Take some time to think through your personal story about how Jesus has changed you. Think through these questions, pray, and write down what comes to mind:

1. What did my life look like before I trusted Jesus?

2. How did I meet Jesus?

3. Did someone impact my life? If so, what did they do and why did they do it?

4. How did my life change after trusting Jesus as my Savior?

5. How does my life continue to change because of Jesus?

6. Why do I still need Jesus?

7. Who am I impacting now?

Why is this an important exercise?

1) I want you to remember, remember, remember what the Lord has done for you. All throughout the Old Testament we see “altars of remembrance” that were built so that future generations would know what God had done. We are a forgetful people and need reminders often of what God has done for us.

2) Like I mentioned in “Tell Your Story” (Part 1), we are to have a ready word available for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15). If you wrote down the answers to the 7 questions above, you now have the framework for your story. It’s not likely you’ll share all your story all at once and all the time. But now, when someone says something in a conversation and the Holy Spirit quickens you to share part of your story, you are one step closer to having a “ready word.”

Keep praying and thinking through your story, and thank God for what he’s done for you (and continues to do) and for those who have come alongside you and impacted your story. And, ask him to show you how you can impact others! (Hint: Matthew 28:19-20).

I love y’all!

xo-P

“You’ll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God’s sheer genius, I didn’t try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy. I deliberately kept it plain and simple: first Jesus and who he is; then Jesus and what he did—Jesus crucified. I was unsure of how to go about this, and felt totally inadequate—I was scared to death, if you want the truth of it—and so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else. But the Message came through anyway. God’s Spirit and God’s power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God’s power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

“But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy and acknowledge Him as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.” 1 Peter 3:15 (AMPC)