Summary: Sometimes we are think our love might be genuine, but is it really reflected in our attitudes to other people? A 're-jig' of one of my previous dramas, in order to suit the needs of a morning family service cum baptism. A woman is phoning a “friend” to check whether she is going to a baptism service at church the next morning. A narrator keeps stepping in to remind us what St Paul has to say about love in Chapter 13, of the first letter to the Corinthians.

(Note: The conversation mimics the style of a character that might be seen in the TV series “Coronation Street”.

Style: Dramatic.      Duration: 7min
Actors: 1F, 1M/F 

Summary: How easily we can be prevented from making the most important decision of our lives, to be lit up for God in this dark world. In this drama, the devil tries to prevent people from lighting a candle. (An update of an old drama, for use in our high school Carol service.)

Style: Dramatic. Duration: 7min
Actors: 6M/F

Summary: A monologue in which the devil asks his demons to come up with the best scheme to stop ordinary people seeking God. [Author’s note: I don't know where this drama came from originally. It's not mine, but I have embellished it a little, for a baptism preparation service. Hope the real author doesn't mind!] 
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 5min

Actors: 1M/F

Summary: “And they all one by one made excuses”. In the style of ten little Indians, each Christian bows out and there is no real commitment at all.
Style: Drama (with light touches). Duration: 4min
Scripture: Luke 14 Verses 15-24
Actors: 1N, 10M/F

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

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

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

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

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

                                                Amen

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

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

Summary: How would people act if Jesus came to church?
Style:  Dramatic.    Duration: 3-4 minutes
Actors: Readers’ theater with four Readers

Summary: A long-time Christian woman, struggling with putting on a good front, admits her fears.
Style: Dramatic.       Duration: 2-3 minutes
Actors: 1F

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

Summary: The Wager is about the spiritual dimension. Based on Ephesians 6:12 - “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the spiritual realm.” (NIV) An angel and a demon make a wager that good can overcome evil in their present situation, on board a bus with passengers.
Style: Dramatic, with light touches.    Duration: 10-12min
Actors: 3M, 3F, 3M/F

Summary: The waiter in a prayer café tries to help his customers, on behalf of the chef. 
Style: Dramatic, with light touches.    Duration:  6min
Actors: 1M/F, 4M, 2F (can be swapped)

Summary: A monologue asking if Christians can put aside their differences. 
Style: Dramatic, but with irony.     Duration: 5min
Actors: 1F

Summary: A sketch about self-interest and the amazing patience of Jesus with His flawed disciples. 
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 6min
Actors: 10M

Summary: A sketch about maturity (or lack of) as God's children. The leader introduces the cast, which consists of one couple, the female half taking the part of mother, wife and daughter.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration:  6min
Actors: 2F, 1M, 1C

 Summary: A tale about four demons that have a meeting to decide how to discourage people in a church.
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 8min

Actors: 4 M/F

Summary: Three people who attend a prayer meeting find out that God is going to go on strike unless the church they attend starts to take living the Christian life seriously.
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 7min
Actors: 3M/F, 1Voice

Characters
Mary
Jane
Sue.
God (off stage)

Summary: In this court trial, Prosecution and Defence attempt to establish whether the accused is a Christian.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 30-40mins
Actors: 2M, 1F, 6M/F (the audience/congregation are the jury).

A copy of the full script may be downloaded by clicking on the link below.

