BE PREPARED
CAST: 6 Characters
PAUL the Christian Witness
JOHN a new Christian
MICHELLE a Christian (Cross Carrying)
KELLY a Christian (Pray without Ceasing)
CHRIS a Christian (Avoid ugly language)
DON (or DAWN) a Christian (Carrying Bible)
PROPS: Large Cross, Large Bible, Masking Tape
INTRODUCTION: "This play is entitled 'Be Prepared!' It portrays a new Christian's exaggerated attempts at becoming prepared before sharing his new found faith with others." (Scene opens with Paul and John entering from opposite directions and greeting each other.)
P: Good Morning, John!
J: Well, hi Paul. Hey, I've been wanting to ask you something. I keep thinking
about our tennis game last night. I still 'don't understand why you didn't get
upset with me. Even when I rubbed it in when you double faulted, you didn't seem
to mind. I know if you would've said anything if I had played a bad game, I
would've really told you where to go!
P: Well, honestly I do get upset sometimes, even though I know I shouldn't; then
I realize a tennis game or whatever upsets me is not that important to me. What
is important to me, and we've talked about this before, is that Jesus is my
Savior and even when I lose a tennis game or have a rotten day, I still know
that He is in control of my life and that no matter what happens, He still loves
me. He was willing to lay down His life for me on a cross and that is the most
important thing in my life. You can have this same peace of mind, John, if
you'll just trust Jesus as your Savior from sin too. The Bible says,
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved."
J: Yeah, okay. I'll think about what you said ...
P: Good. I gotta run now John. Look, I'll see you later okay? (Paul exits).
J: (thinking aloud) Hmmm. I don't know what Paul has that I don't, but he really
does seem to have a peace of mind. What I wouldn't give to have a little of
that. What was it he was saying . . . he said the most important thing in his
life was having Jesus as his Savior. It's worth a try... What could it hurt?
(begins to pray): Dear Mr. God . . . I guess that's how you start a prayer . . .
I don't really know how to pray, so I hope you can figure out what I=m trying to
say . . . I'm really confused. Mr. God, I want the kind of peace of mind that
Paul has, but I've never thought of you as my Savior before. I'm sorry I never
paid any attention to you before, but can you help me believe you died on the
cross for my sins ... Thanks, Mr. God. Good-bye.
M: (Michelle enters) Hi, John, how=s it going?
J: Pretty good, how are you?
M: I'm fine. (starts to walk off).
J: Say, Michelle, You're a Christian aren't you?
M: (turns back to answer) Yeah, why do you ask?
J: Well, I was just wondering . . . actually, I just became a Christian and I
want to serve God, but I don't know where to start.
M: That's great that you have come to faith. Now what you need to do is witness
to others. The best way to do that is like Matthew 16:24 says, "If any man
will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."
J: But how do I carry a cross?
M: Let me see, yes, here . . . I have just the thing (hands large cross to
John). Just carry this cross and it will remind you to follow Jesus, then
everyone who sees you will know you are a Christian, and you will be a great
witness.
J: Thank you, now I can be a better Christian and a witness for my Savior. See
you later Michelle.
M: Yeah, I have to get back to work.
J: (thinking out loud) This sure is a big cross! . . . I wonder if every
Christian is supposed to carry a big cross like this?
(Enter Kelly)
K: Hi John, been working hard?
J: Yeah, but I got off early today because I worked overtime last weekend.
K?: Say, I like your cross. I didn't know you were a Christian.
J: I wasn't until recently, and a person I work with suggested I carry the cross
so I can witness to others.
K: Well, that's good to hear, John, but you know something...if you really want
to be a good witness you should do what I Thessalonians. 5:17 says: "Pray
without ceasing." Prayer is very important in witnessing.
J: Yes, well I did say a prayer that Jesus would be my Savior.
K: That's nice, but one prayer isn't going to cut it . . . you must pray without
ceasing!!
J: I guess you're right, but I don't know if I can do that all the time, without
stopping.
K: Well, here let me help you remember . . . fold your hands and I'll just tape
them together, like so . . . and you can remember to always pray.
J: Thank you, . . . I think.
K: (Kelly begins to leave) Just remember to "pray without ceasing!"
