VERY EXCITED
This year we are going to open up the options for the students to share their Testimonies.
Normally the have to stand in front of the church during Christian Growth and give a 2 min speech on “How I came to believe Jesus Christ as my Savior” ...they can still do that it that is the best way and most comfortable way the feel like communicating their Faith relationship with Jesus...
This year we are opening it up to other options that fit the students strong suits. Some examples would be like ...making a video...making a power point presentation...doing a dance...making a song...making a collage...any form of communication that tells us that Christ is their Savior...the fact that the ends are wide open might be TMO (too many options) for some students, so you might have to say...”I think you would do great at either X or Y” and they might choose B but narrowing the choices sometimes brings safety to their hearts...
This inspiration came from Our Saviors Lutheran Ministries in Livermore CA. http://www.oslnet.org/
My wife is the God mother of one of the students their and 2 years ago went to CA for his Confirmation day...they gave their students these options and my wife came back very inspired saying that the students did great jobs of either writing their testimonies out or showing a different communication skill and the whole congregation was moved. I filed it away as a good idea and it got lost in the just trying to keep my nose above water. The heart work that put this into action was I recently had lunch from one of my Confirmands from back in the 90’s...and he said that he sat his mom down and told her he was quitting confirmation because he was scared stiff to speak in front of the church...his mom told him otherwise and he was confirmed...the point though...what if we have a student who is expressive but just not orally and would rather leave the church then speak in front of people...I would feel mortified that the lack of flexibility and extra work on my part lead to a student walking away from their faith...so just know that there is no way your student can fail at this, other than not doing it...if your student is feeling nervous about this then tell them this little story...You have won the prize...all you have to do is go threw that door and it is yours...even if you fall threw it, you have one...we just need to be communicated that Jesus is their Savior...in what format is wide open...please read below to get more boundaries.
HOW TO’S FOR
TESTIMONIES
Please turn in all forms of testimony by March 29, whether written speech to be given during Christian Growth on April 5th or an Alternative Media. We also need to have a digital photo, the Confirmands chosen bible verse and brief bio (Example: Johnny is the 2nd Son of Ward and June. He has one older brother Eddie who graduates this year. Johnny was born in Beaverville on 9-25-1986. He was baptized three week later at Trinity Lutheran. You may also throw in something about a hobby or interest. No more than 4 lines long) turned into office@aic.org by March 13th. Please also keep all presentation around 2 min. long. This will be a blessing to you and to others around you.
1 Peter 3: 15But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
The following is just a guide…the only thing we need is clear communication that Jesus is your Lord and Savior.
I. Tell of your life before Christ (Gal.1:13-14; Acts 26:4-11).
1. The Apostle Paul describes his former standing and activities before he became a Christian.
2. Take the time to summarize what your life was like before you came to know Christ. Unless you have always had a faith salvation relationship with God for all that you can remember. If that is the case, then share that, God has always been. Share an area in your life that God has worked on. Like for me, part of my testimony is seeing Jesus heal my father’s heart. He is not the same man that raised me…Jesus cleaned, healed and transformed him into a new man. I have always known God in my life never did drugs or anything like that but, God worked in my life through my father in a miracle way.
A. Remember, everyone has a different background and each one is just as important as the next one - because those who are listening come from different backgrounds too, and will only to able to "connect" or "relate" to those individuals that they have something in common with.
1) Often we think that only those who come out of a background of drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, etc., have the only good testimonies, but not everyone can relate to these types of backgrounds. These testimonies are powerful because they are real just like the ones that are from the kid that grew up in the church and is going to be a missionary and the one thing they did wrong last year was to be late on their library book by a day.
2) God can use a testimony of someone who grew up in a Christian home as much as He can use the most extreme situation - so don't let this stop you from giving your testimony.
B. Suggestions.
1) If you do come from some extreme background, don't try to share every little piece of information, this could become a distraction and can even be offensive to some people (especially if there are children in the audience).
- Let me give you an example of this, I once heard a woman give her testimony about her life before Christ and how it was filled with drugs. Instead of saying it in general way, like I just described it, she began to talk about all kinds of details, almost to the point of the number of drug parties, names, where they met, etc. The result was that her testimony tended to put everyone in shock more than it helped anyone to relate to her testimony.
2) Don't try to give every little detail, but only those details that will give people a general overview of what your life was before Christ. Remember, you are doing this so that people will be able to see a contrast between your old life, and your new life as a Christian.
I
I. Tell how you came to Believe Christ as your Savior (Gal.1:15-16a; Acts 26:12-18).
1. The Apostle Paul simply recounted how God saved him.
2. Tell about:
A. How God spoke to your heart.
B. Who God used and how they witnessed to you.
C. Where you were at when you were saved. (Understanding that that is where you finally believed all the work that God has done for you. Died on the Cross, called you by His Spirit and gave you the faith to believe) Some of us do not have a defining moment, if that is the case you can say that and then follow up with…Now here at Confirmation I am taking a firm stand on my Belief of what God has done in my life and making a public proclamation that Jesus died and rose again for me.
D. How you responded to that call.
III. Tell of your life after you put your trust in Christ (Gal.1:16b-24; Acts 26:19-23).
1. The Apostle Paul shared about how the Lord prepared him to preach the gospel, and about his ministry to other believers and their churches. This is where page 207 comes in share of your gifts and how/where you want to be used by God.
2. Explain how your life has been changed since you have believed in Christ.
A. How has this change impacted your personal life?
- Examples: new strength to overcome problems, how your life now has a focus and a purpose, a new outlook on life or about other people, etc. . . .
B. How has your changed life impacted others?
- Examples: helping others who may be going through the same type of problems that you went through, ministries that you are actively involved in now, etc. . . .
IV. ALTERNATE MEDIA
1. If you use an alternate media to share your testimony keep in mind you have only 2 min to communicate that.
2. If you are using a power point presentation you must have it on a USB thumb drive and given to the office no later than March 29…we can down load it and then you can have your thumb drive back.
3. If you make a DVD 2 min long. Turn it in by March 29
4. If you make a collage…make sure we can understand that you believe Jesus as your Savior. Turn it in by March 29
5. If you do a dance…you must show Stephen A. McBee by March 29 and turn in your music by March 29
6. If you do a skit…you must turn in script by…you guess it March 29. Oh and it can only be 2 min long.
7. Theme…2 min long…turn in by March 29
