This outline will help you express what God has done in your life and give structure to your simple, easy- to-follow story. Start by writing out your answers in a format that you can practice. Using the guide below, aim to share each section in about one minute.

1. Your life before you encountered Christ (Romans 3:23)

• What impact did faith have on your life?
• Where did you get your happiness and security?
• How did areas where you put your trust let you down?

2. When you received Christ (Romans 5:8)

• When was the first time you heard the Gospel? What was your reaction to it?
• What role did Christian relationships or community play in your journey?
• What led you to begin considering and then finally surrender your life to Jesus?
• What were the obstacles in your mind just before you received Christ?
• Repeat the prayer you said to God to ask for forgiveness for your sin and invite Christ into your life (Romans 10:9).

If you accepted Christ as a small child, then think about when your faith became your own.

3. Your life after receiving Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

• How has God changed you, your relationships, etc., since receiving Christ?
• How did receiving Christ address the problems that you had in your life?
• If you had to describe what it means to become a Christian, what would you say?

As you prepare and practice your story, think about these suggestions to keep your story relevant and easy to follow:

• Pray: Ask God for wisdom as you share your story.
• Audience: Focus on what will be most relevant to them and paint a clear picture.
• Clarity: Avoid being too wordy or too vague. Be clear.
• Christian words: Don’t use Christian words without an explanation.
• Connection: Describe your life in ways that will help others recognize similarities in their own lives.