How to Share Your Testimony for the Glory of God

I regularly have the privilege of working with young adults in the church. One of the things I particularly enjoy is hearing their testimonies prior to baptism. Sometimes I also help them organize their thoughts and share what God has done in their lives before the church.

Since many Christians will have opportunities to share their testimonies, I thought it would be helpful to write out some of the principles I regularly emphasize. Whether you’re preparing for baptism or explaining your faith to a friend, these are a few things to keep in mind.

Remember Why You Are Sharing

The purpose of sharing your testimony is to glorify God and exalt Him for what He has done. Although you are describing events in your life, God’s grace should be the focus. We want people to hear our testimony and come away with a greater appreciation for the God who saves sinners.

That means we need to guard against pride. A testimony can easily become an opportunity to impress people with our accomplishments, our spiritual maturity, or even the seriousness of our former sins! We should resist each of those temptations. Salvation is a gift of God’s grace, leaving us no room to boast in ourselves (Eph 2:8–9).

We also share to encourage others. Hearing how God has worked in someone else’s life reminds believers of His goodness and gives unbelievers an opportunity to hear about His saving grace. You don’t need an unusually dramatic story for that to happen. Someone saved as a young child needs the same Savior as someone saved after decades of open rebellion. Both have reason to praise the Lord.

Of course, speaking in front of others can be intimidating. Remember why you are there. You don’t have to impress anyone with your speaking ability. You have an opportunity to tell them what God has done. Keeping that purpose in view can help ease some of the pressure.

A Simple Outline for Your Testimony

There are many good ways to share a testimony, and no particular outline is required. However, if you’re struggling to organize your thoughts, the following five parts may help. Helpfully, you can use this outline as an acronym for GRACE:

• G — Give your background: Who are you?
• R — Recognize your need for Christ: What was life like before Christ?
• A — Acknowledge God’s saving work: How did God open your eyes?
• C — Changed by Christ: What is different now?
• E — Express thanks: Praise God for His grace.

I. Give your background: Who Are You?

Begin with a brief introduction. What would help your listeners understand you and your story? You might mention your family background, where you grew up, or whether you were exposed to Christianity. You don’t need to recount your entire life. Give enough information to help people understand what follows.

II. Recognize your need for Christ: What Did Life Look Like Before Christ?

Describe your life before you became a Christian. Some people grew up knowing very little about God. Others attended church regularly but assumed that being religious or behaving well made them right with Him. Explain what characterized your thinking and living.

You don’t need to describe your sins in great detail. Be honest, but avoid details that distract from God’s grace or make sin sound appealing. The goal is to explain your need for a Savior. Even if you accepted Christ young or your outward behavior was morally respectable, you still needed forgiveness and a new heart, so talk about your life before Christ.

III. Acknowledge God’s saving work: How Did God Open Your Eyes?

Explain how God brought you to understand the gospel. Did someone share Scripture with you? Did a sermon challenge your assumptions? Was it a series of conversations or circumstances over time?

Be sure to explain the gospel itself. Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose again. We receive forgiveness through faith in Him, apart from our own good works. Describe how you came to recognize your sin and trust in Christ. If you don’t remember the exact date, you don’t need to make one up. Describe honestly what you do know.

IV. Changed by Christ: What Does Life Look Like Now?

What has changed since becoming a Christian? Perhaps you now love Scripture, desire fellowship with believers, or recognize sinful attitudes you once excused. Explain how faith in Christ has affected your priorities and daily life.

This doesn’t mean pretending that you no longer struggle with sin. Christians still need to repent and grow. You can acknowledge those struggles while explaining how God is changing you. Give concrete examples of His work without presenting yourself as a finished product.

V. Express thanks: What Are You Thankful For?

Conclude by expressing gratitude to God for what He’s done. What aspects of His kindness stand out as you reflect on your salvation? You may also want to encourage believers to continue sharing the gospel or urge unbelievers to consider their own need for Christ. Let your closing direct attention to His goodness and grace.

Consider Your Audience

Each opportunity will be a little different. A testimony before your church at baptism may include details you wouldn’t share during a brief conversation with an unbelieving coworker. With someone unfamiliar with Christianity, you may need to explain words that church members already understand. That flexibility is normal and good.

You don’t have to include every detail every time. But whatever the setting, keep the purpose clear: tell the truth about God’s gracious work in your life, and give Him the praise He deserves.