Gospel Stage Plays with a Purpose

By Jacqueline Sutton-Ball

“It’s showtime! Intriguing, astonishing, standing ovations, hilarious, breathtaking, soul stirring, powerful, and showstopping.”

Introducing Jacqueline Sutton Ball! One of the greatest African American female playwrights of all time! This book shows God’s love and grace through her well-written and family-friendly gospel stage plays. Her storylines demonstrate everyday life situations that audiences can relate to.

They are integrating messages to inspire, motivate, entertain, and change lives!

These plays will minister to and entertain all genres of life: Sunday school classes, youth ministries, theatrical performances, family gatherings, school programs, special occasions, fundraisers, etc.

Stage plays with a purpose—to change lives and to glorify Jesus Christ.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 8, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098093549

Book preview

A Birthday Celebration

Scene 1: On the Playground—Loser

Jesus is sitting in the corner watching the children playing on the playground.

Jesus. My birthday is today. Every year, I am expecting a gift from each and every one of you. After all, you were the ones who decided to celebrate my birthday. However, every year, you all always talk about the other guy. He’s all over the television, Facebook, shopping malls, and everywhere. You know who I’m talking about—Santa Claus. What if someone else got all the attention on your birthday? Just sit back and watch how many times I show up on my birthday, and you never even noticed me.

Jordan and Dontay are throwing the football back and forth to each other. Eventually, Little Marvin, who is poor and less fortunate, comes over to join them.

Jordan, happily. Every year, Santa Claus brings me some new Jordan’s and a game system. I’m going to get a new phone, new Jordan’s and game system this year.

Dontay. I want those new Jordan’s too. My parents told Santa not to get me nothing but name-brand clothes and shoes.

Marvin hears their conversation and starts walking over.

Jordan, whispering and pointing at Marvin. I will never wear those cheap bubblegum shoes like someone I know.

Marvin. I wish I could have those things. If you get two games, can I come over and play sometimes?

Jordan, laughs. Man, please! You ain’t coming to my house.

Dontay. And mine either!

Jordan. You see, my mom is sick. I have seven other sisters and brothers, and my dad passed away.

My mom can’t afford to buy me those things. Can I at least be your friend?

Jordan, laughs harder. Yeah, right! I wouldn’t be seen with you. You smell like collard greens, and look at your clothes.

Dontay. Come on, man, I have more important things to do than to stand here and talk to this loser.

Dontay and Jordan puts the loser sign on their foreheads.

Jordan. Loser!

Dontay and Jordan run off in one direction, and Little Marvin slowly walks off in the other direction with his head down, toward Jesus.

Jesus. And ye now therefore have sorrow; but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you. John 16:22.

Scene 2: The Church’s Sanctuary

Jesus walks on the stage and stands in the corner of the church.

Danesha and Marie walks in the sanctuary.

Danesha. Boy, oh, boy! Reverend Maxwell know he preached a good sermon today. His sermon was What do the Lonely do for Christmas?

Marie. He did, all right. Half the time, I was thinking about my Christmas list.

Danesha. I’m almost through with my Christmas shopping. I know what, I want me some red bottom shoes and a sixty-inch TV, nobody better not give me no sweater this year, I’ll throw it back at them.

They both laugh.

Marie. I know, that’s right. Santa Claus better have his credit card cause I want it all!

Sister Clara walks in, and Marie and Danesha turns up their nose.

Danesha, very dry. Hey, Sister Clara. Merry Christmas.

Sister Clara. Merry Christmas. I heard y’all talking about Christmas. You know, I couldn’t have any children and, my husband passed away. (Puts her head down in sorrow.) I will be alone again for Christmas. Sure wish I had some company.

Marie and Danesha jump up and look at each other like Sister Clara has lost her mind. Marie grabs Danesha’s arm and pulls her toward the door.

Marie. Well, well, look at the time. Maybe somebody will stop by to see you.

Danesha, whispering. Girl, Christmas is for family. Ain’t nobody sitting over to the mean old lady’s house.

Marie. Merry Christmas, Sister Clara.

