Pandemic Pivots Icebreaker Game

I’ve heard your requests for a pandemic icebreaker game, and today I’m ready to deliver.

Great icebreaker games provide opportunities for participants to experience points of connection.

In this game, we’ll be highlighting which pandemic experiences the group members share.

And because most groups are continuing to social-distance, this game includes instructions that honor safe social-distancing practices.

Think for a moment over the past many months about the pivots you’ve had to make.

What new or unusual experiences have you’ve had?

• Did you sew your own mask?
• Dye your own hair?
• Pick up groceries for a neighbor?
• Attend worship online?
• Buy toilet paper in bulk?

The Pandemic Pivots Icebreaker Game will provide a visual poll to these questions, and others like them.

Pandemic Pivots

Group size: 6 or more

Time needed: 10-15 minutes

Supplies: Printed copy of the questions

Instructions:

Say to your group, “We would all agree that we’ve had some interesting experiences this past year. As our country was forced to lock-down, we all learned to pivot. Tonight we’re going to highlight some of those shared experiences. If you can answer yes to my question, please stand (or raise your hand). Take a quick look around the room to see who else had a similar experience.”

Click the link below to access the Pandemic Pivots Icebreaker questions

Notes:

You’ll want to read through the list slowly enough that they can see who else is standing, but also at a pace that they don’t get too bored. If you read too quickly, your participants may not appreciate the thigh workout!

If you have women who have limited mobility, ask them to raise their hand high instead.

You could also have women tally up their points – one point for every yes and crown a winner. But it’s much for fun and provides more points of connection when you can visually see the results for each question.

In addition to playing the icebreaker game, you may wish to expand on the idea or experience of pivoting by including a teaching or testimony that points women to Christ. You could even craft your entire meeting around the concept of redirection, pivots, or new opportunities.

Biblical connections:

Consider sharing a short teaching using an example of how God redirected people in the Bible. Think of stories where things looked like they were going in one direction until God intervened.

Here are a few examples to get you started:

• Jonah tried to run away, but God turned him around.
• There was no room at the Inn for Mary and Joseph, so they pivoted to the stable.
• Abraham was prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac, but God provided a lamb.
• The disciples thought Jesus was dead, but He returned to earth.

Or perhaps you want to choose a story highlighting how one of God’s people responded to suffering or difficult times. Paul in prison, Sarah and Haggar, etc.

Testimonial tie-ins:

Consider inviting one of your women to share how God provided an opportunity for them to pivot in the midst of the coronavirus. You may have women who lost their job, changed their job, decided to start homeschooling, adapted to working from home, or regularly helped an elderly or at-risk neighbor.

Check out this post for tips on helping your women share their personal stories (or testimonies).

While we could easily grumble about the hardships we all have encountered, instead focus on the blessings and growth that your women experienced.

May your sharing be done in the spirit of Philippians 2:14-15, “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”

You may also want to check out:
Icebreakers & Games
The Best Social-Distancing Icebreaker Games
How to Host a Retreat in the Pandemic
Creative Ideas for Outdoor Social Distancing Fellowships

One year ago: How Church Leaders Can Support Ministry to Women
Two years ago: Gather & Glean: Bible Studies
Three years ago: To Vote or Not to Vote (on women’s ministry business)
Four years ago: What It’s Like to Give a Child a Shoebox
Five years ago: 13 Ways to Publicize Your Event Inside Your Church
Six years ago: What to Do with Criticism
Seven years ago: Icebreaker: Four Corners