Make the Call (by Casey Debrowski)

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

Skit: 2 guys get together for pizza…they wait and wait…the one asks the other if he called yet…he answers, “No, I was afraid to call.  I mean, they’re busy and I don’t want to bother them.  Besides, if I call, how do I know they’ll come?  I just don’t want to do it.”  The other guy gets upset and calls himself.  Sure enough the pizza comes.

Kid 1-(on cell phone) Hey man! … Yeah what’s up? … Why don’t you come on over to my house we’ll get some pizza? … OK … See you soon.  *hangs up*

Kid 2-(enters) Hey, I’m starving when’s the pizza going to get here?

Kid 1- Oh, it should be here soon. 

Kid 2- Awesome! Why don’t we just watch TV while we wait? 

Kid 1- Sounds good.

*kids sit down to watch TV* *someone else runs across the stage with a sign that says “30 min. later”*

Kid 2- Man that pizza really is taking a long time. You said it was coming soon?

Kid 1- Yeah it should be here any minute

Kid 2- Are you sure? You did call before I got here right?

Kid 1- Well, No, I was afraid to call.  I mean, they’re busy and I didn’t want to bother them.  Besides, if I call, how do I know they’ll come?  I just don’t want to do it.

Kid 2- Are you crazy?!?! How could you expect the pizza to be here “soon” if you didn’t even order it?

Kid 1- I don’t know…

Kid 2- Fine, I’ll just order it if you’re going to be lame *calls and orders pizza* Now see? The pizza will really be here any minute.

*someone runs across the stage with a sign that says “15 min. later”*

*Doorbell rings*

Kid 2- See? The pizza’s really here. Now we can go eat.

*both exit*

 *Skit written by intern extraordinaire Casey Debrowski!

Teacher follow up: Many people act like the first kid.  They expect things to happen when they haven’t taken any of the steps needed to make it happen.  This kid expected pizza to be delivered to his house, even though he hadn’t called the pizza place to tell them that he wanted a pizza.  This is a lot like praying.  You need to ask God for the things that you need.  Many people don’t feel like praying because they feel that God won’t answer them if they did.  God will always answer all of your prayers, even if it isn’t the answer we are looking for.  Make sure that you act like the second kid and take charge. Ask God for what you need and believe that He will never let you down.

Let It Go!

…[love] keeps no record of wrongs.  1 Corinthians 13:5

Props: 3 backpacks, 6-8 “bricks” labeled with various offenses

Judge: Okay, here’s how it works.  You each have a backpack.  Whenever you do something wrong, a brick will be added to your backpack and you have to carry it around all day.  Understand? 

Kid 1 and 2: Yep!

Kid 1 (to Kid 2): This is great!  Now you’ll finally get what’s coming to you.  (to judge)  Last year, he tripped me when I was walking down the hall at school.  I dropped my books and they went flying everywhere!  I was so embarrassed…and hurt. I was hurt!

Judge pulls out a brick and sets it down.

Kid 2: (Solemnly) I said I was sorry.

Kid 1: (to judge) And 6 months ago he knocked over my drink in the cafeteria.  I got chocolate milk all over my new pants.

Judge adds a brick to the first.

Kid 2: But I offered to help clean up, and I apologized.

Kid 1: (to judge) Last month he borrowed my video game, and I haven’t seen it since.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

Kid 2: I’ll bring it back…

Kid 1: (to judge) He even called me a name last week.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

Kid 2:  I’m sorry.

Kid 1: And yesterday he chose four other kids to be on his team before me.

Judge adds a brick to the pile.

 Judge: Well, it looks like we’ve got quite a pile of bricks built up here.  (Places all of the bricks in the backpack of Kid 1).

Kid 1: (shocked) Judge, you’ve made a mistake.  These bricks are supposed to go in his backpack.  He’s the one who’s done everything wrong.          

 Judge:  He’s already done his part to make things right by asking forgiveness.  You’re the one that can’t let go of these things by refusing to forgive and forget!   So you’re the one that’s going to have to carry them around.  They’ll be with you until you can learn to forgive.

 (All walk toward exit).

Kid 1: But I can’t live like this!  How am I supposed to do anything?

Judge:  It’s very hard to live when you’re carrying everyone else’s mistakes around.

