Category Archives: Icebreakers

Activities intended to help a group to begin the process of forming themselves into a team. Youth icebreakers are commonly presented as a game to warm up the group by helping the members to get to know each other.

Icebreakers

Name my City

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Materials
Get enough chairs to have one for each participant then remove one chair.

Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker / crowdbreaker, youth will learn the names of others in the group.

Preparation
Arrange the chairs in a circle.

Icebreaker Activity

  1. One person starts by introducing themselves by their first name and then naming a city with the same first letter as their name (Hi, I’m Bob and I’m from Boston).
  2. The next person in the group starts by repeating the name and city of the first person in the group and then introducing themselves and a city that has the same first letter as their name (This is Bob from Boston, and I’m Pete from Pittsburg).
  3. This continues around the circle with each person repeating the names and cities of the previous youth in the circle, working successively around the circle and then giving their own name and a city.

Optional Debrief

  • If you could choose to be from a Biblical City, which city would you choose? Why?

Conclusion
Many people in the Bible have their birth place mentioned. But it is not so much where we are from that determines who we are. Cain and Abel were from the same place but their lives were very different. Abraham and Lot settled in the same place, but because of Abraham’s Faithfulness and the blessings of God, their lives were very different. It was said of Jesus, “How can anything good come from Nazareth. This place is not our home. Heaven is the home that God has prepared for us. We are of God’s household. Regardless of where we are from, it is our choices that determine who we are. Let’s make choices that show our heavenly citizenship.

Application
What choices can you make this week to show yourself as a citizen of heaven?

Scripture
Ephesians 2:19-22

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Shadrach Meshach Abednego

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Materials
Get enough chairs to have one for each participant then remove one chair.

Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker / crowdbreaker, youth will learn the names of others in the group.

Preparation
Arrange the chairs in a circle.

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Each participant is called Shadrach. The one sitting on his right is Meshach. The one sitting on his left is Abed-nego. Someone who is “It” stands in the center.
  2. There are three possible scenarios:
    • If “It” calls, “Meshach!”, before everyone can count to ten (vary time for faster groups) you must give the real name of the person on your left.
    • If “It” calls, “Abednego!”, before everyone can count to ten (vary time for faster groups) you must give the real name of the person on your left.
    • Now and then the person in the center may try to fool participants by calling out “Shadrach”. When he points to you and calls “Shadrach” you must give your OWN NAME.
  3. Any mistakes or failure to call out the correct name in the indicated time and you forfeit your seat to the person in the center and you become “it.”

Optional Debrief

  1. Who were Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego?
  2. What are some of the things society today asks you to bow down to?
  3. What are some of the fiery trials you have needed to face in life?
  4. How would you describe your life at this time: a spring breeze, Warm, Hot, or Fiery?

Conclusion
Shadrach, Mechach, and Abednego were three Jewish friends of Daniel that were taken into captivity by the Babylonians. It was a difficult time. If you dared to say what you really believed or to stand up for what you thought to be true, it might literally be the last time you ever stood or the last words you ever spoke. But they were not afraid to stand for God. They refused to bow to anyone or anything else, even when their life was on the line.

Application
In what situation is it most difficult for you to take a stand for what you believe? What will you do the next time you are faced with this situation?

Scripture
Daniel 3

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Rhyme Time

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Materials
None

Icebreaker Description
Youth will ask and answer questions in rhyme

Preparation
None

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Seat the youth in a circle.
  2. Ask someone to ask the person on his/her right a question. He might ask, for example, ‘What color is my shoe”
  3. The youth questioned must answer with a response that rhymes with the question. He might say, for example, “It’s any color but blue.”
  4. He/she then turns to the person to his/her right and asks a question which must again be answered in rhyme.
  5. Do this until every person in the circle has answered.

Optional Debrief
Has it ever seemed that your questions in life go unanswered or that the answers don’t really make sense?
What are some of the questions you would like to ask God?

Conclusion
Everyone has questions and doubts. Doubts alone are not a cause for concern. Its what we do with our doubts that makes a difference. Even though we may not understand the reasons for things, we must take our doubts to God and place them in his hands. Thomas had doubts about the resurrection of Christ, but Jesus did not condemn him for them. In fact he gave Thomas the evidence he needed to remove his doubts and live by faith.

Application
What are some of your doubts that you need to place in God’s hands?

Scripture
John 20:24-29

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Scruples Shuffle

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Materials
None

Icebreaker Description
Youth will answer questions of scruples in this group icebreaker.

