“I was one way, and now I am completely different. And the thing that happened in between was Him,” said Mary of Magdala in the Chosen season one. Though Mary’s line is fictitious, she is actually using a simple evangelism tool. Today I learned about the “Fifteen-second testimony,” and I’d like to share this tool with you.
Here is an easy diagram that explains this testimony tool:
I’ll explain this diagram using my fifteen-second testimony, and then at the end of this post you will find a simple worksheet to help you write your own and think of a few people you can share it with this week.
Intro: This is where you lead the previous conversation into more spiritual things and start your testimony. Mine: “There was a time in my life when…” How could you introduce your testimony of how God has worked in your life?
Before Christ: Think of two words that you could use to describe your life before Christ. Then put them together into one sentence. Mine: “There was a time in my life when I was only focused on performing for others and getting what I wanted” (My two words are “performing” and “me”). What are two words you could use to accurately describe your life before Christ?
Meeting Jesus: Think back to the time in your life, however distant or recent it may be, where you met Jesus and decided to follow him. Think of two words that you can use to describe that moment. Mine: “Then one day I experienced God’s forgiveness and decided to follow Jesus” (My two words are “forgiveness” and “follow”). What are two words you could use to describe what happened when you decided to follow Jesus?
Now: Think of two words to describe your life as a new creation in Christ. Mine: “Now I am learning to be obedient to Jesus and share about his forgiveness with others” (My two words: “obedient” and “share”). What are two words you can use to describe how your life has changed since you encountered Christ?
Question: Ask them a question to gauge how spiritually open they are, and to invite further conversation. Obviously in your short testimony you haven’t been able to share all that God is doing and has done in your life. But it could open a door to further conversations, maybe even a Bible Study with the person you are sharing with. A suggested question is: “Have you ever had an experience like this in your life?” There are a variety of ways that a person could respond to this question, and you have to learn to let the Holy Spirit guide the conversation from there. What is a way that you could invite a person into deeper spiritual conversation after hearing your story?
Here is my fifteen-second testimony all put together: “There was a time in my life when I was only focused on performing well for other people and getting what I wanted. But then one day I experienced God’s forgiveness and I decided to follow Jesus. Now I am learning to be obedient to Jesus and share about his forgiveness with others. Have you ever had an experience like this in your life?”
Once you write it, practice saying it. Say it out loud to yourself, in the mirror, then practice saying it to other people. Here is a link to a worksheet to help you write your fifteen-second story. There is also a section at the bottom for you to write down five names of people you could share with. Pray over those names and make an effort to share your story with them this week! What can God do through your story?