Bible Stories

Jail Break (the Fortune-telling Slave Girl and the Preacher Men)

John Steele · 10 January 2012

Style

Light-hearted

Duration

8min

Actors

6M, 1F

Characters

Narrator, Paul, Silas, Kaye-Sarah Sera, Black Jack, Sheriff, Deputy, Posse

Summary

The story of Paul and Silas's encounter with the fortune-telling slave girl, done as a Western.

Script

Scenes : saloon (one end) , jail (other end) , street (in the middle). Originally in the Greek town of Phillippi, but in this case in a western town. This was the first…

Jesus' Temptation in the Wilderness

David McLachlan · 10 January 2012

Style

Light-hearted.

Duration

6min

Scripture

Luke 4:1-13

Actors

2M

Characters

Jesus, Devil

Summary

After Jesus:’ baptism the Holy Spirit leads him out into the desert, where he spends 40 days and 40 nights with his Father preparing for his ministry. At the end of that time, the Bible says, he was hungry (no kidding!). The Devil appears, wanting to stick his oar in.

Script

Devil: Morning. Jesus: Hello Devil: What a lovely breakfast I just had. Jesus: I’m very pleased for you. Devil: How was yours?…

Jesus Calms the Storm

Pam Norman · 09 January 2012

Style

Comedy/drama.

Duration

10min

Scripture

Matthew 8 vs 23-27.

Actors

4M

Characters

MATT: Disciple– fashionable, casual, cool, music loving, wearing ipod with earphones, designer clothes, carrying a guitar. (if Matt can play the guitar, sound for the song will not be needed) JOHN: Disciple, likes to be in charge, takes control, leader. BART: Disciple. Hypochondriac, fearful, anxious, pessimistic, wearing thick jumpers and has hot water bottle and sick bowl. JESUS: Himself, calm, kind, commanding authority. Props: A blow-up boat/canoe on stage, (or two end to end), 2 chairs in the boat facing towards the back of the boat(s), 2 oars. Placard, “Half an hour later” Sound: (optional) Thunderstorm, backing track or sound of guitar strumming chords for song “our God is an awesome God”, or guitarist strumming the song off stage.

Summary

The disciples produce a mixture of responses when they are caught in a storm on the Lake.

Script

JOHN: [Enters] This is our boat, come on lads. Let’s get a move on [He ushers several disciples in from imaginary queue of people] That’s it, into the boat…

Water Into Wine

Pam Norman · 09 January 2012

Style

Light-hearted.

Duration

10min

Scripture

John 2 v 1-11

Actors

3M

Characters

JOHN – Disciple LUKE– Follower of Jesus ZAC – Friend of both disciples. Hired hand at the wedding ceremony MC – Master of Ceremonies (not seen or heard)

Summary

The Master of Ceremonies is in big trouble when he runs out of wine at a Cana wedding.

Script

(Setting: Wedding reception at Cana. John and Luke are sitting mid stage at a table. On the table are a water jug, a glass of water, a glass of red wine and crisps in…

Philip and the Official

09 November 2011

Script

Philip and the Official By Dan Wilson Summary The story of the meeting between Philip and the Ethiopian official, as a puppet play. Scripture Acts 8:26-40 Characters…

The Workers

09 November 2011

Script

The workers By Dan Wilson Summary A modern setting of the parable in Matthew 20:1-16. Characters Mr. Parrot, the boss Ms. Fitzwater, his assistant Mr. Jones Mr. Smith…

30 Days in the Ark

09 November 2011

Script

30 Days in the Ark by Dan Wilson Summary The nitty gritty of life for the sons of Noah as they struggled to keep the ark clean during the flood. Characters Ham Shem…

The Healing of the Blind Man

Pam Norman · 13 September 2011

Style

Drama.

Duration

8min

Scripture

Mark 10 vs 46 - 52

Actors

4M, 2-3M/F.

