Consider the Stars: A Collection of Sketches and Lesson Plans for the Faith-Based Dramatist

By John Lindsay

Consider the Stars will not only be a delight to read, it will be a valued experience to be shared over and over again. Whether you make reading the seasonal stories a tradition or use its lessons to supplement your Bible study, church service or simply entertain your youth group, Consider the Stars will be an active tool in your library.

In addition to the sketches and correlating lesson plans that make up the majority of the book, a short study of acting is included at the end of the book with its focus bent toward the Christian actor by understanding that everything a person chooses to do or not to do is based on a belief system.

Why is drama important in presenting moral principles? Its often difficult to repeat what was preached even a moment ago, much less apply it, yet we can all recall a song or story that we heard even decades ago. Likewise, whether you believe he is who he says he is or not, Jesus is remembered mainly because he didnt tell us which way to gohe showed us through the stories he told and the life he lived.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Apr 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781468574258

Book preview

ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS

There are few things that can cause more chaos, gridlock and conflict than asking every procrastinator in the world to perform the same task with the same deadline. We call it Christmas Eve.

On the other hand, for the true fishers of men, there is no better time of the year with such a captive audience. Underscored with the glitz vs. substance theme, a shopper and store owner are pitted together with two distinctly different objectives. All Things Christmas shows one individual’s creative way to make a point, prove her faith and redirect someone else’s life for the better through some uncommonly good sense.

ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS

(ELEVATOR MUSIC underscores a quiet Christian Bookstore the evening before Christmas. The CLERK and the STORE OWNER are both behind the counter. LARRY enters impatiently.)

LARRY

(to a patron)

Do you work here?

PATRON

No.

LARRY

(to another patron)

Do you work here?

PATRON

Sorry.

LARRY

Does anybody work here?

CLERK

(to owner)

I’ll take care of this one.

STORE OWNER

(to clerk)

No. Finish what you’re doing.

LARRY

Some of us would like to be home in time for Christmas.

CLERK

(to Larry sarcastically)

We’ll be right with you.

STORE OWNER

(to Larry)

Thank you for your patience. Feel free to look around.

LARRY

I know exactly what I want. I’ve got a list and I can pay cash.

CLERK

(to owner)

I’ll smack that man so hard he’ll hear jingle bells till Valentine’s Day.

STORE OWNER

(to patron at the counter)

Would you like a bag for that? Thank you. Merry Christmas.

(Store owner crosses to Larry)

LARRY

(to himself)

I hate this time of year.

STORE OWNER

(to Larry)

Sorry for the wait. How may I help you?

LARRY

I need a fifteen foot artificial silver Christmas tree, lights, bulbs, the works; something that says, Christmas.

STORE OWNER

I’m sorry. I think you mistook us for All Things Christmas. They’re down the street. We’re All Things Christian.

LARRY

I’ve been there. There are a hundred people in line and you’re the only store within twenty miles with an open parking spot. Just show me what you got. The bigger, the shinier, the better.

STORE OWNER

You might like this. It’s a 24 karat gold depiction of our Lord and Savior on the cross paying for our sins. I made it myself. The gold itself is worth $2,400.00. Do you like it?

LARRY

Wow. Yeah. The detail is amazing. $2,400.00?

STORE OWNER

That’s just the cost of the gold. It’s worth far more, but it’s not for sale. I’m saving it for . . . someone special.

LARRY

If it’s not for sale, then why’d you show it to me?

STORE OWNER

You asked me to show you what I had so I did.

LARRY

Let’s just stick to the list, all right? One fifteen-foot artificial silver Christmas tree. Now that says, Christmas.

STORE OWNER

We don’t have anything that size. We do have the family tree that depicts the generations and history from Adam to Jesus, but I don’t suppose that’s on your list.

LARRY

Hello? Christmas shopping.

STORE OWNER

You said you wanted bulbs.

LARRY

Now you’re talking.

STORE OWNER

Here they are.

LARRY

There’s writing all over these things. Don’t you have any plain old green and red bulbs or silver bells . . . something that says, Christmas?

STORE OWNER

Every bulb has a name of God engraved on it.

LARRY

But they’re all different.

STORE OWNER

God has many names. And every name has a different meaning.

LARRY

Don’t you have anything with Rudolf or Frosty?

STORE OWNER

You can find what you’re looking for down the street.

LARRY

It’s no wonder you have empty parking spots. I bet you’re the only store in 100 miles that’s not selling what people want.

STORE OWNER

Well saints be praised.

LARRY

I hate this. Show me . . . what do you call it? A nativity scene. You’ve got to have one of those.

(Store owner leads him to a nativity display.)

LARRY

(Continuing)

Well that’s a start. Maybe I can spruce it up with some tinsel. You wouldn’t happen to have . . . never mind. Wait. Where are the three kings?

STORE OWNER

That’s a fallacy. The three wise men weren’t at the birth. Do you even own a Bible?

