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

1. Christian
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