Attachments:

If you were accused of being a Christian.docx

[ ]

20 kB

Summary: Dramatisation of an old Korean folk tale, in which people choose whether they live in heaven or hell, depending on how they co-operate with each other. This drama invites people to take their place in responsible giving.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 4min
Actors: 1M, 1N, + 5-6V

Summary: A narrated mime about the unity, co-operation, love and understanding, which make us truly one in Christ.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 2min
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12 Verses 12-27
Actors: 6M/F

Summary: A monologue in which a high school student is struggling to hear from God. In the midst of asking questions and trying to figure everything out, he/she hears a whisper and it’s from God, but doesn't understand how to handle it.
Style:  Dramatic.   Duration:  4min
Actors: 1M/F
Scripture: John 13:7

Summary: Shoppers are brought to reflect on the fact that Christians are “clothed in the righteousness of Christ”.  In spite of our feelings of unworthiness, God imputes the righteousness of Jesus, who was sinless, to believers.  The challenge then is to conform to the image of Christ so that we may let His light shine through our lives.
Style:  Dramatic.    Duration:  7 minutes
Actors:  5, with at least one M
Scriptures: Is 61:10  Mat 5:16  Gal 3:27, 4:19  Eph 4:24  Rom 8:29, 10:4, 13:14  2 Cor 5:19-21

Summary: The book of Jude warns against a faith that isn’t backed up by right living. In this script, Jude learns the importance of seeking to live a live worthy of the grace he has received. Salvation isn’t just a destination, but rather also a lifestyle.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 5min
Actors: 2M

Summary: Sal (Salt) and Lumiere (Light) discuss which of them is more important.
Style: Light-hearted.    Duration: 10min
Scripture: Matthew 5: 13-20
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: (With help from a popular ‘Personality Type Sorter’), this is a useful light, insightful drama for churches to have conversations around group power dynamics, diversity of gifts, decision-making processes and creating respectful environments. It could be considered for early in the church’s year, as part of a ‘visioning exercise’, on a retreat, as committees are beginning their work, at an annual meeting or with youth.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 10min
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12
Actors: 1N, 4M/F

Psalm 23 is a psalm of recovery!! Though frequently read at funerals, it is not about death – it is all about life! It is a psalm of victory for those who, like me, have struggled with addictive issues in their life – a great song of praise to the God who restores.

Summary: A dramatic narrative poem in two voices, expressing the despair of one person over the state of the world and the persistent voice of God, offering hope.  There are many scriptural references in this text, offered by the God-voice.  This could be a good conversation starter for worship or a study or retreat.  What blocks us from listening?
Style: Dramatic.   Duration:  10min
Actors: 1M/F, 1VO

Summary: A monologue by a newcomer to church, thinking about what's going on around him, and what he's heard.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 12min
Scripture: Mark 1: 14-20
Actors: 1M/F

Summary: This is a series of 5 skits revolving around a day in the life of a Christian woman, Beth, who is seeking God's will in her daily life. In every situation, she attempts to do God's will but feels inadequate. In the end, God's plans for her are revealed, teaching her to trust God in all things and showing everyone that God's plans are perfect. Could be used as a series, or combined as one item.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 5 x 2-7min
Actors: 7F, 1M (VO)

Summary: A "solid" bible-study leader has a problem practicing what he preaches. Written to set-up a sermon on Romans 12 dealing with hypocrisy. Key words: Hypocrisy • Marriage • Encouragement • Honesty
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 10min
Actors: 2M, 2F, 1C +VO

Summary: A man needing attention struggles to get past the paperwork and hypocrisy of the admitting nurse. (Written for the first service of a new church to help answer the question "Why another church?" Should make people evaluate why they are in a church, and what they expect for, and from, new attendees.)
Key words: Acceptance • Hospital • Heart • Pain • Hypocrisy
Style:  Light-hearted.  Duration: 10min.
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: A cute little ditty about how our good intentions seem to go astray. Intended to get people to see how our commitments change over the course of a few months. Recommended for use either at the beginning of a new year, or a new cycle of services, such as a new program in the fall. This was written for a specific audience and will need to be customized for your specific audience. It is printed here in its original version, more or less.
Key words: Hypocrisy, Church, Commitment, New Start, Faithfulness, Witnessing, Excuses, Resolutions
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 8min.
Actors: 4M/F

Summary: Two kids playing the "who do you like best" game get stuck on an important question.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration:  4min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary:  A sketch exploring the qualities that God looks for in people, compared with what we often look for.
Style: Dramatic.     Duration: 7min
Actors: 1VO, 7M
Scripture: 1 Samuel 16

Summary:  Carol is sorting items to donate for a Mission garage sale.   She keeps the best for herself and gives the rest to God.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 6min
Actors: 2F
Scripture:  Matthew 6:21  “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”.