Characters

JESUS – himself BART – Bartimaeus. Blind, wearing dark glasses, a cloak/blanket, carrying a tin pot with coins inside and a stick. ANDY – Andrew, Disciple of Jesus – kind, concerned, sympathetic. COLIN – one of the crowd following Jesus. Harsh, impatient. CROWD 2-3 who don’t have to learn words, but ad lib repeating and agreeing with whatever Colin says. PLANT in audience with a large hand mirror.

Summary

The blind man, Bartimaeus, is healed by Jesus.

Script

[SETTING: On the road out of Jericho. There are two chairs centre stage.] [Enter BART: Stumbles over small stone etc on the stage. Gets up and feels his way around…

Redemption Song

Daniel Carlson · 25 August 2011

Style

Dramatic.

Duration

60min

Actors

6+F, 6+M

Characters

Naomi - elderly, worn down, faithful, clever, cunning? Orpah - slightly older than Ruth, but married the second son, loving Ruth - young, strong-willed, faithful, hardworking, shunned, dignified, watchful/fearful Abigail - one of the women at the well, gossip, more reasonable, tries to keep the peace between the two others Hannah - one of the women at the well, gossip, cynical Rachel - one of the women at the well, gossip, “religious”, self-righteous Boaz - older man, rich, successful in his work, unmarried? devout, responsible, caring, astute Jedidiah - Boaz’s foreman, loyal, hardworking Harvesters - rough and ready, young men, work hard, play hard Servant Girls - young women, flirtatious, keep together Phinehas - elder of the village, self important Zebadiah - elder of the village, self important Giddel - elder of the village, self important Eliphaz - the other kinsman redeemer, younger than Boaz, more eligible, looks out for own interests

Summary

A faithful retelling of the Biblical account of Ruth and Naomi. It is clearly be set in the period, but there are self-conscious and unashamed anachronisms in the set and in the script. This will help remind the audience that the ideas and themes of the story are still relevant today (family ties, loyalty, love and loss, displacement, attitudes towards immigrants, faith and hope). The leitmotiv of music and songs runs through the play. This comes across clearly in both the prologue and epilogue with passing references in the script itself. The original production included a song by Malcolm Guite specially written for the play. Verses were played at key moments between certain scenes, reinforcing the themes, and a couple of them were even sung by Naomi herself. I haven't included the song here, but I am sure that if anyone else wanted to use the script, Malcolm would be pleased to provide the music and song, too.

Script

Scene 1 (prologue) (Naomi is lit by a single narrow spot. She is holding a baby and talking to him. Gentle incidental music plays while Naomi speaks.) Naomi: My…

The Book

Lyn Morgan · 25 August 2011

Style

Drama.

Duration

12min Actors: 4M, 3F

Summary

Jimmy is a young man who feels pretty sorry for himself because he has a broken leg, cannot play in the grand final with his footy team, lost his job, lost his chance with the girl of his dreams and has no electricity. Not wanting to think about his woes, he picks up a Bible and is visited by a string of characters who speak straight into his situation.

Script

Modern Day Characters: Jimmy, Ken Biblical Characters: Joseph, Job, Widow, Mary, Mary Magdalene Setting: Jimmy is sulking in the family…

Split Decision

Greg Walton · 20 June 2011

Style

Drama

Duration

8min

Actors

2F, 1M, 1M/F

Summary

; This sketch was performed as part of a family service, to illustrate selfishness. I enjoyed myself thinking up the insults the two women heap upon each other. ‘You cross-eyed camel’! ‘There’s just two things I hate about you – your face’ etc, etc. I’m sure you’ll have fun thinking of some more!

Script

(or, ‘Yes Sir, that’s my baby!’) Characters Sapphira Esther Solomon Servant (Enter Esther and Sapphira, carrying their babies.) Sapphira: That walk did them…

Prodigal Son

11 June 2011

Script

Prodigal Son By Caroline Campen Summary The story of the prodigal son, done in light-hearted modern style. Characters Narrator Prodigal Son Second Son Father 3 general…