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Best of Intentions

MAIN POINT
Lots of us make promises to other people, fully intending to keep them. We do the same with religious vows and commitments to God. But sometimes, in the press of daily living, we don't follow through on our promise or postpone making good on them. In those cases, we can hurt others, lose their trust or even betray our faith. This sketch dramatizes how easy it is not to deliver on a promise made with the best of intentions. Good intentions without faithful completion is a bad practice both in human relationships and with God.

CHARACTERIZATION
Dad is a father in his mid-30s. He's laid-back and a bit lackadaisical when it comes to dutiful follow-through.

Mom, his wife, is more conscientious and organized.

Josh, their son, is junior-high aged. He is energetic and outgoing.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1.Because this sketch is quite short, the audience does not have much time to identify with the action. So be sure to cast a Mom and Dad who will play their parts well. Even more than in a longer sketch, the facial expressions and realism in line delivery need to be consistent with what the lines are saying.

2) When Josh enters, he should basically "explode" into the room, almost stepping on the previous line. He is so excited that he doesn't wait to be acknowledged before he starts speaking. Dad and Mom both answer him enthusiastically.

RELATED SCRIPTURES
There are a lot of examples of religious vow-making in the Bible. Some to consider include Jacob's vow in Genesis 28:20-22, Hannah's vow in 1 Samuel 1:11, the nazarite vow in Numbers 6, general rules about vows to God in Numbers 30. For an example of a foolish vow, see Judges 11:30-40. For Christian family life, see Colossians 3:18-4:1. Regarding financial debt, see Romans 13:7 and Matthew 18:23-35. For caring for borrowed property, see Exodus 22:1-15.

RELATED THEMES
Besides promise-keeping, this sketch can also be used for discussing family finances, respecting the property of others and family relationships.