LARRY

You take this way too seriously. People want the three kings. It doesn’t mean anything.

STORE OWNER

Everything means something.

LARRY

Yeah. Right.

STORE OWNER

The fact you weren’t willing to wait in line means something. Everything we do or choose not to do says something about us. The fact you couldn’t find a parking spot anywhere else means something.

CLERK

The fact he parked in the spot marked reserved means something.

LARRY

How does she know where I parked?

STORE OWNER

I think you know why you came in here. Of all the stores you could have picked, you chose this one. That means something.

LARRY

What does it mean?

STORE OWNER

It means there’s a part of you that doesn’t want to be set off by another inconsiderate driver on the way to work. There’s a part of you that’s beginning to understand that being in control is an illusion, and that just because you can afford to buy something doesn’t give it value.

LARRY

I don’t think I’m going to find what I’m looking for here.

STORE OWNER

Maybe you should rethink what you’re looking for.

LARRY

Maybe. Merry Christmas.

STORE OWNER

Sorry. No hard feelings?

LARRY

Na. Merry Christmas.

(Store owner embraces Larry and slips the gold cross in his coat pocket. Larry exits.)

LARRY

(continuing; to himself)

That was uncomfortable. Now where are those keys?

(Larry discovers the cross.)

LARRY

What the . . . how did . . . ?

(Larry reenters. Store owner is back behind the counter with another customer.)

LARRY

Excuse me?

CLERK

We’ll be right with you.

LARRY

Excuse me?

(Larry waives the cross in the air in an attempt to get the attention of the owner.)

LARRY

I’ve got your thing.

STORE OWNER

Just leave it on the floor.

LARRY

I can’t leave it on the floor. It’s gold.

STORE OWNER

Then hold on to it please. I’ll be right there.

(Larry looks at it closely and sees something deeper for the first time.)

STORE OWNER

(continuing; to patron.)

Thanks. Merry Christmas.

(continuing; to Larry)

How may I help you?

LARRY

I’m sorry. I have no idea how I ended up with your cross.

STORE OWNER

It was a gift.

LARRY

I don’t have time for jokes or any more lessons on the meaning of life. You said you were saving it for someone special.

STORE OWNER

You don’t think you’re special? It’s a free gift. Why can’t you accept that?

LARRY

You don’t know me. No offence, but you’re not my type. You don’t know anything about me. You know what? You’re nuts. Take it back.

STORE OWNER

What’s so hard to believe about someone giving something valuable to a stranger?

LARRY

Because no one ever has? I wouldn’t do it.

STORE OWNER

If I don’t give you something valuable, how are you ever going to really believe that Jesus would do what he did?

LARRY

You know, I do like it. Your crazy must be rubbing off on me. I’ll take it. How much do you want for it?

STORE OWNER

I can’t sell it to you. It’s a free gift. There are some things you can’t put a price tag on without devaluing. That cross in your hand represents over a month’s worth of work for me, but you could work a thousand lifetimes and never come close to paying for what Jesus did when he paid for our mistakes. Do you know what I got when I accepted his free gift? Peace.

LARRY

You’re wrong. I didn’t know why I came in here . . . until now. May I please . . . buy . . . a Bible?

STORE OWNER

I have to charge you full price.

LARRY

Of course.

STORE OWNER

I think you’ll like this one.

(The store owner hands Larry a Bible. Larry hands the store owner money.)

LARRY

Please keep the change. Merry Christmas.

(They embrace again.)

STORE OWNER

Merry Christmas.

(Larry exits. The store owner finds the cross in her pocket and smiles. The clerk approaches.)

CLERK

That is one crazy way to sell a Bible.

THE END

ALL THINGS CHRISTMAS

The Store owner’s character has quite a lot to communicate in addition to delivering the memorized lines. She needs to show early on that she is sizing up the shopper. She has a very special gift to give and a very keen eye for the specific qualities of the person she’ll choose to give it to. Unlike the shopper who makes frequent emotional outbursts, the store owner, because she is using a plan that has been successful before, should be emotionally controlled and able to resist any natural tendency of retaliation.

A Good Fisherman:

1. Knows where the fish are.

2. Knows what type of fish they’re after.

3. Knows to use the appropriate bait and is willing to sacrifice it for the sake of the catch.

4. Expects a fight.

5. Is not easily discouraged.

Scripture References:

1. Where should we be focused?

• Proverbs 8:18-19, Riches and honor are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.

2. What should we be doing?

• Luke 19:10, For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

3. What should we be avoiding? How do we avoid it, and why?

• Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

4. How should we appear to others?

• 1 Corinthians 9:22-25, To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

5. What should we be looking for?

• Hebrews 13:2, Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

6. Why should we run the race?

• 1 Peter 3:8-11, Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

Character List:

• Store owner

• Larry

• Clerk

• Additional shoppers

Property List:

• Gold cross

• Nativity display

• Ornament display

• Bible

• Checkout counter

• Two small display tables

• Money

Costume suggestions:

• The store owner should have a smock or apron with large pockets.