Summary:   We often feel in the spotlight when we pray publicly but God wants us to come to Him without reservation.   Our thoughts often interfere with our prayers.  Pre-recorded “thoughts” are interspersed with live action to reveal what each person is thinking.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 5min
Actors: 6F
Scripture: Ephesians 6:18 (“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”)

Summary:  The setting is in church on a very busy night.  Jenny has committed to do several different types of service and doesn’t get any one thing completed appropriately.  She is cheerful and bubbly throughout the drama, happy to be in the service of the King, but oblivious to her short-comings.
Style: Dramatic with a light touch.  Duration: 8min
Actors: 4F
Scripture:  Colossians 3:23  “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men”.

Summary: Giving is not just about money. There are many ways in which we can give to God - and to those around us.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 4min
Actors: 2M/F
Scripture:  Hebrews 13:16  “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Summary: Done in the style of the TV show Shark Tank (also known in some countries as Dragon's Den). Three people come before the  sharks  seeking investment in their ideas. (This was written for a stewardship drive.)
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 12min
Actors: 1N, 3M, 3M/F

Summary: Four people (a young person, mother, businessman and Christian) receive phone calls, but find it hard to believe God is on the other end.
Style: Dramatic.    Duration: 7min
Actors:  1F, 3M/F, 1VO

Summary: Three contestants in a spelling bee are given wildly different levels of words to spell. Is the contest rigged?
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 6min
Actors: 3M/F, 1VO
Scripture: Romans 12:3  "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you."

Summary: Written for a women's retreat, the theme is "walk this way". It is a loose take on the Cinderella story!
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 5min
Actors: 6F
Scripture:  Ephesians 2:10

Summary: Kailtyn is a normal American teen. She wakes up to acne, has “nothing” to wear, goes to school just to get lunch spilt all over her and loses her best friend. To make matters worse, it is picture day. She finds herself in angry tears later that night in her room. She lashes out at God asking that question at the back of everyone’s mind. If there is a loving God who loves us more than we can even imagine, why does He let us hurt? Why does He let bad things happen to us?
That night, she goes back in time to the life of Christ. She goes through some highlight moments in His life from the nativity, to the finding in the temple, to the last supper, to the crucifixion. Through this, she sees first hand just what sacrifices Christ has made for us and how much love He has in His heart. The dreams are made up of all four Gospel readings.
[The author assures this play is easier to perform than it appears. It can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77mj8ZO9JD0]
Style: Dramatic     Duration: 40-50min
Actors: 15-40 teens (see below)
 

Summary: A lonely man (or woman) questions his life and God.
Style: Heavy          Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M/F

Summary: This script was created to help teens see a practical application of a familiar bible story, the story of Jonah. This skit isn’t intended to be funny, but when the kids brainstormed the bullying and the dream sequence, it turned out that way.
Style: Dramatic       Duration: 12min
Actors: 1M/F, 7+Teens

Summary: Facing an uncertain health situation, a woman wrestles with having trust in God.
Style: dramatic                     Duration: 5min
Actors: 1F

Summary: Sometimes we are think our love might be genuine, but is it really reflected in our attitudes to other people? Written to suit the needs of a morning family service-cum-baptism. As a woman talks with her “friend”, a narrator keeps stepping in to remind us what St Paul has to say about love in Chapter 13 of the first letter to the Corinthians.
Style:  Dramatic.     Duration: 8min
Actors: 1N, 1F

Summary: Shaun sees that a friend shuts others out from helping, but refuses to see the same problem in his own life.
Style:  Dramatic.  Duration:  4min
Actors: 2M

