Summary: A sequel to a previous "lockdown"-inspired poem, which can be found at http://www.dramatix.org.nz/scripts/christian-walk/670-church-lockdown-a-prayer

‘… You, Lord, are a shield for me,
my glory, and the lifter up of my head’  Psalm 33.
‘… when the enemy comes in like a flood,
the Spirit of the Lord will raise up
a standard against him!’  Isaiah 59:19
‘For God, has not given us a spirit of fear …’ 2 Tim. 1:7

Who is like unto You, O Lord,
as, bowed in Your presence,
and perhaps out of some despair,
we offer You our grateful
praise and thanksgiving,
for answering Your peoples’ prayer;
that in Your wisdom and purpose,
You have granted us
a means of relief,
a lively hope of release,
and a positive sense of peace
from this deadly viral disease:
Your church has drunk
from a strange cup of uncertainty
when separated, distanced, bubbled,
masked and muffled up,
but You have indeed risen up,
and have intervened for our protection
against our restraints and isolation,
transforming our fear and doubtinto a trustful, thankful, shout.
By inspiring and providing
this timely vaccine shield,
this screen for a suffering world
and Your faithful church,
have You not stretched out
Your strong arm,
and driven the enemy from his proud perch
and given us a revived faith and hope,
that from this terrible infectious scourge,
we will, in Your time, emerge?

When the Children of Israel were slaves
under Pharaoh’s domination
You heard the desperate cry and
brought about their liberation,
and when the apostle Peter
was securely locked up in prison,
Your believing people
prayed without ceasing for him,
and in Your great mercy,
You miraculously released him.
When the adversary invades
like a tormented sea,
with wave upon spreading wave,
is Your arm shortened
that it cannot save?
Father, in Christ’s name,
and from Your heavenly seat,
we believe that the work You begun,
You will surely complete.

Heavenly Father, it is to You we look and intercede,
help us then to race to Zion’s Hill
for comfort and for hope,
in this time of special need.

                                                Amen

....................................................................................

© Copyright Michael Hurn, all rights reserved. This poem may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
This poem may be used free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged. In exchange, the author would appreciate being notified of when and for what purpose the play is performed. He may be contacted at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Summary: A play done in the style of a silent movie melodrama. In which our heroine is threatened with dire consequences for not being able to pay the rent to her wicked landlord. The theme is poverty and oppression. Note: This is a shortened and slightly altered version of a script published previously. It has fewer characters. The previous version can be read at https://www.dramatix.org.nz/archive/Walk/sir_jaspar.html
Style: Melodramatic, with some light touches.       Duration: 10min
Actors: 1F, 2M

Summary: Some say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Sometimes a great deal of knowledge can be even more dangerous. Aadapted from an essay in Back To Godhead magazine Volume 11.11
Style: Dramatic (satiric).    Duration: 7min
Actors: 2M, 1N.
Scriptures: Mark 8:36, Psa 31:10, Jer 4:20, 1 T. 1:4 KJV

Summary: A look at what happens when the wrong thing takes our prime interest.
Style:  Light-hearted (with an edge).   Duration:  7min
Actors: 1M, 1F, 1M/F

Subject: Teenage issues; contemplating suicide.
Style: Heavy drama.        Duration:   4-5 minutes
Actors: 2M

In this prayer/poem, the author uses Old Testament imagery to convey the message for Christians to call upon God in this difficult time.

Summary: Mary, an orphan high school student, lives with her home-bound grandmother. Granny runs a bakery from her busy kitchen. Mary delivers food to the neighbors, and longs to be one of the Highlights, a snobbish girls' club at school. One Saturday, Mary has a visitor. Penny, president of the Highlights, shows up to "shadow" Mary. Prospective members have to be approved by Penny in order to be accepted into the club. Mrs. Hayes and her young son, Andy, visit Granny's kitchen regularly. Andy hasn't spoken a word in years since his father died. The boy has wild tantrums, and he's in the middle of one when Penny arrives. It's puppy love at first sight when Andy sees Penny. She doesn't hide her fearful dislike for Andy or her superiority complex. Things do not look hopeful for Mary's joining the Highlights, and complications come when there is conflict between Mary’s values and those of the Highlights.
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 30min?
Actors: 5F, 3M, +V

Attachments:

Delivery Girl.docx

[ ]

26 kB

Summary: Linda O’Neill, the founder and owner of Just Like New, a chain of second-hand clothing stores, discovers that a condominium towers building is being planned for the location of one of her stores. The development is the pet project of developer Raina Whitman who will stop at nothing, including bribes, dirty tricks and spiteful tactics to pursue her idea of urban renewal. Through her faith in God and the support of Jake, her husband, O’Neill opposes the new development, persevering through all of Whitman’s tactics to push her out early. When it looks like the development will be approved, O’Neill tells her husband she feels God is leading her to set up a face-to-face meeting with Whitman to explain why the development isn’t needed. Following the sounds of separate car accidents, the two women meet in what O’Neill suggests is a “waiting room” between heaven and hell.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 95 min
Actors: 4 female 2 male (3 roles can be either male or female)
Scripture: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain…(Psalm 127:1a NIV)

A sample of the script can be downloaded by clicking on the link below.

