10 Short Christian Plays
William Kritlow
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2011 William Kritlow
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Additional Permissions: If you purchase a copy for each cast member each play may be presented at least three times within a year from purchase of the cast member copies.
Cover Art by Sally Truong: sally@inkit-printing.com
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Zaida hears from a number of "reliable" sources from church that her husband, Matt, is fooling around with a new young lady at work. Dealing with this news requires a little wisdom. What is it? And where does she go to get it?
Illustrates James 1:5-6
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Buffy and the Double Mined Man
Congressman Gonna Wilt has found himself to be one of the most important men in our nation's capitol. He is the deciding vote on both sides of HB427 - a bill authorizing federal funding of abortion. How will he vote? And who will be the final influence?
Illustrates James 1:6b-8
6bfor he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Ashley, 14, has just taken the most important test of her young life - a qualifier for a full college scholarship at the college of her choice. Her sister, Chiara, 13, expects her to ace it. After all, Ashley's the smartest kid in school. But, to her surprise, Ashley doesn't even show up in the top 5. Why? And what does Ashley do now?
Illustrates 1 Peter 1:13
13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
Dad's come home to find his prize 1957 Chevy little more than a tangled lump of iron in his driveway. His son, Billy, has taken the car out without permission and wrecked it. Dad wants to kill him. Why doesn't he? And what happens next?
Illustrates Matthew 6:14
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Sage, 10, has pilfered a special candy her mother was making for her grandmother. Her younger sister, Jenna, discovers the theft and confronts Sage. How does Sage react? How does Jenna react to Sage? How is God glorified even in this chocolate covered sin?
Illustrates 1 Peter 2:1
1 Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking,
Bill, an alcoholic, hits bottom. God, in His mercy meets him there. How? Who does he send? How does God work to raise us up when His children are at their lowest?
Illustrates 1 Peter 1:3
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Satan stands before the congregation and let's them in on a few of his evil little secrets - his goals for our lives, and how he uses some of our cute little weaknesses to bring us down.
Illustrates Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Rich and Poorman are members of the church council. Poorman has an idea that Rich, being a leader of men, believes he's the only one with the experience to pull it off. Is he right? What's God have to say about it?
Illustrates James 1:9-10
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.
How do you describe God, whom you haven't seen, to a blind man - one whose never seen anything? And what do you learn when do describe Him?
Illustrates 1 Peter 1:8
8 whom having not seen[a] you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory
The women's ministry is having a winter retreat in a snow clad mountain cabin. Not a particularly dramatic event. However, one of their little band is walking through the valley of the shadow of menopause. This is a respectful, funny look at it all.
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Just a word about how to use these short plays
There are a number of uses for these and other short plays. We employed most as part of worship services, often just before the sermon. Our goal was to bring alive the message the congregation was about to hear; and show them how the message translated into their everyday lives. By presenting the scriptural illustrations this way, we gathered up the congregation's attention before the sermon and got it focused where the pastor wanted.
But these plays can also be a catalyst to bring theater group together, or to facilitate discussion, or just to have some meaningful fun. And since these dramas can generally be presented with one or two actors, with minimum sets and no scenery, they're easy to make use of, no matter what that use may be.
So here's another: use them as templates for your own imaginations. A drama ministry is important to a church. It helps get the artists involved and God uses their gifts in ways only He can imagine. These plays give you an idea of what's been working for us, which should encourage you to create your own short plays, plays that may be more meaningful and appropriate in your church that these.
With your purchase of this ebook and if you purchase a copy for each cast member, each play may be presented at least three times within a year from purchase of the cast member copies. How's that for a deal. If you'd like another one, give me a shout: wkritlow@socal.rr.com.
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A Little Wisdom
James 1:5-6: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Cast: Zaida, female about 30; Matt, male about 30 (Best if real husband and wife)
Props: Telephone - nice if it could ring; cellphone if it can’t.
Set: Zaida’s front room - couple chairs, table upon which rests a telephone. She also has cell phone.
At Rise: Zaida, about 30, is on her knees scrubbing to get a stain out of the carpet. Phone rings. A little ragged, she gets the phone.
Zaida: Hello. (beat) Oh, hi Maggie. (beat) Just trying to get a stain out of the rug. I can’t find my SpotBot. (beat) Well, then, bring it back. What can I do for you? (beat) I don’t alarm easily. What have you got to say, Maggie? (beat) Matt? At work – (glances at watch) No, at lunch. He’s probably talking over last night’s football game with his buddy Mike. (beat) Did you follow him? (beat) Well maybe they’re talking about something else. And why are you calling me? (beat) No, Mike nor Puse wear cute little plaid skirts. Maggie, out with it. (long beat) If he’s having lunch with a cute girl – woman – it’s got to be something to do with work. He’s in advertising and women go into advertising. (beat) I’m sure everything’s –