35 conversation starters for your small group

One of the core skills of a good small group leader is the ability to facilitate deeper relationships. Deeper relationships don’t accidentally happen, they typically begin with conversations and most conversations don’t begin deep. Leaders must learn to initiate conversation and some time getting conversations started can be tricky.

Following are what we call “trigger questions” and they’re designed to activate and aid connecting conversations. We hope they’ll be as helpful to you as they are to us!

.........
...| excellent conversational curriculum
...| edited by doug fields, kurt johnston, and matt mcgill
...| two versions: HIGH SCHOOL and JUNIOR HIGH
.........

THREE quick tips:
1. You’ve got to practice before you’ll become comfortable. The more you’re around teenagers, the more comfortable you’ll become and the more natural your conversations will be. There’s no replacement for repetition.

2. If you ask a question that can be easily answered with a single word (yes/no, “green”), follow it up with another question that requires more than a one word answer.

3. Don’t fire all these questions like they’re being shot from a machine gun, instead ask one and allow the conversation to flow naturally. 

.........
...| excellent conversational curriculum
...| edited by doug fields, kurt johnston, and matt mcgill
...| two versions: HIGH SCHOOL and JUNIOR HIGH
.........

35 trigger questions to spark conversation:
1. How are you involved at your school? (Clubs, cheer, band, sports?)
2. What was a highlight of your week?
3. What is something you did this summer that was fun?
4. What is your absolute favorite thing to do?
5. If you could have free tickets to any concert, where/who would it be?
6. What is your favorite subject at school?
7. Who is your favorite teacher and what do you like about him/her?
8. Are you the type who gets things done early or waits till the last minute?
9. What do you normally do when you have free time?
10. Where’s your favorite place to eat?
11. What’s the best Christmas gift you’ve ever received?
12. What’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you?
13. What is the silliest thing you ever did in elementary school?
14. Are you a morning or a night person?
15. What kind of car do you drive (or when do you get your license)?
16. What’s the last movie you saw? Was it any good?
17. Who is your best friend?
18. Would you rather be rich or famous?
19. If you could play any sport and be great, what would you want to do?
20. Where is the coolest place you have ever been in your whole life?
21. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
22.How would you describe yourself in three words?
23. What’s one thing you love about yourself?

.........
...| excellent conversational curriculum
...| edited by doug fields, kurt johnston, and matt mcgill
...| two versions: HIGH SCHOOL and JUNIOR HIGH
.........

24. What’s a character quality you admire most in others?
25. Are you the type to save your money or spend it right away?
26. What do you spend your money on (or save it for)?
27. If you found $100, how would you spend it?
28. What do your parents do for a living?
29. What do your siblings do that gets on your nerves?
30. Who are you closest to in your family?
31. How long have you been attending church? How did you get here?
32. What do you like/dislike about church?
33. Are you involved in a ministry?
34. What do you think about this whole ‘God’ thing?
35. Do you want me to stop asking you questions?