More information about
THE ENCOURAGER'S CLUB
MAIN POINT
Words have the power to breathe life into another person, or they can be meaningless,
empty and powerless. It's common for people - and sadly, especially for Christians - to be
so anxious to "fix" each other's pain that we band-aid over deeper issues with
empty clichés or positive spins. Sometimes true encouragement requires going beyond just
sharing truth or pleasant thoughts to entering into someone's situation, weeping with
those who weep or just listening and being present when no words can be said to help.
CHARACTERIZATION
Todd: He's a likable - though sarcastic - husband. He's kind enough to attend a meeting to
support his sister-in-law but cynical enough to see through the pretense and to mock it.
Play him with a lot of expression; his character is capable of good physical humor as he
reacts to Gil.
Sally: She's diplomatic but has some savvy of her own. Play her as a calming voice who's
honest and willing to be vulnerable, but who can size up what's going on around her and
adjust accordingly, too.
Gil: He's the quintessential used-car or TV carpet salesman, always smiling and positive,
very much on the surface, full of clichés and oblivious to their actual effect. Play him
almost melodramatically, with lots of extremes in his gestures, smiles and inflection.
DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1) Because the sketch is a spoof, don't be afraid to let the characters go "over the
top" in their characterizations, especially Gil and Todd. Take advantage of the
opportunities for physical humor at such times as Todd's panic when he sees Gil coming up
the walk or Todd's attempts to motion Gil toward the door as Gil makes himself at home.
Facial expressions can add much to the humor, especially Todd's reactions to Gil's catch
phrases and the dialogue between Sally and Gil.
2) Gil's gender is not crucial to the role. The character could just as easily be Gilda,
and portrayed as the shallow, parasol-twirling, Georgia-peach type.
3) Overstatement is the key with the props, especially the floral display (the bigger and
gaudier, the better) and Gil's greeter badge.
4) With all the movement on stage, keep an eye out for the audience's sightlines. That is,
make sure the character with the lines is clearly visible and isn't being blocked by
another character.
RELATED SCRIPTURES
For descriptions of and promptings to encourage one another, look at Ephesians 4:29;
Hebrews 3:13; 10:24-25; and 1 Thessalonians 3:6-7. Use such verses as Proverbs 12:18;
15:4; 16:24; 18:21; 25:11 to discuss the power and place of words, contrasting those that
heal with those that wound. On the theme of being willing to enter into each other's
struggles and heartaches, consider Romans 12:15-16 and Galatians 6:2.
RELATED THEMES
The sketch makes no attempt to present the answer as to what true encouragement is.
Because it merely illustrates what it is not, it can be effectively used just before a
message on encouragement, weeping with those who weep, bearing each other's burdens or
honesty and vulnerability. It could also be used as a prelude to a personal testimony that
presents a positive example of encouragement or care.
