Identity Scramble

Preparation

• 1. Make a list of pairs based on the number of people participating in the activity and write each word on a small piece of paper.

  2. Examples of pairs: Sun and moon, peanut butter and jelly, table and chair, husband and wife, Adam and Eve, David and Jonathan, Ephesus and Philadelphia, etc.

  3. Refer to the attached document for suggested pairings.

  4. When passing the papers out, ensure that each participant can be matched in a pair.

  5. I.e., if you have 20 pairs prepared (total 40 individual pieces) and only 30 people are present, remove 5 pairs (total 10 individual pieces) before shuffling the remaining 30 for the 30 participants.

1. Prepare icebreaker questions beforehand as well. See (insert icebreaker question link here) for reference.

Procedure

• 1. The facilitator will randomly hand out the pieces of paper with the identities written on each.

  2. The participants should tape the pieces of paper face-up on their foreheads without looking at what is written on their own paper.

  3. At the facilitator’s signal, the time starts and participants must go around asking questions about who, what, or where they might be.

  4. Only “yes” or “no” questions are allowed. Participants may only answer “yes,” “no,” or “I don’t know.”

  5. Participants may not ask more than one question per participant to ensure interaction with a greater number of participants.

  6. Once participants figure out their identity, they must wait off to the side for their partner or group members to come. Participants may only group up after they have discovered their identity. Each partner or group member should correctly state their identity before joining the group.

  7. Once you find your partner or group, you can find a place to sit down together.

  8. When the time is up, the facilitator will signal for everyone to stop, and participants who are unable to find their pair or group in time, or who grouped up with the wrong person(s), must answer an icebreaker question.

Variations

• 1. To add a twist, you may create odd-numbered groups, but only allow participants to form pairs.

  2. Example A: The words “Cain,” “Abel,” and “Seth” are present in the activity. However, only pairs are allowed, so the first two participants to discover their identity can pair up, leaving the third person without a group

  3. Example B: “Ephesus,” “Philadelphia,” “Laodicea,” “Sardis,” and “Thyatira” are present in the activity. Five words are in the group, so the first four participants to discover their identity can pair up, leaving the fifth person without a group.

  4. The result may stay the same. Any participant who does not find a partner in time must answer an icebreaker question.

Notes

• You can choose to ask participants to form groups (3 or more) instead of pairs to make larger groups.