Share the Story: Sharing Personal Testimonies in the Group

How many people in your group know the stories of other group members’ journey of faith? The testimony of believers is powerful, both as a way to witness the saving power of Jesus Christ with lost friends and neighbors, but also to encourage other believers in their own walk with Christ. Revelation 12:11 reveals that the church overcomes its evil adversary by “… the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.”

However, many group members are nervous about sharing their testimony of faith. Some members do not know how to share what God has done in their life; others may need some practice and encouragement. Sharing testimonies in small group helps both group members and the group.

1. Sharing testimonies during small group encourages all group members to develop their testimony;
2. It helps group members practice and build their confidence;
3. It builds deeper group community. Knowing the struggles that other people in the group have overcome or are currently facing builds spiritual bonds between group members;
4. Sharing testimonies brings the power of the Gospel into the group. It also provides a Gospel expression when unsaved people are in the group.

How to Share Personal Testimonies

• I encourage the leader to show the group how to write their testimony, which can also be called a Legacy Letter. Go here for guidance on writing a Legacy Letter.
• Share one or two testimonies at each group meeting.
• The group leader should share his or her testimony first. The leader’s testimony/Legacy Letter will serve as a model for other group members.
• Limit the testimony or Legacy Letter to about 2-3 minutes (4-500 words or about one page typed).
• Encourage people to actually read their testimony to the group. Reading the testimony aloud builds confidence.

Consider giving just 5 minutes at one meeting each month for group testimonies.

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Bob Mayfield is the Sunday School/Discipleship specialist at the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Bob also has his own blog at bobmayfield.com.
Follow Bob on Twitter at @bobmayfield and on Facebook at facebook.com/thebobmayfield