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Author: Rev. Terry Carty, Director of the YouthWorker Movement
Sharing Cubes
It is sometimes difficult to get everyone in a small group to share during a program discussion time. Sharing Cubes can help break the ice for conversation. This may sound pretty lame, but I promise it works.
Make a pair of large "dice" out of foam rubber or cardboard. Each small group will need one. Old "picture cubes" work great if you can find some in the attic or in a garage sale. On each of the six sides of the cube write an instruction instructions for sharing. Here are some examples:
Describe your weekend (so far)
Share a frustration
Share a prayer request
Compliment someone in the group
Ask for advice about a concern
Share a favorite Bible verse
How did you agree with the speaker?
How did you disagree with the speaker?
One at a time, each person chooses one of the cubes and "rolls it" on the floor. He or she then shares briefly, according to the instruction that turns up. It is a good idea to allow "do overs" so the participant can roll again if he/she doesn't like the question.
You may want to use a different cube with more specific questions after the first session. Then the cube would be useful to kick off discussion when it goes dead. For example:
Reminds me of a Bible verse or story that goes like this...
Reminds me of a time in my life when...
Reminds me of a frustration or a pet peeve...
Raises this concern or makes me uncomfortable because...
Present a contradictory point of view (whether you believe it or not)
Reasons why this is (or is not) true
Alternative Dice
If you use this discussion starter often (and I do), an easier way to do it is to simply use regular dice with dots on the sides. Prepare the questions on a handout sheet numbered 1 through 6. When the participant rolls a number, they answer the corresponding question.
You could actually put several sets of questions on the same sheet to be used at different times during the program. Or you could project the 6 questions on the wall. Be creative.
Date Submitted: March 10, 2005
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