Leader Guide

Objective
Students will learn a simple way to receive and share the Gospel using a fun elevator analogy; Are you going up or going down?

Warm Up
Have you ever heard of an elevator pitch? It’s a quick and efficient way to share your business, product, or vision with somebody in just a few moments - roughly the amount of time it would take for you to ride an elevator.

Ask for 8 volunteers. Have a pair of volunteers enter the “elevator” (feel free to build a makeshift elevator out of cardboard or anything you can find laying around if you like) with one trying to sell the other something within 30 seconds. Then change the item and allow a new pair of volunteers to go. Let this run for three sets of volunteers and be strict on time.

Find some fun and creative items that they can try and sell. Have the items get harder and harder or more hilarious with each pair (i.e. mouthwash, adult diapers, toilet plunger, etc.).

For the fourth and final set of volunteers, have them try and sell the other on Jesus in just 30 seconds.

Allow them to switch roles and have the other person “sell” Jesus for 30 seconds.

• What was the easiest item to sell?
• What was the funniest?
• What was the hardest item to sell?
• Why is it so hard to share the Gospel?

Transition
As the lead vocalist of Christafari was trying to figure out a creative way to share the Gospel at one of their concerts, he approached the hotel elevator. When the door opened, somebody nonchalantly said, “Going up or going down?” That was it - ding! A bell went off in his head. This would be his message that night and the Elevator song was instantly birthed.

The Video
As the song plays, have students fill in the blanks of the missing lyrics in the Elevator section of their Student Guide.

Play the music video for “Elevator” by Christafari.

Transition
Make sure everyone has the missing lyrics filled in correctly:
This elevator’s going up !

Then I said to the lift man the penthouse suite.

With the cross -shaped key we are heading to the top non-stop.

In my Father’s house are many mansions.

I’m going home .

• What is the significance of the cross-shaped key in the song?
• Are you going up or going down (Heaven or hell)?

Bible Study
In John 14, Jesus is speaking to those whose hearts are troubled. To uplift the disciples, He gives them a glimpse of Heaven and how to get there.

Read John 14:1-6

• What did Jesus say was the one way to get to Heaven?
• How do you know for sure that you have pressed the up button?
• Name some things that we can’t bring into Heaven? (Make sure that one of the answers is our sinfulness).
• If we are all sinners, and Heaven is perfect, how can we get into Heaven?

Give a short elevator pitch presentation of the Gospel. Offer students an opportunity to “press the up button” by repeating this prayer:

Lord, I’m pressing the up button. I want to go to Heaven, but I need to be forgiven. I turn away from my sin and I turn to you. You died for me; I’ll live for You. You rose from the dead; I raise up my hand. (Ask them to raise up their hands.)
Save me Jesus. I will follow you from this day forward.
In Jesus’ name, Amen

Wrap Up
Now that they know for sure they’re going up, challenge each of your students to invite as many family members and friends as possible into the elevator with them.

Write down the names of three people that you want to be with you in your elevator to Heaven:

As you close in prayer, encourage your students to pray for opportunities, the right words to say, and for the Lord to prepare the hearts of the recipients.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Evangelism” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.