More Than One Story: Finding the Right Testimony for the Moment

By Pastor Rick Warren

Hi everybody!

Throughout this series, I’ve been giving you practical tips on how to share your life message with others. Let me start with a simple but challenging question: Is anybody going to be in heaven because of you?

I want you to be able to list the names of people who will be there because you took the time to share your testimony with them. Remember, our theme verse is Psalm 96:2:

“Each day tell someone that He saves.”

 

How to Share Your Life Message

 

Step 1: Choose a Central Theme

Every testimony needs a theme. People come to Christ for many different reasons—anger, worry, guilt, fear, loneliness, emptiness, grief, financial pressure, marital struggles, stress, or a search for meaning.

That’s why you don’t just have one testimony—you probably have a hundred! You could make a list of every problem and every pain you’ve ever experienced in life and think through how God helped you in that time – each of those is a testimony.

• Have you ever been disappointed? Then you have a disappointment testimony.
  
• Ever felt insecure? That’s an insecurity testimony.
  
• Do you carry regrets? That’s a regrets testimony.
  
• Have you struggled with fear, discontent, or burnout? Each of these is a testimony.
  
  

Every problem in your life has two purposes. One is the purpose to help you grow in your own life and the second is to give you a testimony to other people. To be a good witness, all you have to do is start listening to people. At some point, they will share their pain. When they do, you remember where you had pain in that area and tell them your story.

When you reflect on how God has helped you through different struggles, you’re ready to share with someone else when they open up about the same area of pain.

 

Step 2: Keep It Conversational

When you share, speak casually. Be informal. It’s okay to stumble or pause—that actually makes you more relatable. What people don’t want to hear is a canned sales pitch from a robot.

A simple way to put it might be:

“I had a lot of problems before I knew Christ. Honestly, I still have many of those problems today. The difference is that now I have help—and life is so much better.”

 

Step 3: Avoid Common Pitfalls

• Don’t criticize other religions. Mentioning your past religious background can put people on the defensive. Stick to your story.
  
  
• Don’t overload with scripture. This isn’t a sermon; it’s your story. This may surprise you, but I recommend including just one Bible verse, if any.
  
  
• Don’t answer questions no one asked. Most people already believe in the existence of God; focus on sharing how you developed a personal relationship with Him.
  
  
• Don’t dramatize or embellish. Keep it real. Don’t add thunder and lightning for effect. Just share your genuine experience.
  
  
• Don’t sound preachy. Use I, me, my rather than you. That way yoru story stays personal instead of judgmental.
  
  

 

Step 4: Make It Specific

The more concrete your examples, the more dynamic your testimony becomes. Share real changes:

• “I was headed toward financial ruin, but applying biblical principles helped me turn things around.”
  
• “My marriage was falling apart, but Christ brought healing.”
  
• “The stress lifted and peace returned when I trusted Him.”
  
  

Details matter—but dates, ages, and names usually don’t.

 

Step 5: Add Relatable Humor

Humor builds connection. The best kind isn’t telling jokes—it’s sharing a relatable mistake, flaw, or failure. When people think, “Been there,” they’re more open to hearing the rest of your story.

 

Step 6: Practice and Polish

Read your testimony out loud until it sounds natural and conversational. Aim to share it in under three minutes. Test it with friends, family, or your small group. Let them give you feedback.

Remember: your testimony is a story, not a performance.

 

A Final Word

When you share your story, you become an ambassador for Christ. Don’t overthink it—just tell people what He’s done for you. As you prepare, pray, and perceive people and situations with Great Commission eyes, you’ll be amazed at the doors God will open up for you to share your story!

Let me close with a prayer:

Father, thank You for teaching us how to share our life message. Help us take these simple truths and become more effective witnesses for You. This week, would you bring opportunities into our lives to share our stories and help people become more open to knowing you personally. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

This week, pray and begin to write out your story. If you need to review the four parts of your testimony, reference this post. 

For more resources on how to share your story, visit the Believers page on the Finishing the Task site at https://finishingthetask.com/believers/