(Exit).

Teacher: (Use extra backpack and bricks as you teach).  Keeping a record of wrongs means keeping track of what others have done wrong, remembering it, and reminding them of it.  What you’re really doing is carrying their mistake around yourself.  Who is the one who suffers for that?  (Allow for response).  If you do not forgive others, you are the one who suffers for it, because you are the one carrying the bad feelings around.  (Begin taking the bricks out of the backpack).  When you forgive, you choose to let go of what someone has done to you and it frees you up.  It will make you feel better on the inside.  God doesn’t want us to walk around so sad and weighed down all the time.  That’s why He told us to forgive.  True love is quick to forgive.

Let God Carry the Load

… [Love] always perseveres.   1 Corinthians 13:7

Props: shopping cart (or basket); variety of grocery items arranged on tables or shelves

            Begin with a skit in which two shoppers happen upon one another at the grocery store.  One is using a shopping cart while the other insists that he can carry all of the groceries himself.  They chat while continuing to pick up groceries.  A pro- and anti-cart discussion follows and ends with the anti-cart shopper becoming overloaded and falling to the ground, buried in groceries.

It’s silly to try to do or handle everything yourself when something or someone is available and right there to help you.  It was impossible for this man to carry everything on his own; he should have just used a grocery cart.  But he thought he could do it himself. 

            When people act unkindly to you, you might find yourself trying to carry it around on your own.  “She is being so mean to me that I can’t stand to be around her another minute,” you might say.  Maybe sometimes you think, “It makes me so mad when he calls me names that I don’t know what to do.”  If you try to handle it on your own, you won’t be able to any more than that man could carry all of his groceries around.  God wants to help you handle things through His love.  Let God carry the load.  It’s not your love that can endure, but rather His love in you that can endure.  The next time someone does or says something mean to you, let God love that person through you.  Don’t try to handle it on your own.  True love perseveres, or keeps going, no matter what.  So give it to God and let Him take care of it.

Worship is Worth-Ship

“…those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship him according to the truth.”  John 4:24

 Props: several real or play dollar bills, various items marked with large price tags

Begin with a scene in which a little boy is shopping for a special gift for his mother.  He and his friend “browse” through the merchandise while talking. 

 Boy:  My mom’s birthday is coming up and I’ve got to find something really special for her.

 Friend:  Well, how much money do you have to spend?

 Boy:  I have ten dollars.

 Friend:  Wow!  Ten dollars!  That’s a lot.  You could spend five on your mom and spend the other five dollars on a game for us to play with later.

 Boy:  Are you crazy?

 Friend:  I’m sorry…Maybe you could spend two dollars on your mom and eight dollars on a game for us. 

 Boy:  You don’t get it, do you?  My mom is soooo special; she deserves the very best.  I want to spend all of my money on a gift for her. 

 Friend:  All of it?  All of it?

 Boy:  Yep.  Every single bit.  She is such a wonderful person, and she has done so much for me, she deserves a special gift—even if it costs me everything I have. 

 Friend:  Wow.  You must really love your mother.

 Boy:  Sure do.  (Sees flowers and picks them up).  Wow!  Look at these flowers.  They’re beautiful.  And they cost…(looks at price tag) ten dollars.  Well, looks like I’ve found what I want to buy.  Let’s go pay for them and go home.

 Friend:  Sounds good to me. 

 (They exit). 

 Follow up: This little boy was willing to spend everything he had to buy that special gift for his mother.  His mother meant that much to Him.  We are called to “spend” or to give everything we have for God.  That’s what worship is all about.  Our worship should show what God is worth to us.  Worship is giving God what He deserves.

Worth Looking For (skit)

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

 Leader:  What are you doing?

 Helper:  I’ve lost a diamond.  It’s worth $1,000,000 and I have to find it! 

 Leader:  Are you sure it’s here?

 Helper:  I think so.  But I must find it.

Leader:  How long have you been looking for it?

 Helper: Three days.  I haven’t stopped to eat or sleep–I MUST FIND THIS DIAMOND!

 Leader:  I know it must be really important to you for you to look that long.  Why don’t you re-trace your steps?

 Helper: (exiting the same way he entered) Okay.

 Leader:  Hope you find it.

