7 Effective Forgiveness Games for Adults
Forgiveness isn’t easy. One way to get over hurt is by trying some forgiveness games for adults to help you move on. Some forgiveness games suitable for adults include Circle of Forgiveness, Forgiveness Bingo, Forgiveness Charades and Forgiveness Story Sharing, to name a few.
Playing games as you work to forgive may take away some of the tension and awkwardness as you prepare to talk to the person who has caused you hurt and pain.
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Why is it so hard for adults to forgive?
It can be difficult for adults to forgive because oftentimes, we are more guarded and less willing to make ourselves vulnerable again to the person who hurt us. Even though it’s risky and scary to forgive, it is necessary for us to move forward in life.
What are some forgiveness games for groups?
Positive Psychology lists 24 forgiveness games and exercises that can be used to begin the process of forgiveness. These activities are great for people who are ready to forgive but don’t know quite how to proceed.
Here are some additional forgiveness activities for adults that can help you begin to heal:
The Apology Game
The apology game involves two or more players who take turns apologizing for something they have done wrong. The apology should be sincere and the players should be willing to accept responsibility for the mistake.
Verbalizing your apology and responding to someone as they apologize helps you learn to be aa more effective communicator and may make it a little easier when you’re in a real situation where you need to forgive someone.
The Forgiveness Dialogue
Dialogue is a great way to work through problems. This game involves two or more players who take turns discussing the issue that has caused hurt feelings. Each player should express their feelings and actively listen to one another.
Having forgiveness dialogue helps you learn to express yourself and improve your listening skills. When you’re angry or hurt, it can be difficult to hear what someone is actually saying to you. Emotions can sometimes get in the way of active listening.
The Kindness Game
Practicing acts of kindness can help you deal with your emotions that stem from hurt. The kindness game involves two or more players who take turns doing kind acts for one another. The kind acts should be meaningful and heartfelt.
Practicing kindness is a great way to begin dealing with anger and other negative emotions.
The Blame Game
This game involves two or more players who take turns discussing the issue that has caused hurt feelings. Each player should take responsibility for their part in the conflict and work together to find a resolution.
The goal is to get through the discussion without blaming the other person. Blame keeps you trapped in unforgiveness and makes it more difficult to move past the hurt.
The Listening Game
Listening is easier said than done. This is especially true when you’re dealing with hurt feelings. The forgiveness game involves two or more players who take turns sharing their feelings and listening to one another. Each player should actively listen and offer support and encouragement.
A major part of forgiveness is being a good listener.
The Trust Game
This game involves two or more players who take turns discussing a difficult issue that has caused hurt feelings. Each player should trust in the other’s ability to forgive and move forward.
Trust and forgiveness are closely related. When you forgive someone, you start to rebuild the trust that was damaged by their actions. Forgiveness allows you to move forward and possibly rebuild trust with the person who wronged you. (Note: It is not always possible to regain a trusting relationship with someone who has hurt or angered you.)
The Gratitude Game
This game involves two or more players who take turns expressing gratitude for one another. The players should express their appreciation for each other’s contributions to the relationship.
Forgiveness Activities for Adults
Here are some forgiveness activities for adults:
- Circle of Forgiveness:
- Have everyone sit in a circle.
- One person starts by sharing something they would like to be forgiven for, followed by why they feel sorry or regretful about it.
- The next person in the circle responds by forgiving that person and sharing a forgiveness statement or sentiment.
- Continue around the circle until everyone has had a chance to ask for forgiveness and offer forgiveness.
- Forgiveness Bingo:
- Create Bingo cards with forgiveness-related prompts in each square, such as “Apologize for something you did wrong,” “Share a story of forgiveness,” “Give someone a compliment,” etc.
- Distribute the Bingo cards to participants.
- As participants interact and engage in forgiveness-related activities throughout the event or session, they mark off the squares on their Bingo cards.
- The first person to get a line or pattern filled shouts “Forgiveness Bingo!” and shares a brief reflection on forgiveness.
- Forgiveness Charades:
- Prepare a list of forgiveness-related scenarios or actions on separate cards (e.g., forgiving a friend for a mistake, letting go of grudges, offering a sincere apology, etc.).
- Divide participants into teams.
- One person from each team selects a card and acts out the scenario without speaking, while their team tries to guess what forgiveness action is being portrayed.
- Rotate until all team members have had a chance to act out forgiveness scenarios.
- Forgiveness Reflection Cards:
- Create forgiveness reflection cards with prompts or questions related to forgiveness, such as “What does forgiveness mean to you?” or “Describe a time when you forgave someone.”
- Distribute the cards randomly to participants.
- Give everyone a few minutes to reflect on their prompt silently or discuss it with a partner.
- After the reflection time, invite volunteers to share their thoughts or experiences with the group.
- Forgiveness Story Sharing:
- Encourage participants to share personal stories or experiences related to forgiveness.
- You can set up a designated “forgiveness storytelling” session where individuals can volunteer to share their stories in front of the group.
- Alternatively, participants can pair up and take turns sharing their forgiveness stories with each other, promoting one-on-one conversations and connections.
These forgiveness icebreaker games can help create a supportive and empathetic atmosphere within large groups, fostering understanding and healing among participants. Adjust the activities as needed to suit the specific dynamics and goals of your group gathering.
How to use an icebreaker book to help you forgive
- Choose a Relevant Icebreaker Book: Look for a book that focuses on forgiveness, empathy, understanding, or personal growth. It could be a collection of stories, prompts, or activities designed to promote forgiveness and healing.
- Set Aside Dedicated Time: Allocate specific time each day or week to engage with the icebreaker book. Create a comfortable and peaceful environment where you can focus on introspection and self-discovery.
- Reflect on Prompts and Stories: Many icebreaker books contain prompts, questions, or stories related to forgiveness. Take time to reflect on these prompts and how they resonate with your own experiences and emotions.
- Journal Your Thoughts: Keep a forgiveness journal where you can jot down your thoughts, feelings, and insights as you engage with the icebreaker book. Write about your journey toward forgiveness, challenges you encounter, and moments of clarity or breakthrough.
- Discuss with Others: If you’re comfortable, discuss the content of the icebreaker book with trusted friends, family members, or a support group. Share your reflections, listen to their perspectives, and engage in meaningful conversations about forgiveness.
- Apply Lessons Learned: As you progress through the icebreaker book, apply the lessons learned and insights gained to your own forgiveness process. Practice empathy, compassion, and understanding toward yourself and others involved in your forgiveness journey.
- Track Your Progress: Keep track of your progress and milestones as you work through the icebreaker book. Celebrate moments of growth, forgiveness, and healing along the way.
- Seek Professional Support if Needed: If you’re dealing with deep-seated issues or struggling to forgive, consider seeking support from a therapist, counselor, or mental health professional. They can provide guidance, tools, and strategies tailored to your specific needs.
How do games on forgiveness help you move past hurt?
Forgiveness activities are designed to help you practice forgiveness in a safe and non-threatening way. By doing these activities, you may become more comfortable with the idea of forgiveness and develop the skills needed to forgive more easily in real-life situations.
These activities can help you learn to let go of negative emotions and focus on positive feelings. Ultimately, forgiveness games can help you improve your mental and emotional well-being by reducing stress, anxiety, and anger.
