A Child's Faith: Testimony Of Innocence

Sharing a personal testimony of faith can be challenging, especially for kids. It requires courage and a dependence on the Holy Spirit. However, it is a powerful way to honour and glorify God, sharing how He has changed one's life and rescued them from sin and death through Christ. A personal testimony is an eyewitness account of God's character and His work in one's life. It is not about oneself, but about God's grace, love, and redemption. When sharing their story, kids can focus on a few key moments and themes, such as their life before Christ, how they came to know Christ, and the changes Christ has made in their life. They can also emphasise how their faith gives them hope and helps them deal with life's challenges. It is important to be respectful, concise, and honest when sharing one's testimony and to remember that it is not about perfection but about God's power and love.

The importance of sharing a testimony

Sharing a testimony of faith is a powerful way to connect with others and spread the word of God. It is an opportunity to give thanks and praise to God, and to showcase his power and love. Here are some reasons why sharing a testimony is important:

It Brings God Glory

When we share our testimony, we give God the honour and praise he deserves. We showcase how he has transformed our lives and made us more than conquerors. By sharing our story, we ultimately brag about Jesus and give him glory.

It Demonstrates God's Power

The term "testimony" comes from the Hebrew word "uwd", which means "to do again". Our testimony shows that God is in the business of transformation and new beginnings, not just for us, but for anyone who believes. We demonstrate God's power when we share our story, and we give him the opportunity to work in the lives of others.

It Shows God's Love

Sharing our testimony exposes God's heart and how he feels about us. It is a way to tell the world that life is meant to be lived in true love, and that God sent his Son, Jesus, to die for our sins so that we may have eternal life. Through our testimony, we tell of God's relentless love and how he pursues us, even in the ugliest places.

It Promotes Togetherness

When we share our testimony, we invite others into our journey and allow them to join us on the path to breakthrough. We create a sense of community and togetherness, fighting the good fight of faith alongside others. Our story becomes a source of encouragement and hope for those who may be struggling.

It is a Form of Obedience

Sharing our testimony is a form of obedience to God. In Acts 1:8, we are called to be witnesses and to share openly what we have seen and heard. By sharing our story, we obey God's command and demonstrate our faith.

It is a Tool for Spiritual Growth

Our testimony is a powerful tool for our own spiritual growth and the growth of others. When we share our story, we reflect on how God has transformed us and continue to recognise his work in our lives. Additionally, our testimony can be a source of encouragement and inspiration for others on their spiritual journey.

Sharing a testimony is a privilege and a powerful act of faith. It allows us to connect with others, spread the word of God, and give thanks for his grace and love in our lives. It is a way to bring glory to God and to showcase his power and love.

A testimony is about God, not the individual

A child's personal testimony of faith is a powerful tool to communicate the truth about God. While a child's story of faith is unique and compelling, it is essential to remember that the focus of their testimony should be on God and not the individual. Here are some reasons why a testimony is about God and not the self:

God's Saving Power

A child's testimony should highlight God's saving power and how He brought them to a place of repentance and faith. Acts 1:8 says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Before sharing the gospel with others, it is crucial that children understand their own salvation story and how God changed their lives.

God's Grace and Redemption

A testimony is an opportunity to share how a sovereign God rescued and transformed an individual. Ephesians 2:1-10 reminds us that we were once enslaved to sin and led astray, but God saved us through His grace. By sharing their story, children can communicate that it is God's power that enables us to obey Him and turn from our sins.

God's Amazing Grace

Regardless of whether a child's testimony is dramatic or ordinary, it is a display of God's amazing grace. Gloria Furman writes, "The idea that anyone's testimony of blood-bought salvation could be uninteresting or unspectacular is a defamation of the work of Christ." Every salvation story, no matter how mundane it may seem, is a testament to God's extraordinary grace.

God's Faithful Witness

A testimony is a way for children to join God's faithful witnesses throughout history. By sharing their story, they become part of a long line of redemption stories, declaring that God is real and active in their lives. Deuteronomy 6:20-25 instructs parents to share their own testimonies with their children, teaching them about God's saving power and His commands.

God's Glory

Ultimately, a testimony should bring glory to God, not the individual. When sharing their story, children should focus on how God worked in their lives and the moments that impacted their faith the most. This shift in perspective will ensure that the testimony remains centered on God's work and not human effort or achievement.

In conclusion, while a child's personal testimony of faith may include their unique experiences and perspectives, the true focus should always be on God. By sharing their story, children can communicate God's saving power, grace, redemption, and faithfulness to others, pointing them to the glory of God.

