The Good Samaritan

Scripture Reference: Luke 10:30-37


 The story of the Good Samaritan updated for children.


Cast:
VICTIM – ordinary boy (or girl) who has been set upon by bullies


Costume:
Modern dress. Clothes are torn and bloodied to show signs of a struggle. Should also be bandaged.


(The VICTIM stumbles into room bandaged and moaning. This can be done while a teacher or other person is talking, interrupting the class.)


VICTIM: Oh, it hurts so much. I was on my way here this morning, when I was jumped by these big kids. These bullies stole my offering and beat the tar out of me. (waving off assistance) I’ll be fine. It only hurts when I laugh. Ha ha – oh! (miming hits and kicks) They hit me and kicked me and spit on me and called me names. I thought I was going to die. Then they just left me there by the road.


I don’t know how long I had been lying there when I saw Biff. Biff is the minister's son. He's always busy doing something around church. I called out to him to help me. He said he was really busy, and maybe he could help me on his way back. But there may not be any me by the time he gets back!


A few minutes later I saw Holly. She's in the choir and has the most beautiful singing voice. I was in the Christmas play with her last year. She's so nice. She once said 'hi' to me. I just knew she would help me. I called out to her, but she got this look of disgust on her face. I know I was all bloody and bruised – but how rude! When I asked her for help, she looked at me like I'd asked her to eat kitty litter. She said something about her new dress and her nails, then she just crossed over to the other side of the street.


What was I going to do? I was feeling weak. I think I even saw part of my life flash before my eyes, and I didn’t like the ending. I kept thinking, “Don’t go into the light.”


I lay there for what felt like hours when I saw Lewis. Not Lewis! He is the biggest nerd in the school. No one likes Lewis. He is SO strange! He goes to some weirdo church. He always wears dress pants, and they don’t even come down to his ankles. And he carries this Star Wars lunch box (rolls eyes). Everyone is always so mean to him. I’ve never said anything mean to him – in fact, I usually try to avoid eye contact with him – but I have laughed when others have made fun of him. I didn’t even bother to call out to him. Everyone is always so mean to him, why would he be nice to anyone else. When he saw me, he ran right over – man, he even runs like a dork – and got down on one knee and asked how I was. Boy, do I feel bad now. I told him what happened. He opened his Star Wars lunch box and gave me a drink from his R2D2 Thermos. He used the water from the Thermos and his handkerchief to clean my wounds. He had some Band-Aids in his lunch box and put them on me. He said he had to be somewhere but that the school nurse lived right around the corner. He took me there, so she could finish bandaging me up and make sure I was okay. He said he would be back later to check on me.


He was so nice to me. Why?!? I’ve never been nice to him. I’ve never even spoken to him. He has every reason in the world to be mad at everyone in school and could have – and maybe should have – just left me there like Biff and Holly did, but he didn’t.


Anyway, I think I want to catch up to Lewis. I think I can learn a lot from Lewis about what it means to be a good neighbor.

Mirror, Mirror

Scripture Reference: James 1:22-25

A lesson about listening and doing.

Cast:

CHARLIE – a mindful puppet

GEORGE – a forgetful puppet

NARRATOR

Props:

a mirror (or something shiny to represent a mirror) on the side of the stage

(The stage is empty except for the mirror when CHARLIE enters and starts walking n the direction of the mirror. He is messy and disheveled; maybe a sock or sucker stuck to his back.)

CHARLIE: (singing)  I've got the joy, joy, joy down in my heart / Where? / Down in my heart / Where? / Down in my heart / I got the…  (catches sight of himself in the mirror) Oh, goodness. I'm a mess. I can't believe I left the house like this. I've got to back home and get cleaned up. (leaves the stage)

(The stage is empty except for the mirror when GEORGE enters and starts walking n the direction of the mirror. He is messy and disheveled; maybe a sock or sucker stuck to his back.)

GEORGE: (singing)  Hey, hey, good lookin' / Whatcha got cookin'? / How's about cookin' somethin' up with me? / Hey, sweet baby…  (catches sight of himself in the mirror) Oh, my. I'm messier than a monkey's birthday. I need to go comb my hair. (he starts to leave then pauses) Now, where was I going? (thinks for a minute) Oh, yeah. (turns around and starts singing again)  Hey, hey, good lookin' / Whatcha got cookin'?…  (sees himself in the mirror again) Oh, dear. Look at me. I'm messier than a soup sandwich. I need to go comb my hair. (he starts to leave then pauses) Now, where was I going? (thinks for a minute) Oh, yeah. (turns around and starts singing again)  Hey, hey, good lookin' / Whatcha got cookin'?…  (sees himself in the mirror again) Oh, lands. I'm messier than a molting Wookie. I need to go comb my hair.

