Step 4 - The End

You’re almost ready! Before you dive in, let me share several quick tips that may help and enhance your writing.

Pray

This is obvious but we can get so consumed in the task of writing and figuring out our testimony that we forget to do what is essential! Invite others to pray

Don’t do this alone.

Recruit 2 people who will pray for you before and during; try to include at least one adult on this prayer team.

Do a heart check

Are you ready to publicly represent Christ? Be sure your heart is right with God and others. Anyone you need to talk to? Apologize to?

Know your audience

Are you speaking to mostly Christians, non-Christians, or a mix? Be sure to use language that your listeners will understand. Avoid church lingo like “saved,” “re-dedicate,” “invite Jesus in your heart.” What do those words really mean, especially to a non-Christian?

Write it out point form

Writing out in point form will enable you to think through properly before you write out your story. Does this part fits here or will it be better if I put it at the end?

Writing out MY STORY

Finally! Your end product. Write out YOUR STORY with the points that you had noted down previously. Check for spelling, grammar and vocab errors before sending it to us!

Ignore doubts

Expect your mind to be filled with lots of doubts and messages like, “Who do you think you are to share your story? You're such a hypocrite. God can't use you.” This is a strategy of Satan. Fortunately, as a Christian, you don't have to be perfect to share your story (hey, I'm not!). But you do need to know that God is with you and is cheering you on. And so are the people who are praying for you!

Keep your focus on God

Remember, it's God who has given you a story to tell. Be excited about your story, but be sure to give God the credit He deserves.Have fun!

You are loved by God and your friends no matter how you do, so relax and enjoy the privilege of telling others about the incredible relationship you have (and they can have) with Jesus.

The end!

The format for a growth story might look like this . . .

ISSUE + LESSON + RESPONSE = my growth story

What ISSUE or QUESTION have you been struggling with? What’s been going on in your life that God is using to challenge or stretch you? In what ways have you been stumbling in your walk with Christ?What LESSON did you learn from your issue/question? What insight from the Bible did God give you, or what friend encouraged you? What have you learned or in what way have you grown since the issue/question first presented itself? What RESPONSE is God calling for? Or what RESPONSE do you need from your readers? If there was a definite lesson God taught you, how does He want you to live now? If there hasn’t been an answer yet, how do you want others to pray for you? Could your response challenge others to grow? IMPORTANT! When you actually begin to write out either type of testimony, put the bulk of your material in the middle section (“how” or “lesson”). Why? Many people focus too much on what life was like before Christ or on the issue they’re struggling with, and it can overwhelm the audience. The reader needs to se HOW you came to know Christ and/or what LESSON God taught you during this time. Everyone can relate to life outside of Christ, but people need to get a clear picture of the kind of hope Christ offers.

4th Advent Cell

4th Advent Cell: The last night of cell for the year, certainly befitting of a year end cell. A little more people then usual - a little more sharing then usual. What comes to your mind when we talk about Advent? Last week focuses on the 'yes' of Mary to God to conceive the child, Jesus.

God in the form of a baby. Weak, powerless and small. Do we see children as hope? Some said yes, some said no. Do we then see Jesus, in the form of a baby as hope for the world? Why did He come as a baby and not as a man immediately? One shared that maybe this enabled God to look at the world through our eyes, our human failings.

How many times did we say yes to God? How many times did we not dare to say yes? A child, shrouded in mystery. No one knows what this child will bring: Peace? War? Love? No matter what, Mary still said yes, expecting nothing, not knowing anything.

Does our expectations sometimes fall beyond what we hope for? One shared yes, many times. So it's best not to aim too high least you fall down too hard. Is it true? Do we not aim high just because we are afraid that we will fall down too hard? I think the impt thing is how we pick ourselves up after we fall down.

God, in a weak baby, said yes by Mary = The yes of Man to once again recieve God into their lives.

Are you ready to recieve God once again into your life by saying yes?

Have a blessed and joyful Christmas.