For practical help choosing songs that fit your congregation, see our worship song selection guide for small churches.

By Brent Lacy

The first 10 minutes of a small group meeting set the tone for everything that follows.

A good icebreaker lowers defenses, creates laughter, and helps people feel comfortable enough to be honest later in the meeting. A bad icebreaker creates awkward silence and makes people wish they had stayed home.

Here are 25 icebreakers that work, organized by energy level so you can find the right one for your group.

Low Energy, Good for Any Group (8 Icebreakers)

These work for any group, any age, any energy level. They are low-risk and easy to facilitate.

1. Two Truths and a Lie. Each person shares two true statements and one false one about themselves. The group guesses which is the lie. Works for any size group.
2. Best and Worst. Each person shares the best and worst thing that happened to them this week. Simple, honest, and always generates conversation.
3. Would You Rather. Ask a lighthearted would-you-rather question. “Would you rather never use social media again or never watch TV again?” No wrong answers, lots of personality revealed.
4. One Word Check-In. Each person describes how they are feeling right now in one word. No explanation required. Quick, honest, and sets the tone for the meeting.
5. Childhood Memory. “What is one thing you remember about your childhood home?” Simple question, surprisingly rich answers.
6. First Job. Each person shares their first job and one thing they learned from it. Works for any age group.
7. Bucket List. Each person shares one thing on their bucket list. Reveals dreams and values without feeling too personal.
8. Superpower. “If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?” Lighthearted but often reveals something real about what people value.

Medium Energy, Good for Established Groups (9 Icebreakers)

These work best for groups that have been meeting for a few weeks and have some relational trust built.

1. Highs and Lows. Each person shares the high point and low point of their week. More vulnerable than “best and worst”, use when the group is ready for it.
2. Desert Island. “If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring three things, what would they be?” Reveals priorities and generates good-natured debate.
3. Embarrassing Moment. Each person shares an embarrassing moment. Vulnerability and laughter in equal measure. Only use with groups that have established trust.
4. Influential Person. “Who is one person outside your family who has most influenced your life, and how?” Deeper than it sounds.
5. Turning Point. “What is one decision you made that significantly changed the direction of your life?” Good for groups ready for more personal conversation.
6. Unpopular Opinion. Each person shares a mildly unpopular opinion. Keep it lighthearted, food preferences, movie opinions, etc. Not politics or theology.
7. Childhood Dream. “What did you want to be when you grew up, and how did that turn out?” Nostalgic, honest, and often funny.
8. Hidden Talent. Each person shares a talent or skill that most people in the group do not know about. Reveals surprising things about familiar people.
9. Gratitude Round. Each person shares one thing they are genuinely grateful for this week. Simple, grounding, and sets a positive tone.

Higher Energy, Good for Youth or Active Groups (8 Icebreakers)

These involve movement or more active participation. Best for youth groups or groups that enjoy more energetic activities.

1. Human Bingo. Create a bingo card with squares like “has been to another country” or “can play a musical instrument.” People mingle to find someone who fits each square.
2. Line Up. Without talking, arrange yourselves in order by birthday, height, or number of siblings. Requires nonverbal communication and generates laughter.
3. Telephone. Whisper a phrase around the circle and see how it changes. Classic, always funny.
4. Name That Tune. Hum or whistle a well-known song and have the group guess it. Works for any age group that shares musical common ground.
5. Speed Friending. Pairs rotate every two minutes answering a different question. Like speed dating but for friendship. Great for new groups.
6. Emoji Check-In. Each person describes their week using only emojis (drawn on paper or described verbally). Surprisingly revealing and always generates conversation.
7. Common Ground. Find one thing that every person in the group has in common that is not obvious. Takes a few minutes but builds surprising connection.
8. Story Spine. Build a story together, with each person adding one sentence. “Once upon a time…” “Every day…” “Until one day…” “Because of that…” “Until finally…” Silly and creative.

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