Preparation
Create a list of questions that test the integrity of a person but do not have easy black and white answers?

  • A fellow student offers to sell you the answers to last years test for $20. You know the test is different each year. Do you buy them?
  • Is it OK for a Christian man to wear earrings?
  • Is it OK to have devotions in the evening instead of the morning?
  • Is it OK to hunt for sport?
  • Is it OK to screen my telephone calls and not answer, even though I’m really home?
  • You e-mail your picture to a gorgeous person you met on the Internet. Do you mention you gained 30 pounds since the picture was taken?
  • You know your best friend and fellow employee is stealing from the cash drawer. After a year the owner makes you a manager. Do you fire your friend?
  • You made personal Christmas Cards on the company copier. Do you pay for the copies even though no one knows?
  • You work in a store and catch a fifteen-year-old shoplifter. He says it’s his first time. Do you give him a chance or prosecute?
  • You work in a video store. You’re out of stock on a particular item. Do you send your customer to your competitor?
  • Someone drops a $20 bill on the floor. Do you try to find the owner or do you keep the $20?
  • Your friend helped get you a job at a music store. After three months you find out that he’s been stealing CDs. Do you report him?
  • You’re a waiter in a restaurant. You see the cook drop a steak on the floor. He cooked it well over a fire. Do you serve it to the customer?

Click on the word “comments” in the box below this idea to share your own great questions!

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Have youth form two circles, one within the other. The students should be facing one another.
  2. The inner circle of students move counter-clockwise while the outer circle moves clockwise.
  3. When you call “Stop!” each youth should face a new partner.
  4. Ask a question and the youth should discuss the answer with the partner they face.
  5. Go from easy questions like “What’s the best ice cream” to hard ones that involve scruples.
  6. Keep rotating and asking new questions for discussion.

Optional Debrief
What was the most interesting answer you heard during the icebreaker?

Conclusion
Scruples are personal principles about practices that are essentially neutral in themselves, and are not shown to be morally wrong or black-and-white in Scripture. Sometimes there may be conflicting principles at work. For example, “smuggling Bibles” into a country where Bibles are illegal is seen as wrong by some believers, based on the clear Scriptures that deal with deception and lying. Other Christians see Bible-smuggling as morally right, fulfilling the Great Commission, and obeying the clear teaching of Scripture that “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). Romans 14 gives us some principles for dealing with such situations.

Application
A morally neutral practice can become morally wrong for us if we disregard the teachings of Romans 14 and fail to “act in love” towards others! So let’s show love and patience with each other as we seek to sort out lifestyle and behavior matters in the light of Scripture. Let’s make sure we apply the principles of Romans 14 when it comes to scruples!

Scripture
Romans 14:1-3

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Orchestra

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sax.jpgMaterials
None

Icebreaker Description
In the icebreaker, youth will mime particular instruments and learn a little about the musical tastes of others.

Preparation
No preparation is needed for this icebreaker. You may need to suggest some instruments for those that need help:

Common Instruments: Accordion, Bagpipes, Banjo, Bass drum, Bass guitar, Bassoon, Bell, Bongo drum, Bugle, Castanets, Cello, Chimes, Clarinets, Cornet, Cowbell, Cymbals, Didgeridoo, Fiddle, Flute, Gong, Guitars, Handbells, Harmonica, Harp, Harpsichord, Lyre, Mandolin, Maracas, Marimba, Oboe, Organ, Pan pipes, Piano, Piccolo, Recorder, Saxophone, Snare, Synthesizer, Tambourine, Timpani, Triangle, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Ukulele, Viola, Violin, Xylophone, Zither

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Everyone is part of the orchestra.
  2. Each youth must choose an instrument with the exception of a violin. They should announce their instrument and the demonstrate the action of playing the instrument to the group.
  3. Choose one person to be “It”. Whoever is “it” plays the violin.
  4. They must mime playing their instruments while roaming about the room.
  5. At any time, the person playing the violin may change from playing the violin to that of another instrument in the orchestra. When he/she does, the one playing that instrument must immediately change to playing the violin.
  6. If the person does not change to the violin before the leader counts to 5, then that person becomes “it” and now plays the violin. The one who was previously “it” takes over the instrument and joins the orchestra. Whenever a person becomes it they should give their name and a favorite song and who sings it.

Optional Debrief

      • What are some of your favorite instruments?
      • What are some of your favorite bands?
      • How often do you listen to music?
      • How is the body of Christ, like instruments in an orchestra?

