"Getting to know you" ideas

We are having a few people over this week to join an existing group (bible study). We know these couples but not very well and I am sure they are feeling a little apprehensive as well. There are 3 couples joining and 2 couples who already attend.

What are some ice breaking topics we can bring up that will help us feel more at ease?

Diane

As a starter have the first person say their name with an adjective and place of birth "Hi I am Jolly John from Tampa." Have the next person repeat the name and add on "This is Jolly John from Tampa and I am Nice Nancy from Memphis." Continue around the circle. It gives everyone a chance to learn (or relearn) the names of and origins of the people in the group.

Have the couples share how they met. -Almost always interesting and sometimes the stories can be pretty funny.

Have people share an embarrassing moment. Good for a laugh and lets everyone know that everyone is human and caught with our shorts down occasionally.

Are you serving refreshments? If so, include a "secret" ingredient in each dish and then let everyone try to guess what they are.

I really like the "how did you meet each other" idea also. Other fairly safe get-to-know-you topics could be "If you were given $10 million dollars what would you do with it?" "Where would your dream vacation be?" "What is your favorite charity (why)?" "If you were going to get a tattoo, what would it be?"

You could also do a quick survey where everyone just raises their hands (or speaks out) to indicate their preferences on a list of paired options, such as...

Summer/Winter?
SUV/VWBug?
swimming pool/swimming hole?
ocean/lake?
mountains/beach?
steak/chicken
Coke/Pepsi?
tent/hotel?
barefoot/hiking boots?
squash/beans?
pc/mac?
good book/good movie?
fireplace/jacuzzi?
red/blue?
sunshine/stars?
Sears/Macy's?

well, I guess you get the idea...

We did a fun thing at a group recently where the members knew each other but not very well. The leader asked us all to write something down on paper about us that was interesting and no one else would know. (Like: I've always wanted to be a singer but can't carry a tune).
Then we handed the paper to the leader who read them out. Each group member wrote down who they thought belonged to each statement.
The one who guessed the most and the one who guessed the least, got a small prize.
It was a great ice breaker.

teachingmyown said:

Other fairly safe get-to-know-you topics could be "If you were given $10 million dollars what would you do with it?"

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Given the nature of your group I suspect the immediate answer to this would be to say they would give much of it to charity. Try throwing a bit of a curve ball by asking "If you were given $10 million dollars what would you do with it if you weren't allowed to give any away to charities?"
The question alone will probably get them all talking

These are GREAT suggestions and exactly what I was looking for! I'll run them by Mark...

Thanks so much!

Diane

Here is a site that I use for ideas for my Jr. High youth group. You can use some of the mixers for your group as well.

http://www.thesource4ym.com/games/

thanks Swift!

You could play "Two Lies and a Truth." Each person gets up and makes three statements about him/herself, and the crowd has to guess which one is true. Always goes over very big and generates some pretty interesting facts!

I just found your reply Cat. That would be interesting and we'll consider it. Thanks for the idea!

It's a lot of fun, Diane. Everyone loves it. A variation is Two Truths and a Lie.

For example:
1) I am a classically trained chef.

2) I speak fluent Russian.

3) I have been an avid scuba diver for 16 years.
Any guesses?

Truths: 1 & 3
Lie: obviously 2

But then I cheated...I know Cat & enjoy reading her posts.

JoAnn wins the prize. Give the little lady a cigar!

Actually, only fluent in English, Spanish, and French. Never ventured outside the romance languages.

JoAnn, how about you give us 2 truths and a lie?

While we're waiting for JoAnn have 3 from me :-

I'm extremely handsome
I'm the ideal height for my weight
I never over indulge in food or drink



Sorry - my mistake. I didn't realise 2 of them had to be true

Keith, I just love your dry, English wit!!

Of course, number 3 is false. We ALL overindulge in food and drink every now and again. Right?

Cat...or someone...start a whole thread on the Truth & Lies thing and see where it goes....or start it "elsewhere".

DianeH said:

We are having a few people over this week to join an existing group (bible study). We know these couples but not very well and I am sure they are feeling a little apprehensive as well. There are 3 couples joining and 2 couples who already attend.

What are some ice breaking topics we can bring up that will help us feel more at ease?

Click to expand...

I guess an orgy is out of the question.