Drama Ministry

Ask: "What If?'

Some people see things and say 'why. ' I dream things that never were and ask 'why not?'
(Quote in the bathroom of a Borders bookstore)
 
-
 
What are you going to do? You're at the bottom of your stack of drama preview publications and have yet to find even one sketch that matches next month's sermon theme. Can you pull out that gem that brought the house down six months ago? How about filling the month with dramatic readings of hymn stories? Or, best of all, how about writing your own drama?
 
Before tossing out that last idea, realize that Neil Simon and John Grisham started their writing careers in obscurity, too. This writing thing may not be so bad.
 
In fact, it may significantly change your ministry. With a Bible and a bit of creativity, you may be on your way to scripting meaningful dramas that will speak to your church family and play a big part in changing lives.
 
Your Bible is a great source of material for drama ministry. Where else can you find such amazing and true stories as these?
 
A massive sea explodes down the middle to allow millions of innocent peasants to escape from the bad guys.
 
The greatest teacher of all time feeds thousands with a boy's small lunch.
 
In spite of complaints about the smell of decay, God in the flesh defies death and busts open a grave to raise a dead man back to life.
 
Simply dramatizing these stories can be difficult. Who has 5000 men (plus women and children) on the drama team to cast the new script, "Mom, I Told You to Pack a Bigger Lunch"? Don't think of it as just acting out the story. How about starting with this approach: read your Bible with a wandering mind. Look at each story with adjusted eyesight. Ask questions that may not usually be asked like "What if," "What else," "Suppose" and simply, "What."
 
In John 18:10-11 and Luke 22:50-51, the story of Malchus is told. In the time it takes to duck and scream, this servant of the high priest had lost an ear by the reckless hand of Peter and had it replaced by the loving hand of Jesus. I want to know what else happened that night ofter the garden. Did he tell anyone about his ordeal? Did his kids freak out as he told them what he'd learned about Jesus? What if Malchus went to the crucifixion, did he gaze at the cross with a broken heart as his healer was brutally put to death?
 
Many practical truths found in the Bible can be expounded and brought to life by dramatizing the concept. Below are listed other stories that could be used as a source for your dramatic writing.
 
ADDITIONAL STORIES AND QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
 
What did Jesus and Lazarus talk about at dinner a few days after Jesus raised him from the dead? (John 11, 12: 1-8)
 
What did the lunch boy tell his friends in the neighborhood about his day on the hillside with Jesus and the 5000? (John 6: 1-13)
 
Matthew 2: 1-12 tells the story of the wise men's visit to the "house" where the baby Jesus was. Although nothing is said about whose house it was, there were most likely neighbors nearby. What would the story of that Eastern visit sound like if told from the viewpoint of a snoopy neighbor who witnessed the scene from his or her kitchen window?
 
A FEW MORE THOUGHTS
 
Look for material in lesser known stories and characters. This will hopefully inspire your audience to study scripture deeper to look for hidden treasures.
 
As you write the drama, portray one or two primary truths the story teaches. Don't be preachy.
 
Consider ending the drama with a question mark - without all of the loose ends tied up. Many of the events in the Bible don't end with everything packaged neatly (remember the "Rich Young Ruler" who couldn't bear to part with all of his worldly goods?). Leaving your audience with questions may allow them to better relate the story to their own life's experiences.
 
Write with your drama team personnel in mind.
 
Put yourself in the "shoes" of the biblical characters. Ask yourself what they might have been thinking and feeling throughout the events of the story.
 
Recruit a team of writers from your church family. Creative ideas often flow more freely when tossed around a group.
 
A FINAL THOUGHT
 
The Bible needs no help speaking the truth clearly, but drama is a medium that can be used to help the truths in biblical stories sparkle with meaning in the minds of your audience. When you're having trouble finding that perfect sketch, put your creative mind to work and write a bestseller perfectly suited to your church.
No responses yet.

You must be logged in to comment.

In Partnership With: Discover Worship

Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest news, songs, and special offers by signing up for the newsletter!