In the Bible it is alluded to that before Jesus ascended back to his Father in Heaven, that he took a trip to Hell. Our goal today is not to agree or disagree with others about the true meaning behind this verse or about what we think went on there, but to consider the power Jesus has over the devil, sin and death now that he has arisen from the dead. Satan would definitely have been rejoicing for a short period of time after he saw Jesus die on that cross.
Thankfully for those of us who believe in Jesus, we can rejoice in the fact that we have a mighty king who is all powerful and all loving. He holds the keys to life and Easter is a fantastic time of year to reflect back on the glorious things he has done for us all.
It’s hard enough to watch a loved-one be murdered and then pass away from life to death, but when that loved-one is someone who has turned your life around, it is gut-wrenching.
Mary Magdalene was one of the many people whose life was in pieces before she had an encounter with Jesus. Jesus healed her emotionally, saved her from sin and delivered her from the oppression of demonic forces which were controlling her life.
She was utterly heartbroken at the thought of losing Jesus. She couldn’t bear never seeing him again and she could not get the images of his cruel torture out of her mind.
The only thing to do was to go to the place where his broken body had been laid to rest.
She cried. Oh, how she cried and she cried and she cried.
The people were not satisfied that Jesus’ body was now so badly beaten that his face was unrecognisable and his skin was torn to shreds.
He was made to carry his heavy cross all the way to a place called, “Golgotha”, which was like a rubbish tip on the outskirts of Jerusalem.
On his way there, he collapsed and a man called Simon was ordered to take the cross the rest of the way.
Jesus was then nailed to a rough wooden cross and while his life was ebbing away, the soldiers mocked him, telling him that if he was really God, he would have the power to come down from the cross. They said, “He saved others, yet he cannot save himself.”
What they didn’t realise was that by remaining on the cross, he was making a way to save us all.
He had the power to jump down, heal his wounds and slap them all across the face. He had power to take revenge and kill them all with one breath. Yet if he had done so, there would not have been any atonement for our sins.
“Atonement.” What does that mean? It basically means that Jesus took away our sin by dying in our place. Another big word is, “Redemption.” This means that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. Our sins costs more than billions and billions of bank notes and that’s a very large number. It would take us more than 5 lifetimes to pay back so much as a quarter of that amount of money, so it is virtually, impossible.
So, Jesus stayed on the cross and endured the agony. He did it to pay for our wrong doings if we accept him into our hearts. He saved us from the punishment of sin, that is why as Christians, we refer to ourselves as being, saved.
How lonely and frightening it must have been up on that rugged piece of wood! He did not even know how long it was all going to last.
Hello ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls. Easter Sunday is a time of rejoicing because we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. What a wonderful day it is!
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Easter story, this week has also been a time of sad reflection as we have taken time out of our busy schedules to think about what our Lord went through in order to reconcile us back to God.
We respect that some of you in the audience today may not know or haven’t had sufficient time this week to think upon those moments, so before we join together with a shout of praise, we would like to take you on a quick journey that will help you to learn or remember just what Jesus did for us more than 2000 years ago.
A week ago, on a day which was named Palm Sunday, Jesus was hailed a king as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. How fickle human beings can be! How quickly did many emotions change in less than 7 days, as some of those who shouted, “Hosanna!” one minute, shouted “Kill him!” days later.
Before the Roman guards nailed him to a cross, they tortured him. Nobody who has lived on earth, has ever been able to imagine what agony Jesus suffered in those final hours of his precious life.
Topic: Events around Easter – The scourging, the crucifixion, at the tomb, victory over the Devil.
Main theme: Jesus suffered and died for our sins. He was resurrected on the 3rd day, to bring us new life. He has the victory.
Approximate duration: 15 minutes.
Cast
Cast: 9 characters + two narrators (you can use as many narrators as you wish, because are several recitals which can be shared)
Jesus
Mary Magdalene
Mary – mother of Jesus
Peter
Thomas
Zacchaeus
Nicodemus
Jairus’ daughter
Martha
Non-speaking parts
In Scene Three, the character of Jesus is silent, so you may use a different actor from the one playing Jesus in Scene Two.
Suggested Props & Costumes
No costumes required, apart from 2 garments worn by Mary Magdalene in Scene Three.
One long, white robe. A simple t-shaped garment with short sleeves will do.
One long black robe.
The black robe is to fit over the white robe, so it should be slightly bigger than the garment underneath. This should have an opening all the way down the front middle section and be secured with Velcro or poppers, so that it can be ripped off easily.
The black garment is to signify death and mourning and when Mary realises she is looking at Jesus, she rips the black robe off her body to reveal the white one underneath. This signifies life and rejoicing.
Props for Scene One:
A picture of a whip to be projected onto a screen, or as a poster displayed on an easel board.
Props for Scene Two:
A picture of a wooden cross and crown of thorns to be projected onto a screen, or as a poster displayed on an easel board.
Props for Scene Four:
A bunch of keys. The larger the better.
A torch (optional)
A picture of a fire / furnace projected onto a screen. If using an easel board, you can also add the word, ‘Victory!’ positioned above the fire.
Props for Scene Five:
24 pieces of card sized approx. 20cm x 14cm.
8 pieces of thick string, approx. 100cm each.
One black marker pen.
8 fold-up chairs (or easy-to-move church chairs). Alternatively, a long table.
8 of the cards will have a hole on either side at the top, to thread string through and then be tied in a knot (so that the card can hang from the neck). These cards will each have a name of a bible character written on the front in thick marker pen – large enough for the audience to be able to see the names.
Each of the characters will also be holding a card in their hand that has a word on it that relates to their condition before they were touched by Jesus:
Peter – fear
Thomas – unbelief
Mary Magdalene – rejection
Mary (mother of Jesus) – bereavement
Zacchaeus – greed
Nicodemus – religion
Martha – wrong priorities
Jairus’ daughter – sickness
The last set of 8 cards will all say HOPE, which each of the bible characters will hold up at the end.
Jesus, the Pharisees and the 20 people are inside ‘the house’. Half the people are at the back (UP CENTRE to UP LEFT) facing the audience. Jesus is standing in front of them facing the same way. The rest of the people are standing with their backs to the audience, in front of Jesus from CENTRE to LEFT CENTRE. A space is left on the left-hand side for the ladder to be put up at the side of the house. Jesus can barely be seen as the people with their backs to the audience are pushing and shoving to get closer to him. It is evident that some people cannot see over the top of the head’s of others as they are moving about from side to side and jumping to get a better view.
When the lights go up at the beginning of the play, the two friends enter from UP RIGHT carrying the paralysed friend on a stretcher. They walk straight to DOWN RIGHT then turn and stop DOWN CENTRE. The man with his arm in a sling (who shall be called the Doubting Man), approaches them from the back of the crowd and is making his way DOWN RIGHT.
There is no barrier separating the house from the outside so it is the actors who indicate the boundaries.
When the two friends decide to let their friend down through the roof, one of them climbs up the ladder and begins to take imaginary tiles of the roof. The ladder is at an angle so the audience can see what is happening. It is not necessary for the person on the ladder to be level or higher than the people below. He can stay as low as he is comfortable on the ladder even if realistically he may not be ‘roof height’. The stretching up and miming the removal of tiles is more important than him actually being high up on the ladder. If he is a considerable distance away from the people below, then he will appear higher up when removing the tiles. On a small stage, extra care must be taken to ensure that the ladder is not placed too near any perimeters. He hands the tiles to his friend below who carefully places them on the floor. As more tiles are removed, the people ‘inside’ the house begin to notice and react accordingly. One by one, they look up at what is going on and they start to brush dust off their clothes. Others try and hide for cover because they don’t know what is happening.
Thank you for sitting patiently, watching and listening while our students brought this great story to life by their excellent performance.
We hope that in this short time, you have gained a deeper insight into how amazing God is when we let him work in our lives.
Like the paralysed man, some of you may be going through a time where you feel helpless and desperate for someone to deliver you out of an awful situation.
Others may not have realised the extent to which Jesus desires to bless us and help us in every circumstance.
Like the man’s friends who could not get close to Jesus, some of you may need the faith and boldness to do something a little different in order to get what you need. This may simply be taking the lid of your shameful secrets that you think God hasn’t seen and just talking to him about them. Or it may be anger and resentment that you have buried that needs to come to the surface and be confessed to God so you can be free from these painful emotions. Or it may simply be taking the lid off your heart and asking God to fill it with his love so that you can be free to get up and walk with him.
If you would like the opportunity to get to know Jesus better and have a close relationship with God the father, there is a simple prayer you can pray right now.
We have to first acknowledge that we need to be forgiven of our sin. Sin is anything we do think or say that is displeasing to God, which includes living life independently of him.
When you become a Christian, your problems do not just suddenly go away. There will still be enemies to face, debts to pay, sickness and pain, fear and loneliness. But the difference is that you will have the King of kings walking alongside you to help you, guide you, comfort you, deliver you, strengthen, and give you hope and peace. Best of all, you will have the assurance that when you die, you will be taken in God’s kingdom, Heaven, to live with him forever.
So now we will talk to God. If you mean what you say, God will hear you. Don’t look for outward signs of feeling different or crying. Some of you may, but some may not. That’s okay because God is concerned with your heart.
Also, some of you may feel embarrassed to admit you have prayed this prayer and some may be concerned about what your friends will think. Remember two things. 1. You came into this world on your own and you will die on your own. Nobody else will be able to save you, so it really is nobody else’s business what you are doing right now. When you stand before God at the end of your life, those friends whose opinions you were afraid of, won’t be there to help persuade God to let you into Heaven.
Secondly, you may not have another chance to get your life right with your Creator, so please take this opportunity to sort things out with God right now.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us the story of the healing of the paralysed man to show us how much you want to help us. Thank you that we can have the hope that one day at the right time, you will deliver us from our awful circumstances, heal us and restore broken relationships.
