Bible Stories
- Details
- Jim Hatherley
- Scripts Since 2007
THE GUEST LIST
Summary: Mothers and daughters talking about life and finding the right priorities
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 12min
Scripture : Luke 14: 1, 7-14
Actors: 4F
Characters: 2 mother and daughter pairs
Script
- Details
- Jim Hatherley
- Scripts Since 2007
THE THREAT OF DEATH & THE GOD OF LIFE - Elijah monologue
Summary: Elijah tells his story of miraculous oil, false prophets, Jezebel and the one true God.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 12min
Scripture: I Kings 19: 1-15a
Actors: 1M
Character: Elijah
Script
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A man climbing the business ladder becomes deeply concerned at the ethics of the company he works for.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 12min
Scripture: Matthew 25:14 - 30
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A guy and a woman – old class mates – are each building a house. They meet by chance at a coffee shop, and discuss their plans.
Style: Dramatic, with a light touch. Duration: 8min
Scripture: Matthew 7: 24-27 (parable of the wise and foolish builders)
Actors: 1M, 1F
- Details
- Jacob de Bruyn
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The story of Jonah, done in light-hearted fashion
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 12min (?)
Actors: 2M, 12-16 M/F
- Details
- Peggy Barnell, Linda Coburn, Rich Gerber, Cindy Studebaker
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The story of Jesus and the early church as seen through the eyes of the apostle Luke.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 45min
Actors: 8M, 1F, 6M/F, 1VO
- Details
- Jim Hatherley
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A Samaritan leper tells of the hope he held on to, even through times when there appeared to be no hope.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 12min
Scripture: Luke 17: 11-19
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Jim Hatherley
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A dialogue between the disciple Peter and Cornelius, a Roman centurion who has become a Christian.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 12min
Scripture: Acts 11: 1-18
Actors: 2M
- Details
- Jim Hatherley
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A dialogue between Judas and Mary (sister of Lazarus), in which Judas reveals his family background and his reasons for his hatred of the Romans. Could be used as a pre-Easter script.
Style; Dramatic. Duration: 15min?
Scripture: John 12: 1-8
Actors: 1M, 1F
- Details
- Jim Hatherley
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The conversation between Jesus and the Devil in the desert.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 7min
Actors: 2M
Scripture: Luke 4: 1-13 / or any “Wilderness temptation” passage
- Details
- Jim Hatherley
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Not everybody invited to banquet chooses to come. An interactive play suitable for Thanksgiving, or any service with the theme of sharing, loving others, the invitation of God, etc.
Style: Drama. Duration: 10min
Scripture: Luke 14: 15-24
Actors: 2M, 3F
- Details
- Jim Hatherley
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The miracle of Jesus turning water into wine, as witnessed by several in the household, and a guest.
Style: Drama (with light touches). Duration: 10-12min
Scripture: John 2: 1-11
Actors: 2M, 1F
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The various parts of the body explain their functions. Can be used as a drama / conversation starter / study group presentation / or part of a worship service.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 7min
Actors: 1N, 6M/F
Scripture: Based on 1 Corinthians 12: 12, 14, 26, 27
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Isaac, chief steward in a Pharisee’s house where Jesus is invited to dine, is disturbed by the lack of etiquette displayed by Jesus.
Style: Drama. Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M
Scripture: Luke 14: 1, 7-14
- Details
- Roger Bulpitt
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Based on John 5. A sick man without much hope, until Jesus and his disciples turn up.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Roger Bulpitt
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Loosely based on Exodus 3. Moses tells the police about a burning bush!
Style: Light-hearted. Dur: 7min
Setting: Police station where the policeman answers the telephone.
Actors: 1M, 1M/F
- Details
- Roger Bulpitt
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Based on the book of Luke, an old shepherd relates the up and downs of his life.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Sauni Rinehart
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Sampson and Delilah seek marriage counseling
Style: Humour Dur: 5-6min
Actors: 1M, 1F, 1M/F
- Details
- Richard F. Studebaker
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: What good is it to be God’s people if He does not protect you? A cross-section of people from Judah face the aftermath of the Babylonian invasion, including whether or not to obey the prophet Jeremiah and accept the offer of safety in Babylon. The play, in two acts, follows the lives of those who join an exiles caravan.
Scripture: Selections from Jeremiah
Setting: Early 6th Century BC – Judah and the desert
Characters: total = 19
Adults: 8 men, 6 women, 2 either
Teen: 1 girl
Children: 1 girl, 1 boy
The script is offered free, but the author would welcome donations. His contact details are the foot of the script.