Summary: A choral reading of II Timothy 3:12 - 4:8 taken from several different versions of the scripture (details at end). 
Purpose: Used originally as a call to worship. Not a "sketch" in the traditional use of the word, this reading is included here as the cornerstone of the drama ministry. It wasn't until after this was presented that we understood how pertinent its message was to our own lives and efforts in Christian theatre. Key words: Scripture / Ministry / Timothy
Style: Dramatic   Duration: 4min
Actors: 8M/F

Summary: A humorous way of emphasizing Luke 11:9-10 (ask-seek-knock).
Style: Light-hearted     Duration: 5 minutes
Actors: 4M/F
Scripture: Luke 11:9-10
 

Summary: A sketch to illustrate the hypocrisy of judging others without being aware of our own failings. The action is interspersed with the normal elements of a Sunday service.
Style: Dramatic/light.   Duration: 60min+
Actors:
1M/F
Scripture: Based around Matthew 7: 1-5

Summary: A dialogue with God about forgiveness.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration: 3min
Actors: 1M, 1M/F

An Introduction to a Teaching on the Book of Job
Summary: Let’s face it.  Life happens and sometimes we don’t feel like victorious Christians.  And isn’t it “funny” that Satan always makes sure there is someone around to bring us the bad news.  No-one knew this better than Job.  Our churches are also full of hurting people who can identify with Job who need compassion and hope.  This short skit was used as an introduction to a teaching on the Book of Job.
Style: Dramatic.   Duration:  4min.
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: Sue and Tom obsess about their clothes and their food, respectively.
Style: Light-hearted.   Duration:  8min
Scripture: Luke 12:22-31
Actors: 1V/O, 1M, 1F, 3+M/F

Summary: With the Olympic Games upon us, I was thinking about the olympics and the parables Jesus told and how they could be connected. I came up with this little play.   It is the parable of the sower in the form of an olympic event, the 100 meter hurdles.  The parable is found in Luke 8: 4-15, Matt 13: 1-9 and also Mark 4: 1-9.  It is set between the studio and the track and there are 7 characters in all.

Style: Drama.   Duration:  5min

Actors: 7 M/F

Summary:  Two people “warning” congregation about the Holy Spirit.  Key words:  Holy Spirit, Spirit, Holy Ghost, Pentecost
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 5min
Actors:  2 M/F

Summary: These three skits are intended to follow closely one after the other, such as at a half-day youth function or on consecutive Sundays in a youth department, though they can be used for adult audiences also. Their purpose is to help Christians grow in their Christianity. They are fashioned after the old Bing Crosby/Bob Hope Road pictures.
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 4min each
Actors: 2M/F

Summary: A Christian wants to be an imitator of Christ, but somehow is getting the wrong end of the stick.
Style: Light-hearted.   Duration: 3min
Actors: 2 M/F
Scripture: Ephesians 5:1

Summary: A person considering a career as a church pastor hasn't appreciated the finer points of the calling.
Style: Light-hearted   Duration: 7min
Actors: 2M/F

Summary

A Christian version of “The Amazing Race” in which 7 teams go on a spiritual journey. They are required to build their faith on each leg of the race, with the team not completing or coming in last, eliminated.

Style: Drama  
Actors: 8M, 7F

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:5-8

Summary: A companion piece to “How Does God Know I Have a Broken Heart?” This time Dr. McDreamy visits with a rough character named “Guy” who needs a better understanding of God’s grace. Keywords: Grace
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 10min
Actors: 2M
Scripture: Matthew 10:8

Summary: The eye and the foot consider their relative merits in the body in a humorous way.  Keywords: Gifts.