Thank you that in the meantime, if we give our lives wholeheartedly to you, we can receive, strength, peace, wisdom and comfort. I desperately want those things and I want to be free from the guilt of my sin, so I humbly come before you now to give my life to you.
I am sorry for the wrong things I have done in my life, which you call sin.
I acknowledge that I was born a sinner, which means that it’s in my nature to do things that displease you. I know that this includes the deepest thoughts and attitudes of my heart and the real motives behind everything I do.
Please forgive me for those sins and especially for the sin of keeping you out of my life.
Even though you love me, I know that because you are a God of justice and holiness, if I die without having my sins forgiven, I will spend eternity without you, in a terrible place called Hell.
I acknowledge that I need you and I want you in my life.
I believe that Jesus Christ is your son and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe he rose again and is the living power that can take the Devil’s hold off my life. Please come into my life now and touch my heart with your forgiveness and love. I want to have a relationship with and get to know you more. My very being was created for this purpose and without you, my hunger for peace and happiness will never be satisfied.
I give you my life now. Please lead me to people who will help me become a good strong Christian and who will show me how to relate to the things of God. Help me to find a Bible that suits my understanding and a church that I can call home.
Thank you, Lord. I believe by faith now that you have answered my prayer. I believe that no matter how bad I may feel about myself in the future, you have forgiven me and saved me from my sins. Thank you. Amen.
(Friend 2 starts whispering to Friend 1, who nods excitedly. They both bend down and start talking quietly to the paralysed man. Friend 2 then goes UP LEFT and comes back with a ladder which he sets up LEFT CENTRE. He climbs the ladder and begins moving tiles off the roof and handing them to Friend 1 who is waiting below. After the fifth tile has been removed, people in the house begin to notice and react. After the tenth tile has been removed, the owner of the house comes outside and stands by the ladder with his hands on his hips.)
HOUSE OWNER
Thieves! They’ve taken the tiles!
Vandals! They’ve ruined the roof!
Who’s done this to my house?
DOUBTING MAN
(picks up a tile)
These men and here’s the proof.
FRIEND 1
We’ll pay for any damage,
We’ll come back to do repairs.
We just want to get him in
and onto the floor downstairs.
(Friend 2 removes three more tiles then beckons for the paralysed man to be lifted up towards him. When he’s about head-height, people inside the house get ready to help bring him down into the room.
When the paralysed man is safely on the floor, Jesus bends down to him and places his hand on his forehead. The people move to the sides so the audience can see what is happening.
The Pharisees push themselves forward so they are standing by the paralysed man.)
JESUS
Son, your sins are forgiven.
PHARISEE 1
Blasphemy! Blasphemy!
Did you hear what he said?
He’s speaking heresy
to the man on the bed!
ALL THE PHARISEES
Who do you think you are?
these people call you Lord,
but you are an impostor!
(all the Pharisees point to Jesus)
This man is a fraud!
PHARISEE 2
Your irreverence to God
is getting worse!
You’re not the creator
of the Universe!
ALL THE PHARISEES
Who do you think you are?
these people call you Lord,
but you are an impostor!
(all the Pharisees point to Jesus)
This man is a fraud!
PHARISEE 3
As a man of the church,
I can’t bear any more!
This person called Jesus
is breaking the law!
ALL THE PHARISEES
Who do you think you are?
these people call you Lord,
but you are an impostor!
(all the Pharisees point to Jesus)
This man is a fraud!
PHARISEE 4
You need to be…
duly apprehended!
We are shocked!
Your words have offended!
ALL THE PHARISEES
Who do you think you are?
these people call you Lord,
but you are an impostor!
(they turn around to walk away)
This man is a fraud!
JESUS
Blasphemy you say?
You don’t like my talk?
Is it easier to forgive
or to make him walk?
I’ll prove I have authority
to save the sins of a soul,
for before he leaves this room,
this man shall be made whole.
(turns to the paralysed man)
Stand up young man, stand up.
Pick up your bed and go.
Your legs are as strong as a lion,
your sins are as white as snow.
(The paralysed man sits up slowly, and everyone gasps loudly. People put their hands to their mouths and others stare at Jesus, amazed. He then moves his arms about then swivels so his legs are hanging off the bed. He gets up slowly and stands, looking down at his feet for a while. Then he looks at Jesus and smiles. He walks towards Jesus and puts his arms around him. He lets go, starts to laugh and tries a jump. Finally, he pushes past people and runs outside, facing the audience.)
PARALYSED MAN
I can stand, I can walk,
I can leap, I can run!
Praise to you Jesus,
for what you have done!
(he turns around and looks back at Jesus)
Thank you Jesus!
I’m truly amazed!
You are worthy
to be thanked and praised!
Today, you have been…
(he looks at the Pharisees)
disrespected.
Yet, you’ve given me more
than I expected.
(his friends come out of the house and put their arms around him)
You received dirty looks
and a verbal attack,
for healing my legs
and my broken back.
FRIEND 2
Our friend can walk! Praise God! Hooray!
BOTH FRIENDS
We have seen amazing things today!
FRIEND 1
(looking back at where the Pharisees were stood)
You did create the universe!
You made every star!
Yeshua Hamashiach –
that’s who you are!
FRIEND 2
No mortal man
Could do what you’ve done.
We were waiting for the Saviour,
You are the One!
FRIEND 1
This mighty miracle
Certainly reveals,
You’re Jehovah Rapha,
The One who heals.
FRIEND 2
Those blind Pharisees
Are greatly misguided.
You’re Jehovah Jireh
Because you provided.
PARALYSED MAN
You’re the long-awaited king.
You’re my sin purifier.
I’m healed and whole
Because you are the Messiah!
(everyone except for the Pharisees, turns to Jesus, and raise their hands in the air, then they all drop to their knees and bow their heads as the lights dim.)
All the disciples are standing up in a diagonal position across the stage, from UP LEFT to DOWN RIGHT. The chairs are positioned diagonally around the outside of the disciples to
give the impression that they are inside a boat. The chairs will also help the characters have something to hold onto and fall onto as they are being tossed about the boat in the storm.
The Narrator remains offstage and reads the script using a microphone. While this is being done the disciples are on the boat looking out to sea, so they are staring at whatever is facing them ahead. They are miming as if talking to each other while looking out to sea. They are also rocking slightly.
Jesus is positioned behind the disciples (UP LEFT) lying on the floor so he cannot be seen at the beginning of the play. However, if he can be seen once the characters start moving about, it does not matter as it will be evident that he is asleep and unperturbed by what is going on around him. When Jesus is woken up, he gets up and moves slowly towards the front of the stage (DOWN RIGHT) but stands sideways so his face can be seen by the audience.
The storm is coming from the direction of DOWN LEFT, so the disciples are faced in this direction as the dialogue begins. At various stages, the disciples duck to avoid the waves and some put their arms up to cover their eyes. A few of them hide behind someone else and others cling on to each other out of desperation.
Thank you for sitting patiently, watching, and listening while our students brought this great story to life by their excellent performance.
We hope that in this short time, you have gained a deeper insight into how amazing God is when we let him work in our lives.
Like the disciples, some of you may be going through some very scary times that have left you feeling insecure and fearful of the future.
Others may not have realised the extent to which Jesus desires to bless us and help us in every circumstance.
It may seem like your life is a tiny boat with giant waves raging all around you and that Jesus is not aware of what is happening. But we can get to know him better so that through him, God will turn towards us and deliver us from being anxious and worried.
Some problems do not go away immediately but God will give us the strength to face them, go through them, and come out dry the other side. Other trials will require attention straight away and, in those moments, God wants us to have the faith to believe if we cry out to him, he will hear and calm our storms.
If you would like the opportunity to get to know Jesus better and have a close relationship with God the father, there is a simple prayer you can pray right now.
We have to first acknowledge that we need to be forgiven of our sin. Sin is anything we do, think, or say that is displeasing to God, which includes living a life independently of him.
When you become a Christian, your problems do not just suddenly go away. There will still be enemies to face, debts to pay, sickness and pain, fear, and loneliness. But the difference is that you will have the King of kings walking alongside you to help you, guide you, comfort you, deliver you, strengthen, and give you hope and peace. Best of all, you will have the assurance that when you die, you will be taken in God’s kingdom, Heaven, to live with him forever.
So now we will talk to God. If you mean what you say, God will hear you. Don’t look for outward signs of feeling different or crying. Some of you may, but some may not. That’s okay because God is concerned with your heart.
Also, some of you may feel embarrassed to admit you have prayed this prayer and some may be concerned about what your friends will think. Remember two things. 1. You came into this world on your own and you will die on your own. Nobody else will be able to save you, so it really is nobody else’s business what you are doing right now. When you stand before God at the end of your life, those friends whose opinions you were afraid of, won’t be there to help persuade God to let you into Heaven.
Secondly, you may not have another chance to get your life right with your Creator, so please take this opportunity to sort things out with God right now.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us the story of the calming of the sea to show us how you are with us during scary times. Thank you that we can have the hope that one day at the right time, you will deliver us from our awful circumstances, heal us and restore broken relationships.
Thank you that in the meantime, if we give our lives wholeheartedly to you, we can receive, strength, peace, wisdom, and comfort. I desperately want those things and I want to be free from the guilt of my sin, so I humbly come before you now to give my life to you.
I am sorry for the wrong things I have done in my life, which you call sin.
I acknowledge that I was born a sinner, which means that it’s in my nature to do things that displease you. I know that this includes the deepest thoughts and attitudes of my heart and the real motives behind everything I do.
Please forgive me for those sins and especially for the sin of keeping you out of my life.
