TRAINING DROP 002 – 9.04.26
YOUR STORY MATTERS
Learn how to share the story of what Jesus has done in your life in a simple, authentic and Gospel-centered way–and use your testimony as a bridge to point people to Him.
START WHERE YOU ARE
MISSED FIRST FRIDAY?
ATTENDED FIRST FRIDAY?
ATTENDED FIRST FRIDAY?
Begin with the lesson below. You'll learn why your testimony matters, how to build it around three simple parts, and how to use your story to naturally lead someone toward the Gospel.
ATTENDED FIRST FRIDAY?
ATTENDED FIRST FRIDAY?
ATTENDED FIRST FRIDAY?
Review the three parts of your testimony, then continue to Practice Your Story, Go Deeper, the 5-Day Bible Challenge, and the SENT Challenge for additional training and your next step.
THE BIG IDEA
YOUR STORY CAN POINT PEOPLE TO JESUS
Every follower of Jesus has a testimony.
Some Christians have dramatic stories of being rescued from addiction, rebellion, brokenness, or destructive choices. Others trusted Jesus as children and have followed Him for most of their lives.
Both stories matter.
The power of your testimony is found in who Jesus is and what He has done.
A testimony is simply:
"MY STORY OF WHAT JESUS HAS DONE IN MY LIFE."
Your testimony gives someone a personal picture of God's grace. It allows you to say:
This is where I was.
This is how I came to Jesus.
This is what He has done in my life.
But remember: your testimony is not the Gospel.
Your story can open the door to a Gospel conversation, but Jesus and His saving work must remain the focus.
PART 1 – BEFORE JESUS
WHAT DID YOU NEED JESUS TO SAVE YOU FROM?
When sharing your testimony, begin by briefly describing your life before trusting Christ.
Focus more on the condition of your heart than the details of your history.
Maybe you were:
- Searching for purpose
- Living for success or approval
- Controlled by fear or anxiety
- Carrying guilt or shame
- Trying to earn God's approval
- Feeling empty
- Living for yourself
- Religious but without truly knowing Christ
You do not need to share every detail of your past, and you do not need to make your old life sound dramatic.
The purpose is not to glorify who you were. It is to help someone understand why you needed Jesus.
SAY IT SIMPLY
"Before I knew Jesus, I was ________. I was looking for _______, but I eventually realized that what I truly needed was Him."
PART 2 – MEETING JESUS
HOW DID YOU COME TO BELIEVE THE GOSPEL?
This is the most important part of your testimony.
Explain how you came to understand your need for Jesus and place your trust in Him.
Think about:
- How did you hear the Gospel?
- Who helped you understand it?
- What did you begin to understand about your sin?
- When did you realize you could not save yourself?
- How did you understand what Jesus had done for you?
- How did you respond?
Your testimony may include powerful emotions or circumstances, but don't let those become the center of the story.
Help the person understand what happened spiritually.
You recognized your need for a Savior and placed your faith in Jesus Christ.
SAY IT SIMPLY
"I realized I couldn't save myself. I understood that Jesus died for my sins and rose again, and I placed my faith in Him."
PART 3 – SINCE JESUS
WHAT IS JESUS DOING IN YOUR LIFE?
Following Jesus does not mean that every problem disappears.
It means you now belong to Christ.
Think about how Jesus has changed–and continues to change–your life.
Maybe He has given you:
- Peace instead of fear
- Hope instead of despair
- Freedom from guilt
- New purpose
- A desire to know God
- Greater love for others
- Strength during difficult circumstances
- A desire to live differently
Your testimony does not need to communicate that you have everything figured out.
In fact, it shouldn't.
REMEMBER
Your testimony isn't about becoming perfect. It's about belonging to Christ.
Jesus is still working in you.
SAY IT SIMPLY
"My life isn't perfect, but since trusting Jesus, He has given me___________, and He continues to change the way I ___________."
KEEP JESUS AT THE CENTER
YOUR STORY IS A BRIDGE TO THE GOSPEL
There is an important distinction every believer should understand:
Your testimony tells someone what Jesus has done for you.
The Gospel tells someone what Jesus has done for them.
Your testimony can create curiosity, build trust, and open a spiritual conversation.
But don't stop with your story.
Point beyond yourself to Jesus.
Instead of just ending your testimony with:
"That's my story."
Learn to transition naturally toward the Gospel.
TRY SAYING THIS:
"The reason my life changed isn't because I became a better person. It's because Jesus died for my sins, rose again, and offered me new life. Can I share with you what that means?"
Your testimony tells someone what Jesus has done for you.
The Gospel tells someone what Jesus has done for them.
PRACTICE YOUR STORY
BUILD YOUR 3–MINUTE TESTIMONY
You don't need to memorize a speech.
Use the three simple parts you just learned:
BEFORE JESUS
Write 3-4 words that describe your heart or life before trusting Christ.
MEETING JESUS
Write 2–3 sentences explaining how you came to understand the Gospel and trust Jesus.
SINCE JESUS
Write 5 ways Jesus has changes or is changing your life.
Now put those three pieces together:
BEFORE JESUS - MEETING JESUS -SINCE JESUS
Say your testimony out loud.
Time yourself.
Try to keep it around three minutes
Then practice telling the same story in one minute.
PRACTICE IT
Share your testimony with another Christian and ask:
- Was Jesus clearly the hero?
- Was my story easy to follow?
- Did I spend too much time talking about my past?
- Did I clearly explain how I came to trust Jesus?
- Could my story naturally lead into the Gospel?
The goal isn't to memorize perfect wording.
