It’s one thing to talk about others, it’s another to talk about your own experience. It’s one thing to tell others about the people in the Bible who met God, it’s another to tell them how you met God.

Don’t get me wrong—we should tell other’s stories—we should share from those who lived in Bible-times. Those stories are powerful. But sharing your own story has a different kind of power.

Paul’s mission travels, as well as his letters, are a fascinating part of the Bible to study. While the way he approaches every place and every person is a little different, he frequently refers back to his life and how God transformed him, even if only in snippets.

Here’s why you, too, should share your story.

Your Story Can Change Others

A passage of the Bible that has always fascinated me is the one of the Samaritan woman at the well, which can be found in John 4.

In this passage Jesus is in Samaria and his disciples have gone to buy food. At this time, the woman comes to the well and the two have a conversation where the woman asks questions and Jesus answers them. He shows that he is all-knowing by telling her some details from her life. The woman talks about some differences between the Jews and Samaritans; Jesus replies that one day it will not matter where one worships.

And that is where many people think the story ends. But as you probably guessed, it doesn’t. What does the woman do after this powerful encounter? She hurries back to the town and tells others that she might have found the Christ, the Messiah they have been waiting for.

This “overlooked” part of the story is, in my opinion, even more astonishing than what happened before. John 4:39 (NIV) says, “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’”

Did you read that? Because of the woman’s testimony, many believed. In fact, Jesus stayed in that place for two more days and many more believed because of His teaching. Many people started a new life in those three days.

The woman’s testimony was a signpost towards Jesus, and it changed people’s lives.

People Listen to Other’s Stories

Many people who may be resistant to the gospel or to the Bible will listen to a personal story. After all, what you experienced cannot really be denied. It’s your story and in people’s eyes you have a right to tell it, whether they share your worldview or not.

I personally know people who were like this. They switched off whenever someone started preaching or sharing a Bible-input. But when someone shared their personal story? They listened. Eventually, it was through these stories that their lives—like those 2,000 years ago in Samaria—were changed.

The Author

I’m one of those people who would love to meet her favorite character walking down the road. I’d love to talk to them, I’d love to go out for coffee with them, I’d love to be friends with them.

But even I have to admit that, as much as I love the characters in the novels I read, the credit does not go to them. It goes to the author.

It’s the same with you and me.

My story is worth sharing, not because of how great I am (I’m not!) or because of anything I have done. It is worth telling because of the Author, God.

A Story Worth Sharing

I used to think my story was pretty boring. In my eyes, there was nothing “spectacular” about how I got to know Jesus. There was nothing “fascinating” about my life. But that’s where I got it wrong. Because as I said in the last point, it’s because of God—not me—that my story is fascinating.

My story is amazing because He is amazing. And so is yours for the very same reason.

Your story is a story worth telling, a story worth sharing. So, what are you waiting for? Go and talk about how God changed your life.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” Psalm 107:2a, NIV

Do you have a story or testimony about how God has moved in your life?

Comment below, Roses, and let’s chat!

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