Summary: A sketch in 2 parts exploring issues of healing through the story of Naaman.
Style: Dramatic/light. Duration: 10min (in two parts).
Actors: 4M, 2F, 2M/F
Scripture: based around 2 Kings 5.
Characters
Naaman
Naaman’s wife
Servant girl
Narrator
Doctor
King of Israel
Gehazi (Elisha’s servant)
Naaman’s servant
Script
[Naaman and his wife are sitting facing a desk with an empty chair behind it. A little way behind (in the shadows) sits the servant girl of Naaman’s wife. Naaman remains stoical throughout.]
Narrator: Our story begins in a doctor’s consulting room in Syria, then known as the nation of Aram.
Doctor: [breezes in speaking as he comes and sits at the empty chair] I am so sorry to keep you both waiting, Commander, Mrs. Naaman [acknowledging each of them but ignoring the servant]. I am sure you have got much better things to do with your time than wait around for me – like fighting off Aram’s enemies [gives a nervous little laugh, and when Naaman doesn’t say anything he draws breath and proceeds more definitely]. So, let’s get right to the point.
Naaman: Yes, please do, doctor. I would rather you told me everything, just as it is.
Doctor: Well, I’ve just got these results back from the lab – actually it was that which kept me waiting – and, err…[leaning forward] well I’m afraid the news isn’t good.
Naaman: You mean you know what this dreadful skin condition is?
Doctor: Yes, we do. I’m afraid it’s leprosy [gasp from Naman’s wife].
Naaman: I hope there is something you can do to treat it? It is very awkward trying to motivate my troops looking like this.
Doctor: [sympathetic tone] I’m afraid there isn’t anything we can do. We don’t even know a treatment for leprosy, let alone a cure. I’m afraid I can help you no further. [Naaman’s wife starts to weep]
Naaman: It's alright dear, we’ll get through this somehow. Thank you, Doctor, for your honesty. We’ve taken up enough of your time [rises to leave and as he does so the Narrator steps in].
Narrator: So Naaman, a man used to success in everything he does, suddenly finds himself in a situation where he is powerless to bring the change he wants. But before he finally steps outside something extraordinary happens.
Servant-girl: [comes up behind her mistress, who has turned to leave, and tugs her robe] Excuse me ma’am but I don’t like to see you so upset, and…[blurts it out with absolute certainty] …well if only my master would go to see the prophet who lives in Samaria. He will cure him of his leprosy.
[all turn and look at the girl and freeze frame]
Narrator: Is the servant-girl right? Will Naaman listen to her? Can he be cured of this incurable disease? And where is God in all this? I’m afraid you must wait to find out the answers.
Link & Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you that you created the world to be a good place and came to bring healing, wholeness and joy to our broken world. We ask you to anoint us with your spirit So that we may be renewed and restored to the people you would have us be Free our praise, inspire our prayer and shape our lives so that our lives may glorify you. through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Song
Link – none of us is whole…all build barriers between us and God by the wrong-things we have done…all need spiritual healing and need to come to God and say sorry:
Confession – Lord Jesus, King of kings and Lord of glory, we recognise that if you judged us on our own merit, we would not be worthy to stand in your presence as your children. We are sorry and ask you to forgive and heal us.
We recognise that we have avoided your call to live like you and to love others We are sorry and ask you to forgive our disobedience to your will.
We recognise that we have used your gifts carelessly and acted ungratefully. We have ignored the cry of the hungry and stored up goods for ourselves alone. We are sorry and ask you to forgive our self-interest.
Drama (2)
Narrator: When we left Naaman, he had just heard some very bad news, but then his wife’s servant girl’s made an astonishing suggestion. How did Naaman react? Well, he went straight to his master, the King of Aram, who gave him a letter to deliver to the King of Israel.
(Naaman takes letter from the narrator and walks across to King of Israel, who is seated, and gives him the scroll. King of Israel opens scroll and reads out loud.)
King of Israel: Dear King of Israel, when you get this letter, you'll know that I've personally sent my servant Naaman to you [looks up at Naaman]. Hmm! [then with incredulity] Please heal him of his skin disease. Best Regards, King Aram [looks dumfounded, and holds that look through the Narrator’s speech].
Narrator: When the king of Israel read the letter, he was beside himself.
King of Israel: [overdramatic reaction, standing up, pacing around and flailing his arms!] Who does this man think I am? I’m not a God – how on earth am I going to heal this man from his disease? This is a nightmare. I think that King Aram is just trying to pick a fight.
Narrator: But Elisha, the man of God, heard what had happened and told the king to send Naaman to him. Having come so far, Naaman wasn’t about to give up hope, so he went with his horses and chariots and soldiers and servants and arrived in great style outside Elisha's door.
Naaman: [very grandly] Hail, O great prophet of God! It is I, Naaman, Lord-Lieutenant of Damascus, Counsellor of the King’s Bed-chamber and commander of the great and glorious armed forces of the mighty King of Aram. I come at your command to greet you and to seek your healing power.
[pause…nothing happens so he looks to his servants who encourage him on]
[in a louder voice] HAIL, O GREAT PRO…. [At this point a scruffy servant appears]
Gehazi: He ‘eard ye the first time.
Naaman: [affronted] I beg your pardon. Who do you think you are to address the mighty commander of the King of Aram’s forces in such a way?
Gehazi: Me? Oh, I’m Gehazi, servant to the prophet Elisha, and he sent me out to give you these instructions.
Naaman: [apoplectic] Give me WHAT?
Gehazi: [as if Naaman hadn’t heard first time] IN-STRUC-TIONS! My master says, “Go to the River Jordan and immerse yourself seven times. Your skin will be healed and you'll be as good as new”.
Naaman: [losing it] You what?... I have never been…do you know who I am? The impudence! To think I came all the way from Aram to be insulted like this! I’m not putting up with any more of this [storms off].
Gehazi: Suit yourself [turns and exits].
Narrator: Oh dear! Things don’t seem to be going too well. Maybe Elisha should have met Naaman himself rather than sending his servant out to meet him. And Gehazi wasn’t exactly respectful, was he? That seems to be it, then…but hold on, our drama doesn’t quite seem to be at an end. Naaman’s servants seem to be trying to stop him leaving
Servant: My Lord, please don’t just dismiss what the prophet has told you to do. It’s worth giving it a try.
Naaman: But why didn’t he come out, call on the name of God and heal me. This river is all dirty – I’m the Commander of the King of Aram’s army. I’m not washing in this.
Servant(s): If the prophet had asked you to do something hard and heroic, wouldn't you have done it? So why not do this simple thing?
Narrator: Naaman paused and thought – he thought for quite a long time. Then he went down and immersed himself in the Jordan seven times, following the orders of Elisha, the Holy Man. And do you know what happened? His skin was healed; it was like the skin of a little baby. He was as good as new.
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© Copyright Ian Wallace, all rights reserved. The script may not be reproduced, translated or copied in any medium, including books, CDs and on the Internet, without written permission of the author.
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