Sister Clara looks into the audience, drops her head, and slowly walks out the church.

Jesus. Then shall he answer them saying, Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye did it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Scene 3: In the Living Room—Christmas Morning

Jesus walks into the living room and stands next to the Christmas tree. The following gifts are under the tree: a big box, a ring box, and seven other gifts.

Mom and Dad enter the living room. Mom picks up the big box and hands it to Dad.

Mom, very excited. Merry Christmas, honey! See what Santa and I bought you for Christmas.

Dad opens the gift and is very disappointed.

Dad. Dear, you shouldn’t have. You know we cannot afford this TV. I am already working three jobs to pay all the bills.

Mom. Honey, it’s Christmas. And I know you brought me something big! (Mom turns and talks to the audience.) He better, and I done spent all his money on him.

Dad gets the ring box from under the tree. Mom sees the ring box and gets very excited.

Dad. Now, honey, calm down. It’s not much. But remember, it’s the thought that counts.

Dad hands her the ring box. She quickly snatches it. And walks over and talks to the audience again.

Mom. Oooooh! Ooooh! Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! (She opens the ring box only to find a small piece of peppermint candy.)

Dad. Surprise…

Mom. What is this? You better explain, now!

Dad. Remember the first time we met. You asked me for a piece of peppermint candy in church. I gave it to you, and I said, I hope it is as sweet as you are. You replied, looking at the stripes on the candy, Through his stripes we are healed. Right then, I knew you were my soul mate.

Mom, very angry. Right now, you are about to be my inmate! This is the cheap way out! (She throws the box on the couch.) You keep your stupid candy. (She storms out the room.)

Dad. But, honey…

He runs out the room behind her. The kids enter the room and start grabbing their gifts from under the tree.

Bria. I have been blessed with a new baby doll.

Blake, to Quinton. Santa brought me three gifts and only brought you two!

Quinton. Mama! Santa brought him more gifts than he brought me! That’s not fair.

Bria. I will share my gifts with you!

Blake, laughing. I got more than you do!

Quinton. Stop it, Blake! Stop it!

Blake. Mom! Dad! Tell him to stop!

Blake and Quinton leave the room arguing.

Bria. Can’t we just show some love on Christmas day?

Bria looks into the audience, drops her head, and walks off the stage. Jesus steps forward and talks to the audience.

Jesus. How many times did you recognize me on my birthday? I was the poor lad.

Marvin comes out.

Marvin. All I wanted for Christmas was the gift of friendship.

Jesus. I was the lonely widow.

Sister Clara comes out.

Sister Clara. All I wanted for Christmas was the gift of caring.

Jesus. I was a little child.

Bria comes out.

Bria. All I wanted for Christmas was the gift of love.

Everyone enters the stage.

Jesus. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10. But remember, I was the greatest gift of all. Therefore, stop praising Santa Claus, and remember, I am the reason for the season.

Everyone, very loud. Merry Christmas!

Christmas on a Budget

Scene 1: In the Living Room—Sunday Dinner

Grandpa Charlie is snoring while sleeping on the love seat. Grandma Lula comes in the living room from the kitchen still wearing her apron and has her dish cloth in her hands. She walks over and hits Grandpa Charlie with the dish cloth.

Grandma Lula, yelling. Charlie! Wake up! All you do is sleep!

Grandpa Charlie suddenly sits straight up out of his sleep.

Grandpa Charlie, confused. Who let out the sheep!

Grandma Lula. I ain’t said nothing about no sheep!

Grandpa Charlie, angry. What you want, Lula? Don’t you see me trying to sleep?

Grandma Lula. Michael, Renee and our grandbabies will be over here soon for Sunday Dinner.

Grandpa Charlie. Well, wake me up when they get here.

Grandpa Charlie falls back off to sleep. Grandma Lula hits him again with the dish cloth about three or four times.

Grandma Lula. Wake up now, Charlie, I ain’t gonna tell you no more!

Grandpa Charlie suddenly stands straight up out of his sleep and starts looking around frantically.

Grandpa Charlie, frantically. Who that? Who that? Coming through the door!

