No Matter What

SCRIPT TITLE:

No Matter What

AUTHORSHIP:

BIBLE BASIS:

Luke 5:27-32

THEME:

Jesus loves us even though we sin.

KEY VERSE:

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

CHARACTERS:

Terry/Terri and Erin/Aaron, two elementary students

PROPS:

Two envelopes with birthday party invitations inside, backpacks, books, other school "stuff"

COSTUMES:

Modern-day, casual clothing

SETTING:

School has just gotten out.

INTRODUCTION

How many of you have a pet? Raise your hands. If you love your pet, keep your hand in the air. (Single out one or two students and ask the following questions.) What kind of pet do you have. What's his/her name? Why do you love him/her? Did your pet ever do something wrong or disobey you? Did you stop loving your pet when he/she did that?

You know, we often think of love as an ishy-squishy emotion that makes people get all giggly and mushy. But, did you know that true love is really a choice? When we really love someone, we choose to love him or her, even if they do something we don't like. The Bible says that God is love, and that Jesus loves us even though we sin. Jesus loves us no matter what!

DRAMA

Terry/Terri enters stage, carrying a backpack on his/her shoulder. He/she holds an envelope in his/her hand. As he/she walks slowly across the stage, he/she opens the envelope and reads the invitation inside.

TERRY: Oh wow! A bowling and pizza party!

Erin/Aaron enters stage from the same direction Terry did, also carrying a backpack. He/she has already opened his/her invitation, and holds it and the envelope in his/her hand. He/she rushes to catch up with Terry.

ERIN: Terry! Wait up!

Terry stops and turns.

TERRY: Hey, Erin. (noticing the invitation in Erin's hand) Looks like Bennett invited you to his party, too! Cool! Want to ride together?

ERIN: What? Are you crazy? This is one party I will be happy to miss!

TERRY: Why? You love bowling, and I know you love pizza.

ERIN: Yeah. I just don't love Bennett.

TERRY: Why not?

ERIN: Hello! Terry! Need I remind you, we're talking about Bennett the Bully here? You know, the same Bennett who makes those obnoxious sounds with his armpits in health class? The same Bennett who stole my coin purse last year?

TERRY: Yep. That's the one.

ERIN: Don't tell me you've forgotten about the day last summer when he gave you that bloody nose!

TERRY: (touching his nose) Of course I haven't forgotten that! The doctor says my nose will probably always be a little crooked.

ERIN: (incredulous) Bennett permanently rearranged your face, and you're still going to go to his birthday party?

TERRY: Yep.

ERIN: Are you nuts? (a bit snobbish) Besides, Bennett is totally uncool. I mean, aren't you worried about what the other kids will say if they hear you went to Bennett the Boring's birthday party?

TERRY: Erin. Weren't you listening last week in Sunday School?

ERIN: (taken aback at the change in subject) Huh? Of course! That drama was kind of goofy, but the rest of the class was cool.

TERRY: Well, if you were really listening, maybe you'd be willing to give Bennett another chance.

ERIN: Oh, no, no, no.

TERRY: Erin, don't you remember how Jesus showed love to everyone, even the people who were totally unlovable and unpopular?

ERIN: Yeah, but ...

TERRY: You know, when Mr. Johnson told that story about Levi, the tax collector, I started thinking about Bennett.

ERIN: That's another thing. When was the last time you saw Bennett at church? Do you really want to hang out with someone who doesn't even believe in God?

TERRY: (a little exasperated) Look, Erin, Jesus wasn't afraid to hang out with the wrong crowd. He reached out to them. I mean, that Levi guy was definitely not popular. He probably even stole money, just like Bennett stole your coin purse.

ERIN: That's my point exactly!

TERRY: Yeah, but did Jesus turn his back on Levi? No! He became Levi's friend. He showed him love.

ERIN: (beginning to soften) Yeah, and when Levi realized that Jesus loved him no matter what, he began to change.

TERRY: I know. He stopped cheating people, quit being a tax collector, and followed Jesus. He even became one of Jesus' disciples.

ERIN: Yeah. I guess Jesus' love and friendship helped him change.

TERRY: He changed so much that he even changed his name! From Levi to Matthew, which means "gift from the Lord."

ERIN: And then, years later, he even wrote one of the books of the Bible, the book of Matthew!

TERRY: So, if Jesus could show love to Levi, even when he sinned, then he can show love to me, and you, and even to Bennett when we mess up.

ERIN: So, you think if we show love and friendship to Bennett, he might change?

TERRY: Maybe. It's worth a shot, don't you think?

ERIN: I don't know.

TERRY: C'mon, Erin.

ERIN: Okay, I guess I'll go to the party.

TERRY: Good, because you're bowling game really needs some work!

ERIN: You should talk, Mr. Gutter Ball!

CONCLUSION

When Jesus befriended the unlovable and unpopular people around him, the religious leaders complained that he was "a friend of tax collectors and sinners." But, Jesus told them that He loved people even though they were sinners. Jesus explained to them that the reason He came to earth was to get sinners to turn from their sins. Just as Jesus loved Levi and the tax collectors, we can be assured that He loves us, too, even when we sin.

PRAYER POINTS

Thank you, Jesus, for loving each of us, even when we do things that are wrong.
Help us to show love to everyone, even the people who don't treat us well.