(Kelly gives John a big smile. John responds with a nervous smile). I'd better
get going. Talk to you later.
(Kelly leaves. John has a confused look on his face and sits down.)
(Don enters carrying a big Bible)
D: (Walks up to John and notices his cross and folded hands) Hey, were you at
the Bibl study at my church last night?
J: Uh, no, I was at work last night.
D: I guess I'm thinking of someone else. You are a Christian though, aren't you?
J: Yes, but I'm pretty new at this.
D: Oh, that explains why you don't have a Bible to carry like mine.
J: Are Christians supposed to carry Bibles? No one told me that.
D: Sure! It's the best way to witness and share your faith with others. II
Timothy 3:16 says: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." So, if
you're going to instruct someone in righteousness, you need to carry your Bible
to make you a qualified witness.
J: I see, but I don't even have a Bible. . . and my hands are kind of tied up
for now.
D: No problem. I'll give you my Bible because I have another one at home. Here
you go (Balances bible on John's arms).
J Thanks, I really appreciate you letting me have your Bible so I can be a
better witness
D: Any time! I'm just glad to help. It was nice meeting you.
J: Yeah, you too. (Don exits)
J: (sits back down and thinks aloud) Let's see . . . to be a good witness I need
to carry my cross (Glances at cross), pray without ceasing (looks down at
hands), and carry a Bible (looks at Bible). I guess I should be ready to share
my faith now. Oh, here comes Chris from my Chemistry class.
C: Hi John, I haven't seen you in a while. How is the Chemistry going?
J: Pretty good I guess. How have you been, Chris? Are you still the organist at
your church?
C: Yes, I and another member alternate Sundays, why do you ask?
J: Well, I just think going to church and being a Christian is pretty important
so you can witness to other people.
C: Yeah, I guess so, but if you are planning on witnessing to other people,
John, you're going to have a hard time. . . if you know what I mean...
J: (Almost defensively) What are you talking about?
C: Well, I know you pretty well John, and you're going to turn people off if you
still cuss like you used to.
J: I guess its just become a habit, and it's hard to stop. I'd sure hate to turn
somebody off.
C: I know . . . but you need to follow Paul=s advice in Eph. 4:29, "Let no
corrupt communication proceed out of you mouth but that which is good.@ Let me
help (begins taping his mouth). You wouldn't want to offend anyone, would you?
J: (Mumbles and then gives up and shakes his head No.) (Chris exits) (John looks
almost dumbfounded by the time Paul re-enters).
P: (stares at John not quite believing his eyes) Is that you, John? What are you
doing?
J: (mumbles and gets frustrated)... (Paul takes off the tape on his mouth)
P: Okay, now tell me what's going on ... Who did this to you?
J: Well, you told me I could have peace of mind if I trusted in Jesus as my
Savior, so I said a prayer and asked God to help me believe that He died on the
cross for my sins, and He did.
P: That's great, but I don't understand what that has to do with the tape on
your mouth and your hands and...
J: Well, after I realized Jesus was my Savior, I wanted to be a witness for Him
so I talked to four different Christians; and each of them showed me what I
needed to do before I could share my faith with others.
P: You mean they gave you a list of qualifications before you could witness?
J: (very confident) Yes, I'm sure you know them . . . carry your cross, carry a
Bible, pray without ceasing, and speak only good language.
P: I think I'm beginning to understand. You should carry your cross and use good
language and everything, but not in the way they suggested.
J: You mean I don't have to walk around with my hands taped together and my
mouth taped up or carry this big Bible and cross?
P: No John, now that you've become God's child, He will live in you and through
you. Because Jesus is in your heart, the Spirit will give you the words to speak
as you witness of your faith to others. Remember when I talked to you after our
tennis game?
J: Sure, that's what got me thinking about trusting in Jesus as my Savior.
P: Well, did you see me carry a big Bible and cross?
J: No, I guess you didn't . . . it did seem kind of dumb to walk around like
this, but I just wanted to tell people that Jesus had made a difference in my
like and how much better my life is since I know He loved me enough to die for
me so I could go to heaven.
P: See, now you know how to witness. You simply tell what Jesus has done for
you.
NARRATOR: Jesus said to the man from whom He had cast out the devil: "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." Mark 5:19
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