By Steve Conley
Scripture: John 4
Props: Microphone, bucket
Cast: Reporter, Samaritan woman
Reporter: Good evening ladies and gentleman. This Skipper Jones reporter for channel 7 news. I’m here in Samaria searching for a woman who supposedly came in contact with Jesus. Just to bring you up to date I’ll give you some background on the case. Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard, “Jesus is baptizing and making more disciples than John”. So he left Judea to return to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and....
Hold on here comes a woman now...
Reporter: Excuse me ma’am, Skipper Jones from Channel 7 news could I ask you a few questions?
Woman: Yes.
Reporter: Ma’am I’m looking for the woman who supposedly came in contact with Jesus at this well.
Woman: I am that woman.
Reporter: This is exciting. I’m standing here with the woman who came in contact with Jesus. Could you tell me a little bit about that day?
Woman: Yes. Jesus was sitting on the ground where you are standing and He asked if I would please give Him a drink.
Reporter: Where were his disciples?
Woman: Gone into the village to buy some food.
Reporter: It says here that you were surprised. Why?
Woman: Because Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans.
Reporter: Then why did Jesus ask you for a drink?
Woman: That is what I asked him. I said, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
Reporter: It says here in my notes that He said, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
Woman: Yes. That is what He said.
Reporter: Ma’am. Have you ever heard of dead water?
Woman: Yes.
Reporter: Could you define the two?
Woman: Yes. Living water is active. Dead water is stagnate.
Reporter: Can you recall what happened next?
Woman: Yes. I told Him, “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket and this is a very deep well. Where would you get this living water?
Reporter: It says here that you said, and I quote, “And besides, are you greater than our ancestor Jacob who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his cattle enjoyed?”
Woman: Yes. That is what I said.
Reporter: Do you think that was an appropriate question to ask... Jesus?
Woman: I did not know it was Him at the time.
Reporter: Oh. (pause) It is also reported that Jesus said, “People soon become thirsty again after drinking this water. But the water I give them takes away thirst altogether. It becomes a perpetual spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
Woman: Yes. I asked Him, “Please, sir, give me some of that water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to haul water.”
Reporter: But Jesus told you to go and get your husband. Did He not?
Woman: Yes.
Reporter: And is it true that you did not have a husband?
Woman: Yes. That is what I told Him.
Reporter: And in fact Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now.”
Woman: I told him, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”
Reporter: Ah ha! It all comes down to worship doesn’t it?
Woman: What?
Reporter: Anyway. I have here that Jesus said, “Believe me, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father here or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know so little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Is that true?
Woman: Yes. I told Him, “I know the Messiah will come—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, He will explain everything to us.”
Reporter: And what did He say?
Woman: He told me, “I who speak to you am He.”
Reporter: Well, there you have it. Did Jesus ever get His drink of water? I guess we’ll never know. One thing is for sure. This woman will never go thirsty again. I’m Skipper Jones for Channel 7 news.
(If you use... give credit where credit is due)
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Triumph over temptation
By Steve Conley
(a reading)
Scripture: James 1:12-18
A1: Actor 1
A2: Actor 2
A1/A2: Actor 1 and 2 together
A1: I am blessed when I survive temptation
A2: When I am recognized I will receive my crown
A1: The Lord has promised
A2: A vow and covenant
A1/A2: Because we love Him.
A1: When temptation seeks to find me
A2: When temptation raps upon my door
A1: Is God within the midst of seduction?
