----------------------------- A NOTE REGARDING THIS VERSION ----------------------------- This script is from the HIS COMPANY CATALOGUE of plays and musical resources. It is in ASCII (or plain text) format, and is intended only to be used for evaluation purposes. Visit our web site at http://hc.dlampel.com to download the FREE Adobe Acrobat (PDF) version for performance. ----------- DESCRIPTION ----------- A PRACTICAL FAITH Type: Sketch (from The Twelve) Synopsis: Prisca has a problem. Already she is having to defend her Grampa Thomas against the accusations of others. Already he has been labeled "Doubting Thomas". But her Gramma Sarah, wife of the late apostle, knows that Jesus called human beings for disciples--not mindless puppets. Jesus wanted followers who were real. And He still does. Themes: "The first lesson is that God gave every person a mind of their own. Our heavenly Father is not interested in the blind praise and empty worship of puppets. He wants everyone to choose, to-- desire a relationship with Him. And the second lesson is a result of the first: Since every person is left to make up their own mind, then not everyone will have the same kind of faith. Thomas had a more practical faith, and his questioning--his doubts--led him to a deeper, more vibrant faith than he had had before." (from A Practical Faith) Misc. Notes: Sarah's grandchild could also be played by a boy; just change the name to Micah. Characters: Sarah (Mrs. Thomas; age 74), Prisca (her granddaughter) Length: 5 min. ------ SCRIPT ------ A PRACTICAL FAITH Copyright (c) 2000 David S. Lampel His Company The Time: c.59 AD The Place: Galilee [Enter Sarah, wife of Thomas, the late apostle. She is 74 years of age. As she reaches center stage, her granddaughter, Prisca, enters noisily. Sarah turns and stops Prisca with her words. Note: Sarah's grandchild could also be played by a boy. Just change the name to Micah.] SARAH (with a sigh) What have you done, Prisca? PRISCA (defensively) I didn't do anything. It was the other kids. They started it. SARAH (checking her over) Hmmm.... No black eye. No bloody nose. Must have been a battle of words. PRISCA They said some bad things--bad things about Grampa. And I was sticking up for him. SARAH Oh, I see. And what were they saying about your Grampa Thomas? PRISCA (reluctantly) Th--they called him "doubting" Thomas, and that he didn't deserve to be a disciple of our Lord because he didn't believe when everyone else did. SARAH Oh really. (pause) Tell me, Prisca, do you remember the story of Jonah, the prophet to Ninevah, being swallowed by a great fish? PRISCA Sure! SARAH When you hear that story is there maybe a tiny part of you that doesn't believe that a fish could really swallow a man--and then that man actually survive the belly of the fish? PRISCA (surprised) I thought it was just a story. SARAH By the very word of God, it's true. (pause) Now, let's suppose you went visiting relatives for a few days, and when you came back you were told that your Gramma had died while you were gone--- PRISCA Oh no, Gramma! SARAH (wearily) Child, this one is just a story. (pause) Listen carefully. The same person to tell you of my death tells you that just three days after they sealed up my tomb I was once again alive and walking about just as free as you please. (pause) Now, what would you say to that? PRISCA I'd say that person had slipped and hit his head on a rock. SARAH As well you might. Even if the person telling you had always told the truth before--even if there were others who backed up his story--you'd have a hard time believing, wouldn't you? PRISCA I guess I would. SARAH (coyly) Maybe we could even call you "doubting" Prisca. PRISCA But Gramma--- SARAH Your Grampa was a good man, and Jesus loved him--as He loved all His disciples. But my husband had spent three long years walking with Jesus. And for three years he mostly saw Jesus as a man--a very wise, loving....man. It was hard for Thomas to understand that Jesus was God in flesh. (pause) Just as maybe you would have had the same doubts. PRISCA (after thinking a moment) But Jesus told them what would happen.....and still he doubted. SARAH That's very true. And that was enough for some. But Thomas wore his humanity a bit closer to the surface than others. (pause; thinking back; nostalgically) Maybe that's why I loved him so. (pause) There are two things you must remember. And if you do, these lessons will help you the rest of your life. They'll help you serve your God and live with others. (pause) The first lesson is that God gave every person a mind of his own. Our heavenly Father isn't interested in the blind praise and empty worship of puppets. He wants everyone to choose, to....desire a relationship with Him. And the second lesson is a result of the first: Since every person is left to make up his own mind, then not everyone will have the same kind of faith. Thomas had a more practical faith, and his questioning....his doubts...led him to a (proudly) deeper, more vibrant faith than he had had before. And he served his Lord gladly for the rest of his life. PRISCA (seriously) Jesus must have been disappointed in Grampa. SARAH Maybe He was. But He didn't love him any less because of his questioning mind. To the end He showed compassion.....even to Thomas. Jesus came to him and offered as proof His hands and His side. PRISCA And was that enough for Grampa? SARAH He didn't need that as proof. As soon as he saw Jesus face to face, he knew--it was truly Him. Right there his faith blossomed, and he cried out, "My Lord and my God!" PRISCA (happily) That's a good story, Gramma! (pause) And it's really true? SARAH (as they exit) Really true. Now, let's go find those other kids--and you can tell them what kind of a man your Grampa really was. ---------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE ---------------- This script is Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel. This data file is the sole property of David S. Lampel. The data file may not be altered or edited in any way. It may be reproduced only in its entirety for circulation as "freeware," without charge. All reproductions of this data file must contain the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel"). This data file may not be used without the permission of David S. Lampel for resale or the enhancement of any other product sold. This includes all of its content. Brief quotations not to exceed more than 500 words may be used, with the appropriate copyright notice, to enhance or supplement personal or church devotions, newsletters, journals, promotions, or spoken messages. Permission is hereby extended for this script to be printed for rehearsal and performance use. Copies may be reproduced in sufficient number for the director, actors, and technical personnel, as long as each copy contains the copyright notice (i.e., "Copyright (C) 2012 David S. Lampel") ----------------- USING THIS SCRIPT ----------------- For electronic distribution, the Internet version of this script uses the following conventions: * character names are in ALL CAPS. * stage directions within a character's line are enclosed in parentheses (e.g., "(with anger)"). * stage directions without are enclosed in brackets (e.g., "[They exit.]"). * the plus sign (+) indicates when to cue trax or begin intro for next song ---------------------------------------------------------------------- These plays and musical resources are made available free-of-charge, without obligation, in service to our Lord and to His glory. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- David S. Lampel Winterset, IA 50273 USA Complete resources at http://hc.dlampel.com/ "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rom 11:36) 20120305