- Dec 2, 2021
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A few weeks ago, I asked if I could visit a local Easter camp for teens aged 13 to 19 and share the Gospel using a flip chart. The organiser later got back to me and said I could come around lunchtime. I arrived a little earlier than that, and not long after I got there, the organiser approached me and explained that they had scheduled afternoon electives—sessions where the kids could choose a topic and hear a speaker for 30 minutes. One of the elective leaders had just pulled out, and the organiser asked if I’d be willing to fill in and share something about the Gospel.
Now, public speaking has never been my strength—especially when I’m unprepared—and I’ve always felt nervous addressing large crowds. But I jumped at the opportunity, knowing this was a great chance to share the Good News with many people.
Before the electives began, each speaker had 30 seconds to stand up and explain what their elective was about. When it was my turn, I wanted to grab their attention right away. So, I asked, “Who likes money?” and just about every hand shot up. I told them I was going to give a million dollars to everyone who came. I then held up a million-dollar Gospel tract. I added, “But one lucky person, if they can pass my test and prove they’re a good person, will get a real $20 note.” And I held up a crisp new $20 note. The crowd was instantly intrigued.
Because this opportunity came so last minute, I hadn’t prepared anything apart from my usual flip chart presentation. I figured I’d share the Gospel with one person in front of the crowd and just go with the flow from there. When the time came, I had about 50 young people in front of me. I asked, “I need one person. If you think you’re a good person and could pass my test, I’ll give you $20.” A bunch of hands went up, and I chose a boy around 14 years old to come forward.
I explained that we were going to do this like a courtroom. He would be in the dock, and the crowd would act as the jury. If they thought he wasn’t being honest, they were to let me know by booing. We even practiced a loud boo together!
I began the “Good Person Test.” First, I asked, “How many lies have you told?” He admitted, “Many.” Next, “Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours?” He said, “Yes.” Then I asked, “Have you ever used God’s name in vain?” He answered, “No,” but the crowd instantly booed—and someone called out, “I heard him do it about half an hour ago!” Finally, I asked if he’d ever hated someone. He answered, “Yes.” I told him that made him just like me—a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart and that he was not good.
Once we had established that none of us are truly “good” by God’s standard, I was able to share the Gospel. I explained how Jesus gave His life for us as a free gift. I then held up the $20 note and told him, “You haven’t earned this, but just like Jesus gave us salvation freely, I’m giving you this as a free gift.”
After that, I invited another person to come up and pretend to be an atheist. We had a conversation in front of the group where I explained how, just as a building needs a builder and a painting needs a painter, creation points to a Creator.
To wrap up, I said Mark 16:15, where Jesus commands us to go into all the world and share the Gospel. I encouraged them to tell as many people as they could. I then gave the example of seeing a blind person about to walk off a cliff—of course, we’d shout and stop them. It would be wrong not to. In fact, there’s even a law called "Depraved Indifference," which punishes someone who lets another person come to harm without acting. If earthly courts recognise that kind of injustice, how much more will a holy and just God recognise the injustice of us not warning of eternal death? I encouraged them to study God’s Word, be ready to defend their faith, memorise Scripture, and boldly share the truth.
When the session ended, people were supposed to head to their next elective, but several stayed behind in silence, clearly moved. Some told me later that what I shared had a real impact and hit home.
I left feeling so encouraged. Even though I regularly go out to share the Gospel and evangelise, this was the first time I truly felt I had walked in the gift of evangelism, not just sharing the message myself, but equipping others to do the same. As it says in Ephesians 4:11-12:
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, so the body of Christ may be built up."
Now, public speaking has never been my strength—especially when I’m unprepared—and I’ve always felt nervous addressing large crowds. But I jumped at the opportunity, knowing this was a great chance to share the Good News with many people.
Before the electives began, each speaker had 30 seconds to stand up and explain what their elective was about. When it was my turn, I wanted to grab their attention right away. So, I asked, “Who likes money?” and just about every hand shot up. I told them I was going to give a million dollars to everyone who came. I then held up a million-dollar Gospel tract. I added, “But one lucky person, if they can pass my test and prove they’re a good person, will get a real $20 note.” And I held up a crisp new $20 note. The crowd was instantly intrigued.
Because this opportunity came so last minute, I hadn’t prepared anything apart from my usual flip chart presentation. I figured I’d share the Gospel with one person in front of the crowd and just go with the flow from there. When the time came, I had about 50 young people in front of me. I asked, “I need one person. If you think you’re a good person and could pass my test, I’ll give you $20.” A bunch of hands went up, and I chose a boy around 14 years old to come forward.
I explained that we were going to do this like a courtroom. He would be in the dock, and the crowd would act as the jury. If they thought he wasn’t being honest, they were to let me know by booing. We even practiced a loud boo together!
I began the “Good Person Test.” First, I asked, “How many lies have you told?” He admitted, “Many.” Next, “Have you ever taken something that wasn’t yours?” He said, “Yes.” Then I asked, “Have you ever used God’s name in vain?” He answered, “No,” but the crowd instantly booed—and someone called out, “I heard him do it about half an hour ago!” Finally, I asked if he’d ever hated someone. He answered, “Yes.” I told him that made him just like me—a lying, thieving, blasphemous, murderer at heart and that he was not good.
Once we had established that none of us are truly “good” by God’s standard, I was able to share the Gospel. I explained how Jesus gave His life for us as a free gift. I then held up the $20 note and told him, “You haven’t earned this, but just like Jesus gave us salvation freely, I’m giving you this as a free gift.”
After that, I invited another person to come up and pretend to be an atheist. We had a conversation in front of the group where I explained how, just as a building needs a builder and a painting needs a painter, creation points to a Creator.
To wrap up, I said Mark 16:15, where Jesus commands us to go into all the world and share the Gospel. I encouraged them to tell as many people as they could. I then gave the example of seeing a blind person about to walk off a cliff—of course, we’d shout and stop them. It would be wrong not to. In fact, there’s even a law called "Depraved Indifference," which punishes someone who lets another person come to harm without acting. If earthly courts recognise that kind of injustice, how much more will a holy and just God recognise the injustice of us not warning of eternal death? I encouraged them to study God’s Word, be ready to defend their faith, memorise Scripture, and boldly share the truth.
When the session ended, people were supposed to head to their next elective, but several stayed behind in silence, clearly moved. Some told me later that what I shared had a real impact and hit home.
I left feeling so encouraged. Even though I regularly go out to share the Gospel and evangelise, this was the first time I truly felt I had walked in the gift of evangelism, not just sharing the message myself, but equipping others to do the same. As it says in Ephesians 4:11-12:
"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, so the body of Christ may be built up."