A2: No, God cannot be tempted
A1: Nor will He bait a trap to seduce me
A2: My very own flesh is my seduction
A1: It draws me toward my desires
A2: Like a moth to a flame
A1: I am enticed by its grand parade of light
A2: If I reach for the flame I bring on the pains of labor
A1: I will give birth and name him sin
A2: And when he has grown he will bring forth death
A1: I must not answer
A2: The harder he knocks
A1: The more I must turn
A2: Listen, I must listen
A1: I hear a voice calling
A2: My beloved brethren
A1: Every good gift
A2: Every perfect gift
A1: Is from above
A2: It comes down
A1: It rains
A2: From the Father
A1: My father
A1/A2: Our Heavenly Father
A2: There is no variation
A1: Or shadow of turning
A2: He brought us forth
A1: His own will to do so
A2: By the word of truth
A1: That we might be firstfruits
A2: An offering
A1: To the Father
A2: My Father
A1/A2: Our Heavenly Father
A2: I am blessed when I survive temptation
A1: Victorious
A2: When I am recognized
A1: Standing on the center podium
A2: I will receive my crown
A1: My medal
A2: The Lord has promised
(If you use... give credit where credit is due)
(a reading)
Scripture: James 1:12-18
A1: Actor 1
A2: Actor 2
A1/A2: Actor 1 and 2 together
A1: I am blessed when I survive temptation
A2: When I am recognized I will receive my crown
A1: The Lord has promised
A2: A vow and covenant
A1/A2: Because we love Him.
A1: When temptation seeks to find me
A2: When temptation raps upon my door
A1: Is God within the midst of seduction?
A2: No, God cannot be tempted
A1: Nor will He bait a trap to seduce me
A2: My very own flesh is my seduction
A1: It draws me toward my desires
A2: Like a moth to a flame
A1: I am enticed by its grand parade of light
A2: If I reach for the flame I bring on the pains of labor
A1: I will give birth and name him sin
A2: And when he has grown he will bring forth death
A1: I must not answer
A2: The harder he knocks
A1: The more I must turn
A2: Listen, I must listen
A1: I hear a voice calling
A2: My beloved brethren
A1: Every good gift
A2: Every perfect gift
A1: Is from above
A2: It comes down
A1: It rains
A2: From the Father
A1: My father
A1/A2: Our Heavenly Father
A2: There is no variation
A1: Or shadow of turning
A2: He brought us forth
A1: His own will to do so
A2: By the word of truth
A1: That we might be firstfruits
A2: An offering
A1: To the Father
A2: My Father
A1/A2: Our Heavenly Father
A2: I am blessed when I survive temptation
A1: Victorious
A2: When I am recognized
A1: Standing on the center podium
A2: I will receive my crown
A1: My medal
A2: The Lord has promised
(If you use... give credit where credit is due)
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
It’s Just Money Honey
By Steve Conley
A1: Actor 1
A2: Actor 2
(A1 enters with some shopping bags. She’s exhausted and sits down in the chair. A2 is already seated.)
A1: Wow, I am exhausted! My dogs sure are barking!
A2: Why are you so tired? You were just going to the drug store to get some aspirin.
A1: I know and it’s a good thing I picked up some Dr. Scholl’s® inserts. If I hadn’t have done that, wow, my feet would be too tired to even work like feet!
A2: What do you mean picked up some inserts? What does that have to do with buying aspirin?
A1: Well honey, when you know you’re going to be on your feet for awhile you need a little more than aspirin. You need the cushiness of the doctor and boy are my feet gellin’!
A2: But you were just going to get aspirin, and look, it’s been 3 hours! Where did you go to get the aspirin? Did they stop selling it in Tennessee? Did you have to go across the border?
A1: No but I did go into Borders®. I bought some really great books.
A2: Books? What books? Why?
A1: Well, Borders was next door to World Bazaar® where I bought a great looking vase.
A2: Vase? Why?
A1: Well, I needed new vase so I could put the new plant in that I bought.
A2: What’s wrong with the other vases we have laying around the house? The vases that have nothing in them.
A1: Well, they didn’t match the new pillows that I bought.
A2: New pillows? Plants? A vase? Books?
A1; Yes and that’s not all…
A2: Hold on! Where did you get the money to pay for all of this?
A1: Money?
A2: Yes, money! You had to have money to buy all these things, right?
A1: Oh, we had the money. I checked our account before I left.
A2: No, no, no. We didn’t have the money.
A1: Yes we did. I looked at our balance. It said we had $534.00 in checking.
A2: No, we don’t. I had that money budgeted. It’s not really there.
A1: Oh it’s there. The little print out said it was there.
A2: Okay, wait. You need to pretend that it’s not there.
A1: Why do I need to do that when it said it was there?