Even though you love me, I know that because you are a God of justice and holiness, if I die without having my sins forgiven, I will spend eternity without you, in a terrible place called Hell.
I acknowledge that I need you and I want you in my life.
I believe that Jesus Christ is your son and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe he rose again and is the living power that can take the Devil’s hold off my life. Please come into my life now and touch my heart with your forgiveness and love. I want to have a relationship with and get to know you more. My very being was created for this purpose and without you, my hunger for peace and happiness will never be satisfied.
I give you my life now. Please lead me to people who will help me become a good strong Christian and who will show me how to relate to the things of God. Help me to find a Bible that suits my understanding and a church that I can call home.
Thank you, Lord. I believe by faith now that you have answered my prayer. I believe that no matter how bad I may feel about myself in the future, you have forgiven me and saved me from my sins. Thank you. Amen.
Jesus got into a boat with his disciples in order to travel to the other side of the shore. He was very tired after a busy day and began to feel quite sleepy, so he went and lay down his head. Very soon he was fast asleep. The boat began to move more rhythmically than usual. Then it began to sway. Then, as if the waves were trying to tip the boat upside down, it began to rock it very fast from side to side. The sea was angry. The wind had a temper. It rained and soaked everything in sight. This would make most people wake up, but not Jesus. He was having a peaceful sleep.
ANDREW
Look out you guys,
the sea’s getting rough.
PHILIP
Oh, I wouldn’t worry,
this boat is quite tough.
PETER
(points)
But see that big wave,
it’s heading this way!
JOHN
Now that’s a surprise.
It’s been such a fine day.
ANDREW
But this weather has changed.
We’ve run out of luck!
JAMES 1
Look, here comes a wave.
Quick everyone! Duck!
(They all go flying towards the right and as they get up, they start brushing the water out of their eyes.)
JUDAS
Ah, ah! That was awful!
THADDEUS
Oh! I am all wet!
ANDREW
Don’t dry yourself off,
it’s not over yet.
PETER
Look, another one’s coming,
higher than before!
JAMES 2
Everyone, take cover!
Lie down on the floor!
(Everyone crouches down except for Bartholomew, who turns towards UP CENTRE and points to an imaginary mast.)
BARTHOLOMEW
Oh no! The mast!
It’s broken in two!
(Everyone crouches down except for Bartholomew, who turns towards UP CENTRE and points to an imaginary mast.)
THOMAS
How can we fix it?
What shall we do?
MATTHEW
The wind’s too strong.
Just stay where you are.
SIMON
Can we turn back?
JAMES 1
No, we’ve come out too far.
THADDEUS
If this carries on,
we won’t keep afloat.
There’s too much water
flooding the boat.
PHILIP
The boat is tipping!
We’re all going down!
THOMAS
Every one of us
is going to drown!
JOHN
Where’s Jesus?
MATTHEW
He’s sleeping.
JUDAS
(With contempt)
Yea, he’s nice and warm!
THOMAS
What? While we’re drowning
in this terrible storm?
(Everyone moves aside so the audience can see Jesus on the floor.)
SIMON
Well, go and wake him!
Tell him to rise!
PETER
Tell him the boat
is going to capsize.
(John pushes his way to Jesus and bends down to where he is laid. He pushes Jesus’ shoulder vigorously in order to wake him.)
JOHN
Jesus, we’re in danger!
JESUS
Oh really? Tell me why?
JAMES 2
Can’t you see the storm?
We’re all going to die!
JESUS
(Looking totally unfazed and smiling at the disciples)
So, how are you all?
Are you enjoying the ride?
BARTHOLOMEW
Eh? Lord, can’t you feel
this raging tide?
MATTHEW
I’m going to be sick!
JUDAS
I feel rather ill!
JESUS
Oh, you of little faith.
(He raises both hands towards the left.)
Peace! Be still!
(There’s a silence as all the disciples stand still and move their eyes from one side to the other, then very slowly begin to move their heads around while looking up at the sky. They then start to look at Jesus in amazement. While they begin talking to each other, their eyes are fixed on Jesus who is tidying up the boat.)
THADDEUS
Oh! What happened?
SIMON
Well, he raised his hand
and the sea obeyed
his one command.
BARTHOLOMEW
Who is this man?
What did he say?
How did he make
the waves obey?
PHILIP
Who is this man?
What did he do
that the powerful wind
obeyed him too?
THOMAS
Who is this man
who protects and saves
by ruling the wind
and the mighty waves?
PETER
We ran to him
and raised the alarm,
and in the next second,
the whole sea was calm!
MATTHEW
We were so frightened!
JOHN
I was terrified!
THOMAS
If he hadn’t calmed the sea,
we all would have died!
SIMON
Who is this ma…
JESUS
(interrupts)
I did say we were going
to the other side.
If you didn’t trust me,
why did you come for the ride?
(They all sit while Jesus remains standing.)
I really need those
who believe what I say,
who won’t turn around
and go their own way.
You must serve God
with all your heart,
which means trusting
from the very start.
Learn to follow me
wherever I lead.
I’m your refuge and strength
in your time of need.
When your life is shattered
to pieces of rubble,
remember I am present
in the time of trouble.
(Jesus sits down and puts his arm around the two disciples either side of him. He is chatting quietly. John gets up and moves DOWN CENTRE facing the audience.)
All the cast are sitting on chairs facing each other – see layout above.
The Narrator is not opposite anyone. Throughout the dialogue, the Narrator looks at the person who is currently speaking but makes no facial expressions to show agreement with anyone.
When each actor points to somebody else, their body remains in the same position – it is just their arms that move. They look at the person they are pointing at, directly in the eye.
Whenever somebody is accusing, there needs to be an emphasis of mockery in their voice and at times, a quick laugh at the beginning of the sentence, like a ‘huh!’
At Point (A), Actor 1 who is wearing jeans, frowns and looks down at their legs.
At Point (B), Actor 7 begins to cry silently and wipe their eyes with their handkerchief.
At Point (C), Actor 5 swivels on their chair to face the audience. While Actor 5 is speaking, the other actors begin gesticulating at each other with frowns and scornful expressions:
Some are wagging their forefinger side to side at the person sitting opposite them.
Some are leaning away from the person sitting next to them as if they are trying not to catch something.
Some have got their hands on their hips and are shaking their heads.
Some have an arm stretched out in front of them with their palm facing the person (like ‘talk to the hand’) Their head is turned in the other direction and their eyes are closed.
Some are silently mouthing accusations at each other.
The Narrator watches them all without showing any emotion.
At Point (D), Actor 2 stops their gesticulating and swivels on their seat to face the audience. Actor 5 remains facing the audience but turns their gaze towards Actor 2.
Everyone else is still gesticulating at each other silently.
At Point (E), Actor 4 gets up and slowly walks around the outside of the chairs in an anti-clockwise direction, watching everyone while ‘he’ speaks. Actors 5 & 2 now swivel back round to face each other. They stare at each other crossly and narrow their eyes. Both have their arms folded.
At Point (F) everyone stops gesticulating and watches Actor 7. They stare at Actor 3 and Actor 1 as he points at them.
At Point (G) the actors reach for their bibles which are stored underneath their chairs. They put them on their laps, open them up to a random page, and appear to be reading them, with their hands resting under each thigh (palms touching the chair) Actor 6 does not look down at ‘his’ bible but is watching Actor 1.
At Point (H) Actor 1 looks up at Actor 6 and Actor 7 puts on his headphones which have been around his neck. ‘He’ closes his eyes and smiles, swaying slightly. Everyone else is still reading their bibles apart from Actor 8 who is now watching Actor 7.
At Point (I) everyone looks up and stares at the person opposite. The Narrator is still looking at Actor 5 when he begins speaking. The other actors remain to appear uncomfortable with each other and while Actor 2 and Actor 5 are doing their last bunch of lines, the facial expressions of the other actors indicate that they can identify with the attitudes being described.
At the end, the Narrator gets up and heads to the front, in an anti-clockwise direction. He does not begin speaking until he is positioned between Actor 5 and Actor 2, but standing further forward, facing the audience. As he begins to speak, the actors behind him bow their heads and look towards the floor. They remain in this position right through to the end of the prayer.
(The narrator (gets up and moves anti-clockwise to the front of the stage and stands facing the audience, between Actor 5 & 2, but slightly further forward)
NARRATOR
It’s not about denominations.
Have you an elder or a pastor?
We’re all brothers and sisters
for, we serve the same Master.
And people from the same church
might not like how your mind swings,
but even amongst themselves,
they disagree on many things.
In our little circles
there’s all this ‘end-time chatter’.
“Are you pre-Trib or Post-Trib?”
Does it really matter?
What is most important
is that your soul is saved from Hell,
and that your ticket up to Heaven
brings many with you as well.
But they won’t get on board
if all they see is confliction –
followers of the Prince of Peace
displaying contradiction.
Some scholars try to prove
God’s preferred day of rest
was not planned for Sundays –
but Saturdays are best.
And others claim that Jesus
didn’t rise on Sunday morning.
While we dispute days and dates,
God is up ‘there’, yawning.
So, let’s accept our differences,
and don’t be so headstrong.
Let’s love those who mock us –
let’s love those we think are wrong.
Let’s forgive and admit
we are never always right.
Let us stand against the devil
and together, win the fight.
(pause)
(The narrator looks around the audience and smiles)
NARRATOR
We have all, at times, fallen into the trap of judging others in our family, church or from other churches and denominations. Let’s face it, there are so many different beliefs around the big things and the little things, that we are never, ever going to convince others that our viewpoint is the correct one. Even bible verses can be interpreted differently by those you worship with regularly.
Every second of every day, lost souls are flying into Hell to endure an existence of torment and anguish forever. Does it really matter that someone doesn’t see things our way?
