Trust Building Games

You earn trust by being there when someone needs you. All participants must be willing to earn each other's trust by being there for each other in these exercises. If not, the experience will be damaging.

Electric Fence
Set up an obstacle to represent a fence using rope or twine about waist high. Instruct the group that they have just escaped from prison and must get over the "electric fence" without getting shocked. It is the responsibility of the group to get all members of their group over the obstacle. They may not go under.

Trust Circle
Eight people stand in a close circle. One person stands in the center of the circle and crosses his arms over his chest with hands on opposite shoulders. Keeping his body stiff, not bending at the waist, he leans toward the circle and is passed from one person to another.

Group Sit
Eight or more people stand in circle with hands on the waist of person in front of them, elbows at 90-degree angle. At the signal, everyone sits on knees of the person behind them all at the same time.

Back to Back
Partners lock arms back to back and try to stand up. Try it in fours.

Human Knot
Have a small group form a circle. Every member of the circle grabs a hand of two different people who are not next to them. Once everyone's hands are intertwined, the group tries to get into one big circle without letting go of the persons whose hands they originally grabbed.

 

---

More:

How to Lead a Small Group
Components of a Small Group
Small Group Guidelines
Practical Solutions to Common Small Group Dilemmas
Leading an Effective Discussion
Relationship Builders
Build Your Own Bible Study
Worship Ideas for Small Groups
Prayer Ideas for Small Groups
Praying with Others
Feedback for Discussion Facilitators