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A cold group is an awkward experience for everyone, but this list of conversation starters for ministry has all the questions you need to get your group talking and comfortable!
We made this list of conversation starters for ministry as universal as we could, so whether you’re leading a small group or Bible study, a youth group or older children’s group, or men’s and women’s gatherings, you should find questions on this list that are perfect to get the conversational juices flowing!
I’m sure you don’t need us to tell you how important it is to get your group talking first, before diving deeper. People naturally wanted to be eased deeper into conversation. Starting out your group session with the heaviest theology, topics or Scripture is probably going to lead to a lot of blank stares and long silences.
For Bible studies, we have a number of Bible and theology conversation starters to get your group conversing with the focus on Scripture in mind. For youth groups, there are conversation starter questions that will help even the more shy teens get used to discussion in the setting. For men’s and women’s ministry, we have questions that apply to both genders, so feel free to take your pick and mix them up.
As a general rule, try to pick questions that relate to your topic of the day, or the next activity on the list for the group meeting. Think of building the discussion like a funnel, with the widest, broadest, easiest questions at the top, and then gradually narrow down to the intensive topic of the gathering.
Oh, and if you are looking for more questions for your group, be sure to check out Small Group Questions For Youth Ministry – tons of great questions sorted by topic, and they’ll work just as well for any group, regardless of age.
So, keep scrolling and check out all the categories in this post.
Conversation Starters: Fun Questions
Learn a little about everyone with these easy to answer questions that even the shyest in the group can answer.
If you could move anywhere in the world where would you move to?
If you were given an endless supply of money what would you do with it?
If you could have any super ability, which one would it be and why?
If you had endless time in your schedule what would be something you would like to do regularly? (maybe a new hobby, go on a mission trip, etc.)
If you could go on any game show which one would it be and why?
Have people look at their phone and share what the last app they used on their phone was.
If you could only choose to have one of these things which one would it be: a cell phone or a computer?
If you could only choose between owning a house or an amazing car, which one would you choose?
If you could, what is something you would like to know about your future?
If you could open any kind of restaurant, what would it be?
What is a job you’d definitely not want to have?
If you had to survive for a month on three food dishes, prepared exactly the same way each time, what would they be?
If you could only have one beverage, besides water, what would it be?
Would you rather the electricity go out for a week, your water be cut off for a month, or garbage collection stop for a year?
Would you rather live somewhere where the temperature never dropped below 85F/30C or never rose above 75F/24C?
How big is too big for a cell phone?
If you could live anywhere in the United States, where would you live?
Conversation Starters: Get To Know You Questions
Not TOO personal! These conversation starters are an easy way to find out more about each person and discover mutual likes and dislikes.
What is an item you carry everywhere (ask them to state something other than a phone, keys or wallet if possible)?
When you were a child, what was your favorite toy and why?
What is your favorite thing to do on the weekend?
What is your ideal vacation?
What is your favorite hobby and why?
If you could travel to anywhere in the world where would you travel and why?
If you could speak any language which one would you speak and why?
Do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts more and why?
What is your most cherished childhood memory and why?
What is the best gift you have ever received? Why?
What was the biggest surprise of your life and what did it mean to you?
What is your favorite movie and why?
What was (or is) your favorite subject in school?
What is your favorite meal?
Do you have any pets, if so what kind and what are their names?
What did you want to be for a living when you were a kid?
Where did you go on your last vacation?
What did you do last weekend?
What does your perfect day off look like?
If you could open a business, what would it be?
What is the top thing on your bucket list?
What is your favorite season and why?
What is your favorite holiday and why?
What is your favorite social media site and why?
Have you ever been stranded somewhere, if so how did it happen and what was the result?
What has been the best time period in your life and why?
What is your favorite sitcom?
What is your favorite type of music?
Have you ever travelled to another country? If so which one(s)?
What is your favorite thing to do in the winter?
What is your favorite thing to do in spring?
What is your favorite thing to do in summer?
What is your favorite thing to do in fall?
What is your dream job?
Who is your favorite person and why?
What is your bedtime?
Where is your favorite place in your home?
What is your favorite was to relax and de-stress?
What is your favorite place your home and why?
What is your best skill (please describe)
What is your hidden talent?
For your birthday what is your dessert choice?
What was your favorite cartoon as a child?
What was the last book you read (books in the Bible are acceptable answers)
Do you like ebooks or physical books more? Why?
What is the most important quality in a friend? Why?
What is the most important quality in a spouse? Why?
Who is your oldest friend, how long have you been friends, and how did you meet each other?
What was your best friend like as a child? What did you like about them?
Name three attributes that best describe you.
How long do you think people should date before getting engaged or married?
If you could change anything about yourself what would it be and why?
Are you a person who is always late, on-time, or early?
Are you an early riser or a night owl?
Do you prefer movies or tv shows?
Do you like watching movies better at home or at the movie theater?
What is your favorite type of dessert? (cake, ice cream, pie, candy, etc.)
Do you prefer the mountains or the beach?
Conversation Starters: Bible Questions
For groups well versed in Scripture, these conversation starters provide an opportunity to get heads focused on the Bible for the session.
Flip Through The Bible – Have them flip through the Bible and without looking read the Scripture they land on.
Do you prefer to read the Old Testament or the New Testament? Why?
Who is your favorite Bible character and why?
What is your favorite Bible verse and why?
What Bible character is most like you and why?
What is your favorite Parable of Jesus and why?
What Bible translation do you use and why?
What is your favorite Bible study aid (book, study Bible, commentary, video series, etc).
Of the nine Fruit of the Spirit (joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control) which one is your strongest? Which one is your weakest? And which one do you want to grow the most?
What book of the Bible would you like to know more about and why?
Can you name all the 12 disciples?
Can you name all the books in the Bible?
Can you name the first five books of the Bible?
Conversation Starters: Spiritual Questions
Dive into the issues weighing on the heart of your group. Some of these questions may serve well as a weekly ritual for your group, as a means to check in and remain centered on caring for one another.
What is your favorite way to give back or serve and why?
What is your favorite thing about God and why?
What is your favorite thing about Jesus and why?
Did you have a conversion story, or have you been a Christian your whole life?
What is your favorite way to connect to God (praying, serving, worship, etc.) and why?
How has God moved in your life in the past week?
How has God really moved in your life over the last year?
What is your favorite element of worship (sermon, music, worshiping alongside other believers, communion, corporate prayer, etc.)?
Have you ever been on a retreat, if so what was it like for you?
What prayer has God answered recently in your life (this can be big or small prayers)
Have you ever been on a mission trip, if so what was it like for you?
Who has been someone in your life that has modeled the Christian faith the best for you? Please explain.
Who has been your favorite pastor or ministry leader and why?
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