I encourage you to humble your heart right now and let us come together in unity to ask our Father in Heaven to forgive us for our petty squabbles, bad attitudes to one another and pride for insisting we are the ones who are 100% correct on everything. God is compassionate and delights in forgiving us when we come to him with a contrite heart.
Dear Lord God, we are sorry for the time we have wasted, criticising, mocking arguing and getting angry at others, whose spiritual activities and beliefs are different from our own.
Please help us to focus on the bigger picture – the millions of people who you desire to be saved from their sins and ultimately, Hell.
Help us to realise that jumping from church to church won’t solve the problem of people not agreeing with our way of thinking and our interpretation of the words in the bible.
Give us a humble heart to have mercy on those who we consider are performing religious practices that you did not ever command.
Give us a humble heart to accept that if some people have unfortunately become overbalanced in their thinking, that only you can show them the truth and lead them back onto the right path. May we remember that it is a sin to mock and a sin to have contempt towards them.
Protect us from disunity and please bring restoration of relationships, so that we may stand as a body of ONE, all united for the same cause – to lead lost souls to Jesus and to glorify your holy name.
Thank you for having patience with us and thank you for your mercy and grace.
We praise you for setting us free from thinking in a way that displeases you and for bringing us back on track.
We love you Father and only want to bring you joy.
(The Father holds out the plate with the slice of chocolate cake.)
FATHER
Here’s a slice of chocolate cake.
SON
For me? Are you sure?
Is it because it’s stale?
Has it been on the floor?
FATHER
No, it’s perfect, I’ve just made it.
Go on, take the plate.
SON
Are you trying to trap me
and using this as bait?
FATHER
No. Just take it from me.
SON
Do I have to?
What’s the haste?
It looks nice on the outside,
but I may not like the taste.
FATHER
Oh, you’ll love it. You are special.
It was made with you in mind.
SON
I daren’t bite through the middle.
Who knows what I may find?
(pause)
If there’s chocolate on the inside,
that will be much too good!
FATHER
(Rests the plate on his lap)
You’re either being silly,
or you haven’t understood.
The cake is for you!
So, reach out your hand!
SON
(Curls his fists up into his chest)
I don’t deserve it. It’s too lovely.
FATHER
Why can’t you understand?
SON
Well. Look at this beautiful cake,
now look back at me.
Something so gorgeous,
could really not be free.
SON
Would you like some money?
What do you need?
I’ll try a slice
when the price is agreed.
FATHER
There is no catch,
there is no condition.
Why is your mind
filled with suspicion?
SON
I can tell by the smell
that when I taste it,
I’ll want the lot.
I don’t want to waste it.
FATHER
Then, eat it all.
Be filled with cake!
SON
No. That would be
the worst mistake.
(The son walks away from the father then stops and turns back round to look at him.)
I have a friend who deserves it.
She’s very nice and smart.
She comes from a good family
and has a caring heart.
She has a degree in Food Science,
so she’ll know how it was made.
She’s more worthy of this cake.
(pause)
I’ll just have toast and marmalade.
(The father puts the cake down on the table and folds his arms. He is still looking at the son. The son goes up to the cake and walks around the table with his back bent, inspecting it closely.)
The smell is overwhelming!
I’d really like a lick,
but I can’t because I’m scared
that this could be a trick.
So…this cake is from you?
And it’s really mine?
Okay, I believe you, but…
…could you give me a sign?
Just so I know for certain.
Just for confirmation.
Because I can still feel
a little trepidation.
FATHER
It’s yours, it’s yours, it’s yours!
I’ve told you so before!
You’ve had so many signs.
SON
Oh please. Just one more.
And then, I’ll be happy
and all I’ll have to do,
is prepare myself to eat it.
FATHER
What are you putting yourself through?
Eat it as you are!
SON
No. I need to change first.
I don’t want to spoil it.
You know, I may be cursed.
For, things have changed,
my life has troubles
and every day,
misfortune doubles.
How can you love me
when my life is such a mess?
Haven’t you changed
now I’m in distress?
FATHER
My love is not whimsical.
It’s not based on chances.
I do not change
with circumstances.
I will always provide.
My promise stands.
Don’t take matters
into your hands.
Just because problems
and heartaches are rife,
doesn’t mean I’ve stopped caring
about your precious life.
My love for you
has no variation.
There’s no rising and falling.
There is no cessation.
SON
Aw, thanks. That’s nice.
You’re really caring,
but to eat this cake,
would be really daring.
I’ll put it in the freezer,
right next to the meat.
(Pause. He runs his hand across his forehead and blows out hard.)
After all that talk, I’m hungry.
Have you…anything to eat?
NARRATOR
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good gifts to those who ask him? (Matthew 7:9 / Luke 11:11)
Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above. It comes down from the Father of lights, the Creator of the heavens, in whom there is no variation, no rising or setting or shadow cast by his turning – for he is perfect and never changes. (James 1:17)
(pause)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him, will not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)
This is real love – not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1John 4:10)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. Ad this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no man can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
A large chocolate cake with a big slice taken out. (Bigger than one would normally cut for one person) To make it look more tempting, drizzle extra amounts of chocolate sauce over the cake so it runs down the sides and make sure some of it is oozing onto the plate.
A slice of cake on a separate plate. It is covered in extra chocolate sauce.
As the lights go up, people are scattered around the stage. The play is numbered to make it easier to know where people are positioned. In Part 1, there are two girls standing DOWN LEFT. They are facing each other with their sides facing the audience. One of the girls opens her mouth in shock as she has just been insulted by the other one. The Devil and Jesus are standing in the CENTRE and walk towards the girl to speak to her. The girl looks at whoever is talking at the time. After Jesus has spoken, the girl who has been insulted, gives the impression she is forgiving her friend, by hugging her. They remain huddled together talking quietly as the Devil and Jesus move on to the next crowd of people.
In Part 2, three men are standing DOWN RIGHT at an angle with their backs to the audience. Another man is standing facing them and the audience. The three men are swaying about and laughing quietly. One of them holds out a beer can towards the man in front. As Jesus goes to talk to them, he pushes the Devil out of the way. The Devil is annoyed at everything Jesus is saying. While Jesus is still with the four men, the Devil turns around and sees a man and woman standing opposite each other in the CENTRE. (Part 3) He heads towards them, looking back to see if Jesus has noticed he has walked off.
In Part 4, the Devil moves UP RIGHT where two women are standing close together, facing the audience, whispering to each other, and looking across at a woman standing on her own, UP CENTRE. The woman is standing sideways, facing UP LEFT and is reading a book. The Devil goes between the two women and puts his arm around them. He is whispering suggestions to them which is feeding their gossip. They show this by widening their eyes, opening their mouths in shock, and looking at the woman with scorn. Jesus begins his dialogue before he approaches them and walks towards them with both arms in the air. The girls look guilty.
In Part 5, the Devil goes and stands in the CENTRE and looks around at all the people he has previously tried to tempt. Everyone ignores him. When Jesus goes to speak, the Devil runs off stage. Jesus stands in the CENTRE facing the audience and directing his speech at them. All the other people on stage stop what they are doing and look at Jesus.
Thank you for sitting patiently, watching, and listening while our students performed this great sketch excellently.
We hope that in this short time, you have gained a deeper insight into how amazing God is when we let him work in our lives.
Like Jesus, we are often in situations where the devil is whispering things into our ears to get us to do things that displease God. Not only does this hurt our heavenly Father, but it hurts us too. One of the main ways giving in to temptation affects us is that it floods us with guilt and shame. Another way is that it separates us from God’s presence, and we find it so hard to find peace of mind.
You may have not realised the extent to which God’s word, the Bible, helps us to resist temptations and do the right thing. We cannot be holy without the help of Jesus and God has given us this story to show how when we use the Bible properly, we gain strength to overcome everything that is trying to hinder us.
If you would like the opportunity to get to know Jesus better and have a close relationship with God the father, there is a simple prayer you can pray right now.
We have to first acknowledge that we need to be forgiven of our sin. Sin is anything we do, think, or say that is displeasing to God, which includes living life independently of him.
When you become a Christian, your problems do not just suddenly go away. There will still be enemies to face, debts to pay, sickness and pain, fear, and loneliness. But the difference is that you will have the King of kings walking alongside you to help you, guide you, comfort you, deliver you, strengthen, and give you hope and peace. Best of all, you will have the assurance that when you die, you will be taken in God’s kingdom, Heaven, to live with him forever.
So now we will talk to God. If you mean what you say, God will hear you. Don’t look for outward signs of feeling different or crying. Some of you may, but some may not. That’s okay because God is concerned with your heart.
Also, some of you may feel embarrassed to admit you have prayed this prayer and some may be concerned about what your friends will think. Remember two things. 1. You came into this world on your own and you will die on your own. Nobody else will be able to save you, so it really is nobody else’s business what you are doing right now. When you stand before God at the end of your life, those friends whose opinions you were afraid of, won’t be there to help persuade God to let you into Heaven.
Secondly, you may not have another chance to get your life right with your Creator, so please take this opportunity to sort things out with God right now.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us your bible to show us how to resist the devil when temptations come our way.
Thank you that if we give our lives wholeheartedly to you, we can receive, strength, peace, wisdom, and comfort. I desperately want those things and I want to be free from the guilt of my sin, so I humbly come before you now to give my life to you.
I am sorry for the wrong things I have done in my life, which you call sin.
I acknowledge that I was born a sinner, which means that it’s in my nature to do things that displease you. I know that this includes the deepest thoughts and attitudes of my heart and the real motives behind everything I do.
Please forgive me for those sins and especially for the sin of keeping you out of my life.
Even though you love me, I know that because you are a God of justice and holiness, if I diewithout having my sins forgiven, I will spend eternity without you, in a terrible place called Hell.
I acknowledge that I need you and I want you in my life.
