Contextualize Your Story

What’s your story? It certainly is a topic that on occasion comes up in conversation, during an interview, and in other venues. For most of us, sharing some of our story is in the context of safe, non-threatening situations. But what of the current rising tide of pressure and persecution coming against believers sharing their faith around the world today, even here in the United States? When given an opportunity to stand up and speak up amid the pressure to shut up, how might you respond? How do you respond?

The Apostle Paul, who was regularly thrust into dangerous, emotion-filled, tumultuous moments in time, often witnessed under immense pressure. He is a tremendous example of grace under pressure amid the swirl of chaos and pandemonium that can characterize opposition to the gospel.

I find it quite fascinating that Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, included Paul’s giving testimony on no less than four separate challenging occasions in Acts 22-26:

• Acts 22 – He addressed a Jewish mob in Jerusalem.
• Acts 23 – He addressed the Sanhedrin, also in Jerusalem.
• Acts 24 – He gave a defense before Felix, Governor of Judea, in Caesarea.
• Acts 25 & 26 – He testified before King Agrippa, also in Caesarea.

There is much we could discuss and meditate upon, and I commend you to study these chapters and discover some principles and personal applications on your own. For our purposes, I offer one principle to ponder from each of these four testimonies.

In this submission we focus on contextualization.

Contextualize Your Story (Acts 21:27-22:24) 

The setting in Acts 21 was Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem. By this time, his reputation had preceded him. Upon recognizing him at the temple, an angry mob sought his harm (v. 27-31). After being taken from the mob and interrogated by the Roman commander, Paul was given permission to address the same mob that had murder on its mind — his murder (v.32-40)!

In giving testimony of God’s grace in his life, Paul provided context for his audience:

“I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished” (Acts 22:3-6).

Once a murderer of those following Jesus as Messiah and Lord, Paul was now willing to lay down his life for Jesus (Acts 21:13). The stark contrast of “how he got here from there” is powerful.

Paul established his Jewish pedigree and training to this Jewish audience, and in doing so, identified with them. In sharing his previous persecution of believers, he also connected with the mob who was persecuting him.

In essence, the Apostle Paul was saying, “I know how you feel. I felt the same way.” Soon enough he added in so many words, “But I found out Y’shua (Jesus) is Messiah and Lord” (Acts 22:6-21).

Everybody has a past. What is your BC (before Christ) experience? Communicate those elements and experiences that shaped your “God paradigm” prior to salvation. This is important because everybody has some kind of God paradigm. It may be atheistic, agnostic, or religious in some way. 

The context of where you came from will bring into sharp relief the difference the Lord has made in your life, for the gospel is transformative, and that transformation is personal. As Jesus stated, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

For example, when speaking with a Jewish person, I share from my Jewish background. 

I grew up in a Reform Jewish household, a liberal Jewish religious expression. Our family was more Jewish culturally and socially than religiously and spiritually. Yet I received religious training, including becoming Bar Mitzvah (a ceremonial right of passage when a Jewish boy becomes a man) and always believed in God.

When I came to believe in Jesus as Messiah and Lord in 1987, I was transformed!

In sharing with an individual or audience, I will sometimes state, “How is it possible that this Jewish man (speaking of myself), who for the first 23 years of his life, usually uttered the name of Jesus only in vain, now for the last 37 years (and counting) calls Him Messiah, Savior, Lord, and God?”

Transformation, the difference Jesus has made in our lives is the difference we want to share.  Before I came to faith, I walked in fear, without direction, and without hope. Now I experience abundant love, joy, and peace that transcends my circumstances, which, at times are quite painful.

And you? What shaped your God paradigm when you were growing up? How did you get here from there, from wherever you were spiritually to your current faith Jesus? Who were you before you trusted in Christ, and what difference has He made in your life? Providing context authenticates and personalizes your story.

What aspect of your audience’s God paradigm can you relate to and connect with? Listening and learning about them plays a critical role in facilitating your effort. 

As you have faith based conversations with people, remember that there is no “one size fits all” when attempting to specifically connect with an individual. Ask the Lord to give you wisdom in this area and actively listen, so you can speak directly into their reality.

As the Lord provides opportunity to give testimony, whether in a friendly or hostile environment, be ready to contextualize your story and speak into your audience’s reality for the glory of Jesus and benefit of your audience!

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).