Home »

PDF Version also Available

7 Little Christians

A puppet skit by Jason Justice
February 2010

Synopsis:

Grip Newsflash is your man-on-the-street reporter, asking what being a Christian means to 7 passersby. The passersby represent 7 types of Christians and are based on the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation.

Scripture Text: Revelation 2-3

Moral: We want to be like the 2 good churches and not the 5 bad ones. We can do this by:

 

More about the Churches (and their corresponding Characters)
Ephesus (Susie) - The loveless, dutiful church. Legalistic, hating sin but having no joy. (Right things, wrong reasons)

Smyrna (Myrna) - The persecuted church, faithful even to the point of death, though being persecuted. Picked on by non-believers and pressured to conform.

Pergamum (Percival) - The compromising church. Co-exists with those who believe a little of this and a little of that without taking a stand against them. Turns a blind eye to keep the peace.

Thyatira (Ty) - The corrupted (Apostate) church. Listening to false teachers and taking their word as gospel.

Sardis (Artie) - The dying church, change now before you are completely dead.

Laodicea (Luke Warm) - The luke-warm church, rich and self-sufficient but poor in the things of God.

Philadelphia (Phil) - The consistent church - A church for which the Lord did not have one word of rebuke.

Cast:

...And now the Puppet Skit : 7 Little Christians

Grip: Good morning! I'm Grip Newsflash, your on-the-street-reporter for WKJV Action News! Today I am speaking to various people here in the city about the burning question... "What does being a Christian mean to you?" Here comes someone now!

[Susie ENTERS]

Susie: Hey, aren't you...

Grip: Yes, ma'am. It's me, Grip Newsflash, your on-the-street-reporter for WKJV Action News!

Susie: Oh. Sorry, I thought you looked like that guy that works down at the grocery store. Never mind.

Grip: No, no... Wait! I'd like to speak with you for a moment and find out what your answer is to the question: What does being a Christian mean to you?

Susie: I'll tell ya what it means! Work! Lots of it. You know, that church never stays clean and there are potluck dinners to prepare, sick people at the hospital to visit. I'm telling you Mister Newsflash, the Lord's work is never done! I guess it's just my cross to bear.

Grip: Hmm... So being a Christian means doing a lot of work?

Susie: Oh, you bet. But it's all a joy, you know. It's just such a blessing to be this incredibly busy and stressed out. I think everyone would be better off if they served the Lord like I do. Well, gotta go. I need to be at choir practice in 10 minutes.

Grip: Well, have fun... um... serving God.

[Susie EXITS. Percival ENTERS.]

Grip: Excuse me, sir.

Percival: Hey, aren't you...?

Grip: [Proudly] That's right, sir. I'm, Grip Newsflash, your on-the-street-reporter for WKJV Action News!

Percival: Oh, you kinda look like my cousin, Bob. I thought you were him for a minute. And he owes me money. Anyway, the name's Percival.

Grip: Oh. Of course. Well, Percival, I would like to ask you an important question and that is: What does being a Christian mean to you?

Percival: Well, it’s important. I mean, you need to believe in something, right? I believe everybody should believe in something... well, at least that’s my belief.

Grip: That makes sense. So to you it means believing in Jesus as the Son of God and your personal Savior?

Percival: Not so fast there Chip! I didn’t say that!

Grip: Actually, it’s Grip, not Chip. And if you don’t believe in Jesus, then what do you believe in, since you said being a Christian was important?

Percival: Well, I believe Jesus existed and was a good man and a wise teacher and that he lived 2000 years ago. And I believe He’s our Savior and stuff too but it makes some people upset when you say that He was the Son of God. I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings just because they don’t believe like I do.

Grip: But Percival, didn’t Jesus say that he was the only way to God? If you read in John 14:6, you’ll see what I’m talking about.

Percival: Whoa! Not so loud! What do you think you’re doing talking about Jesus being the only way and quoting the Bible here in the middle of town! You could offend somebody that way! Look, maybe you should talk to someone else. I gotta go. [MUMBLING AS HE WALKS AWAY] Religious nut!

Grip: Well, folks. I’m really confused. We’ve just met a Christian who doesn’t like to talk about Jesus or the Bible. I hope the next person we meet makes a little more sense.

[FINDS Artie, WHO IS LYING FACE DOWN ON THE STAGE]

Grip: Here’s someone. Sir or Ma’am... I can’t really tell from this angle... I would like to ask you an important question and that is: What does being a Christian mean to you?