I believe that Jesus Christ is your son and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe he rose again and is the living power that can take the Devil’s hold off my life. Please come into my life now and touch my heart with your forgiveness and love. I want to have a relationship with and get to know you more. My very being was created for this purpose and without you, my hunger for peace and happiness will never be satisfied.
I give you my life now. Please lead me to people who will help me become a good strong Christian and who will show me how to relate to the things of God. Help me to find a Bible that suits my understanding and a church that I can call home.
Thank you, Lord. I believe by faith now that you have answered my prayer. I believe that no matter how bad I may feel about myself in the future, you have forgiven me and saved me from my sins. Thank you. Amen.
The 6 actors are stood DOWN STAGE with their backs to the audience apart from Atheist 1. Atheist 1 is to the farthest left (DOWN LEFT) and they are positioned in numerical order so that Atheist 6 is stood DOWN RIGHT.
After Atheist 1 finishes speaking, he turns his back on the audience and ATHEIST 2 turns round to speak. Thus, each time an actor has finished speaking, they turn their backs to the audience and when it is their turn to speak, they are facing the audience.
At the end, they all turn round and recite the last lines.
Maybe you do not believe in the existence of God, or you don’t believe that Jesus is Lord over all the earth. Maybe you have faith in Jesus but struggle to believe the stories in the bible for one reason or another. Maybe your scientific mind is trying to reason with a supernatural God. Or maybe you have never questioned anything to do with God because you have your own beliefs and are comfortable with that.
Simply put, all God wants is your heart. All God wants is to protect your soul from a very real Hell that you are going to if you do not give your life to Jesus before you take your last breath here on earth.
Supernatural means above and beyond science, so God cannot be fathomed by reasons of scientific facts.
Both the play and the verse above were not written to criticise or mock you – your Creator just wants you to start thinking about what you believe and why you believe it and says that there is no excuse for anyone to deny his existence because he is speaking of his existence to us in nature itself.
For those of you who realise you have been living life independently of your Creator and do not want to receive the punishment due to you by a holy God who cannot tolerate sin, there is a prayer that you can pray right now. You do not need to adopt any religious positions, nor do you need to put on a special tone of voice or use special language. God wants you to come to him as you are with your heart laid bare before him.
When you become a Christian, your problems do not just suddenly go away. There will still be enemies to face, debts to pay, sickness and pain, fear, and loneliness. But the difference is that you will have the King of kings walking alongside you to help you, guide you, comfort you, deliver you, strengthen, and give you hope and peace. Best of all, you will have the assurance that when you die, you will be taken in God’s kingdom, Heaven, to live with him forever.
So now we will talk to God. If you mean what you say, God will hear you. Don’t look for outward signs of feeling different or crying. Some of you may, but some may not. That’s okay because God is concerned with your heart.
Also, some of you may feel embarrassed to admit you have prayed this prayer and some may be concerned about what your friends will think. Remember two things. 1. You came into this world on your own and you will die on your own. Nobody else will be able to save you, so it really is nobody else’s business what you are doing right now. When you stand before God at the end of your life, those friends whose opinions you were afraid of, won’t be there to help persuade God to let you into Heaven.
Secondly, you may not have another chance to get your life right with your Creator, so please take this opportunity to sort things out with God right now.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us your bible to show us how to resist the devil when temptations come our way. Thank you also that from beginning to end, you are lovingly speaking through the words, to prove to us that you exist and desire a close relationship with us. Forgive us for the times we have disbelieved you and shut you out of our lives.
Thank you that if we give our lives wholeheartedly to you, we can receive, strength, peace, wisdom, and comfort. I desperately want those things and I want to be free from the guilt of my sin, so I humbly come before you now to give my life to you.
I am sorry for the wrong things I have done in my life, which you call sin.
I acknowledge that I was born a sinner, which means that it’s in my nature to do things that displease you. I know that this includes the deepest thoughts and attitudes of my heart and the real motives behind everything I do.
Please forgive me for those sins and especially for the sin of keeping you out of my life.
Even though you love me, I know that because you are a God of justice and holiness, if I die without having my sins forgiven, I will spend eternity without you, in a terrible place called Hell.
I acknowledge that I need you and I want you in my life.
I believe that Jesus Christ is your son and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe he rose again and is the living power that can take the Devil’s hold off my life. Please come into my life now and touch my heart with your forgiveness and love. I want to have a relationship with and get to know you more. My very being was created for this purpose and without you, my hunger for peace and happiness will never be satisfied.
I give you my life now. Please lead me to people who will help me become a good strong Christian and who will show me how to relate to the things of God. Help me to find a Bible that suits my understanding and a church that I can call home.
Thank you, Lord. I believe by faith now that you have answered my prayer. I believe that no matter how bad I may feel about myself in the future, you have forgiven me and saved me from my sins. Thank you. Amen.
The play begins with the Narrator DOWN RIGHT. The crowd of 10 are at the back – UP CENTRE. In front of them are Peter, James & John, then Jesus is standing in front of them in the CENTRE. They are facing the audience except for Jesus who has his back turned as if he is talking to them. Jairus is standing DOWN LEFT with his back to the audience and the 5 mourners with speaking parts are behind Jairus facing the same way as him. As the Narrator begins, Jairus and the mourners walk towards Jesus and Jesus turns around to face Jairus. Jairus falls to his knees and momentarily bows his head then looks up at Jesus. The crowd of ten at the back are shifting around on their feet trying to see what is going on.
After the Narrator says, ‘He looked to his Father and prayed.’, Jesus pushes past Jairus and the 5 mourners and stands DOWN LEFT facing the audience but is looking upwards and silently mouthing words. His face is full of compassion. In the meantime, Jairus runs off stage UP LEFT. Everyone else is looking at each other, shrugging their shoulders and turning their palms upwards as to indicate that they don’t know what is going on. Jairus runs back onto the stage from UP LEFT and heads towards Jesus. He begins his dialogue as soon as he enters the stage. Both arms are up in the air. Jesus turns around slowly and as he does, Jairus grabs both of Jesus’ arms and shakes them violently. When the Narrator says, ‘As this declaration rose into the air…’, the crowd become fractious and some fall to their knees grasping their heads with both hands and others stay standing but have their hands over their faces. Their shoulders are shaking, as if sobbing uncontrollably. Please note that there should be minimal noise coming from the wailers so that the Narrator can be heard. Most of this scene should be in mime.
The disciples, Peter, James & John are stood standing in the same place and are watching everything that is going on. They look uncomfortable and confused and keep looking back at Jesus to see what he will do. Jesus positions himself so that the audience can see his face and watches the mourners silently. His arms are drawn inwards near his stomach and his hands are resting in the middle of his body with one hand clasped over the other. He stays like this while the mourners approach him with their accusations. When the Narrator says, ‘A face of calm and eyes of peace…’ Jesus stays where he is, he but looks upwards. He briefly closes his eyes then mimes ‘Talitha Cumi’ as if he is imagining something in his head. The disciples have been slowly pushed to the back of the crowd while this has been going on.
Jesus suddenly pushes through the crowd and grabs Peter James & John by gently pulling at their arms. The crowd automatically splits apart so that the audience can see this happening. Jesus and the 3 disciples then exit the stage UP RIGHT. The mourners have their back to the audience and are watching UP RIGHT even after Jesus and the disciples disappear. They dismissively flick their right hands forward and down in a swiping motion to indicate contempt and they look down to their feet shaking their heads as if they think Jesus is crazy and the situation is hopeless. They all walk towards UP LEFT to exit the stage and as the Narrator says, ‘Others walked off mocking: This man cannot be trusted.’
They start whispering loudly, ‘This man cannot be trusted.’ They say this four times as they exit the stage. The lights dim and the 5 mourners come back onto the stage in the dark and place the camp bed down LEFT CENTRE with the pillow being nearer the Backstage end.
As soon as the camp bed is positioned. The 5 mourners stand in front it with their backs to the audience blocking the sight of the bed, while the 5 non-speaking mourners enter and place a small table & glass of water positioned to the far left of the bed. Jairus’ daughter must follow these mourners close behind and place herself in a lying position on the bed.
When everything is in place, the lights go up and the Narrator begins. All ten mourners are walking towards the CENTRE as if exiting the bedroom and they are grabbing at their clothes and sobbing silently. They stop RIGHT CENTRE and face LEFT CENTRE where the girl is lying. Jesus and his 3 disciples enter the stage UP RIGHT with Jairus and his wife walking in front of them towards LEFT CENTRE. The mourners move forward, but Jesus stops, pushes them back and beckons to the parents and the 3 disciples to come with him into the ‘bedroom’. He kneels down by the bed and briefly places one hand on the girl’s forehead while holding her hand with his other hand. He then holds her hand with both of his.
Jairus and his wife are stood behind Jesus, near the door and drop to their knees and shut their eyes. The mourners push each other to try to be close to the door.
As the Narrator says, ‘Light flooded the room.’ The girl takes a deep breath and opens her eyes. She then turns her head at looks at Jesus who is still kneeling beside her. As he smiles at her, she smiles back, and she sits up. Jairus and his wife look at each other for a few seconds, then look at their daughter on the bed. They look at each other again and embrace. Jairus gets up to go towards his daughter, while the wife humbly stays back, allowing the head of the home to take the lead. Jairus hugs his daughter for a long while, then gets up and embraces Jesus who is now standing with his arm resting upon the shoulder of the wife, who is clutching the leg of Jesus in gratefulness. She has her eyes closed and is looking down, while her head rests upon Jesus’ leg. The girl points to the glass of water and Jairus gets it for her. The disciples are looking relieved and are now smiling at each other. Then the crowd of ten enter the stage – 5 of them from UP RIGHT and 5 FROM UP LEFT. They walk towards the middle and stop behind the others on stage. Everyone then turns so they are facing the audience directly and they all recite the last 2 choruses. As they get to the last chorus everyone moves so they are around Jesus. The people closest to him put their arms around his back and hold on to his arms but recite the last words looking straight ahead, as if they are presenting Jesus to the audience. As the lights fade, the narrator quotes the bible verse, and everybody is embracing each other and laughing.