             That man was desperate to find his diamond.  It is very valuable to Him.  He was giving up everything to look for it.  That’s the way we need to be with God.  We need to search for Him with all our strength.  Today we’re going to learn more about seeking after God.

Lazy Excuses

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.  Proverbs 10:4

The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road,
       a fierce lion roaming the streets!”

As a door turns on its hinges,
       so a sluggard turns on his bed.

The sluggard buries his hand in the dish;
       he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.  Proverbs 26:13-15

            Begin with a skit in which a mother is trying to get her three children ready for school.  Each of the three comes up with a different excuse not to get ready/go to school. 

Mom (to child 1):  Come on, it’s time to go to school.  The bus is almost here.  You’re going to be late. 

Child 1:  I can’t go out there today!  There was a report last night that a wild lion escaped from the Tampa Zoo!   

Mom (to child 1):  The Tampa Zoo is 2 hours away!  You are in no danger. 

Child 1:  I just can’t take that kind of a chance.  I better stay home today. 

Mom (to child 1):  Oh, no you’re not.  Now get out that door. 

Child 1:  Alright, alright.  (Exits).

Mom enters room of child 2, who is still in bed. 

Mom (to child 2):  Get up!  You’re going to be late for school.

Child 2 says nothing, just rolls over.

Mom (to child 2):  I won’t say it again, get up!

Child 2:  Awww, mom.  I’m soooooo comfortable.  I don’t want to get up!

Mom (to child 2):  Well, it’s a good thing you’re comfortable in here, because this is where you’ll be spending all your free time for a month if you don’t get up right now!

Child 2:  Okay, okay.  (Slowly gets up, throws on a sweatshirt, walks out the door).

Mom goes to child 3, who has an unfinished bowl of cereal on his lap. 

Mom (to child 3):  Aren’t you done with breakfast yet?  The bus is coming down the street.

Child 3:  I can’t finish.  It’s too much trouble to move the spoon from the bowl to my mouth. 

Mom (to child 3):  Well, you better start moving more than the spoon, ‘cause you’re gonna get it if you’re late!

Child 3: (Gets up and begins toward the door) Why does everything have to be so much work?!

Mom (to herself):  Children!

Teacher Follow-Up:  How many of you have ever known someone who was so lazy they made excuses for everything?  How many of you have ever been like that yourself?  We all have been lazy at some time, but God’s Word warns us about being lazy.  Let’s look at how Proverbs describes lazy people (Read aloud   Proverbs 26:13-15).   That’s very interesting.  It sounds just like the kids in the skit we just saw. What you may not know is that laziness can also be very dangerous; it has serious consequences.  Proverbs 10:4 says, “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.”  The decision is yours: you can choose to be lazy or to be willing to work hard.  Choose wisely!

Keep It Pure

…whatever is pure…think about such things. Philippians 4:8

Props: gasoline can

             Begin with a skit in which a guy takes his car to the mechanic and doesn’t know why it won’t work.  After a series of questions, the mechanic discovers that the guy has been putting half-water, half-gas in his tank. 

What this guy did reminds me of what some people do to their minds.  They put some of the right things in their minds—maybe a little bit of the Bible, or coming to church some.  Then they fill the rest of their mind up with all the wrong things.  In order for a car to operate, the gas tank has to be filled up with 100% gasoline.  If you add anything else to it, it won’t work.  In the same way, your mind must be filled up with 100% pure things.  Otherwise, your life won’t run very smoothly either.

            Fill your mind with pure things.  Don’t contaminate, dirty up and destroy your mind with the bad things around you.

It’s All In the Attitude (skit)

No matter what happens, always be thankful… 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (TLB)

 

Begin with the following skit:  Two children enter, each holding an envelope.  The first child looks disappointed, the second looks excited.

 

First child: Hey.  What are you so excited about?

Second child: Today’s my birthday and I got a card from my grandparents.

First child:  Oh really?  My birthday is this week, too, and I got a card from my grandparents.

Second child:  That’s cool.  Mine sent me some money.

First child: Yeah, mine too.

Second:  I’m going to have lots of fun spending this money.

First:  Good for you.  I don’t think I can have any fun with what they sent me.

