Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1538071
SHARING YOUR TESTIMONY So, how do you share your testi- mony? The formula is pretty simple. Break the testimony into three sec- tions: life before, the transformative encounter and life after. Identify a theme that runs throughout the testi- mony. The theme generally pinpoints what God was accomplishing in the encounter. Examples are: moving from addiction to freedom, from doubt to belief, from despair to hope, from bitterness to forgiveness, etc. The theme will provide continuity to each section of the testimony. Begin by sharing about your life leading into the encounter. Some detail helps to understand the trans- formation that is to take place, but too much detail and backstory bog the testimony down and risk losing focus. Try to share enough informa- tion for the listener to understand and appreciate the transformative encounter and life after most fully. The details that you share should reflect the theme of the testimony. If the theme is "addiction to freedom," you should talk about the reality of your addiction, how it impacted your life, relationships, relationship with God, etc. Those details are important to understand your life leading into the moment of encounter and what changed. You want to avoid over-em- phasizing details that glorify a sinful lifestyle or exaggerating to make the conversion more dramatic. The main section focuses on the transformative encounter with God. This is the focal point of the testi- mony and is worth spending the most time on. Again, be honest about what happened. Do not feel insecure about what you experienced, and do not feel any need to embellish a single detail. God works in reality, and what he has done in your life is worth sharing. Do your best to describe how you experi- enced God's presence, love and peace while knowing that your inability to find words for things only increases the curiosity of those listening. The key to this section is to glorify God by proclaiming his wonderous deeds. Finally, the proof is in the pud- ding. God's work in us is marked by conversion, transformation and growth. The purpose of your testi- mony is not to give witness that God exists, but that Jesus Christ is alive and can change your life; he can save you from everything you fear and fulfill all your desires. Your life after the encounter ref lects some aspect of that truth. Remember, the life after section follows the theme of the testimony. What does freedom look like for you now? How has your image of God changed? How has your relationship with him changed? This section should be littered with the fruits of the Holy Spirit (joy, peace, goodness, generosit y, kind- ness, love, patience, etc.). The Church and the world need you to share your testimony more often. People need reasons to believe. They need to see and hear that Jesus Christ is alive and still at work. They need to be reminded that sin is not too big a barrier for the love of the Father. People need to know that there is hope for them and their loved ones. Remember what the Lord has done for you and live out your call to be a witness to Jesus today. When you share your testimony, it increases faith and hope in God's goodness." 8 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2025 | DENVER CATHOLIC