Recently, a pastor asked me, \u201cWhat\u2019s working? What\u2019s the new big thing in evangelism?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Honestly, the question caught me off guard a little bit. I\u2019ve trained people on how to use a dozen different evangelism methods over the years, but put on the spot, I couldn\u2019t come up with anything I\u2019ve heard of recently. No new fads came to mind; I felt a little bit like a failure. Here this man, a pastor whose church supports our ministry, came to me, a supposed \u2018expert,\u2019 for current information on what people are doing to share the gospel effectively, and I had nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Ugh! I\u2019m not sure who left that conversation more disappointed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next day, however, I had an epiphany. Or, more accurately, I came to my senses. Or perhaps the Holy Spirit whispered in my ear. Whatever the case may be, I realized that the best method for sharing the gospel is still the first method. The same method Paul used over and over again in the New Testament: his personal testimony. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Boom! Mic drop. There is nothing more personal, nothing more powerful, nothing more effective, connective, and immune to criticism than your own experience with Jesus Christ.<\/strong> <\/em>I texted my pastor friend the next day to tell him what I had inexplicably forgotten. Here\u2019s what I wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou asked me about evangelism the other day, and I said nothing is really working right now, but after thinking it over a bit, I have to take that back. What\u2019s working today is the exact same thing that worked 2,000 years ago: personal testimony.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In a world obsessed with truth and awash in \u2018fake news,\u2019 the story of God\u2019s work in your life is still powerful and effective.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your testimony is a reminder to YOU of the truth of God in your life, and sometimes we need that nudge.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your testimony is a witness to others of God\u2019s work in the world, because we\u2019re all part of the world.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your testimony is incontrovertible. You, and only you, have the ability to say for sure what God has done in you for you. Others can deny it out of sheer willfulness, or point to ongoing flaws in your character, but you alone know the truth. Nothing can take that away, and the more we act like Christ, the more those criticisms ring hollow.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your testimony is incontrovertible.<\/p>Jon Smith<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n I think the hard part is earning the right to speak that truth to others. It takes longer to earn trust. Once that bridge has been established, however, I think a carefully and intentionally crafted testimony is still the best thing going.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Read that last line again, especially the last part. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A carefully and intentionally crafted testimony is still the best thing going.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n"There is nothing more personal, nothing more powerful, nothing more effective, connective and immune to criticism than your own experience with Jesus Christ." -Jon Smith #collegiatedisciplemaker #evangelismHow You Can Master the Best\u2026 <\/a><\/span>Click To Tweet<\/a><\/span>\n\n\n Carefully and intentionally crafted. That means taking time to think through your story. Know what you want to say, what the main point is, who the main character is (hint: it should be Jesus, not you), and how you want it to end, among other things. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I was taught years ago to keep it short\u2014three minutes. Three minutes?! Three minutes. It\u2019s a good target to start with. Once you master the details and delivery, you can lengthen and shorten it accordingly. Take your cue from the Apostle Paul. He shared different versions of his testimony all the time, but always for a purpose: furthering the gospel. It isn\u2019t his story, it\u2019s His story in Paul\u2019s life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason three minutes is a good place to start is because it\u2019s hard. Expect to be challenged. You won\u2019t be able to give all the details you want. Organization will be required. Here\u2019s a quick little formula you can consider using: <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re one of those who embraced faith when you were so young you can hardly remember life before Jesus, that\u2019s great! Focus instead on a time of particular difficulty in life and explain how faith in Jesus made the difference. A Christian testimony is supposed to be about the work of God in your life, so don\u2019t fret if that work bore fruit at an early age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re one of those who hasn\u2019t yet had any real adversity in life, first, let me say that you should probably brace for impact. It\u2019s coming. The time to prepare for the testing ahead is now (and, yes, the Bible literally promises that you\u2019ll be tested). Second, as far as your testimony is concerned, you\u2019re still on solid ground. Focus on what God has saved you from. Think about how walking with Christ and following in His footsteps has kept you on a path that isn\u2019t littered with the tribulations you\u2019ve seen others struggle with. Own that you\u2019ve been blessed, but own that it is because of Jesus, not you, that you have that blessing.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Intentional Craft Your Personal Testimony<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n