Trust Fall

A familiar challenge to show the importance of trusting others and commitment.

Topics: Accountability, Commitment, Dependability, Doubt, Faith, Trust  Materials: Strong and stable table or chair Duration: Approximately 15-20 minutes

What you will do during class:

Ask for seven or more volunteers to participate in a demonstration on trust. The “faller” needs to stand on a raised, but stable, surface (a chair or table works great) with their backs to the “catchers.” 

The rest of the volunteers (at least four) will be the catchers and stand beneath/behind the faller.
Safety note: It is important for the "catchers" to lock arms, not just hold their arms out. Put your stronger people where the faller's torso will land.

Without bending his or her knees and with arms crossed, the faller should fall blindly backward into the arms of the catchers. This is a great way to teach about trust and commitment, just don’t drop them!!

Have each member of the group take a turn trusting the others. To add some drama, have four or five girls catch a young man. Repeat several times with different people as time permits.

Discussion Questions:
1. Why was it difficult to do the trust fall?
2. When you were about to fall, what was going through your mind?
3. What was the hardest part of the exercise?

Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is being sure of what we hoped for, and certain of what we cannot see.”

Discussion Questions:
1. How is that verse kind of like our activity?
2. Did it take faith for you to fall?
3. Who did you have to have faith in? Did you have any doubts?
4. If we can’t see God, how can we really have faith in Him?
5. Do you find it hard to trust God? Why/why not?
6. When was the last time you blindly trusted God?
7. How certain are you God will “catch" you? Do you have any doubts?
8. How much faith do you think you have, on a scale from one to ten?
9. What is something in your life you can trust God more fully with that you’ve yet to trust Him with?

Closing Prayer:
Pray for each of your students to have greater faith in God despite the fact that they cannot see Him.

See also: Trust Circle (Activity) Click Here