Theme:
How youth can make a difference.
Bible references:
Cast:
1 Timothy 4:12 2 Timothy 2:22-26
Two teenaged actors
Set, costumes, lighting, sound: Run-time:
standard
5 minutes
Script: actors come on stage 1:
Hi, 2, isn’t it a lovely day?
2:
Lovely? Maybe you didn’t notice the fact that it rained last night?
1:
Well, I did notice there was water on the sidewalk, must have been while I was asleep. Sorry, did you have a restless night last night?
2:
No! Slept like a log, never heard a thing ‘til I woke up this morning.
1:
Then how did you know it rained if you weren’t awake?
2:
Duhhhhhhhhhh! Just like you, I saw water on the sidewalk this morning!
1:
Then why does the rain last night, which, as you said, happened while you were sleeping, make you feel that this isn’t a lovely day? Even though, may I point out, the sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky.
2:
Rained last night, means it will likely rain again today, I always say!
1:
As I recall, we’ve had rain last 4 nights, not a drop during the day.
2:
Exactly! Things are bound to change for the worse, I always say.
1:
Uhhhh yeh! Anyhow, any particular reason for being so down, 2?
2:
Where have you been? Read the papers, watched the news? Things are awful, and about to take a turn for the worse.
1:
No one would ever accuse you of being optimistic, could they?
2:
OK, I will run some optimism by you. War. Terrorism. Does the name “Osama bin Laden” strike a chord? Disasters on earth. Disasters in space. Guess there’s really no reason why I shouldn’t be on cloud nine, is there?
1:
Oh, 2, I know there is reason for concern, and I am, just as much as you are. But, we have to remember, at the end of the day, God’s still God.
2:
Way things are going, I really wonder if there even is a God. And if there is a God, my guess is He couldn’t care less about us.
1:
Oh, He does. We have His word on it.
2:
His word?
1:
Yep.
2:
And that . . . word, it was where?
1:
In the Bible.
2:
I sense this discussion is getting religious. And may I say I hope not?
2:
That would make two of us.
1:
You don’t like religious discussions?
2:
Nope. Much prefer to talk about God, and His will for our lives.
1:
God’s will? Not relevant anymore. This is 2003! (pause) There’s going to be war you know. Can you imagine a worse time to be growing up?
2:
Well, my great-grandfather grew up at the time of the First World War. My grandfather grew up during the Second World War. Those likely weren’t great times either.
1:
So you are comparing things back then to what we have today? Just on 9/11 alone there were thousands of deaths!
2:
Yes, it was truly unspeakable. But remember that than eight and one-half million people died in World War 1, sixty-one million in World War 2.
1:
So you’re saying, “don’t worry, be happy”?
2:
Nope, not at all. What I am saying is that throughout all time there have been issues to deal with.
1:
Yes, and people to deal with those issues.
2:
You are right, 1, people just like you and I. With an opportunity to make an impact
1:
Hey, time out here, in case you haven’t noticed, we’re kids, and the world doesn’t listen to kids. Everyone just ignores us, our opinion counts for the square root of zero.
2:
One of the greatest leaders of all time didn’t see things that way at all!
1:
And this great leader would be . . .?
2:
Paul.
1:
As in . . . the Bible Paul, right?
2:
You got it, none other! His right hand man was a young guy, name of Timothy. Paul had left Timothy in charge, and he wrote Timothy a letter, Paul said, “Don’t let anybody put you down just ‘cause you are a kid. What you want to do is be the yardstick as a person of integrity. Tell you what, you do this and people way older than you will look up to you, follow you, respect you, and to what you say. Even though you are a kid, you will find that they will start to mold their lives after the way they see you show love, faith and Godly character.”
1:
Really? I don’t remember hearing that kind of words from the Bible.
2:
I may have paraphrased here and there; the intent’s the same, trust me.
1:
So, this Paul, that’s all he said about kids speaking out?
2:
Not by a long shot. I get the idea Paul was pro-kids. He said, “God has given you kids awesome power and smarts. Don’t just sit there, go make a difference in your world! And don’t just go half-hearted, give it all you’ve got! All the folks around, young and old, they are gonna be blown away, seeing the way you are going and growing, as a human being. But remember, watch out, not only for what you say and do, but for what you are thinking too. Keep top of mind fact that if it’s garbage in, it’s gonna be garbage out as well. Just grab a hold of God’s truth, stick with it, and God will not only bless your life, but He’s gonna use you to make a real difference in America, and throughout the world!”
1:
Wow! You really think we can make that kind of difference, 2?
2:
We can take it to the bank!
1:
I’m just not sure if they will really take us seriously.
2:
Fact is, whether they do or whether they don’t will depend a whole lot on our actions, and reactions. Further fact is, Paul, he had something to say to Timothy about that as well.
1:
I am beginning to see where Paul was a regular fount of information.
2:
And a great friend of youth as well. Paul had good advice for Timothy, and it’s great advice for us today, if we, as youth, want to be listened to, and taken seriously. He said, “Don’t hang around with anything, or anyone, that ends up in evil thoughts such as some young people sometimes have. Make sure you hang with guys that will be a positive influence, and who love and obey God, and whose hearts are pure.”
1:
Makes sense, doesn’t it, I mean, who we associate with are what we become.
2:
Wow, that’s almost a Paul thing to say.
1:
Well, what can I say, I try to learn from the best. Paul say anything else?
2:
He did so. Said, “Don’t go getting into dumb arguments, on account of it will only get folks steamed and flustered, won’t gain you any credibility at all. If you want to be taken seriously and show you belong to God you need to avoid quarrels like the plague, and do all you can to patiently and lovingly show other guys to do the same. It’s a tough thing that, showing others how to act, you gotta make sure you don’t come across like a knowit-all, mightier than thou, cause that’s not gonna show well, nor will it change others into walking in God’s light. This is a time you gotta be meek like a lamb, well-mannered, polite, that’s what’s gonna get others to get on God’s team as well, so’s that they can change this country and this whole world around.”
1:
Paul was a right on guy! You know, I may have been going at this all wrong, I sure appreciate you straightening me out on this. It makes sense you know, this stuff Paul told Timothy. I know, I can see where it’s making a difference in the way I am thinking. I’m glad you talked to me, brought me to my senses. You know, the attitude I was developing, I was falling into Satan’s trap, wasn’t I?
2:
Strange! Do you know that’s exactly how Paul ended up letter of his advice to Timothy?
1:
Serious? Wow! Know something, 2?
2:
What might that be?
1:
We can make a difference, can’t we? I want to be a part of making a difference. Following God’s word, doing things Paul told Timothy, teens can serve God, and we can do our part to turn America back to God.
2:
You have some awesome kinda positive attitude, don’t you?
1:
Was that a drop of rain I felt?
2:
I thought you were over that negative thinking, I mean . .
1:
I was kidding! It was a joke, ok? Like ha ha, laugh, that sorta thing. Hey, lighten up will ya? Let’s go make a difference!
off stage
