Learning To Tell Our Story

Sermon recap Formation Focus: Witness – Week 4

This week’s teaching closed out our Formation Focus on witness by addressing a tension many Christians quietly carry: it’s not that we doubt the power of the gospel—we doubt our ability to communicate it. We worry about whether we’ll “hit all of the bullet points,” whether we’ll say it perfectly, or whether someone will ask a question we can’t answer. That pressure can make witness feel heavy, intimidating, and overwhelming.

But what if we could alleviate that tension? The invitation is simple and freeing: when we share about Christ, we can share about Christ through our story. No one is going to ask you a question about your story that you don’t know the answer to. And the truth is, every believer has a story. If you are practicing the ways of Jesus, then you’ve got a story—and your story can point to Jesus.

There are three stories every Christian can share: a story of conversion, a story of growth, and a story of suffering. The goal wasn’t to turn witness into a performance, but to help people confidently name what Jesus has done in their own lives.

First, let’s explore a conversion story using the Apostle Paul’s testimony in 1 Timothy 1. The framework was clear: “before,” “how,” and “after.” What was life like before Jesus? How did Jesus make Himself known to you? What does life look like now? The teacher pointed to John 9 as encouragement: the formerly blind man didn’t have a polished theological explanation—he simply knew what changed. Before Jesus, he couldn’t see; after Jesus, he could. In the same way, your conversion story is meant to spotlight Jesus. “The center points of your conversion story is not how lost you were and how found you are, the center point is Jesus.”

Second, consider a growth story from Philippians 3. This isn’t only about how you met Jesus, but how Jesus has been forming you. The framework here was: “the issue”, “the lesson”, and “the response”. Paul names the issue of misplaced confidence and pride, learns that knowing Christ is worth more than everything, and responds by pursuing Jesus with a re-centered life. Many of us resonate with this kind of story—moments where we knew about Jesus, but weren’t living for Him, and where Jesus kept working, refining, and re-ordering our loves. A growth story doesn’t require perfect memory or perfect articulation—“It is what Jesus is doing in your life.”

Third, we turn to our story of suffering. Suffering is often the most common doorway for gospel conversations. People in pain tend to reach for truth, and Christians have the opportunity to come alongside them. Luke 22:31–32 was used as a lens: Jesus tells Peter that Satan demanded to “sift” him, and Jesus adds, “but I prayed for you.” The encouragement offered to those suffering was not simplistic answers, but steady hope: “I don't know why this is happening in your life, but I do know that Jesus is still in control.” Even more, “I am praying on your behalf.” Suffering stories aren’t meant to be sanitized or exaggerated. “You don't sanitize or exaggerate your sifting.” And the point isn’t self-congratulation: “Your story is not that you survived, but your story is that Christ was with you through the whole thing.”

Practice. We all need to practice sharing our stories. Write your story. Identify whether you’re sharing conversion, growth, or suffering, and practice telling it in a way that points to Jesus.