Thank you for sitting patiently, watching, and listening while our students brought this great story to life by their excellent performance.
We hope that in this short time, you have gained a deeper insight into how amazing God is when we let him work in our lives.
Like Jairus, some of you may be feeling that you are in a hopeless situation where there is no chance of restoration. Or you may be feeling like it’s too late for God to step into your situation and turn it around. You need a miracle like the one in the story – there are dead things in your life that need bringing back to life.
Others may not have realised the extent to which Jesus desires to bless us and help us in every circumstance
God wants to enable you and equip you to do the things he called you to do. He wants to help you be the person he made you to be. If you turn your heart to him, he can open doors for you that seemed locked tight. He can move you from one path to another and set you on the right road. He can restore dead relationships and bring to life, buried hopes.
If you would like the opportunity to get to know Jesus better and have a close relationship with God the father, there is a simple prayer you can pray right now.
We have to first acknowledge that we need to be forgiven of our sin. Sin is anything we do, think, or say that is displeasing to God, which includes living life independently of him.
When you become a Christian, your problems do not just suddenly go away. There will still be enemies to face, debts to pay, sickness and pain, fear, and loneliness. But the difference is that you will have the King of kings walking alongside you to help you, guide you, comfort you, deliver you, strengthen, and give you hope and peace. Best of all, you will have the assurance that when you die, you will be taken in God’s kingdom, Heaven, to live with him forever.
So now we will talk to God. If you mean what you say, God will hear you. Don’t look for outward signs of feeling different or crying. Some of you may, but some may not. That’s okay because God is concerned with your heart.
Also, some of you may feel embarrassed to admit you have prayed this prayer and some may be concerned about what your friends will think. Remember two things. 1. You came into this world on your own and you will die on your own. Nobody else will be able to save you, so it really is nobody else’s business what you are doing right now. When you stand before God at the end of your life, those friends whose opinions you were afraid of, won’t be there to help persuade God to let you into Heaven.
Secondly, you may not have another chance to get your life right with your Creator, so please take this opportunity to sort things out with God right now.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us the story of Jairus’ daughter to show us how much you want to help us. Thank you that we can have the hope that one day at the right time, you will deliver us from our awful circumstances, heal us and restore broken relationships.
Thank you that in the meantime, if we give our lives wholeheartedly to you, we can receive, strength, peace, wisdom, and comfort. I desperately want those things and I want to be free from the guilt of my sin, so I humbly come before you now to give my life to you.
I am sorry for the wrong things I have done in my life, which you call sin.
I acknowledge that I was born a sinner, which means that it’s in my nature to do things that displease you. I know that this includes the deepest thoughts and attitudes of my heart and the real motives behind everything I do.
Please forgive me for those sins and especially for the sin of keeping you out of my life.
Even though you love me, I know that because you are a God of justice and holiness, if I die without having my sins forgiven, I will spend eternity without you, in a terrible place called Hell.
I acknowledge that I need you and I want you in my life.
I believe that Jesus Christ is your son and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe he rose again and is the living power that can take the Devil’s hold off my life. Please come into my life now and touch my heart with your forgiveness and love. I want to have a relationship with and get to know you more. My very being was created for this purpose and without you, my hunger for peace and happiness will never be satisfied.
I give you my life now. Please lead me to people who will help me become a good strong Christian and who will show me how to relate to the things of God. Help me to find a Bible that suits my understanding and a church that I can call home.
Thank you, Lord. I believe by faith now that you have answered my prayer. I believe that no matter how bad I may feel about myself in the future, you have forgiven me and saved me from my sins. Thank you. Amen.
At the beginning of Scene One, Jo and Lisa are in the CENTRE and facing DOWN RIGHT, Jo is in front of Lisa and Lisa runs to catch up with her. Throughout the rest of the dialogue, they Stand DOWN RIGHT, facing each other.
In Scene Two, Jo is standing in the CENTRE facing DOWN RIGHT. Mark walks around her in circles throughout his dialogue but occasionally pauses to stand in front of her and take both her hands into his to kiss one of them. She is looking down but occasionally up looks up at him sheepishly like a child being scolded. When he says, “…you sexy/pretty little beauty.” he kisses the left side of her neck from behind. Mark often talks in a mocking voice then quickly tries to soften his approach by standing in front of her and taking her hands into his.
In Scene Three, there is a mattress acting as a couch in the centre of the stage, leaning against a makeshift wall or sturdy chairs. Mark’s torso is slumped to one side so that his head is resting on a cushion, but his legs are hanging off the mattress as if he has fallen asleep in front of the ‘television’. An arm is tucked under his head and the hand on the same arm is holding an empty beer can. He remains this way throughout the entire dialogue.
Lisa is sitting up facing the audience but looking back at Mark. A Bible is on her knees. After the last line of the dialogue, she pushes the Bible onto the floor and leans onto Mark’s back and closes her eyes, as the lights dim.
In Scene Four, Jo is sitting in the centre of the stage on a chair. She is looking uncomfortable and rubbing both arms. She is talking to the audience but doesn’t give much eye contact as she is embarrassed. Occasionally she looks up to the ceiling because she is thinking back to the past.
The narrator comes onto the stage and stands facing the audience DOWN CENTRE, but careful not to block the audience’s view of Jo. Just before the Narrator speaks, Jo puts her feet up on the chair and rests her chin on her knees. After the Narrator has read the bible verses, she turns around and exits the stage either left or right, while the lights fade on Jo, who has remained onstage in the same position.
Thank you for sitting patiently, watching, and listening while our students performed this great story excellently.
We hope that in this short time, you have gained a deeper insight into how amazing Jesus is when we let him work in our lives.
Like Jo, we may be feeling left out when we see all our friends with girlfriends or boyfriends. Even in church, sometimes we can be the only one who is not in a relationship, and it can make us feel different. Everybody wants to know they are attractive and loved and appreciated for their personality, but God’s plan for each life is different. Also, it is dangerous to get into a serious relationship too soon, because if things do not work out, one of the partners is at risk of jealousy and feeling used and rejected if they then see their ex-partner dating someone else in their class, team, youth group or church. And if that relationship leads to marriage, the spouse is at risk of resenting the previous girlfriend/ boyfriend, by knowing that they ‘had’ their partner first.
It is also hard if you look around your church and think that there are far more good-looking, suitable, eligible partners amongst your non-Christian peers. We need the power of Jesus to help us resist the temptation of getting seriously involved with someone who does not share our beliefs. We also need the strength to wait for the right person and that could be many years ahead.
If you have been in a relationship that has failed and left you feeling heartbroken and used, it is possible that you are struggling with feelings of anger and resentment, along with extreme sadness.
Here is a prayer for you:
Prayer for emotional healing
Dear God,
I am sorry for letting my emotions run ahead of me by getting involved with the wrong person. I have said and done things I am ashamed of. Please forgive me and cleanse me from my unrighteousness. I am feeling used and tossed aside like a piece of old rubbish and this has made me very angry and hard-hearted. Help me to have a heart of forgiveness towards this person. Help me to even pray for your blessing on this person’s life and for them to find the right partner, even if it happens before it happens to me. Forgive them for hurting me, Lord. Help me to trust people again and to give up my right to hate that person for hurting me.
Keep me pure while I wait for the right person to marry. If it is going to be a long time in the future, give me the strength to wait and a ministry and hobbies that I can focus on until that time. Protect me from being abused by anyone and from entertaining vain imaginations in my mind of others I may consider suitable partners.
Lead me to good solid Christian friends of the same sex who will help me keep on the right road.
Give me wisdom to know how to dress modestly so that I attract the right suitor and do not draw attention from the wrong people. Remind me often that as a woman I don’t need to strive to look sexy and as a man, I don’t need to prove my power and ability in order to attract the person you have set aside for me. Give me confidence in who I am and in what I look like.
Help me to hold my head up high, knowing that I have been cleansed and forgiven by you.
I choose to believe that I am what you say about me. A pure, holy, forgiven, beautiful, person who has a wonderful personality and made in your perfect image.
In Jesus name, amen.
If you are wanting to be in a relationship and feeling desperate to have a lifelong marriage partner, here is a prayer for you.
Prayer for patience
Dear God,
I am fed up with seeing other people get boyfriend /girlfriends. Often new people come into my youth group/church and within a few months, they are ‘an item’, while I have been waiting for ages. This feels unfair and makes me cross.
I also hate it when people younger than me announce they are engaged. I so want to find the right person and get married, but it seems you are not listening to me. Also, I hate it when my friends do not want to spend so much time with me because they are now in a relationship with someone.
I also cringe when I go towards a group of friends and they are all sat with partners. I feel like the odd one out and it hurts badly.
Please help me to accept your will for my life and to trust that your timing is right.
Show me in your word how I do not need a boyfriend/girlfriend to feel happy and complete. May I find my completeness in you.
Forgive me for my impatience and for the times when I have dressed and acted inappropriately in order to attract those of the opposite sex. Please also forgive me for my jealousy towards others who are in relationships.
I choose to believe that I am special and that you have my best interests at heart. I choose to dress modestly, and I choose to behave in a modest way around peers of the opposite sex.
Thank you, God for setting me free from anxiousness, jealousy, and impatience. Thank you for the plans you have for my life.
Amen.
If you would like the opportunity to get to know Jesus better and have a close relationship with God the father, there is a simple prayer you can pray right now.
We have to first acknowledge that we need to be forgiven of our sin. Sin is anything we do think or say that is displeasing to God, which includes living life independently of him.
