Balloon Scriptures Icebreaker for Christian Women’s Retreats
Whether you hold your retreat at your church, an event center, or an outdoor location, the Balloon Scriptures Icebreaker is bound to be a big hit.
It’s simple to prepare, gives complete joy for those who play, and provides a meaningful lesson that will touch everyone.
Guiding Verse for the Balloon Scriptures Icebreaker
1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Why You’ll Love this Balloon Icebreaker
After Saturday lunch at a weekend retreat, many of the ladies get sleepy and are ready to rest. We can’t let that happen…yet!
Early afternoon is packed with praise and worship and then tons of breakout session options including ziplining, rock wall climbing, and braving the Leap of Faith.
Related Post: Get to Know You Icebreaker
Because we wanted the ladies up and moving and laughing, we opted to start our afternoon session with a very, um, active icebreaker called Scripture Balloons.
Watching everyone jump around trying to step on each other’s balloons fills everyone with joy. In fact, we laugh so hard that a few of us (namely me!) have fallen over clutching stomachs and crying happy tears.
You will have so much fun seeing the ladies have so much fun.
In addition to the hysterical laughter, this balloon scriptures icebreaker delivers a deeper meaning as well.
After the balloons are popped and the scriptures are read, you can see the transformation on each person’s face as they understand the connection between God’s promises and how they protect you from the enemy.
It’s a beautiful sight!
How to Play
Balloon Scriptures Icebreaker Supplies:
- One inflated balloon for each participant. I used these – Bright Color Latex Balloons 12 Inch 100pcs (Random Color)
- Scriptures typed out on slips of paper
- Enough string for about 2 feet per balloon. I used this simple kite string.
Directions:
Inflate one balloon for each participant. Fold and place one scripture inside each balloon.
These scriptures should focus on God’s promises. You’ll find a list of the ones I used at the end of the post, but feel free to use any you want.
Each lady should tie their balloon with string to one of their ankles. On ‘Go’, they should try to pop each other’s balloons while protecting their own and trying to keep it from being popped.
If they fail to protect their own and it is popped, they should pick up their folded scripture and have a seat.
The last one with an inflated balloon is the winner. You can offer a door prize or an extra ticket to door prizes.
Have each lady read her scripture out loud, and remind them that Satan frequently tries to ‘pop our balloons’ and make us forget God’s promises.
What we must remember is that even when our balloons are popped, God’s promises are still there.
This icebreaker is hysterically funny and fun for all ages.
Here are a couple of pictures from the last retreat. I was laughing so hard, I didn’t get many/any good ones!
Some Suggested Scriptures are below or fill out the form and get a free list of over 20 scriptures plus questions and other resources for more icebreakers!
Be sure and offer “prizes” for participating and for the winners. We’ve offered the actual prize after an activity or extra tickets to go in a bucket for door prizes later.
How to Play - Balloon Scriptures Icebreaker
Learn how God guides and comforts even when Satan 'bursts your bubble.'
Instructions
- Inflate one balloon for each participant.
- Fold and place one scripture inside each balloon.
- Each lady should tie their balloon with string to one of their ankles.
- On ‘Go’, they should try to pop each other’s balloons while protecting their own and trying to keep it from being popped.
- If they fail to protect their own and it is popped, they should pick up their folded scripture and have a seat.
- Have each lady read her scripture out loud, and remind them that Satan frequently tries to ‘pop our balloons’ and make us forget God’s promises.
Notes
Be sure and offer “prizes” for participating and for the winners. We’ve offered the actual prize after an activity or extra tickets to go in a bucket for door prizes later.
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SCRIPTURES WITH GOD’S PROMISES
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Matthew 18:20 For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
John 6:37 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.”
Romans 8: 38-39 “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” delcares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Matthew 11:28-29 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Philippians 4:19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 1:33 But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”
John 14:27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory.
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
Free Printable Copy of the Balloon Scriptures
Want a printable copy of these? Just click HERE to open and download printables for our favorite icebreakers.
If you enjoyed this balloon scriptures icebreaker, you might also like these women’s retreat icebreakers:
Get to Know You Icebreaker (with free printable)
Colorful Candy Confession Icebreaker
Want to remember this? Post this image of Balloon Scriptures Icebreaker to your favorite Pinterest board!
Before beginning the game, do you share that there is something inside the balloon, to be on the lookout or are they supposed to just discover something was inside?
Yes, we share that there’s something inside. ~Julie
What do the balloons represent? (I am a thinker lol.) So, what does it mean? In my mind, I’m trying to figure that out. What are the balloons representing? Is it a metaphor?
It sounds fun and will be using this for our first ladies get together! Thank you for sharing this fun idea.
The balloons represent daily life and the good or positive things in it. Satan tries to ‘pop’ those things or stop us from the good, but the scripture inside reminds us that God is with us and within those struggles so that we can still rejoice in Him. Hope that makes sense!
Wow I will use this balloon Icebreaker in our coming meeting next week…Iam so excited thanks for sharing
Bless your heart Julie
It’s so much fun! Let me know how it goes!
I will use this thanks for sharing
Wonderful! Let me know how it goes!
We loved the balloon game. We did it at our women’s event at Church. So much fun. Thank you
Oh, this makes me so happy! I’m thrilled you all had a good time with it. It makes me laugh every time, but it’s also so meaningful!
Julie – what a fun icebreaker and a good visual reminder that God’s promises are still true, even when our bubble is burst. I love it. Thanks for all you do to help women’s ministries be successful and fun! Blessings
Thank you, Debbie!
This would be so fun. I’ve played this once in my college years but no bible verses in the balloons. I would love to try this game with my group if you allow me.
Absolutely! Let me know how it goes! ~Julie
Now this would be such a fun icebreaker! I want to pass this idea along to my church’s women’s ministry team… Thank you for this 🙂
You’re welcome, Dawn! It’s so much fun!
do the balloons need to be inflated with helium ?
Hi Clarice, No, we just blew them up ourselves. You’ll want them to lay and bounce around on the ground rather than float. What we did was blow them up a tiny bit, slip the folded up scripture inside, and then blow them up the rest of the way and tie them. ~Julie
What a great game and it looks like a blast to play!
I love this!!!!!!
It’s SO much fun! Send me pictures if you decide to do it! julie (@) lovingchristministries.com
How do you pop them? I am picturing women running around with pins! 🙂
Ohhhhh, that’s the hysterical part. You have to step on the other balloons to pop them. I hope you get a chance to play this. It’s so much fun!
I’m gonna try this at our next Women’s group meeting in September – does look so fun!!!
Oooh, I know you’ll all have so much fun!
This is such a fun idea! I love the analogy of Satan trying to pop our own balloons.
It’s so fun and definitely gives us an active, visual image of how our ‘balloons’ in life are popped. Hope you get a chance to try it out sometime!
I LOVE this idea. It would be perfect for our church youth group too. Thanks!
You bet! Have fun with it! I’d love to see pictures if you try it with the youth.
This sounds like so much fun, great way to keep up energy and get everyone laughing.
It really is so much fun. I hope you get a chance to try it out some time!
We have played this at our youth group and it’s always a hit!
Isn’t it hysterical? I know our youth would love it as much as the ladies do.
What a fun activity! We do a lot of these in higher education and I will definitely share with my colleagues.
Thank you so much. Have fun!
Great idea! We go to a Bowling Party every year and the have prizes inside balloons. Always a lot of fun. Thanks for sharing.
It is so much fun. What a great idea to put prizes in there, too. Thanks for stopping by!
That’s fabulous! I’ve never been to one, but I’d love to go someday.
This is so hysterical and really meaningful!