How Not to Break the Ice

Carter Moss, Montgomery Campus Small Groups Director

Small groups are fun! Did you know that? Sure there’s lots of challenging discussions, some hard times helping people through the trials in their lives, and everything having to deal with people can get “messy”, but they are still a lot of fun. And you know what one of the most fun parts is for me—doing the ice-breakers.

The “ice-breaker” is an art form, the often over-looked part of the small group that is actually very important: it sets the tone for the night, and often gives you interesting insight into fellow group members. Whenever I lead small groups, I always do ice-breakers, even if we’ve been together for so long that there is no more ice to break. I just find them fun. And sometimes I like to torture my group with tough ones, like last weeks’s: “If they were to make a movie about your life, share who you want to play you in it, and what the title would be.” (In case you’re wondering, mine would be “From Programmer to Pastor” starring Matt Damon). It’s also possible to do bad ice-breakers. So here is my own personal list I’ve compiled:

The Top 10 Worst Small Group Icebreakers

10. Share the worst sin you’ve ever committed.

9. If you were God, who would you punish first?

8. Which person in this group do you think needs to find Jesus the most?

7. Which people at your church do you wish would find a different church, and why?

6. If you could erase any verse out of the Bible, which one would it be?

5. Share the juiciest piece of gossip you know so we can pray about it.

4. If you could have anything from your neighbor’s house, what would it be?

3. What’s your favorite of The 10 Commandments to break?

2. If you could change anything about your spouse, what would it be?

1. If you could commit any sin and get away with it, what would it be?

So there you have it! Avoid these at all costs. And if you’re not in a small group yet—check one out! You’ll get to do a great ice-breaker if nothing else. And it won’t be one of these. If you’ve ever experienced any others this bad, post it in our Comments here and let us know.

Comments

[Jonesy]

Darn, I may have to go back to the drawing board. I have been using 10 and 9 all the time, especially when there are newcomers.

Good stuff, thanks for the reminder Carter.

[bill barton]

Bill was the new guy at our group on monday, we all said our name and went into discussion. Gosh, that must have sucked for Bill, plus i'm sure Bill doesn't remember our names...hooray icebreaker!
I take many things in life for granted, but ashamedly i take the ice-breaker for granted the most! plus they're just fun.

[Beth Kolar]

Hey CM,
Good stuff...what are the Top 10 BEST Ice Breakers?

BK

[Janus]

I always try to sit in the middle during ice breaker time when I visit a small group, that way I have time to really think over my answer. The questions are usually simple, yet I still have to formulate my answer. Maybe I should just shoot from the hip, and not formulate

[IROHAM I.C.]

infact I join to see the way in 9 that if I think it doesn't matter and at the end of my life what if it matters. God help me to follow His banner and serve Him wherever I go and when am tempted God should give me the grace to say no.

[Amy Leigh]

I want to know the ten BEST icebreakers