• Larry should have an overcoat with large pockets.

THE BATTLEGROUND

The Battleground is the last of the four sketches incorporated in a production entitled Act of God. Each Act of God sketch was derived from the Disciple’s Prayer as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13. The Battleground takes the audience on a quest for the root of all evil, and is made up of several short vignettes and cameos by famous biblical personalities. In the performance of The Battleground, each actor was required to play multiple characters. If a larger group is available, the work may also be executed on a 1:1 actor to role ratio.

To introduce The Battleground in the original production, the scripture verse from which it is based was read, . . . and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, followed by the following commentary:

Most of us naturally want to protect those we care about from evil or temptation, but that’s not what God does, is it? You see, he knows that it’s not temptation that deceives us, but our own selfish desire, and we’re the ones who allow evil to reign in our lives when we remain ignorant of the truth. Isn’t it great to know that God’s ways are not our ways?

THE BATTLEGROUND

PLAYER 1

The devil’s house of cards is a lot like a magician’s illusion. Magic tricks prove that any one of us can be tricked into believing something has disappeared, or something that appears to be real isn’t real at all, even though it could be right in front of us.

(Player 2 enters and stands next to Player 1. Player 1 pokes Player 2’s shoulder.)

PLAYER 2

(to Player 1)

I’m real.

(to audience)

Illusions are great examples of what you can get away with when your audience can only see it from the front. If you had seen it from the side or from behind, you’d have figured it out like that.

PLAYER 1

So, if you want to maintain the illusion, you have to have a good strategy.

PLAYER 2

Not unlike playing a game of chess.

SKETCH 1

(Husband and wife are finishing a game of chess.)

PLAYER 4/WIFE

I hate this game. I don’t want to play anymore.

PLAYER 3 / HUSBAND

You’re only saying that because your mind hasn’t been trained to think ahead.

PLAYER 4 / WIFE

I’m thinking ahead to what I’m going to say the next time you ask me to play this silly game.

PLAYER 3 / HUSBAND

Chess isn’t just a game. It’s the ultimate test of strategy; nothing to do with size or strength. I won because . . .

PLAYER 4 / WIFE

. . . you’re a bully and I hate you?

PLAYER 3 / HUSBAND

Because I prepared a good defense. I distracted you with a clever move and attacked when you least expected.

PLAYER 4 / WIFE

Why do I put up with you?

PLAYER 3 / HUSBAND

Because you know that I’d die for you.

PLAYER 4 / WIFE

You always say that but you never do.

END SKETCH 1

PLAYER 1

The devil isn’t any bigger or stronger than we are, but he does have an age old strategy. He keeps us right where we are and distracts us from what’s most important: Our relationship with God.

PLAYER 2

It seems like it’s becoming more and more difficult to maintain that relationship.

PLAYER 1

But the question is why? And to answer that we need professional help.

PLAYER 2

You don’t mean . . .

PLAYER 1

Only the greatest detective ever. The one and only Mr. Sherlock Holmes.

SKETCH 2

PLAYER 4 / WITNESS

Oh, Mr. Holmes. Thank goodness.

PLAYER 3 / HOLMES

What seems to be the problem?

PLAYER 4 / WITNESS

There’s been a murder. It was the A.C.L.U. They killed God.

PLAYER 5 / DR. WATSON

The Aclu?

PLAYER 3 / HOLMES

The A.C.L.U. is the American Civil Liberties Union. Allow me to introduce my friend, Dr. Watson.

PLAYER 4 / WITNESS

You don’t believe me.

PLAYER 3 / HOLMES

Did you see someone die?

PLAYER 4 / WITNESS

Not someone. God. He’s gone. It’s like he never existed. Erased!

PLAYER 5 / DR. WATSON

If Scotland Yard could hear this.

PLAYER 4 / WITNESS

You must believe me?

PLAYER 3 / HOLMES

Stay calm. We will help you, but it’s important you tell us everything, even the slightest detail. When did you discover God missing?

PLAYER 4 / WITNESS

When a friend asked me to prove God existed. I remembered God gave Moses the Ten Commandments. We’ve displayed them in our Town Hall as long as I can remember, but when we went to go see them they were gone.

PLAYER 5 / DR. WATSON

I don’t think that’s going to hold up.

PLAYER 3 / HOLMES

Wait. Let’s assume it’s true. To eliminate a witness you must discredit what they said or what they did. You mentioned the A.C.L.U. What are they doing now?

(Witness retrieves newspaper)

PLAYER 4 / WITNESS

According to this ARTICLE, the A.C.L.U. is trying to remove books.

(Dr. Watson reads article.)

PLAYER 5 / DR. WATSON

Science books actually. These books show proof that the Grand Canyon is a result of the great flood of the Bible.

PLAYER 3 / HOLMES

The A.C.L.U. is