Conclusion
Just as there are many instruments in an orchestra, there are many gifts in the body of Christ. When we are united and work together we can make a beautiful sound. When this is discord and lack of harmony we can be an unpleasant noise to the world. Different instruments make different contributions to the melody. No one is more important than another. In fact, at times, one instruments may carry the melody while others support. At other times another instrument will carry the melody. Its the variety that makes it pleasant to the ears. In the same way the Body of Christ is made up of many members, united in harmony, to bring God’s love and grace to the world.

Application

      • What are some of your uniques contributions to the harmony of the church?
      • What can you do this week to be more in harmony and unity this week?
      • How can you use your gifts to create harmony rather than discord?

Scripture
I Corinthians 12:4-28

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Love Your Neighbor

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Materials
Get enough chairs to have one for each participant then remove one chair.

Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker / crowdbreaker, youth will discover some common characteristics of others in the group.

Preparation
Arrange the chairs in a circle.

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Sit the group in a circle.
  2. Stand in the center of the circle, and ask one person in the group “Do you love your neighbor.”
  3. The person you ask can give either of two possible responses: 1) “Yes” and then the youth on his/her right and left must switch seats. OR 2) They can say “no but I love everyone who…” has brown hair, is wearing blue, has been water skiing, name starts with K…
  4. Everyone who meets the characteristic has to get up and change seats to a new seat.
  5. While people are changing seats the person in the center of the circle tries to grab one of the empty chairs.
  6. Whoever is left without a seat get to repeat the process of asking someone in the circle “Do You Love Your Neighbor?”

Optional Debrief

  • What types of people do you find it easy to love? Difficult to love?
  • What are some ways that people show their love toward others?

Conclusion
Scriptures tell us that others will know that we are Christians by our love. We are told to love not only those people we can get along with, but to also love our enemies.

Application
Commit to one way to show love for your neighbor this week.

Scripture
Matthew 5:43-46

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Find the Leader

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Materials
Optional: Chairs for each participant arranged in a circle. (Participants may also simply sit on the ground.)

Icebreaker Description
Participants try to discover the leader who is initiating actions for the group.

Preparation
No preparation is needed.

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Have the youth sit in a circle.
  2. Chose someone to be “It” who must identify “the leader” who is initiating actions for the group.
  3. Send the person you have chosen out of the room or have the person closes his eyes.
  4. Silently point to the leader so that everyone else knows who the leader is.
  5. The leader will initiate actions and change body positions.
  6. Everyone must copy the body position and actions of the leader.
  7. The person you have chosen as “it” stands in the center of the circle and tries to discover the identity of the leader.
  8. When the leader is identified, choose a new leader and someone new to be “it” and repeat the game.

Optional Debrief

  • How do you recognise a leader in real life?
  • Name some of the leaders you know?
  • What leaders do you admire? Why?
  • What are the qualities of a good leader?

Alternative: Have you ever done anything in secret and hoped you would not get caught?

Conclusion
One of the most important qualities of an effective leader is that he sets an example for others to follow. A true leader doesn’t just tell others what to do, but also leads the way. A leader is only a leader to the extent that he/she inspires others to follow him/her.

Application
What are some of the areas of your life where you need to set an example for others to follow?

Scripture
1 Corinthians 11:1

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Opossum

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opossum.jpgMaterials
None

Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker, team members must run around a person who is playing dead on the floor then join them playing opossum.

Preparation
No preparation is needed, but a clean floor or carpet helps. This can also be played outside in a grassy field.

Introduction
Opossum’s like to “play dead” when threatened. In this game you are to do your best imitation of a dead opossum.

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Form two teams of equal number and line them up single file in a line.
  2. The 1st person in line runs into the middle of your playing area and lies down and does his/her best imitation of a opossum playing dead.
  3. The next person must then run into the middle of the area…run around the person who is already lying down 2 times and then lies down next to previous person and plays opossum.
  4. This continues for each person in the team, each running around the opossums two times and then lying next to them.
  5. The first team to have everyone lying down wins!

Variation
When the last person runs around the team, the entire team jumps up and runs back across a predefined goal line. The first team across the final goal line wins.

Optional Debrief

  • What is your usual response when you feel threatened? Is it to run away, get help, freeze, or play dead to the situation?
  • When was the last time you felt threatened? Why?