Second:  Oh, I can’t wait.  I’m going to buy a toy or two, then maybe some candy.  Or I could rent a movie and have all my friends over.

First:  Well, invite me over, would you?  Cause I’m not going to get to go anywhere; I hardly got anything at all.

Second:  This is more money than I make in a month’s allowance.

First:  I made more than this picking my neighbor’s weeds.

Second: My grandparents must really love me.  They sent me this money just because it’s my birthday.

First:  My grandparents probably just scraped the loose change up from underneath the couch cushions.  They don’t care about me.

Second:  This is such a great gift!

First:  This is the lousiest gift.

First and Second (to each other): So how much money did you get?   (Each pulls out a bill):   Ten dollars!!!

First: Boy, by the way you were talking, I thought you got a hundred!

Second:  Well, you made it sound like you got a dime!    (Both exit). 

 

Teacher follow-up:  These two children had one thing in common—they each received the same amount of money for their birthday.  The difference between the two is their attitude.  One has an attitude of thankfulness, the other does not.  In your life, many things will happen to you, both good and bad.  No matter what happens, you can still be thankful and filled with joy.  Your attitude will make the difference.  Thankfulness is being grateful for what God and others give to you.   We have received so many wonderful things from God and others.  Let’s be thankful for all our blessings.

Inside Out

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Matthew 12:34 (NIV)

Props: CD of little kids music (e.g., Nursery Rhymes) but labeled with a popular song, CD player               

Begin with a skit in which a teen invites his friends over to listen to the “coolest” song he just downloaded.  When they arrive, the CD is put in to play and the nursery rhymes begin.  All the friends begin laughing and teasing their friend that he listens to baby music.  They leave and ask him to invite them again when he has some real music to play. 

             I think our friend here was a little embarrassed by what came out of his CD player when all of his friends were around.  The CD says (popular song), but that’s not what is recorded on it.  When this boy found out what was really on the CD, he was humiliated.  The label on the CD did not match up to what was inside of it. 

            Most of you would say that you are a Christian, correct?  You come to church and hopefully you want to live for God and do what is right.  You probably read your Bible and pray.  So by all appearances, you are a Christian.  One of the ways to test whether you are living like Jesus is to listen to the words that come out of your mouth.  Jesus said, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).  That means that whatever is in your heart will come out in the words you speak.  So if there is evil in your heart, evil words will come out of your mouth.  You’ll be humiliated just like our friend was.  If there is goodness in your heart, goodness will come out of your mouth.  Sooner or later, your true heart will show up in your words. 

            Don’t be like this CD.  Let God fill your heart with his love, joy, peace, kindness and goodness.  Then when you speak, you will speak joyful words, you will speak peace into the lives of others, kind words and goodness will come out of your mouth.  Your words will match the “Christian” label that you wear. 

            Be a Christian and let your words reflect who you are.

How Does This Thing Work?

Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me… Psalm 25:4, 5

Props: TV, small decorative runner and small bunch of greenery (or similar décor)

Set up the TV in the corner with the decorative runner and greenery on top. 

Begin with a skit in which two friends are together for a sleepover.  They wonder aloud what to do next and friend 1 suggests they watch TV.  Friend 2 says he has no TV, after which friend 1 points out the TV in the corner.  Friend 2 replies that while he technically has a TV set, he has never set it up; it only functions as a greenery stand.  He explains further that he didn’t understand how to connect all the cables, etc. so he never proceeded with the set-up.  Friend 1 exclaims that this is a terrible waste and chastises his friend for never asking and seeking help to understand!   He tells him that he has missed out on so much because he never asked for help.

 

Follow up: God’s Word is an amazing gift to us.  But sometimes you might find it hard to understand.  Ask for help!  Ask someone who does know about God’s Word to explain things to you so you won’t miss out.  Look at what happened to this guy: he never got to watch TV because he didn’t ask about how it works.  He missed out on so much! 

Missing out on TV is nothing compared to missing out on what the Bible has to give you!  The Bible is life-or-death because it shows us how we can live life to the fullest and live with God in heaven forever.  The Bible is full of promises, instructions, blessings, directions, guidance and wisdom.  You shouldn’t miss out on those things just because you don’t understand!  Ask for help understanding the Bible and ask God to help you understand His Word.

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