Bible Stories

Touching Jesus

Andy Lund · 25 January 2013

Characters

Jairus, Chaya, Eliana, voice of Jesus, voice of Peter, voices of the crowd, Pharisee, servants, Jesus, Narrator, guests, Mary Magdalene, Mary, Angel

Summary

This was developed for a monthly teenagers‟ drama group consisting of mostly non-church background kids. The challenge was to write a piece for keen young people whose knowledge of the scriptures and of the gospel was very hazy as well as in one case having literacy problems. In the event they pulled it off. The basic thought was the witness of real characters from the Bible who actually physically touched the Lord. It is important to work out some appropriate actions if this is not to become too static. Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10min Actors: 4M, 4F, 2M/F, +V (non-speaking)

Script

(Tableau of Jairus, Chaya,Eliana. Back to audience. They turn one by one, speak and turn back after speaking.) Jairus: I am Jairus. Chaya: My name is Chaya. It…

Going Over the Top

Andy Lund · 24 January 2013

Style

Dramatic.

Duration

8min

Scripture

Luke 7:36-50

Actors

2M

Summary

An attempt to give a slightly different slant on a very well-known Biblical account. The underlying theme is that some things are worth being extravagant about.

Script

Characters 2 well-to-do men reclining at table having just finished a good meal Script Nathan: Ahh…Lovely meal, Simon (burps). Pardon me. Your people have…

Morning After Bill

Andy Lund · 24 January 2013

Style

Light-hearted.

Duration

8min

Actors

2M

Characters

Bill Friend

Summary

Another take on the miracle at Cana. Sometimes we tend to forget, it was alcohol that Jesus made - he didn’t turn water into tea. The sketch is meant to be funny but also to provoke thought.

Script

1: Ooh my head!…..ah my head!….ooh, my head….and my mouth (pulls face)…yuk…What is that in it, for goodness sake? Oh, it’s my tongue. (Looks painfully…

Whitsunday News

Andy Lund · 24 January 2013

Style

Dramatic/light

Duration

8min

Actors

3M/F, 1M

Characters

Two newscasters, reporter Rhea, Peter Staging: Backdrop - news bulletin. Appropriate music sound effect.

Summary

The news bulletin format is a brilliant way to put across Bible accounts in church and schools without the need to embellish them too much. The events of Pentecost are dramatic in themselves but using this format serves to highlight the effect that the wonderful events of Acts 2 must have had on the community in Jerusalem.

Script

Fiona: Good evening. Welcome to the evening news and we lead tonight with the surprising events in Jerusalem earlier today, described by some as the latest in a long…

Consider the Lillies

Andy Lund · 24 January 2013

Style

Light-hearted.

Duration

7min

Actors

3M/F

Summary

Jesus pointed out by using the analogy of birds and lilies the futility of worrying about material things. This sketch builds on the same picture in a humorous way.

Script

Characters: Crow 1, Crow 2, Lily Script Crow 1: (Sleeks his coat/feathers. He is dressed in morning coat and has yellow beak.) (To himself) Mmm… how does that…

The Leper Who Wouldn't Shut Up

Jim Hatherly · 23 January 2013

Style

Dramatic.

Duration

10min

Scripture

Mark 1: 40-45

Actors

1M

Summary

A monologue from the leper healed by Jesus.

Script

Character A leper Nothing could have prepared me for that day, though I suppose I had been wanting it, waiting for it my whole life. You would never know it to look at…

A Place For Everyone

Jim Hatherly · 22 January 2013

Style

Dramatic.

Duration

10min

Actors

1M Scripture: Luke 14: 1, 7-14

Script

Summary: Isaac, chief steward in a Pharisee’s house where Jesus is invited to dine, is disturbed by the lack of etiquette displayed by Jesus. A dramatic monologue.…

The Old Shepherd

John Wayne Samples · 11 January 2013

Style

Dramatic.