Conclusion
“Playing Opossum.” In scripture we are told to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ. Of course this doesn’t mean we are really dead but we act as if we are dead. Dead men don’t need to steal. Dead men don’t lust. Dead men do no wrong. Dead men are not attracted by the desires of the world. To be dead to sin is to consider ourselves unaffected by the desires of the flesh. But there is more. We must be alive to Christ! We must live the things of Christ. We must live for Christ. Christ must be our life, our breath, our reason for living. Everything we do must be actions of life and the words we speak must be words of life. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and a live to Christ!

What are some of the areas of your life where you need to play opossum?
What are some areas of your live where you need to be more christlike?

Other Potential Application Points

  • Opossums like to play dead, but they are only faking it to avoid danger. Jesus did NOT play opossum. He was in fact dead in a tomb for three days. But he was resurrected!
  • Christians will face an afterlife. That life can be one of joy in the presence of God or a second death.

Scripture
Romans 6:1-11

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

I Never

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Materials
Enough sturdy chairs for all participants to sit in a circle

Icebreaker Description
In this high energy icebreaker, youth learn a lot of fun facts about each other pertaining to the things that they have never done.

Preparation
Place enough chairs in a circle to have one chair for each person then remove one chair.

Icebreaker Activity

  1. Choose one person to be “it” and stand in the center of the circle.
  2. The person in the middle of the circle names something they have never done. (e.g. “I have never… been water skiing.”)
  3. Then, anyone who has done the thing that was mentioned has to get out of his/her chair and find another empty chair to sit in. They may NOT sit in the same seat. Whoever is “It” tries to grab one of the empty chairs during the chaos.
  4. Whoever is left without a chair become “it” and must stand in the middle of the circle. They then state something they have never done and try to get a chair.
  5. If a person has been in the center of the circle at least 3 times and can’t think of anything they’ve never done, they can “holler train wreck.” EVERYONE has to move on this one. Don’t let them call this out too many times or you loose all the fun of it.

Variation
If a person ends up in the center of the circle three times, they must perform a forfeit for the group. This forfeit could be to dance, to sing, to tell a clean joke, etc.

Caution
Be careful to not allow youth to name things that might be an embarrassment to others.

Optional Debrief

  • What are some of the things that Christians should do, but most never do? Why?
  • What are some things that you fail to do in your own Christian walk even though you know you should do them?
  • Have you ever found yourself doing something that you promised yourself you would never do?

Conclusion
Traditionally there are two types of sin: Sins of Commission and Sins of Omission. Sins of commission are the things that we do that are wrong. Whenever we break one of the commandments or do anything that the Bible forbids it is a sin of commission. Sins of Omission are those things we know we should do, but fail to do. Scripture puts it this way: “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (James 4:17).

Application Point
What is something you haven’t been doing in your Christian walk, that you will commit to start doing this week?

Scripture
James 4:17

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!

Icebreakers

Buzz

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numbers7.jpg

Materials
Optional: Enough chairs for all participants to sit in a circle

Icebreaker Description
In this icebreaker, youth must avoid saying the number seven as part of any number or any multiple of the number 7

Preparation
Seat everyone in a circle- either on the ground or in chairs.

Icebreaker Activity
1. Begin counting. When the number seven or any multiple of seven appears, instead of saying the number, the one whose turn has come is to say, “Buzz.” For example, one, two, three, four, five, six, buzz, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, buzz, fifteen, sixteen, buzz and so forth.
2. Try to have the guests count as rapidly as possible and eliminate from the ring all those who make a mistake.

Debrief

  • What makes this game difficult?
  • In this game you had to replace a number with the word “buzz.” What are some of the things that we must replace when we become Christians? How can we replace them?
  • Why is forming new habits so difficult?

Conclusion
This game is difficult because it deviates from what is normal for us. We are accustomed to using the number 7, and to replace it with the word “buzz” is awkward for us. It requires extra concentration and is against what is natural for us. Many things in the Christian walk are also awkward at first. We have to develop new habits that go against the natural man. At first it requires considerable concentration, but as we grow in Christ and allow the power of Christ to work in our lives, we will become accustomed to new habits and new ways of thinking. Forming new ways of thinking is the key to forming new actions and habits. We must set our minds on the things above.

Scripture
Colossians 3:1-15

Get Icebreakers ebookIcebreakers Ahead: Take It To the Next Level

This 170 page resource not only provides 52 of the world’s most popular group icebreaker activities and games, but also includes lesson ideas and discussion questions to smoothly transition into conversations about the issues common to most groups.

Click here to find out how to get your hands on this incredible resource!