In this icebreaker game, youth must arrange their group in order according to specific criteria.

1. Bible Icebreakers -
Ducks in a Row
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2. Description
In this icebreaker game, youth must
arrange their group in order according to
specific criteria.
Number of Youth
Unlimited (in groups of at least 8 teens)
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3. How to Play
1. Youth are told they may not talk.
2. Teens are then told to line up their group in order of height
(shortest to tallest).
3. Once everyone is lined up the team must shout “Ducks in a
Row” and Quack loudly while flapping their arms as wings.
4. The first team of youth to do so wins the round.
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4. Additional optional rounds
• Alphabetical order by first name
• Alphabetical order by mother’s or father’s first name
• In order of their birthday
• According to shoe size
• According to phone number
• According to the number of letters in their full name.
• According to their house number or address block
• According to length of hair
• Others?
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5. Take it to the Next Level
The phrase “Ducks in a row” is a common English idiom
meaning that things are well-organized – that all the small
details are accounted for and are in their proper positions
before moving on to something else. At first thought, the sight
of a mother duck followed by all the little ducklings seems the
logical source for this idiom. But the most popular theory is that
it comes from bowling as a sport.
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6. Early blowing pins were shorter and thicker than modern
pins and were commonly referred to as “ducks.” Before the
invention of automatic resetting machines for the pins, after
each round they would be manually placed back into position
by a person. So to “have all your ducks in a row” was to make
sure all the pins were properly placed in position before
sending the next bowling ball down the lane.
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7. A lot of people put off making various decisions until everything
seems to be in place and perfect. Older people might use the
idiom “When I get all my ducks in order I will…” Youth may not
use the phrase much, but they use similar expressions. “When I
get my life (or act) together, THEN I’ll make that commitment.”
“When I grow up, then I will…” “When I finish my education,
then I will…” “When I am successful in my career then i will…”
In fact, people of all ages make similar excuses.
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8. The truth of the matter is that becoming and living as a
Christian is a step of faith. You will never on this earth fully
understand the scriptures. You will never fully understand
the ways and mind of God. (Isaiah 55:8) You will never
even truly understand yourself. While it is good to use your
mind and plan ahead, we must also trust and depend
completely upon God.
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9. Focal Scripture
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean
not on your own understanding; in all your ways
acknowledge him, and he will make your paths
straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
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10. Practical Application
1. What are some of the choices and decisions
that God calls us to make as Christians?
2. How do we know when God is calling us to do
something?
3. How do we know when the timing is right to
step out in faith?
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11. 4. What are some things in your life that God might be calling
you to get in order before he calls you to a position or task?
5. Don’t wait till you understand everything. If God is calling
you to something make a decision today to yield to that
calling and trust him for the results. Simply step out in faith
and trust him and he will make your way sure.
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12. www.CreativeIcebreakers.com
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This EBook not only provides 52 of the
world’s most popular group icebreaker
activities, but also includes lesson ideas and
questions to smoothly transition into
discussions about issues common to most
groups.
Click here to find out more!
Icebreakers Ahead: Take it to the next Level