CHARLIE: (returns cleaned up and quietly watches GEORGE)

GEORGE: (he starts to leave then pauses) Now, where was I going? (thinks for a minute) Oh, yeah. (turns around and starts singing again)  Hey, hey, good lookin' / Whatcha got cookin'?…  (sees himself in the mirror again) Oh, my stars. I'm messier than a teenager's bedroom. I need to comb my hair. (he starts to leave then pauses) Now, where was I going? (thinks for a minute) Oh, yeah. (turns around and starts singing again)  Hey, hey, good lookin' / Whatcha got cookin'?…  (sees himself in the mirror again) Oh, my word. I'm messier than a pig eating a sloppy Joe. I need to comb my hair. (he starts to leave then pauses) Now, where was I going?

CHARLIE: George, what are you doing?

GEORGE: I was just trying to remember. I think I was going to… going to… going to… sing!  Hey, hey, good lookin'… 

CHARLIE: What about the mirror? I thought you were going to comb your hair.

GEORGE: Why what's wrong with my hair? What mirror?

CHARLIE: That mirror over there. (walks GEORGE to the mirror)

GEORGE: (at the mirror) Oh, my goodness. I'm messier than a birds nest. I need to comb my hair.

CHARLIE: Exactly.

GEORGE: How did I not know about this?

CHARLIE: (leading GEORGE offstage) Let's get you cleaned up, and I'll explain everything.

GEORGE: Thanks, Charlie. Bless you.

NARRATOR: James 1:22-25 – Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect Law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it — he will be blessed in what he does. (NIV)

Good Gifts

Scripture Reference: Matthew 7:7-12

A lesson about good things from God.

Cast:
D.B. – a good albeit not very bright bunny
MISS REBECCA – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
 none

(MISS REBECCA starts on stage.)

D.B.: Good morning, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: Hi, D.B. I hear someone is going to have a birthday.

D.B.: Oh, really? Who? Who is going to have a birthday? I love birthdays. Who is it? Who? Who? Who?

MISS REBECCA: You are, silly.

D.B.: Oh, that is right. I am going to have a birthday. I am so excited!

MISS REBECCA: Do you want anything special for your birthday?

D.B.: I was going to ask my dad for a Lego Bionic Bunny video game, but I decided not to.

MISS REBECCA: That sounds like fun. Why didn't you ask him?

D.B.: Because I was afraid he'd give me a tarantula instead.

MISS REBECCA: Why would he…

D.B.: I do not like tarantulas.

MISS REBECCA: I don't blame you, but…

D.B.: They are creepy.

MISS REBECCA: That's a matter of opinion.

D.B.: They are big, hairy spiders.

MISS REBECCA: D.B.

D.B.: Ew!

MISS REBECCA: D.B., why would your dad give you a tarantula instead of a video game?

D.B.: I do not know, but he might.

MISS REBECCA: Does your dad love you?

D.B.: (insulted) Of course he loves me.

MISS REBECCA: Then why would he give you something bad when you asked for something good?

D.B.: I had not thought of that.

MISS REBECCA: Loving parents don't give their kids bad things.

D.B.: Then why do they make me eat Brussels sprouts?

MISS REBECCA: That's different. Brussels sprouts are good for you. Are tarantulas good for you?

D.B.: Oh, no. They can bite.

MISS REBECCA: Then your parents won't give you a tarantula.

D.B.: But what if I wanted one?

MISS REBECCA: Do you want one?

D.B.: No.

MISS REBECCA: Then it doesn’t matter. Are you going to ask your dad for the Bionic Bunny game now?

D.B.: Oh, yes. I feel much better about it now.

MISS REBECCA: Good. Happy birthday, D.B.

D.B.: Thanks, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: You're welcome, D.B.

D.B.: Bye, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: Bye, D.B.

But I Don't Look Good in Lilies

Scripture Reference:  Matthew 6:19-34

A lesson about worry and trusting God.

Cast:
 DILLY – a southern fried chicken who doesn’t always get things straight
 MR. MATT – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
 a Bible

(MR. MATT starts on stage.)

DILLY:  (enters) Oh my lands!  Whatever will I do?

MR. MATT:  Hey, Dilly.  What's wrong?

DILLY:  Hi, Mr. Matt.  I'm gong to a party at Flora's.

MR. MATT:  That sounds like a good thing.

DILLY:  Oh, it is.  All the right hens will be there.  No riffraff or hoi polloi.  It'll be better than sweet tea on a summer day in Texas.

MR. MATT:  So what's the problem?

DILLY:  I don't know what to wear.  I want to have just the right look.  I don't want to look to highfalutin, but I also don't want to look like I'm wearing something that came off the scarecrow.

MR. MATT:  Can I help?

DILLY:  (laughs)

MR. MATT:  What's so funny?

DILLY:  Cause you're a man.  You don't know haute couture from a hot dog.

MR. MATT:  Dilly!  I'm offended.

DILLY:  But do you deny it?

