week 2 recovery testimony

EVAN 525

Recovery Testimony Instructions

Write your 2-page recovery testimony, detailing how Jesus helped you with a particular problem or life need. Structure each section according to the details given below. It would be wise to write out a first draft and practice sharing it. This will give you a gauge as to the need for more or less information.

Submit this assignment by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday of Module/Week 2.

Recovery Story

Use the following outline to prepare your story of how Jesus helped you with a particular problem or need in your life. This is particularly helpful in bridging the gap to share the gospel with the unsaved:

1. “My life seemed normal until...”

2. “I discovered hope and help in Jesus when...”

3. “I am glad I have a personal relationship with Jesus today because...”

4. “May I share how something like this can happen to you?”

You will want to refer to many of the same concepts related to your conversion story. For instance, brevity is still required—try to stay around 2–3 minutes (roughly 2 pages of written text).

The heart of your recovery testimony is answering the first 3 questions above. Question number 4 is a transition question into a Gospel presentation. You are not required to write anything in reference to question four.

The difference in the recovery section is that you are looking for ways in which God has delivered you through challenging issues related to your life. For instance, maybe you have been divorced, have a problem with pride, are materialistic, are a former cancer patient, had an eating disorder, or any number of different addictions such as drugs, pornography, etc.

The point is that these difficult experiences can and will become effective bridges to sharing the gospel with an unsaved world. Someone may be bitter against God because of a certain struggle in life; if you have shared a similar struggle, this can easily become a connection point to share how Christ rescued you from hurt and pain. Remember, the key is not the story or the struggle . . . the goal is to always seek to share the gospel and point people to Christ! He is, afterall, the only one who can fully deliver us from the bondage of sin and shame!

Make no mistake, Satan likes to keep us in bondage to the struggles in our past life. He may even use these struggles to make us feel unworthy to share the gospel with someone else. We may think something like, “I cannot be an effective witness because I used to be an addict, etc.” The truth is, in Christ we can and do live in victory. As the scripture states, “Old things are passed away, behold all things are new!”

Your recovery story reveals to the unsaved world how Christ can navigate us through difficult challenges. The world is not seeking perfection or easy answers. The world really wants honesty and authentic expressions of how faith and life come together. This is the purpose of the recovery section of your testimony.

Use the outline. Keep it simple. Relax and recall the mighty ways in which Christ has delivered you. Then, write them down for future reference. You may never know how God can use a time of brokenness in your own life to mend someone else’s struggles!

For a good example of a recovery testimony go to: www.iamsecond.com or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ

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