|PIC1|Over 1.25 million pre-orders for Halo 3 have been placed globally. That's a lot of fire power! The widely-anticipated videogame is expected to blowout previous sales records by selling more copies in the US on its first day of release than any other game or movie in history.

Halo 3 is rated M for mild language and violence, so please understand that this is not in any way an endorsement of the game. But love it or hate it, the Halo series has already taken the teen gaming culture by storm. So let's take a look at how you can take this videogame buzz and turn it into an opportunity to talk about spiritual things with your friends.

Halo is all about saving the galaxy from an invading force of aliens. Heroes and villains are locked in an intense battle. In fact, the Master Chief John 117 (the main good-guy hero of the Halo series) has been described as the man who "gave the world faith, gave humanity a future, and made mankind believe again."

Does that have echoes of someone else you know? Someone who is not a fictional character, but a real-world Savior who has given humanity faith and a future? The Bible tells us that real-world Someone is Jesus, describing our hero and rescuer this way:

Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. (Hebrews 7:25, NLT)

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (Romans 10:9-10, NLT)

Yet while the battle between good and evil on full display in Halo is imaginary, in the real world there really is a cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil! Ephesians 6:12 says:

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (NIV)

What role are you being called to play in the battle for your friends' souls? Are you actively engaged in efforts to 'rescue them' from the clutches of the evil one? If not, step up and use the buzz surrounding Halo 3 to introduce some God-talk into your conversations. Here are some suggestions that might help you bring God up:

- Ask your friends if they believe there is a real cosmic battle being waged between good and evil. Ask them how they explain the reality of evil in the world. How did it get here? Share what you believe about this battle. For help explaining this, check out the GOSPEL Journey.
- There's lots of death and destruction in the realm of Halo. Use this as an opportunity to ask your friends about what they think happens when we die. After you hear their opinion, ask them if you can share what you believe based on what the Bible has to say on this topic.
- Everyone loves heroes who rescue others from destruction. Ask your friends who their real-life heroes are. Ask them if they've ever thought of Jesus as heroic. Perhaps you'll be surprised at what they say. Explain why you think Jesus is heroic.

Saving the world is at the center of Jesus' mission and message. Take this opportunity to let your friends know.

________________________________________________________________

Jane Dratz works for Dare 2 Share Ministries in Arvada, Colorado in the US, a ministry committed to energizing and equipping teens to know, live, share and own their faith in Jesus. For more information on Dare 2 Share Ministries, please visit www.dare2share.org. Send feedback to jane@dare2share.org.