Writing My Story

Start writing your story the way you tell a story. The purpose of writing it down is not to memorize it word by word but to capture the essential and exciting details of your experience. Then, when you share your story, even though your listeners may not believe in Jesus at the first hearing, it can open doors and trigger interest in knowing more about eternity.

Write your story with real feelings, like talking to a friend. Include all the changes in your life in your first draft. Then, create shorter versions that contain only specific life experiences so you can share a version depending on the occasion and situation. The key here is practice. Rehearse your story repeatedly until it feels natural and becomes fluent. Omit unnecessary words and phrases to tell your story within 3 minutes. Before sharing with someone, consider their needs and challenges and adjust your story to relate to their situation. For example, you may share your past struggle with drinking if the person who listens to your story has a drinking problem. Pray and ask the Holy Spirit how to share your story.

Remember, your audience, who may or may not believe in the Bible, is crucial to your storytelling journey. They may or may not believe in the Bible, but it's beneficial to reference a verse relevant to your story. It helps your audience understand that your new life aligns with the truth of the Bible. For instance, you can share a verse, like Romans 5:8, without referencing the book or the chapter/verse. Simply quote, “the Bible says, ‘But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.’ ”

PART I: The Past Life

As you craft your story, consider the following details that will engage your audience and involve them in your narrative:

If you had goals or purpose in life, how did you pursue them, or didn’t you.
What was missing in life? For example, if there was a lack of purpose, peace, security, fear of death, significance, the meaning of life, real friends, fear of losing control, motivation, loneliness, anger, or failures.
How did you satisfy those needs? Did it work, or were you disappointed? What did you do to be temporarily happy, like gambling, drugs/alcohol, sex, marriage, hobbies, education, work, parties, or money? Sharing examples of your struggles is a powerful way to help your listeners feel connected and understood.

Writing My Story: PART II: The New Life:

You want your friends to walk away clearly, understanding how you became a Christian. Make your story easy to follow so that anyone can understand what to do to receive forgiveness. Tell your story step-by-step:

How did you react the first time you heard about the consequences of sin?
How did you react the first time you heard about Jesus Christ?
What made you hesitate or pushed you forward?
What motivated you to decide, like a verse from the Bible or the honesty of a Christian friend? Help them understand that the Bible says all people have sinned, and although there is a penalty, Jesus took our penalties and died so we could live. Share the relief and comfort you felt upon learning about God's forgiveness and how it gave you hope for a better future. Help them understand that when God forgives our sins, he won't remember them and, therefore, won't judge us.

Writing My Story: PART III: Noticeable Differences in Your New Life

Explain what are the changes in your life. Contrast how you live now compared to your past life. Use precise phrases that refer to a distinct and tangible experience. For example, "In the past, I didn't have rest, but now I go to bed not worrying about tomorrow," or "I don't need to use flattery phrases when speaking with my supervisors because I'm not afraid of losing my job." Avoid general statements like "I have so much peace now." Don't worry if you miss out on something. The Holy Spirit will open the minds of your listeners to understand your message.

Share your source of motivation. For example, “I worked and competed hard for fear of losing my job, but now I’m motivated by caring for others, knowing that God cares for me.”
Sahre specific instances where a Bible verse, a sermon phrase, or a friend's message deeply resonated with you.
Choose only experiences that relate to your potential audience, like using drugs or anger.
End your story with the most valuable thing you have gained: Eternal life! That is what will remain in their minds.

Please click on "The first Steps" to continue.