When you become a Christian, your problems do not just suddenly go away. There will still be enemies to face, debts to pay, sickness and pain, fear, and loneliness. But the difference is that you will have the King of kings walking alongside you to help you, guide you, comfort you, deliver you, strengthen, and give you hope and peace. Best of all, you will have the assurance that when you die, you will be taken in God’s kingdom, Heaven, to live with him forever.
So now we will talk to God. If you mean what you say, God will hear you. Don’t look for outward signs of feeling different or crying. Some of you may, but some may not. That’s okay because God is concerned with your heart.
Also, some of you may feel embarrassed to admit you have prayed this prayer and some may be concerned about what your friends will think. Remember two things. 1. You came into this world on your own and you will die on your own. Nobody else will be able to save you, so it really is nobody else’s business what you are doing right now. When you stand before God at the end of your life, those friends whose opinions you were afraid of, won’t be there to help persuade God to let you into Heaven.
Secondly, you may not have another chance to get your life right with your Creator, so please take this opportunity to sort things out with God right now.
Prayer for salvation
Dear God,
Thank you that you care deeply about our emotions and our future.
Thank you that if we give our lives wholeheartedly to you, we can receive, strength, peace, wisdom, and comfort. I desperately want those things and I want to be free from the guilt of my sin, so I humbly come before you now to give my life to you.
I am sorry for the wrong things I have done in my life, which you call sin.
I acknowledge that I was born a sinner, which means that it’s in my nature to do things that displease you. I know that this includes the deepest thoughts and attitudes of my heart and the real motives behind everything I do.
Please forgive me for those sins and especially for the sin of keeping you out of my life.
Even though you love me, I know that because you are a God of justice and holiness, if I die without having my sins forgiven, I will spend eternity without you, in a terrible place called Hell.
I acknowledge that I need you and I want you in my life.
I believe that Jesus Christ is your son and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe he rose again and is the living power that can take the Devil’s hold off my life. Please come into my life now and touch my heart with your forgiveness and love. I want to have a relationship with and get to know you more. My very being was created for this purpose and without you, my hunger for peace and happiness will never be satisfied.
I give you my life now. Please lead me to people who will help me become a good strong Christian and who will show me how to relate to the things of God. Help me to find a Bible that suits my understanding and a church that I can call home.
Thank you, Lord. I believe by faith now that you have answered my prayer. I believe that no matter how bad I may feel about myself in the future, you have forgiven me and saved me from my sins. Thank you. Amen.
It’s been more than a year since Lisa and Jo had their conversation about compromise. Jo hasn’t seen her for ages and misses her company. She kind of pushed Lisa away but doesn’t know that if she told her how she was feeling, her best friend of many years would rush to her side straight away. Like Jesus, Lisa just wants to help Jo and remind her that forgiveness and restoration is always part of God’s plan.
(Jo is sitting in the centre of the stage on a chair. She is looking uncomfortable and rubbing both arms. She is talking to the audience but doesn’t give much eye contact as she is embarrassed. Occasionally she looks up to the ceiling because she is thinking back to the past.)
JO
‘Didn’t want to be the odd-one-out,
It was better to be weak.
It was easier to compromise
than to be called a freak.
I thought I was missing out,
having no boyfriend,
but I wish I could have seen
how this was going to end.
People tried to warn me,
but I didn’t believe they cared.
‘Would have rather stayed single,
than have the wasted time we shared!
It seemed so wonderful…
I never felt so loved before,
but huh, Mark and I
are not together anymore.
I spent so much time with him –
he really had my trust.
I thought I really loved him,
now I see it was just lust.
(pause)
I miss those times
When I used to talk with Jesus.
When I joined my friends in church,
Mark just used to tease us.
I used to feel complete,
now all I feel is lack,
and all that I once had,
is now harder to get back!
(Pause. Jo looks up and prays.)
Lord, I willingly gave away
what once belonged to you.
All that Lisa told me,
turned out to be true.
But I didn’t want to listen,
I wanted my own way.
Disobedience costs a lot –
and now, I have to pay.
(Looks at the audience)
Oh, I had fun with Mark,
but nothing satisfied.
People came to warn me.
Oh, many people tried.
We had plenty in common,
as far as flesh was concerned.
But now that’s all over,
a big lesson has been learned.
For, our spirits were not joined.
There was nothing there.
I cared about my soul,
he cared about his hair.
I thought about death,
he thought about money,
I cried at the ‘Jesus film’,
he thought the film was funny.
(Pause as she looks around the room)
(If this is proving too long to memorise, Jo can pick up a bible that has the rest of the lines attached to the front cover and the inside covers – she can appear to be fondly embracing the book which she has so long ignored, by staring at it to surreptitiously read the lines, then clutching it to her chest as she recites)
It looked so enticing,
the picture that he painted,
but life out there’s not great –
and now I’m feeling tainted.
At the night club,
there were so many smiles,
hiding behind…
insecure lifestyles.
On the dance floor,
they all seemed athletic,
but ‘were superficial souls,
so shallow and pathetic.
They couldn’t offer me
the peace that I craved,
for they themselves had hearts
that were bleeding and depraved.
I was unaware
that with Mark, I was enslaved.
He was a living-dead,
because he wasn’t saved.
He was a living-dead
and I, a hypocrite,
who was carnally driven –
my faith, counterfeit.
He was a good person,
but good’s not good enough.
Everything God told him,
he would strongly rebuff.
I didn’t understand
our lives were far apart,
for we had different deities
living in our heart.
I became desensitised,
corrupt and degraded.
I was flippant and unfeeling,
while my love for Jesus faded.
(pause)
It’s so worth being single!
It’s so worth the wait!
I’ve cheapened my life
by having the wrong date!
A boyfriend’s not so cool
if the world is his attraction.
I’m a fool to love a fool –
he was such a distraction!
I want Jesus in my life,
for he knows what’s best for me.
His wisdom and guidance
will truly set me free.
I was blinded by what’s popular
and what appears to be cool,
but disobeying God,
shows I’m just a fool.
If only I had listened
and not gone my own way!
Disobedience costs a lot
and now I have to pay.
(Jo puts her feet up on the chair and rests her chin on her knees.)
NARRATOR
A fool despises his father’s instructions but he who receives correction is prudent, acting with care and thought for the future. (Proverbs 15:25)
For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)
(Jo and Mark are in the centre of the stage, facing each other. Jo does not seem as confident as she was before. Mark has picked up on this and is using emotional blackmail to sway her decisions.)
MARK
You don’t owe them anything –
those people from your church.
I’ve checked it out.
I’ve done my research.
(Jo is looking down, playing with her fingernails.)
They just want your money
and to tell you what to do.
Tell them not to interfere –
you have your own life too!
Come off all those rotas –
it’s wearing you out.
What’s in it for you?
(He laughs sarcastically.)
Enjoyment? I doubt!
JO
(Looks up)
Well, I’m only doing two things.
It’s good to get involved.
MARK
Well, you’re involved with me!
That’s your problem solved.
(Non-rhyming bit)
(Mark pulls away from Jo and turns his back on her)
You’re not going to that church anymore.
JO
But…
MARK
No ‘Buts’. It’s Lee’s party on Sunday, remember?
(He turns back round to face her)
Besides…they’re weird.
JO
Well… I guess one week won’t hurt,
but I’m on library duty.
MARK
(Mark pulls her towards him and touches her nose with his.)
Get someone else to do it.
you sexy little beauty.
(Alternative: “you pretty little beauty.”)
(He starts to walk around the stage, pulling Jo by the hand.)
Aren’t my mates more fun
than your little churchey crowd?
Let’s go to the night-club.
JO
I can’t, I’m not allowed.
Those places that you go to,
are often full of thugs
and girls pretending to be nice,
but trying to sell me drugs.
The last time you had a party,
there were loads of drunken streakers
and my ears were ringing loudly,
from standing near the speakers.
(Mark stops, lets go of her hand and faces her. He is clearly annoyed.)
MARK
What is this excuse
you are trying to contrive?
You’re acting like a baby!
How old are you – five?
Your parents are old fashioned.
You’re young, live life! Be free!
(He waggles the fingers of both hands (palms facing her) in front of her face.)
Nothing spooky happens there.
Don’t you want to go out with me?
JO
Well… on Saturday nights,
I get home so late…
and my parents worry.
They get a bit irate.
I end up so tired
on a Sunday morning,
all through worship,
I am just yawning.
I’ve no time for breakfast,
I stuff toast down and choke.
I’ve no time to wash my hair,
but it smells of ciggy smoke.
MARK
If you really loved me,
you wouldn’t agonize.
You’ll want to be cool like me,
you’ll want to socialize.
(non-rhyming bit)
You’re my girlfriend remember.
Prove to me you’re not boring by agreeing to do the fun things I do.
That’s why I chose you…not Rachel, not Kate, or Becky,
or Amanda. You!
JO
It’s just that I feel…
MARK
What? Your matey-mate Lisa, been going on at you again, has she?
She’s the weirdest one out of the lot of them!
All this stuff about obeying his word.
The word! Why does she call it that?
It’s the Bible. The boring, old-fashioned bible that’s been
around way before your Grandad’s Grandad’s, Grandad’s, Grand…
JO
Okay, okay!
(pause)
I’ll come to Lee’s party with you this Sunday,
and I’ll…er…come to the er…night club.
(Shrugs weakly)
It’s just that I haven’t been to one…before.
MARK
Well then, you’re in for a treat!
(He grabs her by the hand and drags her off stage.)
Best friends, Jo and Lisa, are walking home from church. Lisa is excited about the upcoming Christian concert because one of her favourite bands will be playing.
LISA
Are you coming to the concert?
‘Should be good! I can’t wait!
