WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT DURING THIS COURSE
LET'S WRITE YOUR TESTIMONy
WHEN: Participant driven -- because it is self-paced each student will have access to the entire course, and all of the resource material, at sign up
COST? The course is FREE at this time
WHERE: This is an online course using a private Facebook page as a platform - I also do a local group at the Temiskaming Shores Public Library
HOW: I will communicate with each student in a way they are comfortable - in person, by phone, using zoom or messenger
WHO: Susan Hopkins is the instructor but HOLY SPIRIT IS OUR TEACHER
WHY: John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
1 John 2:27 As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.
PRAYER: I will teach the importance of opening our sessions with prayer using the following scripture (please remind me if I forget):
2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
I have experienced some powerful results while praying this scripture, so I will share these with you to help you better understand why I feel this is so important. Also, we will talk about why this type of prayer can be helpful while you are learning to partner with the Holy Spirit to write your testimony at home.
During the next few weeks you will be encouraged to write:
1) a few meaningful words that in theory could be carved into your tombstone, written in your will or in your obituary, that might lift Jesus higher and lead people to salvation;
2) a concise testimony in a written format that would take about three to five minutes to share if given the opportunity to share with someone, or as a speech;
3) an outline of a short-story or book-length testimonial that would be suitable for reaching out to people outside of the church walls similar to Jesus when he preached on the hillside;
4) an outline of a short-story or book-length testimonial that would be suitable for reaching people within the church walls who are more familiar with religious laws than the message of grace.
If we find that there is a need for a follow-up course, or one-on-one assistance, to complete what you have started, we will discuss options at that time. This portion of the course is FREE at this time, but there may be a charge for any additional assistance to cover my costs for time and material.
The scripture says in John 3: 14 "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life."
We will examine the similarities between Moses lifting up the snake and the Son of Man being lifted up. Nicodemus, went to Jesus asking what he must do to be saved. Jesus knew he needed to understand a spiritual principal through a practical example and since our human minds learn best through imagery, we too will come away from this exercise with a picture of GRACE that will transform your life as it has mine.
I will provide you with a copy of a transcript or a recent sermon on Galatians 2:20, and excerpts of Charles Spurgeon's testimony, both of which are word images to illustrate the message of GRACE. These examples will help you to follow a similar pattern that can help you to write your own testimony. I pray you will begin to understand that God often uses those who are "simple" to confound the "wise", so all you have to do is be yourself and allow the Holy Spirit to work through you to others. I am thankful that I am counted among the "simple".
We will look closely at testimonials from the old testament (Daniel) and the new testament (Peter and Paul), along with other related scriptures, so we can better understand the finished works of Christ, thereby lifting Jesus higher so He will continue to draw all men unto himself. You will soon realize that the real power when it comes to writing your "testimony" is not in the details of our story but rather in providing a word image so other people will see Jesus, look to Him, believe and be saved. I hope this will remove any stress or insecurities you have about sharing your story with others.
I will provide you with a copy of a testimonial written by myself in partnership with Holy Spirit entitled, "TO LOVE AND BE LOVED". The focus of this PDF document is suited to people who are either unbelievers, or unchurched, who would feel uncomfortable with too many quotes from Bible verses. In my experience, they only want to know if there is a God and if so, does He love them?
In comparison, we will examine the introduction of a book-length testimonial of mine entitled "MY JOURNEY TO FREEDOM [book one] from abuse, codependency, faulty beliefs about Christianity, to a personal encounter with the UNCONDITIONAL LOVE OF GOD". Because my testimony is somewhat complicated, and often disputed by people in the church, they often demand that I prove everything with scripture.
For this reason I have never even attempted to share my testimony when asked because it couldn't be shared off-the-cuff in a way that made sense to the "religious" listener. Thus the reason for a book-length testimonial., and Holy Spirit promised to help me in that I would tell my story (my part) and He would teach using both scripture and practical knowledge (His part).
Well, that is the basics of what we will do and learn in this self-paced course, Let's Write Your Testimony. When we invite Holy Spirit to be our teacher, there could be some unexpected twists and turns to any planned curriculum, so we will just get started and follow His lead.
Romans 8:12-18 (AMP) So then, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation, but not to our flesh [our human nature, our worldliness, our sinful capacity], to live according to the [impulses of the] flesh [our nature without the Holy Spirit] - for if you are living according to the [impulses of the] flesh, you are going to die. But if [you are living] by the [power of the Holy] Spirit you are habitually putting to death the sinful deeds of the body, you will [really] live forever. For all who are allowing themselves to be led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading again to fear [of God’s judgment], but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons [the Spirit producing sonship] by which we [joyfully] cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God. And if [we are His] children, [then we are His] heirs also: heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ [sharing His spiritual blessing and inheritance], if indeed we share in His suffering so that we may also share in His glory. For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us!
Revelation 12:10-11 (AMP) Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom (dominion, reign) of our God, and the authority of His Christ have come; for the accuser of our [believing] brothers and sisters has been thrown down [at last], he who accuses them and keeps bringing charges [of sinful behavior] against them before our God day and night. And they overcame and conquered him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, for they did not love their life and renounce their faith even when faced with death.
As a student of Let's Write Your Testimony, along with the above-mentioned course material, you will receive the following:
- A book mark highlighting Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ
- A 90-page booklet entitled: The Apostles' Code: Unlocking the Power of the Holy Spirit in Your Life
- A copy of my book: My Journey to Freedom [Book One]
- A choice of one of three journalsI have produced to use for meaningful reflection
And so much more ...
