A HUNDRED DENARII - More Info



More information about A HUNDRED DENARII MAIN POINT This sketch is essentially about bitterness, unforgiveness and the justifications behind them. Everybody has a beef. The beefs are real, but only half the story. Everybody also has given others cause to have a beef. You might say we're beefers as well as beefees. This story of Jesus connects the two together, reminding us of the very real need that we all have to be forgiven, and the equally real need to forgive. CHARACTERIZATION Four or more people can perform this piece. The reader at the end may be one of the performers, or not, depending upon your numbers and preference. Voice One is the only continuing character and should sound more wounded than angry. The rest of the lines should be read as if each new line is a new person. These are all ordinary people who have had rotten things done to them. To avoid creating straw men, try to relate these experiences to your own, to times when you have been hurt so badly that to hold on to anger or even hatred seemed justified. DIRECTOR'S NOTES 1) Timing is everything. In the paragraphs, the voices should smoothly flow one after the other so it seems as if it is one continuous speech by each character. 2) The performers in the first part of this piece should be unseen by the audience. They can perform in complete darkness (this would be the most effective way), or they can stand behind a screen or in another room and use off-stage microphones. If at all possible, don't let the audience see the people whose voices they are hearing at any time, even when they are getting into place to perform. 3) The audience should see the ending reader. If you are using a dark room, use a tight spot or lights raised partway. If using a screen or other device, the reader can walk on at the end of part one. As a nice introduction to the sermon, have your pastor do the reading. 4) You can easily shorten this piece by selectively eliminating a few lines. RELATED SCRIPTURES Besides the obvious ending taken from Matthew 18:23-35, compare also Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14-15 RELATED THEMES Use this right before a sermon on forgiveness or with topics like bitterness or broken relationships.