Attachments:

The Waiting Room- part script.docx

[ ]

17 kB

Summary: Bickering with her husband, Sue  learns quickly how fleeting life is and is forced to focus on what’s really important.
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: min
Scriptures: 1 Cor 9:16-17; 2 Cor 16-19.
Actors: 1M, 1F, 2M/F

Summary: A young man, visiting his dying mother in hospital, is in turmoil because of her impending death, and also some mistakes he's made in the past. He finds peace for both, though.
Style: Dramatic.       Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M, 3F

Summary: Mark misses the point when his wife, Lois, extols the changes in their son, who is now being a help around the house for his wife. (Suitable for a sermon on marriage.)
Style: Light-hearted (sort of).    Duration: 7min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: In human tragedy, we sometimes see mere numbers in our newspapers and not real people…  that is, until it hits us closer to home!
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 1min
Actors: 2M/F

Summary:The story of a family that was torn apart by their father's brutal abuse of one of his children. Now, years later, they've come together again for to bury the old man. Tensions are high; there is layer upon layer of chaos, anger and hatred between the siblings. Will they be able to make peace. Do they even want to? (Note: The play is set in an African country, but may easily be transferred.)
Style:  Intense.    Duration:  40min (approx.)
Actors: 3M, 4F

The script may be downloaded by clicking on the link below.

Attachments:

Ashes to Ashes.docx

[ ]

27 kB

Summary: Mum is out shopping with her two kids. She has a battle on her hands getting them to agree what they want for lunch.
Style: Dramatic (with light touches).  Duration:  6min
Actors: 1F, 2C
Theme:    Stress, frustration or challenges of motherhood.

Summary: A successful businessman discovers that all he has accumulated is worth nothing when weighed against his relationship failures.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 8min
Scripture:  Mark 8:36
Actors: 4M, 2F

Summary: Meena lives in a poor family, who fall into the clutches of a moneylender. How can they escape, and save Meena from having to stop going to school?
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 10min
Actors: 13C, OR 1N, 3M, 1F, 2C, + various

Summary: A Christian woman shares her frustrations about counseling women on adoption verses abortion at a crisis pregnancy facility. Themes: Abortion, Adoption, Crisis pregnancy, Choices. Christian service, Support.
Style:  Dramatic.   Duration:  4min
Actors: 2F

Summary:  A sketch exploring issues of exclusion. Uses a mix of puppet and live action.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration:  5min.
Scripture:   based around Matthew 15: 21-28
Actors: 1 Puppet and 5M/F

Summary: A girl going through variouis stages of life tells how in each one she has the meanest mother in the world.
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 7min
Actors: This can be done as a monologue or with four characters.     

Summary: A light-hearted sketch about identity and pressures put on women in particular to conform to the right “look”.  The 3 women in the sketch represent types: 1 – confident, individualistic, always searching for what’s new; 2 – constantly looking to magazines and “celebrity culture” for inspiration and reassurance; 3 – low self-esteem.
Style: Light-hearted.    Duration: 4min
Actors: 3F

Summary: Set in the office of an abortion doctor, this drama brings to the forefront the idea that a baby in the womb is a child.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 4min
Actors: 1M/F, 2F, 1C

Summary: This play uses characters from the "Mr Men" children's books.  In a panel discussion, Mr Greedy, Mr Muddle and Mr Nonsense try to answer audience questions about world trade, poverty and policies to improve the situation. This sketch was written by the layfolk at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Battlehill, Wallsend, England. It's a novel way of putting over a serious message. Most appropriate for family services.
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 10min.
Actors: 3M, 1F

Summary: Two Christian families with similar difficult experiences. One turns bitter, the other finds forgiveness, thankfulness, and evidence of God's power. Key Words:  Thanks, Thankfulness, Ephesians, Thessalonians.
Style:  Dramatic.  Duration: 12min
Actors: 2C, 3M, 1F

Key words: Kids • Children • Lying • Cheating • School Parties • Temptations • Choices • Decisions: Tough choices begin at a very early age, even for "good" kids. These characters demonstrate that not only are the choices hard, sometimes they're also hard to see. Purpose: To point out some of the difficult decisions children have to make. Key words: Kids • Children • Lying • Cheating • School Parties • Temptations • Choices • Decisions
Style: Dramatic.   Duration:  5min
Actors: 2C

Summary: A man has had a real bad day and his friends at the neighborhood restaurant just don't seem to care. Purpose: To make people ask themselves if they have missed opportunities to encourage a brother or sister or... (There are three possible endings given for this sketch.) Key words: Depression • Encouragement • Listening• Complaining • Sharing • Fellowship
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 10min
Actors: 4M, 2F

Summary: A sketch exploring the sacrificial nature of love.
Style: Dramatic/light.   Duration: 10min.
Actors: 1M, 1F, 1M/F
Scripture:  based around Luke 5: 12-15

Summary: A sketch exploring issues of exclusion.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 6min
Actors: 5M/F, 1Puppet.
Scripture: based around Matthew 15: 21-28

Summary: A cautionary monologue about the dangers of unforgiveness.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M/F

Summary: Three high school students, John, Brian and Amy, are invited to dinner by the family of another student, Mark, who rescued the three from a fire but died while looking to see if anyone else was trapped.  John is a self-centered jock who only came because his mother made him.  Brian cares more about drinking and drugs than school.  Amy is a member of the school Goth subculture.  How will Mark's family react when they meet the three students Mark gave his life for?  Will Mark’s sacrifice have any effect on John, Brian and Amy?

Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 15min
Actors: 5F, 3M

To download a pdf file of the script, click here.

Summary: This skit shows the real thoughts of three women.  It then shows the women in conversations.  Two of them hide behind masks when relating to others and don’t reveal how they really feel. 
Style: Drama.   Duration: 8min
Actors: 3F

Summary: The head of a ballet school discusses the stage setting for her new presentation with a pretty dodgy handiman.  As they discuss the main feature, the tree of promise, it soon become evident that to keep a living thing alive, it has to stay connected.
Style:  Comedy-drama.   Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Written by the members of Creative Justice 2010-2011: Demond Bush, David L. Hamilton IV, Ryan Hodge, Keesean Hudson, Ronald L. Kirk, Fawn Knight, Leonard Knight, Craig Lindsey, Jacob McQueen, Diego Phillips, Yorig R. Reyes. Edited by Fawn Knight

Summary:  The man called Legion is terrorized by demons from his past who continually assure him that he can never be free of their influence.  Guilt, shame, and addictions hold Legion in bondage until Jesus intervenes.

Note:  This play was written by a group of Christians, some incarcerated and some the family members of men in prison.  The demons in the play come from their experience.  Several speak the language of the streets.  Some, like Mom, are not demons as we usually think of them, but rather memories we replay endlessly in our heads, feeling helpless and ashamed.  The authors invite you to replace these “demons” with others from the experience of your group.  Dialogue is improvised and performers should feel free to use humor in their roles.
Style: Serious, but with occasional humor    Duration: 22 minutes
Actors: 11M, 1F (parts may be doubled)
Biblical Text:  Mark 5

Summary: The outcome of a famous court case results in a Biblical principle becoming law.
Style:  Drama.  Duration:  10min
Actors: 3F, 2M

Summary:  A man who is about to become a father goes to the local Pop in the Box to get some help.  While he’s there he discovers that God is what he really needs. Keywords: Parenting, fathering, role model
Style: Light-hearted.   Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M, 1M/F

Summary:  Bickering with her brother, Sue learns quickly how fleeting life is and is forced to focus on what’s really important. Keywords: Fighting, complaining, bickering, cancer.
Style: Drama.  Duration: 7min
Scriptures: 1 Cor 9:16-17; 2 Cor 16-19
Actors: 1M, 1F, 2M/F

Summary: Wanting to put together an act designed to pack in the crowds, our stage manager must decide what is extraordinary enough to make the show. When an ordinary man mistakenly shows up, our stage manager asks the question: what can be done with ordinary people? Keywords: Talents, gifts, purpose.
Style: Light-hearted.   Duration : 6min
Actors: 5M/F

Summary: a one act play which concerns a man questioning his faith in God in the face of a series of setbacks. This is a three character comedy with the Man, a Nun and a Drunk.
Style: Light-hearted.   Duration: 25-30min
Actors:  2M, 1F
To read the script, click here...

Summary: A group of people are helping a friend who is looking for an elephant.  They think they know what they’re looking for, but it becomes obvious that not all large grey things with tough skin are elephants. This play was first performed by a group of young people, speaking to their peers about their vulnerability to the world’s temptations and false representation of truth. Keywords: Truth, deception.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 5min
Actors: 1N, 4M/F
Scripture: John 14:6

Summary: Husband & wife are arguing over blame for sin. Each is challenged by their conscience, that given a second chance they would make the same mistakes again. They are taken to the garden of Eden to be tested. The twist in the plot is when the actors come out of character and become ‘themselves’ & consider the gospel
Style: Comedy/Drama    Actors: 2w, 4m
Duration: 5-10 minutes
Scripture: Genesis 3

Summary: In this script, in which dialogue consists of one word responses, John and Sheri demonstrate how lack of communication has brought their marriage to rock bottom. Is there a better way? Keywords: Marriage, communication, divorce, reconciliation
Style: Drama.  Duration: 7min
Actors: 1M, 1F, 1N
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:5 “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

Summary: Kirsten has hidden secrets from her past. She’s never dealt with them or shared them with her soon-to-be fiancé. Will she be able to share them? Will he forgive her? Or will their relationship end? Kami has secrets, too. Is it her fault her mom is sick? Who can she tell of her feelings about her dad? These and other questions are answered when both girls find out that God forgives all. Keywords: Family relationships, mental illness, hurt, anger, forgiveness, marriage
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: Approx. 60-75mins
Scripture reference: Luke 7:47,48
Actors: 5M, 6F, 3C, 6M/F, 1VO (doubles can be used)
Download the full script by clicking here .