Grandma Lula, laughing. Old man, you are so crazy. That is what you get for sleeping all the time.

Grandpa Charlie, embarrassed. Stop playing now, Lula.

Grandpa sits back down on the couch, but this time, he picks up the newspaper off the coffee table and starts reading it. Grandma Lula sits on the love seat next to him and picks ups the remote and starts flipping through the channels.

Grandma Lula, frustrated. Ain’t nothing on the television these days but reality shows.

Grandpa Charlie. We need to make us some money and come up with our own reality show.

Grandma Lula. Oh yeah, what you gonna name it, Charlie?

Grandpa Charlie. Instead of Housewives of Atlanta, we gonna call it Old Folks of Lumpkin.

Grandma Lula. Who you calling old? (Laughing.) It’s gonna be named Good-Looking Senior Citizens of Stewart County.

They both laugh. The doorbell rings. Grandpa Charlie answers the door. Michael, Rene, Ka’Mya, and Kameron are at the door. They enter.

Kameron. Hi, Grandpa. Hi, Grandma.

Ka’Mya. Hey y’all.

Grandma Lula. Y’all come over here and give your grandma a hug.

They hug Grandma Lula. Grandpa Charlie sits back down next to Grandma Lula. Michael, Rene, and Ka’Mya sit on the couch. Kameron sits on the floor.

Michael. How are y’all doing, Mama?

Grandma Lula. We’re doing fine, Michael. Just finished cooking dinner.

Ka’Mya. Grandma, can I help you in the kitchen?

Rene. Wow, somebody must be hungry. (To Ka’Mya.) You never want to help me in the kitchen.

Grandma Lula. Come on, baby. Sure, you can help.

Grandma Lula, Renee, and Ka’Mya go to the kitchen.

Michael. Daddy, I’m surprised you’re not sleep.

Grandpa Charlie, yawning. Your mama won’t let me. Every five minutes it’s (in Grandma Lula’s voice) wake up, Charlie! Charlie, you asleep?

They laugh. Grandpa starts falling off to sleep. Kameron gets up off the floor and sits next to Michael. They are engaged in a conversation and not really paying Grandpa Charlie any attention.

Kameron. Daddy?

Michael. What is it, son?

Kameron. Are we going to watch the game after we eat?

Michael. Yes, we are. Right, Daddy?

Kameron. I don’t know about Grandpa. The last time we were over here, the game was watching him.

Michael, laughing. He got a point there now, Daddy.

They both turn around and look at Grandpa Charlie. Grandpa Charlie does a real loud snore.

Rene. Y’all come on! Let’s eat!

Grandpa Charlie snores even louder.

Michael and Kameron shake their head with their hands in air.

Curtains close

Scene 2: In the Living Room—After Sunday Dinner

Michael and Kameron are watching the game. Grandpa Charlie is asleep. Ka’Mya comes out the room talking on her cell phone with her plate in her hands. Grandma Lula and Rene come out the kitchen.

Ka’Mya. Grandma, that food was so good.

Ka’Mya passes them and goes into the kitchen. Grandma Lula and Rene go into the living room and sit down.

Rene. Kameron, did you all enjoy the game?

Kameron. We sure did! (Secretly pointing at Grandpa Charlie.) But as usual, the game was watching somebody else I know.

They all laugh loud and wake up Grandpa Charlie. He jumps up out of his sleep and pretends he is watching the game.

Grandpa Charlie. Touch down!

Michael, laughing. Daddy! Really? The game is over!

Grandpa Charlie, embarrassed. I knew that…

Ka’Mya comes out of the kitchen on her phone and sits next to Grandma Lula.

Ka’Mya, to the person on the phone. All right, girl, I will call you later. (To Grandma Lula.) Grandma, what are you getting me for Christmas this year?

Grandma Lula. Well, that depends. What do you want?

Kameron comes over and stands next to Grandma Lula and Ka’Mya.

Kameron. We both brought a list.

Grandma Lula. Okay, let me see it. (Kameron and Ka’Mya pull a list out of