Testimony Assignment
FCUCC Confirmation 2016-17
The “final project” for confirmation is to prepare and share testimony. A draft is due on Wed April 19, we'll practice Sun April 23. Then Confirmands will share with the congregation as part of the Confirmation Ceremony on April 30 at 10:30am community worship.
What is testimony?
Testimony is witnessing to God’s love at work in daily life; using the language of our Christian faith to make meaning of our lives; or put simply, sharing our stories. It doesn’t have to be a big, earth-shattering moment when you were first “saved” or converted. We believe that the Loving-One is continually at work in our lives and the world. So a testimony might be about feeling God’s comfort in a time of difficulty, being spurred to action in a new way, trusting God amidst uncertainty, a “mountain-top” experience where you felt close to God, or times of struggle and doubt and bringing that to God. This is only a partial list—each of us has lots of different testimony we could share. What is God leading you to share at this time?
What do I share about?
You’re answering the question “How have I experienced Divine Love at work in my life?” You can share about something that happened to you recently, or in the past. It can be about a simple, everyday activity, or a larger event(s) in your life. The focus should be on naming God’s action and presence in your life. It’s not a “tell-all confessional,” but you are encouraged to share deeply and honestly at your own comfort level.
What would I have to do?
Write your story down and practice reading it aloud ahead of time. On Confirmation Sunday, April 30, Confirmands will take turns reading theirs during worship from a microphone up front. Please email a draft to Molly by Wed April 19 (she may suggest minor edits for clarity and brevity). Bring your edited draft to our closing meeting on Sunday April 23. We will go over them together ahead of them, to help each person feel as comfortable as possible, realizing it is not the easiest thing we’re asking.
How long should it be?
Testimonies should be about 3-5 minutes long. This equals:
Please don’t short-change yourself on this assignment. Everyone can think of 3 main points.
What if I have more questions?
Talk to Molly at [email protected] or 712-577-8774. Or talk it through with your mentor or one of the other youth leaders.
What is testimony?
Testimony is witnessing to God’s love at work in daily life; using the language of our Christian faith to make meaning of our lives; or put simply, sharing our stories. It doesn’t have to be a big, earth-shattering moment when you were first “saved” or converted. We believe that the Loving-One is continually at work in our lives and the world. So a testimony might be about feeling God’s comfort in a time of difficulty, being spurred to action in a new way, trusting God amidst uncertainty, a “mountain-top” experience where you felt close to God, or times of struggle and doubt and bringing that to God. This is only a partial list—each of us has lots of different testimony we could share. What is God leading you to share at this time?
What do I share about?
You’re answering the question “How have I experienced Divine Love at work in my life?” You can share about something that happened to you recently, or in the past. It can be about a simple, everyday activity, or a larger event(s) in your life. The focus should be on naming God’s action and presence in your life. It’s not a “tell-all confessional,” but you are encouraged to share deeply and honestly at your own comfort level.
What would I have to do?
Write your story down and practice reading it aloud ahead of time. On Confirmation Sunday, April 30, Confirmands will take turns reading theirs during worship from a microphone up front. Please email a draft to Molly by Wed April 19 (she may suggest minor edits for clarity and brevity). Bring your edited draft to our closing meeting on Sunday April 23. We will go over them together ahead of them, to help each person feel as comfortable as possible, realizing it is not the easiest thing we’re asking.
How long should it be?
Testimonies should be about 3-5 minutes long. This equals:
- 1 to 1.5 pages single-spaced 12 pt Helvetical/Calibri or similar font, or
- 2 to 3 pages double-spaced at 12 pt font, or
- 3 to 5 main bullet points
Please don’t short-change yourself on this assignment. Everyone can think of 3 main points.
What if I have more questions?
Talk to Molly at [email protected] or 712-577-8774. Or talk it through with your mentor or one of the other youth leaders.