Matchstick Debate
Page Summary
This activity includes using matchsticks to ensure everyone has a say in group discussions.
Good For...
- Conducting a discussion
- Allowing quieter group members have their say
You Will Require
- A pack of matchsticks or equivalent
- Container to collect them in
Preparation
- Decide on your discussion topic there are suggestions below
What To Do
- Give each child/young person 6 matchsticks.
- Explain that each time they speak in the discussion, they put a matchstick into the container. Everyone must use at least two matchsticks. When you run out of matchsticks, you cannot say anything else.
- Introduce the discussion topic.
- When the discussion has finished, give everyone one more matchstick. This is so that they what they thought the most important thing was that they heard.
- Reflect - what have you learned? How might that feed in to what you (or the church) do? Who can help things to change?
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