Author: Patricia Souder
Peter the Perplexed
Have you ever wondered how Peter could have slept through the cosmic struggle his Master faced in Gethsemane or how he could have denied knowing Jesus at the hour of Jesus’ greatest need?
I used to ask those questions, but then life started throwing perplexing situations my way. Oops! Sometimes it’s tough to figure out what’s happening while it’s happening, especially when roused from a deep sleep.
That’s how it was the night Judas led soldiers into the quiet grove of gnarled olive trees where Jesus often prayed. Peter woke up facing an angry mob brandishing clubs and swords as they descended on Jesus and the disciples.
Peter grabbed a sword and sliced off Malchus’s ear! But whom did Jesus rebuke? Not the soldiers or the Jewish officials, but Peter! Was that why Peter hung back as Jesus was seized and taken to the high priest’s house? Was that why he was careful to keep his distance and sit with the guards in the courtyard? Was that why he insisted he didn’t even know the Nazarene when servant girls and bystanders said, “You were with Jesus”?
It’s a sobering story.
So why is it in the Bible? Are we to act like Peter? Of course not. But will we face similar situations? Perhaps. First Corinthians 10:11 tells us the stories in Scripture are examples to help us avoid being tripped up by the struggles and surprises of life.
How about you and the people you know? Do you face perplexing situations? If so, you’ll find that first-person drama sketches from the Bible are remarkably relevant as they bring the stories to life in ways that not only clarify the events but also capture hearts.
To assist you in doing this, AlphaStar Drama is featuring four FREE scripts that shed light on Jesus’ death and resurrection from our Lent and Easter section:
- PETER THE PERPLEXED: Experience the troubling events that led to Jesus’ crucifixion through the eyes of one of His closest disciples.
- PUZZLED AT PASSOVER: Encounter Martha’s confusion as she puzzles over the irony of rejecting the One who miraculously brought Lazarus, her brother, back to life.
- MARY MAGDALENE AT THE TOMB: Live through the grief and the joy of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection through Mary’s eyes.
- INNOCENT! THAT MAN WAS INNOCENT! Gain a fresh appreciation for Jesus’ crucifixion by viewing it through the eyes of Pilate and his wife, Claudia.
It’s my prayer that you’ll use one or more of these scripts to make Easter 2015 one of eternal significance for those in your community or congregation.
HAPPY EASTER!
MARRIAGE MATTERS!
Marriage matters! It’s a grand gift carefully crafted by God at the dawn of human history. Yet, marriage is under siege! New definitions muddy the waters so that laws and public opinion are being re-engineered to make opposition to “same-sex marriage” a matter of unlawful discrimination rather than the free expression of deep religious convictions.
Now how can that happen in a nation that prides itself on freedom of speech and religion? Could it be that part of the problem is a lack of knowledge of God’s original design in our post-Christian secular world? If so, here’s a resource to help reframe the discussion.
“It All Started in Eden” is a 20-minute drama production that portrays the intended intimacy for which we were created as well as heart-rending reminders of why we struggle with relationships with one another and with God. Easily staged with two narrators and three actors to portray Adam, Eve, and Lucifer, the story comes to life through five individual drama sketches:
- “Designed for One Another” invites us to share the wonder Adam and Eve enjoyed when first created.
- “Just One Bite” reveals the alluring appeal of temptation.
- “Not Me, Lord” shows Adam and Eve playing the first blame game.
- “I Don’t Have Anything to Wear” uses humor to underscore our human tendency to engage in instant cover-ups.
- “Bring Back the Music” captures our deep longing for what could have been while also pointing to our ultimate redemption.
Revisiting Eden through the eyes of Adam, Eve, and Lucifer takes us back to our origins, but it also speaks profoundly about who we really are today as well. The many aha moments will touch hearts and spark discussion leading to insight and life change.
Engage your congregation or small group in seeing marriage from God’s perspective by downloading and using this moving presentation for FREE during the month of February. Use the Code: FFF: (Free For February).
Free Christmas Script!
God’s free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ is the ultimate, indescribable gift that supersedes all materialistic must-buy gadgets and goodies that masquerade as essentials in the quest for significance.
So, how do we peel back the glitter, glitz, and propaganda that mask the truth so that people encounter the living Lord and experience His redemption?
What does that for you? What have you found that does that for others?
For me, I love to pair Christian drama and music together. I find they serve as powerful soul openers that touch and transform. Do they do that for you?
If so, please take a look at the Christmas monologues and two-voice drama sketches in the AlphaStar collection at www.AlphaStarDrama.com. Perhaps you’ll find one that speaks to you or that you can use in some special way this Christmas. If you do, use the code “CHRISTMAS14” at checkout, and it will be free. This gift is available once per customer between October 17 and December 25. Scripts included in this offer are “Missing the Messiah,” “Wise Men in King Herod’s Court,” “You Ever Met a Man Like Joseph?” and “Glory Night.”
If you have ideas about using drama and/or music effectively, please drop us a note or share a picture on the Comment Page or on Facebook. That would be a gift we’d cherish!
The Most Shockingly Significant Week in History
Commonly known as Holy Week, the week between Palm Sunday and Easter offers us an opportunity to reflect on the unbelievable twists and turns that changed the “Hosannas!” of Palm Sunday into cries of “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” in less than a week.
How could public opinion reverse so rapidly? Who was behind it? Why? Could it have been stopped?
Twenty centuries later, the questions remain. The story still shocks us. Or, at least it should.
But what if you had been there? What if you had been with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane the night he was arrested? What if you had witnessed the treachery and illegal collusion that condemned him to death? What if you had watched as he was nailed to the cross?
What would you have felt? What would you have done?
The questions stretch through the centuries, not only because of the shocking insanity of condemning an innocent man to death, but also because of the divine significance being played out behind the events.
Romans 5:8, 9 shows us God’s ultimate purpose in allowing Jesus to be crucified for us: “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s judgment” NLT.
That, too, is shocking, but in a marvelous, life-transforming way. AlphaStarDrama offers monologues and two-voice dramas that bring Bible characters to life. Use our Free For Easter special to choose a script to minister to your church, small group, or youth group. It could have eternal results!