THE ART OF THE
HOLY BACKRUB

Friends of the Groom Theater
Resource Center

THE ART OF THE HOLY BACKRUB
A Group Warmup
Telling a Bible Story with a Backrub

 
 

This fun group warmup combines Bible storytelling with a playful backrub technique—and makes a great group-building mixer for church groups, choirs, retreats, and intergenerational gatherings.

 
 

watch Holy Backrub Demonstration:

Download Printable Instructions
 
 

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • Depending on the size of your group, arrange participants in a circle or in single file lines where each person can easily reach the back of the person in front of them.

  • Tip: If your group members are standing in a circle, ask them to take small steps toward the center till they reach the appropriate spacing. If the members are in rows, ask everyone to turn and face the right side wall. Then direct the person closest to the wall to hold their position as everyone else takes small steps forward till they form single file lines with the appropriate spacing.  

  • The leader then tells a story from scripture, demonstrating various back rubbing strokes to accompany each part of the story. It’s best if the leader has the script memorized and predetermines which strokes to use. A downloadable collection of three scripted back rub stories are available here: HOLY BACKRUB STORIES, but you can obviously use your imagination and create your own. 

  • After telling the story once, ask everyone to reverse direction and tell it again. This is especially important if your group is arranged in lines. Otherwise, the people on the end of the lines will only get half the experience.  

Note: This activity is suitable for youth, adults, or intergenerational groups, but is not advised for groups of children under the age of 13, where the “poke factor” can undermine the purpose of the exercise.

MORE WARM UPS AND BIBLE STORYTELLING ACTIVITIES YOU MIGHT ENJOY:
AUDIENCE CUE CARDS - A storytelling technique using cue cards for audience response.
GESTURE STORIES - A fun way to tell a Bible story with audience participation—for children or intergenerational audiences.
STEP INTO THE STORY - Participants explore Bible stories by imagining what a character in the story might say.

 
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