MR. MATT:  No, but I'm still offended.  What about Mr. Jeff?

DILLY:  You must be pulling my leg.  He's the one who picked out those tacky bowling shirts you wear.

MR. MATT:  I like these shirts.

DILLY:  And my point is proven.  (returns to panic mode) Oh, whatever will I do?  All is lost, lost, lost!  I'll never find the right outfit.  I'll be an outcast, a social pariah, all for want of the right outfit.  I think it would take a miracle from God right now.

MR. MATT:  (having an idea) How about a Bible verse?

DILLY:  What in the name of Gucci are you talking about?

MR. MATT:  Today's Bible verse Matthew 6 says, "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.  Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.  If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"

DILLY:  Well, that makes about as much sense as two bald men fighting over a comb.

MR. MATT:  How so?

DILLY:  I'm just not going to wear grass.  Do I look like some sort of hoochie-coochie hula girl?

MR. MATT:  No, but that's not…

DILLY:  And lilies?!?  Flower prints are so last season, and you want me to wear actual flowers?

MR. MATT:  Dilly!  That's not what it means.  Jesus was saying not to worry about what you are going to wear or eat or drink, because God will take care of you.  In other words, stop worrying.

DILLY:  (sarcastically)  Stop worrying.  Just like that.  You make sound as easy as selling umbrellas in a rainstorm.

MR. MATT:  It's not necessarily easy, but do you trust God?

DILLY:  Does a one-legged duck swim in circles?

MR. MATT:  And the more you trust God, the less you'll worry, because you'll know God is in charge.

DILLY:  Don't that just take the rag off the bush.  I reckon I do fret a bit much.  I also reckon it would show a decided lack of trust in God if I get my beak all bent out of shape and scurry out of here.

MR. MATT:  I reckon.

DILLY:  Then I'll just say bye, y’all!  (exits)

MR. MATT:  Bye, Dilly.

A Pie for a Pie

Scripture Reference: Matthew 5:38-48


A lesson about loving your enemies.

Cast:
OZZIE – an excitable little monster
MR. MATT – the teacher who sets him straight

Props:
none

(MR. MATT starts on stage.)

OZZIE: (enters & makes sound like he is going to hock up a big one) Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkk…

MR. MATT: Ozzie?

OZZIE: Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk…

MR. MATT: (sternly) Ozzie!

OZZIE: (louder) Kkkkkkkkk…

MR. MATT: What are you doing?

OZZIE: Kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk…

MR. MATT: Cut it out!

OZZIE: (softly) Kkkk.

MR. MATT: Stop.

OZZIE: K

MR. MATT: Ah!

OZZIE: Fine! I'll stop.

MR. MATT: What were you doing?

OZZIE: Trying to spit.

MR. MATT: Why are you trying to spit?

OZZIE: Because I'm so mad.

MR. MATT: If you're mad enough to spit, you're not supposed to actually spit.

OZZIE: (looking behind the stage) Now you tell me. (looking back up) I have already spit so much that I've gone dry.

MR. MATT: Who made you so mad?

OZZIE: Alfonso Pasquale.

MR. MATT: The school bully.

OZZIE: Yep.

MR. MATT: Is he picking on you again?

OZZIE: Yep.

MR. MATT: What did he do that made you so mad?

OZZIE: He hit me with a pie.

MR. MATT: A pie?

OZZIE: A cream pie right in the puss.

MR. MATT: That's terrible.

OZZIE: Then he kicked me with his big old boot.

MR. MATT: His boot?

OZZIE: His boot right in my bootie.

MR. MATT: What did you do?

OZZIE: Nothing yet, but I plan on getting even. As soon as I can buy a pie and a big pair of boots, I'll get him back.

MR. MATT: I don't think that's a good choice.

OZZIE: You have heard that it was said, "A pie for a pie and a boot for a boot."

MR. MATT: I don't think that's quite right. Regardless, you need to be nice.

OZZIE: But I hate that despicable bully.

MR. MATT: Ozzie!

OZZIE: What?!?

MR. MATT: Is that what the Bible says you're supposed to do?

OZZIE: Yes. Well, probably. OK, maybe. No.

MR. MATT: Right. Jesus said, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

OZZIE: But he's such a meanie.

MR. MATT: I understand. It's easy to love nice people, but Jesus calls us to do something harder: Love people who are mean to us.

OZZIE: But I really want to throw a pie in his face.

MR. MATT: Then you'd be no different that the bully. If someone who knows you're a Christian sees you do that, what are they going to think about Christians?

OZZIE: Yeah, but I have some really swell boots I want to buy. They're huge and would really…

MR. MATT: Ozzie!

OZZIE: Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. I'll forget about getting even and start praying for Alfonso Pasquale.

MR. MATT: That's much better.

OZZIE: And I'll start by praying he gets hit by a pie and kicked with a boot. (exits quickly)

MR. MATT: Ozzie!