Artie: [MUMBLING] No, not that I know of.

Grip: [CONFUSED] Sir, what are you talking about?

Artie: [RAISING HEAD SO HE CAN BE BETTER UNDERSTOOD] Well, you asked if a Christian was mean to me and as far as I know, one hasn't been.

Grip: Oh, it seems you've misunderstood. I actually asked what BEING a Christian means to you.

Artie: Oh. It means a lot.

[PAUSE]

Grip: And?

Artie: I’ll tell you all about it... after my nap.

Grip: Your... nap. [SHAKES HEAD AND WALKS OVER TO Luke Warm]

[Luke Warm HAS APPEARED STAGE RIGHT AND IS WALKING TOWARD Grip. Luke STOPS TO TALK TO Grip.]

Luke: Well, hello there! I know who you are! You’re on TV all the time!

Grip: Yes, I get that all the time. Being a famous TV personality makes it impossible to go anywhere without being recognized. Grip Newsflash at your service!

Luke: Grip who? I thought you were Biff Smasher, the professional wrestler from TV. Never mind. So, the name’s Luke. Luke Warm. What’s the word?

Grip: I’m out here today for WKJV Action News talking to people about what it means to them to be a Christian.

Luke: Oh, hey. That’s really great. You know, God has been good to me. He really has.

Grip: Oh! This sounds promising.

Luke: In fact, God has been so good to me that I hardly ever need Him anymore! He’s set me up and now I pretty much coast through life. It’s great!

Grip: WHAT?!

Luke: I used to pray, go to church, talk to other Christians and read that book... um, it’s right on the tip of my tongue... The Holy...

Grip: BIBLE?!

Luke: Yeah, yeah, that’s the one! Used to read it all the time. But after a while, things started going so good, God blessed me with a nice job, a nice home, a nice wife and nice kids. Even a nice neighborhood. It was... well, nice!

So I figure I’ll leave God alone to help the poor saps ... um I mean unfortunate folks that don’t have it as good as I do. You know... “the Lost.”

Oops, cell’s ringing! Gotta go! [Luke PROCEEDS OFF SCREEN ANSWERING HIS PHONE] Talk to me!

Grip: Well, I hope the Lost don’t ask him for directions! [NOTICES SOMETHING DISTURBING OFFSTAGE] Goodness! What’s going on over here [A COMMOTION IS HEARD OFFSTAGE AND Myrna ENTERS IN A HURRY. FROM OFFSTAGE Angry Person IS HEARD (BUT NOT SEEN)]

Angry Person: …and don’t you forget it, you Sunday School goodie goodie! If you start talking that Jesus stuff again, I’ll do more than smack you!

Myrna: [RUBBING FACE WHERE SHE WAS SMACKED BY Angry Person] Oh my… he certainly was upset with me.

Grip: Young lady, are you alright? Can I talk with you a moment?

Myrna: Oh. Hello, sir. I didn’t see you there. I’m OK. Just a little sad. My heart breaks when others will not even hear what I have to say about my Jesus.

Grip: [ASIDE] Now we’re getting somewhere! [TURNS TO Myrna] Well… What was your name?

Myrna: Myrna. My name is Myrna.

Grip: It is a pleasure to meet you, Myrna. My name is Grip Newsflash and I was looking for people to talk to about what being a Christian means to them. But I think you’ve just shown me what it means to you by your actions.

Myrna: Really? What do you mean, Mr. Newsflash?

Grip: You are not afraid to tell others about your faith, even if they become angry and strike you. That person just hit you and threatened you, and yet you seem more concerned about him than about your injury. Your cheek is all red where he smacked you.

Myrna: Oh, I’m not hurt, Mr. Newsflash, not physically anyway. But like I said, it hurts my heart when people will not give Jesus a chance to help and love them. I’m just trying to do what Jesus asked us to do. He said it would not be easy but to trust in Him and go into the whole world to tell them about Him and the salvation He gives.

Grip: You remind me of Stephen in the New Testament book of Acts. He was the first person to be killed for believing in Jesus. And as he was being hit with large rocks by the men who were killing him, he asked God that they would forgive the men.

Myrna: Wow. Thank you, Mr. Newsflash. I think that might just be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.

Grip: Have a great day, Myrna and I will be praying for you!