How to prepare a testimony

Preparing a testimony can be a fun and exciting way to share your faith with others. Here are some steps to help you prepare:

Take Time to Think and Pray

Begin by reflecting on your journey of faith and the moments that impacted your faith the most. Pray and ask God to bring specific moments to your mind. Think about the following:

• Was there a particular person or experience that led you to faith?
• When did you realize your need for Jesus?

Focus on the Before and After

Consider what your life was like before and after you decided to follow Jesus. What were your priorities and focus before, and how have they changed? Even as a Christian, you are still a work in progress, so don't be afraid to admit that you still struggle with certain things. This can highlight that it is only through God's power that we can obey Him.

Write it Down

Write out your testimony as a short, simple, and vivid story. Keep it conversational, as if you are talking to someone and sharing your experiences. Your testimony should include:

• What your life was like before becoming a Christian and why you needed Christ.
• What prompted you to want to know about Jesus and why you felt the need for Him.
• How you came to trust in Christ and how your life has changed since.

Keep it Short and Conversational

Aim for your testimony to be between two to four minutes long. Use short, simple phrases and everyday language that your audience can easily understand. Avoid using Christian jargon that may be unfamiliar to non-Christians.

Practice and Refine

Practice sharing your testimony with someone who can provide feedback. Be willing to make adjustments to improve and ensure it fits the situation. Remember, your goal is to share your experiences with Christ in a loving and caring way that will spark an interest in others to want to know Him too.

A testimony's basic structure

Paragraph 1: Introduction and Theme

Briefly introduce yourself and identify a theme that frames your story. This could be a particular aspect of your life, such as relationships, reputation, or success, that God used to bring you closer to Him. Share how this theme influenced your life and why it is important.

Paragraph 2: Life Before Christ

Paint a picture of what your life was like before you developed a relationship with God. Share details that relate to your chosen theme, showing your need for Christ. Avoid dwelling too much on past sins, but be honest and vulnerable about the struggles you faced. Reflect on how those things began to let you down and how you felt lost or empty without God.

Paragraph 3: How You Came to Christ

Narrate the pivotal moment when you encountered God and explain how it changed your life. Describe the circumstances, the people involved, and the impact it had on your beliefs and perspective. Communicate in a way that helps your audience understand how they too can come to know Christ and accept Him into their lives.

Paragraph 4: Life After Putting Your Faith in Christ

Share the transformative power of your newfound faith. Emphasize the changes in your character, attitude, and perspective, rather than just behavioural changes. Be honest about the challenges you still face as a Christian, but also testify to how your life is now different because of God's grace.

Paragraph 5 (Optional): Impact on Others

If you have experienced significant changes in your life due to your faith, you may want to include a paragraph about the impact your testimony has had on others. Share how your story has encouraged, inspired, or guided others towards their own spiritual journeys. This can be a powerful way to demonstrate the ripple effect of God's love and how your faith has influenced your relationships and community.

Paragraph 6: Conclusion

Conclude your testimony by summarising your story and connecting it back to your opening theme. Reinforce the message of God's redeeming love and the power of faith. You can also include a relevant Bible verse that resonates with your experience.

The value of an 'ordinary' testimony

The Value of an Ordinary Testimony

A Christian testimony is a story about how God has changed your life through a personal relationship with Him. It is an account of how God rescued you from sin and death through Christ and how He changed your life as a result.

Your testimony is one of the most valuable tools you have for sharing the gospel with someone who does not follow Jesus. It is always with you, and you can use it to explain your hope in Christ to others with gentleness and respect.

When you share your testimony, you give honour and glory to God, and He is pleased with that. You also help others get to know what God is like and give them a glimpse of how He might change their lives.

Your testimony can be a source of encouragement for other believers as well. It can brighten someone's day and lift them up, as instructed in Hebrews 10:23-25:

> "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

How to Share Your Testimony

• Take time to think and pray about your journey of faith. Identify a theme that frames your story, such as relationships, your reputation, or success.
• Focus on the "before and after" of committing your life to Christ. Talk about what your life was like before and how it has changed since you decided to follow Jesus.
• Stick to the highlights and keep your testimony concise. Aim for a few minutes so that it is easy for the listener to digest and so that they can ask you to tell them more.
• Care for the person you are sharing with, and have a conversation rather than giving a lecture. Welcome questions and be open to hearing their thoughts.
• Look for organic ways to share your testimony. Sprinkle parts of your story into everyday conversations as you see connections.
• Pray before you share your testimony and ask God for opportunities to do so. He will use your words to impact others, even if it doesn't go exactly as planned.

Remember, your testimony is not about you; it's about God and His amazing grace. So, don't be afraid to share how He has changed your life, even if your story seems ordinary.

Frequently asked questions