JO
No, I’m not going…
I…have a date.
LISA
Oh! I didn’t know
you were seeing anyone.
JO
Yes. Mark from college.
He’s cool. It should be fun.
LISA
He’s not a Christian, is he?
JO
You’re right. He’s not.
But he does believe in God
and I think he’s really hot.
When I first saw him,
it was love at first sight.
LISA
But, you know you shouldn’t.
You know it’s not right!
JO
You don’t understand.
Mark’s really sweet.
I’ll bring him to church,
then you two can meet.
LISA
That’s your only reason
for bringing him along?
JO
Why all the questions?
LISA
Can’t you see this is wrong?
The bible says clearly…
JO
Oh, don’t start that with me!
It’s none of your business!
(She puts her hands on her hips.)
This is just…
Jealousy!
I can’t tell him to get saved!
That will be an insult!
It will frighten him off
and he’ll think we’re a cult.
He’s a good person
and he treats me with respect.
LISA
I’d like to hear you say that
when your life is wrecked.
(Lisa realises her words were a little harsh, so softens her tone.)
If someone ran towards you
holding a sharp knife,
don’t you think I would try
to save your precious life?
(Jo turns her back on Lisa and folds her arms. Lisa pulls her back around.)
Stop listening to your emotions
and listen to God’s voice.
You could ruin your destiny
by making the wrong choice.
JO
You make him sound evil,
Like he’s messing with my head!
Why can’t you just accept it
and be nice instead?
He makes me feel cherished,
he makes me feel secure.
I don’t believe a Christian man
could love me anymore.
LISA
I know one who does!
That’s why he says you’re sinning.
And Jesus always knows
the end from the beginning.
He made your whole being
and this is why he knows
what’s good for you and what is not…
JO
(mocking)
And Mark’s not I suppose!
LISA
You’re a new creation.
You’ve been set apart.
You grieve God when you give
the wrong boy, your heart.
JO
(Getting angry)
He’s NOT the wrong boy!
I have let God choose.
He wants Mark to be saved…
I’m the one God wants to use.
I told Mark God loved him
and this made him smile.
I’m sure he’ll be saved soon.
LISA
You’re just in denial.
(Jo turns her back on Lisa again. This time she stays where she is.)
Look, I care about you, Jo
and God cares even more.
This is not his will.
JO
How can you be so sure?
LISA
Because all your reasons
are really quite absurd.
God tells you the truth
right here in his Word…
(Lisa takes out a small Bible from her coat pocket and flicks through it to find the right page. While she is doing this, Jo is getting impatient.)
“You have nothing in common with those
who aren’t walking in the light.
Don’t be bound to them…” (A)
JO
(mocking)
’cause in the dark, they bite!
(Lisa gives up and puts the Bible back into her pocket.)
(Jo laughs.)
I’m not splitting up with him.
I don’t care what you say.
LISA
Well, you have your own free will
but you’ll regret it one day.
JO
(proudly)
I’m happy, which is more
than I can say for yourself!
You say to wait on God.
Huh! You’re still on the shelf!
LISA
(Ignoring the remark)
Get on one side or the other.
Stop sitting on the fence!
You can’t be compromising.
It really makes no sense.
If you think this is okay,
then it goes without a doubt.
that one day God will taste you
and spit you right back out. (B)
(Lisa, clearly upset for her friend, touches her on the arm then walks off stage with her head down. Jo watches her go but laughs and shakes her head.)
The play begins with the sick woman sitting at a dressing table looking into a mirror. She is facing sideways so the audience can see her and a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She is brushing her hair very slowly and carelessly as if she doesn’t believe having neat hair will make much difference to how she feels. On line 38, she gets up and walks towards an imaginary door DOWN LEFT. The crowd of people enter the stage UP LEFT and a few people head towards the dressing table and chair and stand in front it so that people at the back can discreetly move it to the side away from the main stage. They then move back towards Jesus who is standing UP LEFT with the rest of the crowd. The woman pauses her dialogue while trying to see Jesus at the front. She tiptoes and moves her body from left to right to get a better glimpse of him. Jesus and the crowd should be facing RIGHT and the sick woman turns so she’s facing the same direction. When she falls to her knees and grabs Jesus’ garment, she is sideways facing RIGHT so that the audience can see what is happening. Jesus turns around and is facing LEFT but does not look down at the sick woman until she speaks.
The Narrator will be unseen, positioned backstage with a microphone. Alternatively, if there is no P.A. equipment, then the Narrator may enter the stage, and read the bible verse facing the audience DOWN CENTRE.
As the Narrator begins to read, the woman and Jesus walk off stage towards UP RIGHT then slowly the crowd follows behind them. (If the Narrator is needed to come onto the stage, they will wait for them to be positioned before walking off the stage.)
Thank you for sitting patiently, watching, and listening while our students brought this great story to life by their excellent performance.
We hope that in this short time, you have gained a deeper insight into how amazing God is when we let him work in our lives.
We all need a touch of God in our lives whether we are aware of it or not. It may be physical healing like the lady in the story, or it may be something different. We might want to be delivered of a fear of something we are anxious about. It may be a financial need. Or we may simply just want to feel peace in our heart on a daily basis.
If you would like the opportunity to get to know Jesus better and have a close relationship with God the father, there is a simple prayer you can pray right now.
We have to first acknowledge that we need to be forgiven of our sin. Sin is anything we do, think, or say that is displeasing to God, which includes living life independently of him.
When you become a Christian, your problems do not just suddenly go away. There will still be enemies to face, debts to pay, sickness and pain, fear, and loneliness. But the difference is that you will have the King of kings walking alongside you to help you, guide you, comfort you, deliver you, strengthen, and give you hope and peace. Best of all, you will have the assurance that when you die, you will be taken in God’s kingdom, Heaven, to live with him forever.
So now we will talk to God. If you mean what you say, God will hear you. Don’t look for outward signs of feeling different or crying. Some of you may, but some may not. That’s okay because God is concerned with your heart.
Also, some of you may feel embarrassed to admit you have prayed this prayer and some may be concerned about what your friends will think. Remember two things. 1. You came into this world on your own and you will die on your own. Nobody else will be able to save you, so it really is nobody else’s business what you are doing right now. When you stand before God at the end of your life, those friends whose opinions you were afraid of, won’t be there to help persuade God to let you into Heaven.
Secondly, you may not have another chance to get your life right with your Creator, so please take this opportunity to sort things out with God right now.
Dear God,
Thank you for giving us the story of the sick woman to show us how you are full of power and compassion.
Thank you that if we give our lives wholeheartedly to you, we can receive, strength, peace, wisdom, and comfort. I desperately want those things and I want to be free from the guilt of my sin, so I humbly come before you now to give my life to you.
I am sorry for the wrong things I have done in my life, which you call sin.
I acknowledge that I was born a sinner, which means that it’s in my nature to do things that displease you. I know that this includes the deepest thoughts and attitudes of my heart and the real motives behind everything I do.
Please forgive me for those sins and especially for the sin of keeping you out of my life.
Even though you love me, I know that because you are a God of justice and holiness, if I die without having my sins forgiven, I will spend eternity without you, in a terrible place called Hell.
I acknowledge that I need you and I want you in my life.
I believe that Jesus Christ is your son and that he died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. I believe he rose again and is the living power that can take the Devil’s hold off my life. Please come into my life now and touch my heart with your forgiveness and love. I want to have a relationship with and get to know you more. My very being was created for this purpose and without you, my hunger for peace and happiness will never be satisfied.
I give you my life now. Please lead me to people who will help me become a good strong Christian and who will show me how to relate to the things of God. Help me to find a Bible that suits my understanding and a church that I can call home.
Thank you, Lord. I believe by faith now that you have answered my prayer. I believe that no matter how bad I may feel about myself in the future, you have forgiven me and saved me from my sins. Thank you. Amen.
(She pushes past people in the crowd who are being quite hostile and refusing to move.)
I need to get near him.
I’ll push my way through.
Oh no! Other people,
have the same idea too!
I’ll crawl on the ground
and grab his garment from below.
I need to touch him
before he decides to go.
(She falls to her knees and leans forward on her elbows.)
Just one touch
should be enough for me.
He won’t even know
and nobody will see.
Just one touch,
it won’t be a hassle.
All I need to do,
is finger a tassel.
They say he’s God Almighty,
they say he’s Love Astounding.
I believe in his power,
even though my heart is pounding.
Just one touch.
My deed shall be concealed.
I’ll grab it and run…
Oh no! I’ve been healed!
The shock’s made me let go!
The hem, I have dropped!
My body feels so strange!
The flow of blood has stopped!
I’ve spent my life
trying to get better,
instead, all of my clothes
have got wetter and wetter.
Now, I want to scream!
I want to hug him and cry!
I touched his clothes
and now mine are dry!
(gasps)
He’s stopped and turned around!
Does he know my flow has ceased?
JESUS
Somebody has touched me,
Power has been released.
DISCIPLE
Ha! Now come on Jesus,
there are hundreds here,
yet you are asking why
someone has got toonear?
JESUS
The power of God
has healed someone today!
(The woman turns her head to the audience while still on her knees.)
HEALED WOMAN
Shall I own up?
What will he say?
(She looks up at Jesus.)
It’s me, Lord, I touched you,
I meant to do no harm.
(She looks down to the ground and places a hand on her chest.)
He looks at me so lovingly,
I feel such peace and calm!
(Jesus holds out his hand and reaches hers, then slowly raise her up to her feet. They both stare into each other’s eyes.)
He’s put his arms around me.
His eyes cut through my soul.
JESUS
You are healed, my daughter.
Your faith has made you whole.
NARRATOR
And you will seek me and find me when you search for me with all of your heart.
(pause)
Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks, finds. And to those who knock, it will be opened.
