Week 8
Opening Reflection: Witnessing
As my good friend and evangelist Josh Howard wisely says:
“The most effective witnessing tool is the one you’ll use.”
One of the simplest and most powerful approaches is the 15-second testimony (though it doesn’t need to be exactly 15 seconds—just short and meaningful).
The 15-Second Testimony
The 15-second testimony is a concise way to share:
What your life was like before Jesus
How you came to know him
The difference he’s made in your life
An invitation to learn more
The goal of the 15-second testimony is to briefly share how Jesus changed your life, and then offer a green light opportunity: “Would you like to learn more?”
Example That I use for a Non-Believer
“For the first thirty years of my life, I didn’t think much about the purpose of life—why I was here or what I was meant to do. When my wife became pregnant with our first child, it sparked a search for meaning that eventually led to a dramatic realization: Jesus loved me and had made a way for my sins to be forgiven. That changed everything. Since then, I’ve lived as his disciple, and he’s given my life purpose and direction. It’s a new beginning that’s available to anyone. Would you like to learn more?”
Example That I Use for a Believer (But Not Yet a Disciple)
“During the first twenty years of my Christian life, I did all the things I thought a faithful believer should do—attended church, tithed, served as a deacon and elder, and taught classes. But when I sensed God calling me to make disciples in a more intentional way—one-on-one or in small groups—my understanding of what it means to be a disciple completely changed. That shift has helped me walk more closely with God and better discern what he wants to do in and through me. I’ve since developed a simple process for making disciples that anyone can follow. Would you like to learn about it?”
An Example You Might Use Soon
This example is designed to be adaptable to your own experience as you begin this journey:
“I started using a process called Listening to Jesus that helps people connect more deeply with God—and through it, I’ve come to truly understand what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. It’s made a huge difference in how I hear from God and stay in step with what he wants to do in and through me. For example, [insert a brief, personal story]. Would you like to learn more about it?”
Tips:
Keep it short and conversational.
Practice sharing your story naturally.
Be honest, not polished—people connect with real stories, not rehearsed speeches.
Always end with an invitation.
If you plan on witnessing right away, read next week’s Opening Reflection about how to respond to answers you may receive.
The 15-second testimony is not the whole gospel—it’s a door opener. When someone says “yes” or even “maybe,” that’s your cue to invite them into the next step: a conversation, a Bible study, or walking through Listening to Jesus Foundations together.