Duration

12min

Actors

1M

Characters

King David Props: A staff. Perhaps a crown and/or sword as hand props. Clothes should not be too regal as the king is fresh out of bed. Regal jammies would be acceptable. Make-up: David is getting old and should look tired. Notes: If lighting is available, a slow fade over the course of the sketch would be nice for the sunrise, preferably off to one side. General lighting should be slightly dim to represent moonlight.

Summary

Period piece. King David interacts with the audience as he ponders his past and the battle he is about to face. This is very similar to The Young Shepherd. They can be used in sequence. Purpose: Sets-up a discussion or sermon about David. As a stand-alone, it addresses finding peace in times of anxiety. Key words: David • Battles • Shepherd• Psalms • Comfort • Peace

Script

(Yawning & stretching, the old shepherd sees audience. Speaks as though in conversation with one person.) Oh, Hi. Guess you couldn't sleep either, huh? I know what…

The Young Shepherd

John Wayne Samples · 11 January 2013

Style

Dramatic.

Duration

6min

Actors

1M

Characters

David Notes: If lighting is available, a slow fade over the course of the sketch would be nice for the sunrise, preferably off to one side. General lighting should be slightly dim to represent moonlight.

Summary

Period piece. The boy David interacts with the audience as he ponders what's going on around him. Complements, or contrasts, the monologue,The Old Shepherd. These two sketches can be used in sequence. Purpose: Sets-up a discussion or sermon about David. As a stand-alone, it addresses finding peace in times of anxiety. Key words: David • Shepherd • Psalms • Comfort • Peace

Script

[Yawning & Stretching, shepherd sees audience. Speaks as though he is talking to one person.] Oh, Hi. Guess you couldn't sleep either, huh? I know what you mean.…

Martha, Lazarus and Jesus

John McNeil · 08 January 2013

Style

Dramatic.

Duration

4min

Actors

1F

Summary

A short one-person monologue, in which Martha tells about the death and resurrection of her brother Lazarus.

Script

Character: Martha, sister of Lazarus and Mary. (Martha enters, crying.) MARTHA’S CRISIS Why has he not come? We thought he loved us – Lazarus, Mary and me. So when…

The First Love Story

Adapted by John Wayne Samples from an adaptation by Mark Twain · 19 December 2012

Style

Light-hearted/dramatic.

Duration

12min

Actors

1M, 1F

Characters

Adam: dressed in all white; barefoot. Eve: dressed in all white; barefoot. Staging: Two stools with writing stands or two desks and chairs on opposite ends of platform. Props: Pens, clipboard, black sweaters/shawl, long-stemmed red rose, walking cane. Notes: Lights could alternate between the characters as they talk.

Summary

Humorous and touching rendering of the story of Adam and Eve from creation to Eve's death. From the perspective of their individual "diaries." Purpose: To put some contemporary issues about families and couples into a different context for evaluation and consideration. Key words: Adam • Eve • Love • Family • Marriage • Couples • Growing Old • Garden of Eden • Serpent • Temptations • Death

Script

(Lights come up with both characters, Adam & Eve, already in place.) (Characters generally do not acknowledge each other directly, looking at their diaries, the…

The Coin in the Fish's Mouth

Pam Norman · 17 October 2012

Style

Light-hearted.

Duration

7min

Scripture

Matthew 17 vs 24 – 27

Actors

2M

Characters

PETER: Disciple with fishing rod. He is wearing a coat. BEN: Friend of Peter and follower of Jesus. Sarcastic at every opportunity. has chocolate coins in his pocket. (Setting: Peter is sitting on a chair with a rod and line, the line extends off stage where someone hooks on a “fish” unseen by the audience [FISH ON LINE]. Peter is waiting for a bite. There is a plate on the ground.)

Summary

Peter is trying to catch another fish with a coin in its mouth, but this time with wrong motives.

Script

BEN: [Enters] Hello Peter. I was wondering where you were. What are you doing? PETER: Hi Ben. What does it look like I’m doing? Doh! BEN: …