Cumbered About Much

Scripture Reference: Luke 10:38-41

A lesson about the better part.

Cast:
OZZIE – an excitable little monster
SQUIGGLY – Ozzie’s pet worm
MR.MIKE – the teacher who sets her straight

Props:
Work SFX
Bible map

(MR. MIKE is on stage.)

MR. MIKE: Today we are going to study the story of Mary and Martha.

(OZZIE and SQUIGGLY enter.)

OZZIE: Hi,. Mr. Mike.

MR. MIKE: Hi, Ozzie. Hi, Squiggly.

OZZIE: Whatha doin’?

MR. MIKE: I was just telling the kids about Mary and Martha.

OZZIE: Are they your sisters?

MR. MIKE: They’re women in the Bible.

OZZIE: Your sisters are in the Bible?!? Did you hear that, Squiggly? Mr. Mike’s sisters are famous!

MR. MIKE: No, they aren’t my sisters. They are sisters, and they are in the Bible.

OZZIE: Oh. Do you mind if Squiggly and I listen, too?

MR. MIKE: No, not at all.

(While MR. MIKE talks, OZZIE keeps leaving and sounds of work can be heard. SQUIGGLY stays on stage the whole time.)

MR. MIKE: Mary and Martha lived in Bethany, which is a small town east of Jerusalem on the south-eastern slop of the Mount of Olives. Here. (shows on map)Mary and Martha had a brother named Lazarus, who is not in today’s story, but we will meet him later on.In today’s story, Jesus and his disciples come to the sisters’ house. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to him teach. This would have been quite controversial at the time, because that meant she was in the position of a disciple. In the first century, a woman was not usually accepted by a teacher as a disciple. This is a sign of Jesus’ love and his desire to have all people come to him.In the meantime, Martha is distracted, because she’s so busy trying to get everything ready for Jesus and the disciples. She wasn’t paying any attention, just like… OZZIE!

OZZIE: Huh?

MR. MIKE: What are you doing?

OZZIE: Multi-tasking.

MR. MIKE: Multi-tasking?

OZZIE: Yes, sir. I’m listening to you and getting some work done.

MR. MIKE: Really? So what have I been talking about?

OZZIE: Talking about? Um… Your sisters who live in, um, Ankeny had uh party for their friends, er uh, Jesse and Thaddeus.

MR. MIKE: Wow!

OZZIE: See. I told you I was paying attention.

MR. MIKE: No, you got everything wrong.

OZZIE: Everything?

MR. MIKE: Everything.

OZZIE: Really?

MR. MIKE: Really.

OZZIE: Oh, nerts.

MR. MIKE: I guess we’ll just call you Martha.

OZZIE: No, my name is Ozzie. I thought we’d met before.

MR. MIKE: We have. I mean you were acting like Martha in the story and working instead of paying attention.

OZZIE: So work is bad?

MR. MIKE: No, not at all. But being busy doesn’t take the place of paying attention to what’s important.

OZZIE: Sorry about that, Mr. Mike. I’ll pay better attention next time.

MR. MIKE: That’s a good fellow.

OZZIE: C’mon, Squiggly, it’s time to go. (exits)

(SQUIGGLY stays on stage.)

MR. MIKE: Squiggly, I really appreciate you paying attention today, but I think it’s time for you to go.

SQUIGGLY: (snores)

(OZZIE enters and nudges SQUIGGLY. OZZIE and SQUIGGLY exit.)

MR. MIKE: SQUIGGLY!

D.B.’s Choice

Scripture Reference: John 2:1-11

A lesson about Jesus is greater.

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

Props:
None

(MISS REBECCA begins on stage when D.B. enters.)

D.B.: Miss Rebecca, I need your help.

MISS REBECCA: What’s up, D.B.?

D.B.: I have a special carrot…

MISS REBECCA: You have a special carrot?

D.B.: Yes, and its name is Burt.

MISS REBECCA: You named your carrot?

D.B.: It would not be very special if it did not have a name.

MISS REBECCA: I suppose not. Do you name all of your vegetables?

D.B.: Of course not. That would just be silly.

MISS REBECCA: Well, except you named…

D.B.: Imagine naming a rutabaga.

MISS REBECCA: I suppose not…

D.B.: People would think I was some sort of weirdo.

MISS REBECCA: Maybe, but…

D.B.: Naming vegetables. How ridikalus.

MISS REBECCA: You’re right. Sorry. So what is your dilemma?

D.B.: I do not have a dilemma, but I do have a situation that requires a choice between options that are or seem equally unfavorable or mutually exclusive.

MISS REBECCA: Okay. And it involves your carrot Burt?

D.B.: Yes, I have had Burt for a very long time, and my father wants me to get rid of him.

MISS REBECCA: How long have you had Burt?

D.B.: Ever since I was a kit.

MISS REBECCA: That’s a long time.

D.B.: It is. And he has changed over the years.

MISS REBECCA: How so?

D.B.: He has gotten kinda squishy.

MISS REBECCA: Uh-huh.

D.B.: And wrinkly.

MISS REBECCA: Yeah.

D.B.: And gray.

MISS REBECCA: Ew! I can’t imagine why your dad would want you to get rid of that.

D.B.: I know. He said if I throw it away, he would give me a new carrot made of metal.

MISS REBECCA: So let me get this straight. If you get rid of your nasty, old, shriveled-up carrot, your dad will give you one made of metal that will never go bad?

D.B.: That is correct.

MISS REBECCA: And why are having trouble making a choice?

D.B.: I know the new carrot is nice and shiny and will never get wrinkly and gray, but I have had Burt for so very long.

MISS REBECCA: And can you do anything with Burt?

D.B.: Not really. I think he is starting to melt. Whenever I pick him up he is all wet and gooey.

MISS REBECCA: And how does it smell?

D.B.: I did not want to say anything, but he is not smelling so good.

MISS REBECCA: So the only reason you’re keeping your old carrot is because you’ve had it for a long time?

D.B.: I suppose you are correct.

MISS REBECCA: Doesn’t it make sense to trade your gooey, stinky carrot for something better?

D.B.: When you put it that way, I guess it is not really a very hard decision.

MISS REBECCA: Not really.

D.B.: I think I will name my new extra-special carrot Grace.

MISS REBECCA: That sounds like an outstanding idea.

D.B.: Thanks, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: You’re welcome, D.B.

D.B.: Bye, Miss Rebecca.

MISS REBECCA: Bye, D.B.