As a youth leader, I’ve had seasons where my group is small, sometimes just six kids, and other times it grows to fifteen. Kids come and go, and I love each of them dearly. But one thing I’ve noticed through every season is that when it comes time to share our thoughts during Bible study, the room can suddenly grow quiet.
I could never tell if they were shy, unsure, or just afraid to say the wrong thing. But I wanted to help them open up, to feel comfortable sharing what’s on their hearts, so I created conversation starter cards.
These cards don’t magically fix the silence, but they do help my kids come out of their shells. They mix lighthearted questions with faith-based ones, giving everyone a chance to speak, laugh, and reflect together.
For example, one of my favorites from Set 1: Faith & Fellowship (or the Heart of Fellowship mini set) asks:
“Would you rather be really hot or really cold?”
It seems simple, but you should’ve seen the debate that followed! No one could agree, but everyone was talking, laughing, and connecting, and that’s what matters most.
Then there’s a deeper one:
“If there was a museum featuring artifacts from your life, what items would be must-see exhibits, and what stories would they tell?”
That question made them think. Some kids had no idea what would describe them, while others needed help from their friends, and those moments of helping each other made it even more special.
Not every question is about the Bible, but many are designed to bring us closer to God. Questions like:
“What do you think are your spiritual gifts?”
or
“Other than God, which character in the Bible would you most like to have a conversation with?”
These kinds of questions have led to deep, thoughtful discussions that remind me why I love serving in youth ministry. They’ve helped the kids not only grow in faith but also get to know each other beyond Wednesday nights or Sunday mornings.
I made these conversation starters because I was once the leader searching the internet for ideas, scrolling endlessly to find the right question to ask. Now, I have them all in one place, and so can you.
What’s even better is that my youth now want to be part of it. At the start of class, everyone volunteers to pick the “card of the day,” and sometimes they even sign up a week in advance.
These cards were created with small groups like mine in mind, the ones that sometimes sit in silence but have so much to say once they feel safe enough to share.
If you ever find yourself in those same quiet moments, I hope these conversation starters bless your group the way they’ve blessed mine. You can explore them on my website and use what fits your group best. Whether you’re just starting or looking for something fresh, I pray they help spark laughter, connection, and faith-filled conversations in your space.