Using the game of “Earth!” “Water!” “Air!” or “Fire!” youth will discuss how our actions affect our testimony for Christ.

Preparation

1. Position the youth in a circle of chairs facing inward.
2. Take a handkerchief and knot it at one end so it can be easily thrown back and forth between people.

What to do

1. Give the handkerchief to one of the youth instructing him/ her to throw it into the lap of another youth else in the circle. As he/she throws it he/she must call out “Earth!” “Water!” “Air!” or “Fire!”
2. If “Earth!”, “Water!” or “Air!” is called, the one into whose lap the handkerchief has been thrown must name some bird or animal that lives or moves about in that environment. For example, if “earth” is shouted then the one into whose lap the handkerchief falls might answer: “Worms!” It would be just as correct however for him to name any beast which lives upon the earth. The same animal cannot be used again.
3. As soon as a handkerchief lands in someone’s lap the one who threw it begins to count rapidly to 10. If the animal is not given to for “Earth”, “water”, or “air”, then that person must answer a question before passing the handkerchief on to the next person.
4. However, if the handkerchief is thrown, and the one who throws it calls out “fire!” then the one into whose lap it falls must remain perfectly silent. If he/ she does not remain silent he/she must answer one of the questions before passing the handkerchief on to another player.

Questions

The questions are related to the topic of “personal testimony.” The questions that youth must answer all involve whether the action, attitude, characteristic stated:

• harms one’s testimony or
• benefits one’s personal testimony or
• has no effect on a person’s testimony.

A reason must be given for the answer. Then continue the game. You may do the questions in order or have youth pick a number between (1-66). Mark off numbers as they are used! Some of the choices involve things that happened to Paul. Others involve things to which a typical teen might be exposed.

1. Dancing
2. Cheating
3. Responsible
4. Integrity
5. Trust
6. Going to church
7. Trials
8. Being a follower of the Way
9. Envy
10. Belief in an afterlife
11. Lust
12. A clear conscience
13. Going to a party
14. Loving one’s enemies.
15. Having fun!
16. Having to appear in court
17. Having a consistent devotional life
18. Making good grades
19. Having personal problems
20. Wealth
21. Drinking
22. Being falsely accused of a crime
23. Sharing your belief with someone else
24. Athletic
25. Serving others
26. Speaking to a leader with great authority
27. Taking responsibility for your actions
28. Insisting on your rights
29. Giving gifts to the poor
30. Being ceremonially clean
31. Listening to country music
32. Listening to Rock music
33. Theft
34. Reading one’s Bible to the class
35. Telling Jokes
36. Pointing out the sins of others
37. Hanging with the wrong crowd
38. Obeying parents
39. Going to an RA movie
40. Smoking
41. Being shy
42. Being serious about life
43. Being in Jail
44. Losing your temper
45. Listening to ONLY Christian music
46. Praying daily
47. Saying table grace
48. Rudeness
49. Anger
50. Thinking about your sexuality
51. Taking a stand for what you believe
52. Showing your answers on a test to someone
53. Being challenged to fight someone
54. Sneaking out of the house to go to church
55. Causing a public disturbance
56. Telling the truth, even if it hurts someone
57. Gossip
58. Preaching
59. Kissing someone in public
60. Dating
61. Good looks
62. Memorizing your testimony
63. Singing all the time
64. The clothes you wear
65. Your nationality
66. Helping those in need

Take it to the Next Level

Make it Spiritual

Paul present his testimony in Acts 24:10-21.  In fact, some of the statements in the list are references to parts of Paul’s testimony as presented in this passage.  Paul shares more insight on his motives, and his actions as related to being a testimony to the gospel of Christ in 1 Corinthians 9:1-23 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-33.  Two key principles are evident.

• While all things are permissible, Paul holds himself to a stricter standard so that he might be better witness for the Gospel, that is testimony might reach more people.
• Paul gives up some of his rights so that others might be saved.

Make it Practical

Discuss some of the issues regarding Christian freedom, God’s forgiveness, and our our actions, words and attitudes affect our testimony as Christians.

Make it Personal

In what ways might you personally be a better testimony for the Gospel for your family, friends, and those who know you?