All cell group meetings begin with a Welcome Question. This is a simple questions meant to break the ice, get people participating, and help the group get to know each other a little bit in a fun and comfortable way.

The Welcome Question is meant to be:

• Simple
• Able to be answered by anyone regardless of age, spiritual maturity, or experience with the group.
• Short. Able to be answered in 30 - 45 seconds.
• Fun. Meant to break the ice and get people talking.

The Welcome Question shouldn't be:

• a question that puts people "on the spot" like, "When was the last time you really disappointed God?"
• a question that requires Biblical or theological knowledge, like "Which Bible character do you relate to most?
• a question that asks for a yes or no answer, like "Do you like pizza?"

If you are leading the Welcome Question for your group:

• DO pick a question ahead of time that will work for your group.
• DON'T make that question up on the spot when the leader tells you its time to start.
• DO make sure that your question is worked in a simple and clear way.
• DON'T try to make it too complicated, too deep or too personal.  That's not what the Welcome Question is for.
• DO answer the question first.  By answering first, you are modeling to the group the kind of answer you're looking for.  If you answer briefly, they will too.  If you give a long drawn-out explanation, they will too.  Your answer to the question sets the tone for everyone else's answer.

Here are some examples:

1. Describe your previous week using weather terms. (Stormy, blue skies, iced in, etc.)

2. If you were a milk shake, what kind would you be?

3. Think of your first bedroom that you can remember. What did you like about it?

4. When you and your friends played pretend as little kids, what did you play?

5. Name a pop song that describes your life in some way.

6. Imagine that our hairstyle and hair color automatically changed based on our mood. Describe what your hair would look like tonight based on the past seven days.

7. What's your favorite dessert and why?

8. What one food would you never eat again if you could and, briefly, why?

9. Growing up was your family a "Christmas eve" family or a "Christmas morning" family?

10. What did you like best about your best friend's family when you were growing up?

11. What quality did you inherit from your parents?

12. What is something you didn't get a chance to do in high school that you are sorry you missed?

13. When it comes to vacations are you a "Mountain Person" or a "Beach person?"

14. What's the one food you would eat every single day if you could?

15. What's your favorite variety of ethnic food?

16. If you were a sea creature of some kind, what would you be?

17. You've been granted the ability to choose one super power. Which will you take - flight or invisibility?

18. NBC is making a reality TV show out of your life. What will it be called?

19. What is your most precious belonging that you own right now?

20. If you had to be a waiter at a restaurant, which one would you choose?

21. What was your favorite family board game (or card game) growing up?

22. What actor or actress would be the right choice to play you in the movie about your life?

23. What skill, ability or talent of yours do you feel the best about?

24. You get free music lessons starting tomorrow. What instrument are you going to learn?

25. What is your dream vacation? 

26.  What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

27. Favorite Golf Resort?

Marc's Favorite Welcome Questions

Here are links to other websites with ice breaker questions and activities. Note that some of the questions given on these sites may not qualify as welcome questions by our above criteria. They may be too deep, put a person too much on the spot, or require specialized Christian knowledge. Use your judgment when selecting from these resources:

http://www.celluk.org.uk/resources/welcome_ideas.php

http://www.jesus.com.au/html/page/icebreakers

http://www.littlefallsonline.com/icebreakers.cfm

http://www.smallgroups.com/departments/icebreakers/