Telling Your Story | Northstar Church

“Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. ” – 1 Peter 3:15-16.

We all love stories, especially ones that give us an “inside look” into someone else’s life. As a child of God, you have a powerful story to tell. Sharing how you came to Jesus and the difference he’s made in your life can help others discover how they too, can know God personally.

Your story — regardless of how “spectacular” or “ordinary” you think it is — is a story about God’s character. It is your eyewitness account of how God rescued you from sin and death through Christ and changed your life as a result. When we share our story with others we help them get to know what God is like and what He can do.

Being used by God to share His love and see someone receiving Him as their Savior is one of the greatest blessings you will encounter in this life. And although it’s the prompting of the Holy Spirit that draws man to Christ, believers often play a critical role in sharing God’s word: in most cases, the catalyst for their spiritual transformation was honest conversations with a believer.

Acts 1:8 reminds us of our responsibility to tell others the Good News: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” He told us to be witnesses. He wants us to tell people what happened to change our lives. He wants us to tell our story of what Jesus did for us. Telling our story is a far cry from preaching to people. Preaching is telling people what to do and that will typically be a turnoff. In contrast, telling your personal story connects with people because we all share many of the same goals, desires, challenges, etc. We all want to be loved. We all want to love.

Your story about when you received the love of God, you knew for the first time in your life what it means to be loved and to love. But it didn’t stop there. He gave your life meaning and a purpose. Your story is how God changed your life. So look for opportunities to tell people your story. Even if it’s just bits and pieces. People are interested. God will use your story to change their lives, just like He changed your life.

Also, remember that a testimony should never be preaching: Stay humble; never talk down, argue or use high-pressure methods to persuade people to make decisions for Christ. But do look for openings. Ask God to give you opportunities to tell your story. People you meet may say that there’s something different about you or even ask you why you’re such a “religious” person. Such situations are windows of opportunity to tell your story of faith.

Discussion Questions:

Crafting your story: What were the final struggles that went through your mind just before you accepted Him? Why did you finally decide to accept Christ (or give Him complete control of your life)?
How is my life different now? List some specific changes in your character, attitude, and perspective on life.