The script may be downloaded by clicking on the link at the foot of this page.
- Details
- Roger Bulpitt
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Moses tells the police about a burning bush! (Loosely based on Exodus 3)
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 10min
Characters: 2 Actors, the police person can be a female or male
- Details
- Roger Bulpitt
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A monologue (based on Luke 10) of the teachings of Jesus about fear.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Roger Bulpitt
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A sketch about the meeting of two working men during the time of Jesus.
Style: Dramatic, with light touches. Duration: 5min
Actors: 2M
Scripture: based on Mark 5:1-20
Note: The Herdsman, [H], needs to only follow and respond to the Pig herder [P,] who is relating a tale.
- Details
- Curtis Jenkins
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A drama in two acts, covering the rise and fall of Saul, the first King of Israel.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: Full-length
Characters: 11+ male; 2+ female
A royalty payment may be requested for this script. A review copy of Act One can be obtained by clicking on the link at the foot of this page, and the author can be contacted at:
- Details
- Sauni Rinehart
- Scripts Since 2007
Subject: A monologue by the woman at the well after meeting Jesus.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 3 minutes
Actors: 1F
- Details
- Roger Bulpitt
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A monologue (based on John 9) The scene is a roadside in palestine. Just an ordinary day until Jesus and his disciples turn up. |
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Roger Bulpitt
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary:
After the death of Jesus a certain centurion may have written to another centurion, whose servant had been healed by Jesus and this is what he may have said.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Donna Gordon
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The story of Noah and the Ark, with a slight country & western feel.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 45min (approx)
Actors: 1VO, 3M, 2F, 1C, +V
The full script can be downloaded free of charge by clicking on the link below.
- Details
- Daniel Carlson
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: An Easter themed drama that takes place in Bethany, focusing on the week leading up to Jesus's crucifixion as seen through the eyes of Lazarus, Martha and Mary. The story begins shortly after Lazarus is raised, right up to Jesus’s death. It is a time of great ferment, passion and danger. Lazarus, Martha and Mary are caught up in the events of Jesus’s passion and reflect varying attitudes of his followers.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: Approx 60min
Actors: 10M, 2F, +V
This script may be downloaded free of charge by clicking on the link below.
- Details
- Greg Moore
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The Biblical story of Ruth, but set in modern times.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 15-20min
Actors: 5M, 5F
To read a copy of the script, click on the link below.
- Details
- Michael Farley
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The Samaritan woman met by Jesus at the well tells her story.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 4min
Actors: 1F
- Details
- Pammy Norman
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A play taken from the events of John 13: Jesus stating Judas will betray him, then predicting Peter will deny him.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: About 13 minutes long but can be done in 3 sections if needed.
Actors: 6 characters (5M and F). Another 8 people can be used from the audience on the day.
- Details
- Pammy Norman
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A re-enactment of the letter to Philemon, written by the apostle Paul.
Style: Dramatic (with light touches). Duration: 12min
Actors: 1N, 3M (+ audience volunteers)
Key words: reconciliation, forgiveness, philemon, onesimus, paul, letter writing, prison, slave
- Details
- Pam Norman
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A drama of the parable of the workers in the vineyard from Matthew 20 vs 1-16.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 8min
Actors: 8-9M/F
- Details
- Chris Wyatt & John McNeil
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A full-length musical in two Acts tracing the life of John the Baptist, the man Jesus called the greatest prophet up to his time, the man chosen by God to announce the coming of Jesus, the Messiah. From his miraculous birth to his untimely death at the hands of King Herod, John’s life was one of drama, in which he was not afraid to confront the religious authorities of his day while proclaiming the coming Kingdom of God. This powerful musical had its premiere in an eight-night run at Orewa, Auckland, New Zealand in October 2015. Inspiration for the script came from the book "The Prisoner in The Third Cell" by Gene Edwards.
Style: Drama, intense at times. Duration: 2 hours (approx.)
Cast: A large cast, but many parts can be doubled. In the original production a cast of 33 fulfilled all parts
Act One may be downloaded for evaluation purposes by clicking on the link below.
The full script, plus music, backing tracks, etc -- as well as a video of the premiere performance -- may be obtained by contacting John McNeil at
A video of the original performance of this play is available on YouTube:
Act One https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYEG1nwOQ5c
Act Two https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4gIBDSjCtk
- Details
- Michael Harris
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Peter tells the story of his journey with Christ. It concludes with a challenging encounter with Jesus.
