian! There will be very little to share with someone else if the witness doesn't seek and maintain a close walk with Christ through reading and obeying the Bible and praying. We do not have to be super-Christians to witness, but we must be genuine Christians. Urge the inquirer to be sure he or she is a genuine and growing Christian.
3. Witnessing begins in prayer. Concerned prayer for those who need Christ will spiritually condition the Christian for witness. A prayer list of "prospects," the people you want to reach, is a good way to start. This list may include family, neighbors, an old friend, a new friend.
4. Advise the inquirer to gather all possible data about each person considered a likely candidate for Gospel witness. The more carefully he or she plans the approach, the more effective the witness will be. (The approach could be thought of in terms of rowing around an island, looking for the best place to land.)
5. Suggest beginning with one person. Be natural, caring, and friendly, without being patronizing. Don't overwhelm the prospect by trying to go too far too fast. Be a good listener; most people really want to talk about themselves, their problems, their hurts, and their desires.