A2: Because I’ve budgeted that money. It’s there, but it’s not really there.
A1: A2, here let me give you some aspirin. I don’t think you are feeling well.
A2: No I feel fine.
A1: Honey, it’s there. No need for pretending or acting.
A2: A1, I budget so much money every week for the different bills we have. Our checking account is kind of like a holding tank until those bills come due each month.
A1: Well, we still have time. It’s still there. Or was still there. You can just replace it.
A2: Replace it with what?
A1: When the rebate check comes in the mail we can take that money and put it back.
A2: Rebate? For what?
A1: Well, you know Gadget City is going out of business so I got in on the sale and bought a new underwater radio.
A2: Underwater radio? What are you planning on doing with an underwater radio?
A1: A2, you never know when you’re going to need these things!
A2: How are we ever going to get out of debt if we keep buying underwater radios?
A1: Did you buy one too?
A2: No! I’m just saying. We can’t keep spending what we don’t have!
A1: But we did have…
A2: I know, I know what you’re going to say and I don’t want to hear it! A1, we’ve got to learn to take some practical steps to spend smarter and make some personal goals to move us toward getting out of debt.
A1: I am totally with you on getting out of debt!
A2: Really?
A1: Yes. That’s why I bought you this book for $34.99 on how to set up a budget.
A2: What? Ah!
(A2 starts to exit)
A1: …And it comes with a DVD set that’s mailed to us every month for $54.95. A2? They bill monthly! A2? We can take the pretend money and pay for it! A2!
(A1 exits)
(If you use... give credit where credit is due)
A1: Actor 1
A2: Actor 2
(A1 enters with some shopping bags. She’s exhausted and sits down in the chair. A2 is already seated.)
A1: Wow, I am exhausted! My dogs sure are barking!
A2: Why are you so tired? You were just going to the drug store to get some aspirin.
A1: I know and it’s a good thing I picked up some Dr. Scholl’s® inserts. If I hadn’t have done that, wow, my feet would be too tired to even work like feet!
A2: What do you mean picked up some inserts? What does that have to do with buying aspirin?
A1: Well honey, when you know you’re going to be on your feet for awhile you need a little more than aspirin. You need the cushiness of the doctor and boy are my feet gellin’!
A2: But you were just going to get aspirin, and look, it’s been 3 hours! Where did you go to get the aspirin? Did they stop selling it in Tennessee? Did you have to go across the border?
A1: No but I did go into Borders®. I bought some really great books.
A2: Books? What books? Why?
A1: Well, Borders was next door to World Bazaar® where I bought a great looking vase.
A2: Vase? Why?
A1: Well, I needed new vase so I could put the new plant in that I bought.
A2: What’s wrong with the other vases we have laying around the house? The vases that have nothing in them.
A1: Well, they didn’t match the new pillows that I bought.
A2: New pillows? Plants? A vase? Books?
A1; Yes and that’s not all…
A2: Hold on! Where did you get the money to pay for all of this?
A1: Money?
A2: Yes, money! You had to have money to buy all these things, right?
A1: Oh, we had the money. I checked our account before I left.
A2: No, no, no. We didn’t have the money.
A1: Yes we did. I looked at our balance. It said we had $534.00 in checking.
A2: No, we don’t. I had that money budgeted. It’s not really there.
A1: Oh it’s there. The little print out said it was there.
A2: Okay, wait. You need to pretend that it’s not there.
A1: Why do I need to do that when it said it was there?
A2: Because I’ve budgeted that money. It’s there, but it’s not really there.
A1: A2, here let me give you some aspirin. I don’t think you are feeling well.
A2: No I feel fine.
A1: Honey, it’s there. No need for pretending or acting.
A2: A1, I budget so much money every week for the different bills we have. Our checking account is kind of like a holding tank until those bills come due each month.
A1: Well, we still have time. It’s still there. Or was still there. You can just replace it.
A2: Replace it with what?
A1: When the rebate check comes in the mail we can take that money and put it back.
A2: Rebate? For what?
A1: Well, you know Gadget City is going out of business so I got in on the sale and bought a new underwater radio.
