The importance of good “icebreaker” or “get-to-know-me” questions

“Great icebreaker questions will help your group connect in powerful ways.”*

Good icebreaker/get-to-know-me questions help those in your group connect relationally and set the tone for entire the discussion. These nonthreatening, safe questions allow everyone in your group to participate in the discussion and help your group to develop a “shared story.”

Jesus, the master teacher, frequently used questions while teaching.

• “How many hours are in a day?” John 11:9
• “Where is your faith?” Luke 8:25
• “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Matthew 16:13
• “What do you want me to do for you?” Luke 18:41
• “What did you go out into the wilderness to see?” Matthew 11:7
• “Which is lawful on the Sabbath? To do good or to do evil?” Mark 3:4
• “How many loaves do you have?” Matthew 15:34
• “Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Get up and walk?’” Luke 5:23

For some possible icebreaker questions check out Chapter 22 in Earley & Dempsey’s The Pocket Guide to Leading a Small Group or. Remember, the purpose of icebreakers/get-to-know-me questions is to lay the groundwork for “into the Bible” and application questions.

*Dave Earley & Rod Dempsey’s Lesson #22 The Pocket Guide to Leading A Small Group, page 102.