THE ROLE OF TESTIMONIES IN EVANGELISM
AUGUST 29, 2025
TEXT: “Many of the Samaritans in the city believed on Him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.” (John 4:39)
The special mandate of God for us is that as we have freely received the gift of salvation, we should also willingly share it. However, the task is not always straightforward, as there are often obstacles that hinder the work of the evangelist.
In the text under consideration, a full reading of the chapter shows that Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well while His disciples went into the city to buy food. Jesus revealed to the woman significant details about her life, especially her marital history. The woman was not a pastor or evangelist, yet her testimony about Jesus was powerful enough to bring the people of the town to salvation and to acknowledge the Lordship of Christ.
Sometimes, what is most effective in reaching others may not be formal preaching or teaching, but rather the sharing of personal testimonies of one’s own encounter with the Lord.
KEY POINTS
- Personal testimonies make the gospel relatable. When unbelievers hear the personal encounters of others with Christ, the message becomes more accessible and real to them.
- Personal testimonies can stir curiosity and eagerness in unbelievers, prompting them to desire their own encounter with the Christ being preached. A genuine story of God’s work in a person’s life has the power to draw others to seek Him.
- While teachings may sometimes be doubted, authentic experiences and testimonies are undeniable. In John 9, the blind man found it difficult to convince others that Jesus was Lord. However, the undeniable fact that he had been blind from birth and could now see was a testimony no one could dispute. His transformation left the people bewildered and unable to deny the power of God.
SEARCHLIGHT: Evangelism does not only depend on preaching and teaching; often it is deeply effective through personal stories of one’s encounter with God.
PRAYER: O Lord, let my life glorify Your name and kingdom, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE READING: Isaiah 40–42; Matthew 17
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