A2: Underwater radio? What are you planning on doing with an underwater radio?
A1: A2, you never know when you’re going to need these things!
A2: How are we ever going to get out of debt if we keep buying underwater radios?
A1: Did you buy one too?
A2: No! I’m just saying. We can’t keep spending what we don’t have!
A1: But we did have…
A2: I know, I know what you’re going to say and I don’t want to hear it! A1, we’ve got to learn to take some practical steps to spend smarter and make some personal goals to move us toward getting out of debt.
A1: I am totally with you on getting out of debt!
A2: Really?
A1: Yes. That’s why I bought you this book for $34.99 on how to set up a budget.
A2: What? Ah!
(A2 starts to exit)
A1: …And it comes with a DVD set that’s mailed to us every month for $54.95. A2? They bill monthly! A2? We can take the pretend money and pay for it! A2!
(A1 exits)
(If you use... give credit where credit is due)
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
How to be blessed by the Bible
By Steve Conley
Scripture: James 1:19-27
A1: Actor 1
A2: Actor 2
A1 enters with an 8 ball in one hand and a Bible in the other hand.
A1: (Shaking the 8 ball) God, will I have a blessed day? (looks down at the answer the 8 ball gives) Reply hazy, try again. (shaking the 8 ball asks again) God, will this be a blessed day? (looks at 8 ball) Concentrate and ask again) I’m beginning to think this thing is broken! God, how can I be blessed? (looks at 8 ball again) Are you kidding? Am I kidding? No I’m not kidding! I really need to know.
A2 enters.
A2: What are you doing with that thing?
A1: It’s an 8 ball. I’m asking it questions.
A2: Really?
A1: Yes, watch this. (speaking to 8 ball) 8 ball, am I a good person? (shaking and looking) Outlook so so.
A2: I can’t believe you are asking an 8 ball questions. Don’t you know that thing is just a toy? It’s not real!
A1: Yes, but I can get some quick answers.
A2: I’m finding it hard to believe you have an 8 ball in one hand and a Bible in the other and you’re looking for answers from a toy instead of the Bible.
A1: Oh, I look through the Bible also, but like I said, this is just the fast way.
A2: You can ask all day with that but you will not find God’s true answers or be able to receive His blessings from an 8 ball.
A1: Hey that was one of my questions. Will I be blessed?
A2: Well, you can be blessed by the Bible. Did you know that?
A1: How so?
A2: Did you know in America, Bibles are everywhere. Yet millions of people still miss the blessing of the Bible?
A1: Why?
A2: Because it's not automatic like that 8 ball. The Bible is a Book of blessing. It promises comfort, strength, hope, wisdom, joy, power, and purpose. But just because you have a Bible doesn't mean you're going to get the benefit from it.
A1: But I need the benefit!
A2: Listen; there are steps on how to be blessed by the Bible. Let me show you. First you need to receive God’s word. See, it says here in James 1:21, “Accept the Word planted in you.” If we're going to be blessed by the Word of God, first we must welcome the Word into our lives. We must be receptive. James says we must receive the word of God with the right attitude. He gives us four attitudes, be Careful. “Be quick to listen...” , (vs. 19) be Calm. “…and slow to become angry…” (vs. 19b) Be Clean. “…get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent…” (vs. 21) and be Compliant. “…humbly accept the Word of God planted in you” (vs. 21b)
A1: Hey you know me. I can do all of those things. I’m careful, I’m calm, I’m slow to anger, I’m rid of all moral filth and I’m humble!
A2: Hummm… yes, well we also need to reflect on God’s word like it says in verse 23. Here look in this mirror.
A2 hands A1 a mirror.
A1: Oh would you look at me!
A2: Humble huh?
A1: Ah, yes, I think so.
A2: James says (reading), “22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” You see, God's Word is like a mirror. The purpose of a mirror is to evaluate us. God says a mirror reflects what we're like on the outside. God's Word reflects what we're like on the inside. Here (handing A1 the Bible), I want you to read this part.
A1: Ok, “25But 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.”
