Great small group leaders are always hunting for new ways to get the discussion going. The link below is a free e-book with 40 different small group icebreakers! Here is an a example of one you can find in the e-book:
The aim of the game is to talk for one minute on a given subject. You announce the topic and a member of the group is randomly selected to speak for one minute. Use a pack of cards to randomly select i.e. person who draws the lowest number. Choose subjects to stimulate the imagination and which may be amusing. Put a stopwatch on each person to see how long they last before drying up! Subjects might include, my earliest memories, my favourite computer game, why beans are good for you, 10 things you can do with potatoes, Alligator wrestling, pre-millennialism (no, not really!)
The free e-book is written by Grahame Knox. Grahame lives in the UK and has been serving as a Christian youth worker and trainer for 27 years. You can read more about his youth work at his blog, Insight.
Bill Search, author of Simple Small Groups, recently posted how caring for others is an essential component of leadership in small groups:
What is the most basic expectation of leading a small group? Some would say it is providing a place for the group to meet. Others would say it has more to do with crafting a riveting lesson with careful attention to interpreting and applying ancient biblical texts. Still others imagine the key component of leading a groupis providing for each and every need that members in the group may have. No wonder we have a leader crisis on our hands!
Perhaps the answer is much simpler. My most basic expectation for anyone facilitating any type of group is that leaders should care for their people.
TEN GREAT WAYS TO CARE FOR YOUR GROUP MEMBERS
10. Pray for your group members each morning. 9. Meet a group member for coffee. 8. Invite the group over for dinner. 7. Send a note of encouragement. 6. Ask questions. 5. Celebrate with them, literally...birthdays, anniversaries, etc. 4. Notice when they're absent. 3. Make 'hello' and 'goodbye' the most important part of your interactions. 2. Call them out...challenge them in areas where they need to change. 1. Get them serving others.
So often in our groups we talk about great plans and techniques to try out and improve community in group life. However, what about the things we should NOT do? Below are the top ten worst small group icebreakers and I just couldn't stop laughing!
10. Which famous criminal would you say you are most like, and why?
9. What is your deepest, darkest, secret?
8. If you were lead pastor of our church, which staff member would you fire first?
7. What is your biggest pet peeve--of people in this small group?
6. What is your favorite white-lie to tell for why you are skipping small group?
5. What is your top 10 list of things that annoy you about our church?
4. Which couple in this group do you most wish would go join a Parenting Group at church?
3. Share one (only one please) of your spouse's secrets that they don't want shared, but you know would get a great laugh from this group?
2. What's the worst snack you've ever eaten--at this small group?
1. In the next election, who do you think everyone in this group needs to vote for (if they claim to be real Christians)?
So often in our groups we talk about great plans and techniques to try out and improve community in group life. However, what about the things we should NOT do? Below are the top ten worst small group icebreakers and I just couldn't stop laughing!