Nacho Libre

Supplies: have 3×5 cards and pens for every person—to be used in small groups.

The Movie Clip: “I’m concerned for your salvation… and stuff.”

Nacho Libre is a hilarious movie that is filled with great scenes you and/or your students have probably acted out.

This is a real brief clip that is completely ridiculous, but the message found in this clip is anything but funny.

Introducing the Clip:
I’m sure everyone in this room knows at least one person that is not a Christian. Today I want to talk to you about how to share your faith. Not necessarily what verse or verses to use, not what picture to draw or even what colors to wear on a bracelet. In fact, too many times we treat our unbelieving friends as projects. We follow all the right steps but they don’t want to “seal the deal,” and as a result we get frustrated and look for a new method to try to reach them. The last thing we need is another “how-to” method of sharing our faith. What we desperately need to do is start doing a better job of loving them; so we can tell them that He loves them.

Today I want to show you a clip from the movie Nacho Libre. In this scene Nacho Libre and his tag-team partner are about to take on Satan’s Cavemen. Before they do, Nacho has some unfinished business he needs to take care of first.

Let’s take a look at this scene.

Scene Script:

Nacho: I’m a little concerned right now…about your salvation and stuff. Why is it you have not been baptized?

Esqueleto: Because I never got around to it, ok? I don’t know why you always have to be judging me, just because I only believe in science.

Nacho: But tonight, we are going up against Satan’s Cavemen (Nacho fills up a large bowl of water and sneaks up behind him) and I just thought it would be a good idea if you… (Nacho slams Esqueleto’s head into the bowl) …Praise the Lord!!

Transition Statement:
This is a completely ridiculous example of how not to share your faith with your friends. My guess is sometimes we struggle with wondering if we are using the right verses, saying the right words, drawing the right pictures.

So let’s spend some time in our small groups discussing how to share your faith and talk about how we need to love them, so we can tell them that He loves them.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions: :

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Before we begin, tell everyone your name and your favorite movie snack?


2. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Can you think of at least one friend who is not a Christian?


3. ASK A FEW: Does anyone think Nacho Libre’s plan of evangelism is a good one? Why not? (leader—the answer/s you might be looking for: He forced him, he was judging him)


4. ASK A FEW: How do you think your friends would respond if you slammed their face in some water because you were “concerned about their salvation?”


5. ASK A FEW: What would be some worse ways to share your faith? (leader—have fun with this, be creative)


6. ASK A FEW: What would be some better ways to share your faith?

Let’s look at what the Bible has to say.

Read the following passage:


I Peter 3:15 (NIV)
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.


7. ASK SOMEONE: According to the above passage, what is the first thing we need to do? (leader—the answer you are looking for is: always be prepared)


8. ASK A FEW: What are some practical ways we can prepare ourselves? (leader—the answer you are looking for is: Read/study the Bible, memorize verses, pray, attend church/youth group, etc.)


9. ASK A FEW: Why is it important to answer with gentleness and respect? (leader—the answer you might be looking for: Because the fact is that we can not make them choose, we can not force them; and because Jesus loves them, we must love them.)


10. ASK SOMEONE: Why would anyone ask you questions about your hope? (leader—the answer you might be looking for: Because they see our lives, how Jesus is real to us and they want what we have.)

Read the following passage:

Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

This Bible passage reinforces the idea that how we live affects the people around us. In fact it is Jesus himself who tells us how to make people curious about Him. God doesn’t want us forcing people to believe in Him or slamming their faces in water. What He wants is for us to live our lives so others will see our good deeds and ask us questions.
11. ASK A FEW: How are the things you are doing… are your deeds making people more curious about God?


12. ASK A FEW: What are some things you need to stop doing in order to make people more curious about God?


13. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Let’s spend a minute or two thinking about who we know that does not know Jesus. Write their names down on an index card.


14. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What are some things you can to do this week to show (fill in the blank) you love them?


15. Close group time in prayer. (Have students pray for the people on their list.)

The Bible says we need to live our lives in such a way that causes people to ask about the hope we have in Jesus. It also says that when they ask, we need to be ready to answer their questions, always answering them with gentleness and respect. Are you ready?

Close in Prayer

Written by Todd Pearage