One of my favorite parts of ministry was giving teens the opportunity to share their witness with their peers. You could tell it was a big moment for many of them because they rarely had the chance to articulate how God had worked in and through their lives. I knew asking them to give their testimony wouldn’t be easy. After all, public speaking is one of the biggest fears many of us have—and sharing something so personal makes it that much harder.
While some teens were natural storytellers, many needed guidance. We never asked a teen to get up in front of their peers at a retreat or worship night without some coaching. Giving young people (and even adults) the opportunity to witness is not only a gift but also a spiritual habit we should all be building.
To help young people give their witness:
START IN PRAYER
It might seem like a given, but remind them that their testimony, while personal, comes from God. Even if there are specific stories they want to share, they first need to ask, “Lord, what have You placed on my heart to testify?”
When you first meet with your teens, pray with them. Then give them a few prayer exercises—like Lectio Divina, journaling, or simple devotionals—to help them listen for what God wants to say through them.
GIVE THEM PERMISSION TO MIND DUMP
Once they’ve prayed, encourage them to write down everything they’re thinking and feeling. Then sit down together and talk about what they discovered—what’s resonating with them and how they’re feeling about it.
The purpose of a “mind dump” is to teach them vulnerability. If you’re concerned they might share something too personal, encourage them to do this first with a parent or guardian. Use this exercise to help them find clarity about what God wants them to share with their peers.
GUIDE THEM TO FOCUS THEIR MESSAGE
I used to make the mistake of telling teens, “Share whatever’s on your heart.” That usually led to rambling stories that barely connected to faith. If you knew the teen, you could see God in the story—but they lacked the articulation to tie it all together.
To help them focus on God’s work in their life, give them a few guiding questions, such as:
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Who is your audience, and why do they need to hear your witness?
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What joy or burden has God placed on your heart?
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What was your perception of God before this experience?
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How did your view of God, faith, or religion change afterward?
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Were others involved in helping you see God’s presence?
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If there’s one thing you want people to remember, what is it—and how can they respond?
You can adapt or add to these questions, but the goal is to help them understand that a witness isn’t just storytelling—it’s sharing what God has done.
COACH THEM TO INTERNALIZE IT
Delivering a witness isn’t a performance, but it does take practice. You want them to articulate their story clearly and genuinely feel it as they speak. Depending on their comfort level with public speaking, encourage them to practice in front of a mirror, with a few trusted peers, or even in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s confidence in what God wants them to say.
Delivering a witness reminds us that faith is personal, but it’s never meant to be private. Not everyone will give their testimony on a stage in front of hundreds of people, but everyone should be ready to share it with the person God places in their path.
When we help teens learn to tell their story, we’re helping them understand why a relationship with Jesus Christ matters—and giving them a voice that can lead others to encounter Him too.