How can you “break the ice” with a youth who is a total stranger and guide the discussion from an awkward silence into a meaningful conversation?
Jesus often got people talking with his first question and then was able to guide the discussion so that it developed into a meaningful conversation about a life-changing topic!
He met people where they were–whether they were drawing water, fishing, collecting taxes, watching him from a treetop, or worshipping God in the Temple in Jerusalem.
But Jesus was never content to leave them where they were.
His objective was always a changed life!
Remember the Woman at the well…
A simple request for a drink led to a meaningful discussion on “living water” that transformed a village.
Zacheus was simply hoping to get a glimpse of Jesus but instead got to talk to him at his own dinner table in a conversation that not only changed his life, but reached out to the lives of many sinners!
Christ’s first words to Nicodemus, a religious scholar, were a conundrum, a puzzle that left him searching.
And that search seemingly reached its conclusion when Nicodemus took a bold step of faith, along with Joseph of Arimathea, and asked for the body of Christ after the Crucifixion.
The gospels are filled with the stories
of people who encountered Christ and then
their personal stories would be forever changed!
In encounter after encounter… Jesus not only broke the ice, but he left a lasting impact on the lives of the people he spoke with!
Sometimes Jesus used questions to break the ice. But on other occasions he use everyday objects, shared experiences, stories, and even crises to break the ice and open up the way to life changing spiritual discussions.
He asked people to share their opinions,
challenged their assumptions,
and asked them to find solutions.
He constantly invited others to join him in experiences
and used those common experiences
to bring out life changing spiritual truths.
Fresh experiences often served as living parables.
It’s easy to relate to the feelings, thoughts, and experiences when you have just experienced them.
Then it is only a short little jump to deeper truths and understanding.
The “here and now” becomes a springboard
to the distant future,
to choices and consequences.
A small controlled simulation
becomes a safe crucible
to test the consequences of real life decisions.
In the same way today, games, challenges, and contrived situations can generate discussions and expose the same deep set beliefs, attitudes, and values as real life situations and events.
How you play the game
is a reflection of who you are
and how you deal with life!
But in all things Jesus always had a purpose.
He broke the ice,
and later his own body would be broken,
so that broken lives could be mended.
Learn how you also can “break the ice”
and make a lasting impact in the lives of youth!
I’ve specially prepared 52 of my best icebreakers of all time!
(That’s a full year of icebreakers – one a week!)
And like Christ’s encounters with strangers they are icebreakers with a purpose.
Each one includes debriefs and meaningful discussion questions that engage youths to deal with real life issues.
Check out my new book: “Icebreaker’s 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!
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