Know your story well enough to tell it naturally.
GO DEEPER
SEE WHAT SCRIPTURE SAYS ABOUT TELLING YOU STORY
YOUR STORY DOESN'T HAVE TO BE DRAMATIC
Read John 9:1-25.
The man Jesus healed did not have a theological answer for every question people asked him. But he knew what Jesus had done.
His response was remarkably simple:
"One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!"
GO AND TELL WHAT JESUS HAS DONE
Read Mark 5:1-20
After Jesus delivered the man who had been possessed by demons, the man wanted to go with Him.
Instead, Jesus told him to go home to his own people and tell them how much the Lord had done for him.
Jesus sent him back to the people who knew him.
Sometimes one of the most powerful places to begin sharing Jesus is with people who already know your story.
BE READY TO SHARE YOUR HOPE
Read 1 Peter 3:15.
Peter tells believers to be prepared to give an answer when someone asks about the hope they have.
Preperation matters.
Writing and practicing your testimony isn't about making your story sound rehearsed.
It's about being ready when God gives you an opportunity.
OPEN YOUR BIBLE
5–DAY TESTIMONY CHALLENGE
Spend the next five days in Scripture thinking about what God has done in your life and how your story can point others to Jesus.
DAY 1 – TELL WHAT GOD HAS DONE
Read Psalm 107:1-2
What has God redeemed in you from?
Write down three specific ways you have experienced His grace.
DAY 2 – GO AND TELL
Read Mark 5:18-20.
Why do you think Jesus sent this man back to his own people?
Who are the people in your life who need to hear what Jesus has done for you?
Write down one name.
DAY 3 – BE PREPARED
Read 1 Peter 3:13-16.
According to this passage, what should characterize the way Christians speak about their hope?
Think about how you can share your story with both gentleness and respect.
DAY 5 – THE HERO OF YOUR STORY
Read Galatians 2:20.
Who is at the center of Paul's new life?
Now read your written testimony again and ask:
Does my story make much of me–or does it make much of Jesus?
Look for anything you could shorten or change to make Christ more clearly the focus.
PRAY BEFORE YOU GO
A PRAYER FOR COURAGE TO TELL YOUR STORY
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the story You are writing in my life. Thank You for pursuing me, saving me, and giving me new life through Jesus.
Help me remember that my testimony is not ultimately about me–it is about Your grace.
Give me humility when I talk about my past, honestly about where I still need You, and courage to tell others what You have done.
Help me listen well to the people around me. Give me wisdom to know when to share my story, and help me recognize the opportunities You place in front of me
Most of all, keep Jesus at the center of everything I say. Let my story become a bridge that leads someone to hear the Gospel.
Give me an opportunity to tell someone what You have done in my life and give me the courage to take it when it comes.
In Jesus' name, amen.
THE SENT CHALLENGE
BEFORE THE NEXT FIRST FRIDAY
Training isn't finished when the lesson ends. Put what you've learned into practice before we gather again.
WRITE YOUR STORY
Write your testimony in approximately 300 words using the three-part framework:
BEFORE JESUS - MEETING JESUS - SINCE JESUS
Don't try to make it impressive.
Make it honest, clear, and centered on Jesus.
PRACTICE YOUR STORY
Practice sharing your testimony aloud until you can comfortably tell it in approximately three minutes.
Then challenge yourself to tell the same story in one minute.
Share it with another Christian and ask for honest feedback.
PRAY FOR ONE
Choose one person in your life who does not know Jesus.
Write down their name and pray for them regularly.
Ask God to give you an opportunity to listen to their story–and eventually share yours.
START A CONVERSATION
Don't force your testimony into a conversation.
Get to know someone. Ask questions. Listen.
When a opportunity naturally opens, you might say:
"I've actually experienced something similar. Would you mind if I shared a little of my story with you?"
SHARE YOUR STORY
Before the next First Friday, look for at least one opportunity to share your testimony with someone who needs Jesus.
Remember:
Your goal isn't just to tell your story.
Your goal is to point them to His story.
If the conversation allows transition from your testimony into the Gospel.
REFLECT
After sharing your testimony, take a few minutes to think or write about:
- What happened?
- What felt natural?
- What was difficult?
- Did I keep Jesus at the center?
- Was there an opportunity to share the Gospel?
- What do I want to practice before the next First Friday?
REMEMBER
Celebrate faithfulness, not perfection.
You don't need to deliver a flawless testimony. You are learning to faithfully tell people what Jesus has done and trust God with what happens next.
MAIN TAKEAWAY
YOUR STORY MATTERS BECAUSE JESUS IS THE HERO
Your testimony is evidence of God's grace–but the Gospel is the power that saves.
You don't need the most dramatic testimony in the room.
You don't need perfect words.
You don't need to have every answer.
You just need to be willing to tell people what Jesus has done.
TELL YOUR STORY
POINT TO JESUS
SHARE THE GOSPEL
Every testimony is different, but every Christian testimony points to the same Savior.
Jesus died. Jesus rose. Jesus saves.
TAKE YOU NEXT STEP
DON'T STOP WITH THE TRAINING
Evangelism is learned by doing. Keep training, gather with other believers, and put what you're learning into practice.
THE TRAINING ROOM
Continue growing through practical, biblical evangelism training and explore additional training drops.
FIRST FRIDAY
Join us for food, fellowship, prayer, and practical Gospel training and explore additional Training Drops.
SENT SATURDAY
Put the training into practice. Join us as we pray, meet people, start conversations, and share the Gospel together.
WE TRAIN. WE GO. WE MAKE DISCIPLES.
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