Myrna: Thanks, Mr. Newsflash. I’ll be praying for you, too! [EXITS]

Grip: Wow. Talking with that young lady has certainly given me something to think about. Hey, here comes someone else. [Ty ENTERS] Excuse me, sir.

Ty: Hey! I know you!

Grip: No, actually you probably don’t. Everyone seems to have me confused with someone else today.

Ty: Well, I watch TV all the time and I know that you are none other than Grip Newsflash!

Grip: That’s right! I’m impressed. So what is your name?

Ty: My name’s Ty. How can I help you today, Grip?

Grip: Well, I am asking the people of today this question: What does being a Christian mean to you?

Ty: It is the most important thing. Why if it weren’t for Jesus and the other angels, I wouldn’t have any hope at all.

Grip: Ah yes, Jesus and the … wait. Jesus and the other angels? What do you mean?

Ty: Well, Jesus did what God told Him to, right?

Grip: Yes, that’s what the Bible says.

Ty: And God tells the angels what to do too, right?

Grip: Yes, that’s correct.

Ty: Well, there you go! Jesus is one of the angels! Maybe a leader of the angels, but it’s pretty obvious that He was just an angel.

Grip: What? No He’s not! He’s God’s Son, not one of the angels. It’s all over in the Bible, well for example look at John 3:16 where it says Jesus is God’s only son or in the book of Hebrews, Chapter 1 where it says that Jesus is much higher than the angels because He has been set apart as God’s Son…

Ty: Now you’re telling me you believe everything in the Bible?

Grip: Of course I do! And you don’t?

Ty: Ha ha ha! Wooo! Ha ha ha ha. They should put you in a museum. Everybody knows that the Bible is part philosophy, part fairytale and part history. You can’t believe everything in it. That’s crazy!

Grip: I see. Well, how do you know which parts to believe and which parts are just “fairytales” as you put it?

Ty: I just go by what my heart tells me. You know, by my feelings. I can just tell. It’s like an instinct or something. But you… ha ha ha… believing the whole thing like that “hook, line and sinker.” Wow… Well, I gotta go. I got some stuff to get done before I go to church tonight. I don’t want to be late. Later, “true believer.” Ha ha ha… [EXITS]

Grip: Well, that Ty certainly has some unusual beliefs about being a Christian. Angels are God’s messengers and servants and are powerful for sure, but Jesus is God’s Son; His only Son. He’s the only Way we can be saved from our sins. Angels can’t do that. Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but this exercise has left me feeling extremely confused about what being a Christian means. [Phil ENTERS]

Phil: Excuse me sir but what seems to be the problem? I couldn’t help but overhear you talking about being a Christian.

Grip: Yes, I am Grip Newsflash, reporter. I have been asking people on the street today this question: What does being a Christian mean to you? And the answers, well except for one person I met (her name was Myrna) everyone was either complaining about how much work it was to be a Christian or else they had some strange ideas that aren’t supported by the Bible and one even wanted to have a nap before answering me! Maybe I can ask you. What does being a Christian mean to you?

Phil: Well, Grip. My name is Phil and I can tell you that to me, being a Christian means something very simple. I take the words of Jesus as my personal rule to live by. You see, in the Book of Matthew chapter 22 and Mark chapter 12, some teachers of the law asked Jesus which was the Greatest Commandment. Do you remember what Jesus said?

Grip: Yes! I do remember that. He said that we need to love God with all our heart, mind and strength and also to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves. Is that what being a Christian means to you?

Phil: Absolutely, Grip. That’s it as simply as I can put it. Or as Jesus can put it, I should say.

Grip: So simple and yet it can’t be as easy as it sounds.

Phil: No, it’s not. It’s a matter of every day surrendering to God and asking for His guidance in all things. I begin and end my day praying to Him and whenever I feel like I need to talk to Him throughout the day, I do! The Bible says he’s also with me, closer than a brother so I can talk to Him anytime I want. I also spend a little time each day studying the Bible. That’s how I get to know God and Jesus better.

Grip: What else do you do? I mean, what do you do the rest of the day?

Phil: I go through my normal day and I just try to treat others the way I would want to be treated. That’s pretty much all there is to it, Grip.

Grip: Well, there you have it, folks. Now before I go, let me pose the question to you, my loyal audience: What does being a Christian mean to you? [PAUSES TO LET QUESTION SINK IN] For WKJV News, I’m Grip Newsflash. Have a super day!

THE END

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 3:23-24