How to testify in two easy steps
Allison Moore
When we think of evangelism, names like Billy Graham and Clayton King come to mind. And when we compare ourselves to men like that, it’s easy to disqualify ourselves from telling others about Jesus.
While God has and continues to spread the Gospel through well-known pastors and preachers, this is not the only way to testify. Great leaders in the Bible spoke and thousands were saved. But so did ordinary folks, like you and me. They simply shared what the Lord did in their lives.
Two Simple Steps to Testifying
Testifying comes down to two simple steps. First, see what the Lord is doing or has done. Second, declare His works to anyone.
Many people will not come to a “revival” event or Sunday morning service, but they will listen to a friend, neighbor, or coworker share what the Lord has done in their life. These kinds of exchanges happened throughout the Bible and can still happen in our lives today.
Five Examples of Testifying in the Bible
1. The woman who was healed of a bleeding disorder
Luke 8:40-48 shows a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years. She had faith that merely touching Jesus would heal her, and it did. When Jesus called her forward, she testified in front of everyone to what had happened. She recounted her story of being sick, touching Jesus, and being instantly healed. That’s it.
2. The man who was born blind
John 9 is about Jesus healing a man born blind. When the man came home seeing, everyone wanted to know what happened, so he told them. He says, “The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see.” What a testimony!
Later on, when people questioned his healing, the man didn’t get caught up in theological debates. He simply stuck to his story, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
3. Paul shares his story with a big crowd
In Acts 22, Paul gives a more detailed explanation of meeting Jesus. But even then, he follows these same two steps. His message to the crowd simply recounted the details of his life.
Paul’s story seems spectacular because the details are spectacular. But upon closer scrutiny, it is just retelling events of who he was before he met Christ, how he met Jesus, and how he changed after he met Jesus.
4. The paralyzed man who was healed on a Sunday
The paralyzed man in Luke 5:17 testified to Jesus’ healing by obeying Jesus’ instructions to get up, take up his mat, and go home. The no longer paralyzed man testified by praising God for his healing. His story is a great reminder to each of us. Sometimes, praising the Lord out loud is the best way to magnify His name.
5. The Samaritan woman at the well
John 4 tells the story of the woman at the well. She spent time with Jesus and was forever changed. When she left, she told everyone she knew about their interaction. As a result, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him” (John 4:39).
Jesus stayed with them for two more days and many more became believers. “They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world’” (John 4:42).
We all have stories to tell. The difference between a story and a testimony is seeing where the Lord is working in every moment of our lives and being willing to declare it. God is always with us. Sometimes, we simply don’t notice or find other ways to explain His work. Giving God the glory in everything makes testifying easy.
When we experience unexplained healing, unseen provision, or a clear mind to recalling the content for an exam, God is at work in us. Declaring His work and praising Him aloud is testifying! In every moment of our lives, God is actively writing our stories for His glory.