Leap of Faith

Game Description
Use this group building game to build community, teamwork, and trust within the group.

Game Materials

• a board at least 6 inches wide and of a length of three feet that is strong enough to be used for a platform on which a student may stand.
• two bricks, cinder blocks, or solid wooded blocks that the board can be placed upon so that someone can place there hands beneath the board to raise it.
• Blindfold

Game Play

1. Place the board on a couple of bricks or something that raises up the ends so that two leaders can place their hands beneath the board and raise it.
2. Blindfold a volunteer and have them step on the platform.
3. A third leader must stand in front of the volunteer so that the volunteer can place their hands on the shoulders of this leader to keep their balance.
4. Tell the volunteer that you will raise them up no higher than waist level and then they will be asked to jump from the platform using the leader as a spotter to maintain their balance. (In actuality, the board only leaves the ground a few inches.)
5. The leader in front of the volunteer slowly squats making the volunteer believe they are being raised whereas in actuality they haven’t.
6. Tell the volunteer to jump, assuring them that they will not be hurt. They will be jumping only a few inches but expect to fall a few feet.
7. The feeling is eerie, and they are quite surprised. They will, of course, be falling into the waiting arms of the group.

Debrief

• What were you feeling before you jumped?
• What were your fears?
• How much did you trust the leaders / the group to protect you from harm?
• How is this activity like trusting God?
• Do you feel you can trust our group or not?
• What are some ways we can learn to trust each other?
• What responsibilities do we have to each other for support and encouragement?

Closing Application
Be someone others can trust and go to for encouragement and support.