Style: Dramatic. Duration 10min
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Michael Harris
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A monologue looking at the feeding of the 5000 men plus women & children, but from the perspective of the boy who gave up his packed lunch, now an old man in a wheelchair. He is handed a loaf of bread that takes him back to the exciting day when Jesus performed the amazing miracle.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 5min
Actors: 1M
- Details
- John Holden
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Zacchaeus, the reformed tax collector, tells his story. (Author's note: This is quite a long story, taking about 25-30 minutes to narrate. It could be split into four parts as I have suggested, but if the narrator can add ample expression then I do not think this is essential.)
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 25-30min
Scripture: Luke 19
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Kathy Applebee
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The story of God's redeeming plan told in allegory. Deceived by Dark Man, the princess loses her position and freedom. The prince comes to save her, losing his life, but she chooses to remain in darkness. The audience joins their lights with the cast to reach her. Most of the lines are read by a narrator or 3 messengers.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: approx. 15min
Actors: 1F, 2M, 7M/F
Scripture reference: Genesis 1, John 1, 8, Matthew 5, Isaiah
- Details
- Jessica S. Johnston
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Tamar runs away into her room to pray to God after Amnon uses her. She is confused and looking for answers.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 3min.
Scripture: Based on 2 Samuel 13
Actors: 1F
- Details
- Michelle Patterson
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Mother putting her son to bed talks to him about Jesus.
Style: Drama with light touches. Duration: 8min.
Scripture: Based on John 14:12
Actors: 1F, 1C
- Details
- Joan Munsumi
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: The parable of the wise man and the foolish man, who built their houses on rock and sand respectively. As told by Jesus.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 7min
Actors: 3M
- Details
- Coral Hurn
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A play in two acts. Ten lepers - outcasts - meet at a layby well away from any village. Some have heard of the miraculous deeds of Jesus of Nazareth and wonder whether he can heal them -- others are sceptical. The miracles of Jesus are confirmed by women relatives of some of the men who have brought them food and drink. At the request of the men, Jesus visits and heals them, but only one - a Samaritan foreigner - returns to give thanks to Jesus.
Style: Dramatic, with some light moments. Duration: 1hour 40min
Scripture: Luke 17: 11-19
Actors: 11M, 4F
The full script of this play may be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
© Carol Hurn. All rights reserved.
This script may be used free of charge, on the condition that copies are not sold for profit in any medium, nor any entrance fee charged to a performance. In exchange, the author would appreciate being notified of any occasion the play is used in public performance. She may be contacted at: 9, St Andrew's Close, Leigh, Nr Sherborne, Dorset. UK. Email:
- Details
- John McNeil
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A dramatic poem which is an allegory on John 1:1-12. It is particularly suitable - but not exclusively so - for Easter. "The Writer" was originally presented as a dance-drama, with a Narrator, Dancers, and music compiled for the performance. A copy of the poem narrated by the author with music accompaniment can be viewed on YouTube, https://youtu.be/3d01Jaf1OjQ
Bible Reference: "The Writer" is based on John 1:1-12, which could be read before the performance.
- Details
- Harold Kimmel
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: This concerns the aftermath of Abraham entering the covenant with the Lord as in GENESIS 22.
Style: Light-hearted. Duration: 12min.
Actors: 3M
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A rap based on the parable told by Jesus of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 5min.
Scripture: Luke 18: 9-14
Actors: 2M, 1M/F
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A potter with a wheel and a lump of clay compares what he/she is doing with God's shaping of us. Author's note: I used it with a real potter at the wheel, and separate off-stage voice. I’ve also used it with a group of mentally challenged adults, each of whom had a piece of clay to work and at the end of worship all the pieces were offered up and displayed during coffee time. It could also work with a potter who had the text memorized.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 8min
Scripture: Isaiah 64: 1-9
Actors: 1M/F
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A wrestling commentator narrates the contest between Jacob and the angel. Setting: imagined professional wrestling match. No actors needed. No props. Just a narrator. Could be altered to include a play-by-play and color commentator. What the heck, you could even bring in wrestlers!
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 8min
Scripture: Genesis 32: 22-31
Actors: 1N
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A monologue (with characterization ideas borrowed from F. Beuchner).
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10min
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: Zebedee, the father of the disciples James and John, reflects on the changes that have occurred since Jesus came into their lives.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10min
Scripture: Matthew 4: 12-23
Actors: 1M
- Details
- Jim Hatherly
- Scripts Since 2007
Summary: A monologue, in which Nicodemus reflects on his encounters with Jesus, and the effect they had on him.
Style: Dramatic. Duration: 10min
Scripture: John 3: 1-17
Actors: 1M