Style: Lighthearted.   Duration: 5min

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

Summary: 2 commentators for the Satanic Church TV Network are watching as 1st Church engages in petty and self-destructing behavior.  Their comments highlight several silly and harmful practices that churches sometimes allow to tear them apart.  The whole time, they are demonstrating how Satan and his forces must delight in the harm it does the Church.  As commentators “call the game,” stadium and crowd noises rise and fall appropriately in the background.
Style: Light-hearted.  Duration: 8min
Actors: 2M/F

Summary: A Christian (male or female) is content in his life and relationship with God until challenged by “History” in the form of a person.
Style: Dramatic.  Duration: 8min
Actors: 2M/F

Summary: Four individuals are hearing a simple yet profound message about following Jesus. No matter what direction they take it always leads back to “Follow Me”.
Style:  Dramatic   Duration: 4min
Actors: 7, preferably 1-3 Male. The remaining four gender neutral.

Production note: This is an OID (Oral Interpretation of Drama). There are seven cast members. Each stands center stage with the script in their hand (usually a black binder – like a choir folder) The acting is done only with their voice since it is an oral interpretation – there are no actions and nothing to memorize, just an impassioned audio performance. These can be powerful pieces because it consistently repeats the core message and redirects thoughts back to that message.

Summary: a husband and wife converse about her struggles as they are driving.  The characters are actually depicting a conversation between Jesus and the Church without the audience realizing it.  After some conversation and reassurance they arrive at the church parking lot and go in.  In the 2nd scene, they are getting back into the car after services are over.  It’s here that the audience will be let in on the fact that this has really been Jesus and the Church all along. Keywords: Christ, Church, bride.
Style: Drama.  Duration: 7min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary:   Joey has been given many gifts throughout his life, but they’ve just taken up space in a spare room.  When Annie brings over an early birthday present she learns that he simply collects them. What will he do if he’s forced to actually open and use them? Keywords: Gifts
Style: Drama.  Duration:  8min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: A spoof of Dragnet, a 1950’s police/detective TV series. The detectives, Joe Friday and his partner Bill Gannon, no longer search and apprehend the guilty, but now work for an organization that seeks out people who do good deeds. A young boy (or girl) has had his lost laptop returned with an anonymous note attached. He is going to try and pick out the Christian from a Do-Gooder’s line-up.
Style:  Light-hearted.   Duration:  5min
Actors: 2M, 8M?F

Summary :  Kenneth is getting frustrated with living a Christian life, and feels he is missing out on life. When he one day wakes up living the alternative life, he realises it is not the fun it seemed to be from the outside. (The play is written with a Caribbean accent.)
Style: Drama.  Duration: 45min
Characters: 9M, 4F, 5M/F, 1VO

To download the script, CLICK HERE .

Summary: A couple has just returned from a church service where the pastor has spoken about a fund raising campaign that the church will be undertaking. The wife is very skeptical. She thinks churches should not ask for money. The husband has been comparing their financial choices (restaurants, recreation, etc.) to how much they have given to the church. Are they making the right choices? Keywords: Giving.
Style: Light to serious. Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M, 1F

Summary: How is this family's work to be done, when everyone has an excuse not to get involved? Keywords: Body of Christ, service, Kingdom, talents, gifts, ministries, work, family.
Style : Drama.  Duration: 8min
Actors: 1N, 3M, 3F, 1C (optional)
Scriptures: 1 Cor. 12

Summary: A husband’s misconceived treatment of his wife is exposed. This sketch isn’t a figment of imagination, it really did happen! (Well, the exact details of the argument aren’t known, but everything else is fact). Probably every Christian has been like Caroline or Philip to some degree. We all pretend to be something we are not. Keywords: Love, submission, husbands, wives, marriage, servanthood.
Style: Drama.  Duration: 7min
Actors: 2M, 1F
Scripture: Eph. 5:21-32

Summary : We’ve probably all met Mrs Gall during our lifetimes – the lady (or man!) who can’t keep their noses out of other people’s business! To meet a Mrs Gall who purports to be a Christian, however, is a tragedy, but hopefully a reminder to us all to watch our tongues. Keywords: gossip, slander, loose talk, telephone, busybody.
Style: Lighthearted. Duration: 7min
Actors: 1F/M