1. The document discusses the basic gospel message of sin, Jesus' sacrifice, and salvation through repentance and faith. 2. It provides guidance on sharing one's testimony, including why it's important and examples from the Bible. Common barriers to sharing are also addressed. 3. Detailed outlines are given for constructing an effective personal testimony, with sections on life before and after faith in Jesus and how one came to believe. Guidelines emphasize glorifying God and focusing on Jesus.

1. Understanding the Gospel

2. What is the Gospel Message?

3. Basic Gospel Message Why we need Jesus - sin, death, judgment, hell and wrath (eternal death- separation from God forever) What Jesus did for us - became a man, sinless life, cross, death, punishment, wrath and resurrection How we can be restored in our relationship with God and receive eternal life - through Jesus by repentance and faith

4. Basic Gospel Message Sin is rejecting and rebelling against God, denying Him his rightful place in your heart and life. It is to chose to be your own god and look to created things to find meaning, purpose and happiness rather than looking to your Creator.

5. Basic Gospel Message Repentance is being convicted in your heart that you have sinned against God, confessing that conviction with your mouth, and turning in your heart from sin to God.

6. Basic Gospel Message Faith is putting your trust in Jesus and all He did and committing yourself totally to Him.

7. Proclaiming the Gospel

8. How Do I Share My Testimony?

9. What is a testimony? It is your story of how you came to be a follower of Jesus. It is telling others of what Jesus has done for you. It is one sinner telling another sinner how to find peace with God.

10. Why share my testimony?

11. Why share my testimony? Because Jesus wants you to. It is the greatest way to love people. So that more people will worship God and experience eternal life. Because it is wise. It is one of the ways you overcome the devil. Because it is one of the most effective ways to share the gospel.

12. Why share my testimony? Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:38-39

13. Why share my testimony? And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:18-20

14. Why share my testimony? And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

15. Why share my testimony? Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation… 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

16. Why share my testimony? Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

17. Why share my testimony? But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

18. Why share my testimony? They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Revelation 12:11

19. Why share my testimony? For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised to show God’s truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy . . . Romans 15:8-9

20. Tree The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he who wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30

21. Examples from the Bible Mark 5:18-20 (The man who had been demon-possessed) John 9 (The man who had been blind) Acts 22:1-21 (Paul giving His testimony to the Jews) Acts 26:1-23 (Paul giving His testimony to King Agrippa)

22. Why don’t I share?

23. Fear

24. Fear of the Unknown

25. Fear of People

26. Fear of Failure

27. Fear of Being Exposed

28. Too Busy

29. Wrong Priorities

30. Live in a Holy Bubble

31. Lazy

32. Bad Experience in the Past

33. Ignorance

34. Satan

35. Why don’t I share? Fear - of the unknown, of people, of failure, of hypocrisy Too Busy / Wrong Priorities Lazy, Live in Holy Bubble Bad Experience in the Past Ignorance Satan

36. How to Share Your Testimony

37. Important Considerations

38. Be Real

39. Be Humble 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

40. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 And I, brethren, when I came to you, I did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

41. Glorify God Not Yourself

42. Focus on Jesus

43. Use Bible Verses

44. Testimony Outline

45. Testimony Outline 1. What my life was like before Jesus. How I realized I needed Jesus. How I came to repent of sin and place my faith in Jesus. How my life is different now because of Jesus. Ending questions and invitation.

46. Testimony Outline 1. What my life was like before Jesus.

47. Life Before Jesus What was my life like before Jesus? What were my attitudes, needs, and problems before Jesus? What did my life revolved around? What did I look to for happiness and security? How did this disappoint me? What was my belief and attitude about Jesus? What were the key issues and struggles in my life before Jesus?

48. Testimony Outline 2. How I realized my need for Jesus.

49. Realized My Need For Jesus What did God use to open my eyes to Jesus? What events led up to me trusting or believing in Christ? What were my struggles just before I received Christ? What made me aware of my sin and my need for a savior?

50. Testimony Outline 3. How I came to repent of sin and place my faith in Jesus.

51. Repentance and Faith What made me decide to repent and put my trust in Jesus? Describe how it happened. How did I commit my life to Jesus?

52. Testimony Outline 4. How my life is different now because of Jesus.

53. Life After Jesus What happened after I placed my faith in Jesus? What difference has Jesus made in my life? How has my life changed, and when did I notice that change? How am I motivated differently now? What is a difficult area of obedience or struggle for me now?

54. Testimony Outline 5. Ending questions and invitation.

55. Questions and Invitation So what do you think? Can you relate to anything I said? Are you willing to turn from your sins and place your faith in Jesus right now? If Jesus is real do you want Him in your life? Are you ready to stand before God and give an account of your life?

56. Invitation from Jesus Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

57. Invitation from Jesus Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

58. Testimony Outline 1. What my life was like before Jesus. How I realized I needed Jesus. How I came to repent of sin and place my faith in Jesus. How my life is different now because of Jesus. Ending questions and invitation.

59. Testimony Guidelines

60. Things to Avoid 1. Religious or church words, unless you explain them. Mention of non-central doctrines, denominations, or churches. Using specific places or people. Being negative or critical of people or churches.

61. Things to Avoid Exaggerating or lying to try to impress or convince people. Giving the impression that the Christian life is easy. Using a consumer marketing approach.

62. Things to Avoid Forcing yourself on people. Trying to argue or pressure someone into the kingdom. Don't go into inappropriate details of past sins or experiences.

63. Things to Do Be real. 2. Be humble. 3. Glorify God not yourself. 4. Make the main focus Jesus and the gospel. Use Bible verses in your testimony. (Hebrews 4:12)

64. Things to Do Be prepared. (2 Timothy 4:2) Relax and trust God- you can’t save them only God can. Pray to God. Allow the Spirit to guide your conversation.

65. Things to Do Know when to stop – don’t overwhelm people with too much information. Pay attention and actively listen to the person with whom you are talking. Be gentle, courteous, respectful, patient, merciful, and gracious. (1 Peter 3:16) Keep it about 3 to 5 minutes long.

66. Jean’s Testimony

67. Five Things Tract

68. Five Things Tract

69. Five Things Tract

70. Develop Your Testimony Pray Write out your testimony Use outline to structure your testimony Include your gospel definition Add key Bible verses Practice sharing your testimony Alone With friends and family One-on-One With groups

71. Have Beautiful Feet

72. Ending Romans 10:13-15 For “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” But how can they call on Him to save them unless they believe in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have never heard about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? …

73. Ending Romans 10:13-15 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (NLT)