Be At It

John Wayne Samples · 19 December 2012
Style
Dramatic   
Duration
4min
Actors
8M/F
Characters
  ONE-a & ONE-b TWO-a & TWO-b THREE-a & THREE-b FOUR-a & FOUR-b (When the script calls for "Two" both Twos read, etc.) Staging: Lined-up in a slight arc, center stage. Props: A Bible for character One A. Notes: To be effective, this should be memorized and practiced several -- many -- times. It is much harder to do than we thought it would be. And much more effective. Attention should be given in casting to matching voices that blend well together. Don't be afraid to reassign parts until you get the right mix. Inflection is very important. Experiment with different expressions of delivery, particularly with the lines delivered solo. Pacing cues: > means to "hit" the phrase or word quickly and/or with emphasis. Try "stepping" on the end of the previous line when delivering a phrase with this cue. # means to pause before continuing. - within a phrase means to deliver-in-a-staccato-fashion.
Summary
 A choral reading of II Timothy 3:12 - 4:8 taken from several different versions of the scripture (details at end).  Purpose: Used originally as a call to worship. Not a "sketch" in the traditional use of the word, this reading is included here as the cornerstone of the drama ministry. It wasn't until after this was presented that we understood how pertinent its message was to our own lives and efforts in Christian theatre. Key words: Scripture / Ministry / Timothy
Script

    ONE-a Opens the Bible and reads the first verse normally. All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. TWO-a But evil men TWO & THREE and…

 

 

ONE-a Opens the Bible and reads the first verse normally.
All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

TWO-a
But evil men

TWO & THREE
and impostors

THREE & FOUR
will grow worse
# and worse,

TWO & THREE & FOUR
> deceiving
# and being deceived.

ALL
You,

TWO-b
however,

ALL
must remain faithful in what-you-have-learned,

TWO & THREE
and the things of which you are certain,

ONE & FOUR
knowing from whom you have learned them,

TWO-b
and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,

THREE-a
which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith

THREE-b
> which is in Christ Jesus.

ALL
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
# and is profitable

ONE & TWO
for doctrine,

TWO & THREE
for reproof,

THREE & FOUR
for correction,

TWO & FOUR
for instruction in righteousness,

ONE
that the man of God may be complete,

ALL
thoroughly equipped for every good work.

TWO-a
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ,

ONE & TWO & FOUR
who will judge the living

TWO
and the dead

ONE & TWO & FOUR
at His appearing

FOUR-a
and His kingdom:

ALL
Preach the word!

THREE-b
Be at it
# when it is, and when it is not,
# convenient.

ONE & TWO & FOUR
Convince,

TWO & THREE & FOUR
rebuke,

ONE & TWO & THREE
exhort

FOUR-b
with ALL the patience that the work of teaching requires.

ALL
For the time will come

THREE-a
when people won't listen to the truth, but according to their own desires,

TWO-a
to satisfy their own fancies,

FOUR-b
they will heap up for themselves teachers;

ONE & TWO
and they will turn their ears away from the truth,

THREE-a
and be turned aside to fables.

FOUR-a
But
# you be watchful in ALL things,

FOUR-b
endure afflictions,

ONE
work to spread the gospel,

ALL
fulfill
#your
#ministry.

The End

…………………

*Text taken from Nelson's The New King James Bible, and from Zondervan's 26 Translations
including uses of The Revised Standard Version, The New English Bible, Berkeley, Moffatt, and Phillips.

©1987-2008 JSamPlays and JSam Communications, all rights reserved.

This script may be used free of payment, provided no charge is made for entry to the performance. In return, the author would like to be notified of any performance. He may be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.