We specifically designed this icebreaking exercise to facilitate "cold witnessing" with strangers. We discovered that cold witnessing is a last resort because witnessing to someone with whom you already have a relationship is much more effective. We call this primary type of witnessing "oikos mining." This activity is especially beneficial when interacting with a group rather than working one-on-one. A real challenge sometimes. It seems especially good with pre-teenage and teenage boys or young men.

Please go with prayer coverage and be sensible about your safety. (It is always better to go two by two.)

Here’s how it works:

Introduce yourself and ask them if they want to play a simple game. The game gets harder as it goes on, but so do the rewards.

Start off by asking one of them to name ten items on a given list, and they get one dollar (or whatever you deem of value to them at the time that you can give) if they can name all ten.

So, any takers? Is anyone up for the challenge?

First level: (Do this as much as you think you have to, to get them to relax with you and you with them.)

Can you name... in three minutes (or what you deem long enough)?

• Ten football teams
• Ten 20-20 cricket teams
• Ten brands of beer
• Ten brands of cigarettes
• If there is anything else you can think of, please share your ideas with us.

Second level:

Ask a volunteer if they can name ten items in five minutes. Offer them one dollar (or whatever) for every item that they can name. If they can name them all in order, offer to double it! I've never seen anyone get them all in the correct order from the general populace, so you're almost safe from losing your money. If you do, it's worth it.

“Can you name the Ten Commandments?” ….

Continue with the other contestants until you are satisfied. During the repeat rounds, inform the contestants that they will not receive any payment if they simply replicate someone else's attempt, hoping to score the same points as they did. This is typically shorter than the first level, as many are clueless.

Go ahead and reward them, as well as explain any things they missed.

Then, ask them if they have violated any of these laws. You are now well on your way to explaining the reason they need salvation and how they can get it. Surely the greatest reward of all!

Beware: This game originated in the United States, where the end reward was a gospel tract in the form of play money rather than a real note. History has shown that this does not go down well with Aussies! If you promise money, they will expect it. They will feel cheated or lied to. Not a good start for trust and truth.

There is another precaution to be aware of:

If you hook people into a church with some gimmick, they will continue to want more of it. You see this all the time with big production musicals, fancy coffee and treats, special youth events, etc. You have to make them realise that this money comes out of your own pocket and there is no more! To ensure your safety, point out that they have depleted the piggy bank and you have reached your limit. To ensure your personal safety, you must also do it with at least one partner.

(For more icebreakers, you can search the term “icebreaker”.)