A2: There are three ways to reflect on the Word of God. Read it, review it and remember it!
A1: So, I need to focus my attention on the Word of God. Meditate on the Word of God, and memorize the Word of God.
A2: Yes, and like the good Book says, “he will be blessed in what he does.”
A1: In what “we” do.
A2: You’ve got it!
A1 (shakes 8 ball and asks) Will A2 buy me lunch? (looking at 8 ball) Yes, definitely!
A2: My sources say no!
A1 and A2 exit.
(If you use... give credit where credit is due)
Scripture: James 1:19-27
A1: Actor 1
A2: Actor 2
A1 enters with an 8 ball in one hand and a Bible in the other hand.
A1: (Shaking the 8 ball) God, will I have a blessed day? (looks down at the answer the 8 ball gives) Reply hazy, try again. (shaking the 8 ball asks again) God, will this be a blessed day? (looks at 8 ball) Concentrate and ask again) I’m beginning to think this thing is broken! God, how can I be blessed? (looks at 8 ball again) Are you kidding? Am I kidding? No I’m not kidding! I really need to know.
A2 enters.
A2: What are you doing with that thing?
A1: It’s an 8 ball. I’m asking it questions.
A2: Really?
A1: Yes, watch this. (speaking to 8 ball) 8 ball, am I a good person? (shaking and looking) Outlook so so.
A2: I can’t believe you are asking an 8 ball questions. Don’t you know that thing is just a toy? It’s not real!
A1: Yes, but I can get some quick answers.
A2: I’m finding it hard to believe you have an 8 ball in one hand and a Bible in the other and you’re looking for answers from a toy instead of the Bible.
A1: Oh, I look through the Bible also, but like I said, this is just the fast way.
A2: You can ask all day with that but you will not find God’s true answers or be able to receive His blessings from an 8 ball.
A1: Hey that was one of my questions. Will I be blessed?
A2: Well, you can be blessed by the Bible. Did you know that?
A1: How so?
A2: Did you know in America, Bibles are everywhere. Yet millions of people still miss the blessing of the Bible?
A1: Why?
A2: Because it's not automatic like that 8 ball. The Bible is a Book of blessing. It promises comfort, strength, hope, wisdom, joy, power, and purpose. But just because you have a Bible doesn't mean you're going to get the benefit from it.
A1: But I need the benefit!
A2: Listen; there are steps on how to be blessed by the Bible. Let me show you. First you need to receive God’s word. See, it says here in James 1:21, “Accept the Word planted in you.” If we're going to be blessed by the Word of God, first we must welcome the Word into our lives. We must be receptive. James says we must receive the word of God with the right attitude. He gives us four attitudes, be Careful. “Be quick to listen...” , (vs. 19) be Calm. “…and slow to become angry…” (vs. 19b) Be Clean. “…get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent…” (vs. 21) and be Compliant. “…humbly accept the Word of God planted in you” (vs. 21b)
A1: Hey you know me. I can do all of those things. I’m careful, I’m calm, I’m slow to anger, I’m rid of all moral filth and I’m humble!
A2: Hummm… yes, well we also need to reflect on God’s word like it says in verse 23. Here look in this mirror.
A2 hands A1 a mirror.
A1: Oh would you look at me!
A2: Humble huh?
A1: Ah, yes, I think so.
A2: James says (reading), “22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” You see, God's Word is like a mirror. The purpose of a mirror is to evaluate us. God says a mirror reflects what we're like on the outside. God's Word reflects what we're like on the inside. Here (handing A1 the Bible), I want you to read this part.
A1: Ok, “25But 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.”
A2: There are three ways to reflect on the Word of God. Read it, review it and remember it!
A1: So, I need to focus my attention on the Word of God. Meditate on the Word of God, and memorize the Word of God.
A2: Yes, and like the good Book says, “he will be blessed in what he does.”
A1: In what “we” do.
A2: You’ve got it!
A1 (shakes 8 ball and asks) Will A2 buy me lunch? (looking at 8 ball) Yes, definitely!
A2: My sources say no!
A1 and A2 exit.
(If you use... give credit where credit is due)
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