How to Share Your Testimony

Purpose:
To center our relationships on Christ, to begin knowing each other better, to practice sharing God's work in our lives, and to discover how the Lord speaks to each person differently.

Our personal testimonies are very important. First, we so often forget the Lord's work in our own lives, and knowing it by heart allows us to remember His faithfulness. Secondly, our stories make us relatable to others, and they can see ow the Lord may want to work in their own lives.

St. Paul tells his spiritual son Timothy to stir into flame the gift of God. God has given Timothy the gift of the Holy Spirit, but also the gift of ordination to lead the flock. Paul tells him to not be afraid, though first-century Christians arguably had much to fear. Testimony to Christ could warrant imprisonment, ostracization, or worse. Paul himself is suffering this reality.

Today, our testimonies aren't fraught with such huge consequences, but there could still be fear: rejection, isolation, and unworthiness. But we have been given the gift of the same Spirit as Timothy and Paul. 

Guiding Scripture: 
⁶ For this reason, I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God^[a] that you have through the imposition of my hands. ⁷ For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. ⁸ So do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord,^[b] nor of me, a prisoner for his sake; but bear your share of hardship for the gospel with the strength that comes from God.
2 Timothy 1:6-8

Discussion Questions:

1. Is there anything that immediately stands out to you? 
2. What is “the gift of God” that you have? 
3. What could make us ashamed of our testimony to the Lord? 
4. Why is your testimony important? 

Activity:
Practice giving 3-5 minute testimonies. 

• Minute 1: Who was I before meeting Jesus? 
• Minute 2: How did God reveal Himself to me? 
• Minute 3: Who am I after having met Jesus?

Prayer:

Breathe in and receive the flame of the Holy Spirit. Breathe out to give Him the burdens of the day. Welcome the power, love, and self-control of God. Invite the group to open their hands in prayer as a physical sign of the interior reality of openness to receive. 

Resources:

Print the verse from Timothy to give to the group members.