Through the Roof

SCRIPT TITLE

Through the Roof

AUTHORSHIP:

BIBLE BASIS:

Mark 2:1-12

SCRIPT THEME:

Jesus can help us with all our needs.

KEY VERSE:

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need,

you will abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8

CHARACTERS:

Joshua and Miriam, friends of the paralyzed man

PROPS:

Four long ropes

COSTUMES:

Biblical era garb

SETTING:

On the roof. Actors should be on an elevated platform, high enough above the audience to suggest that

they are standing on the roof of a house. As the skit begins, the ropes they hold should extend beneath

the platform and out of site of the audience, giving the illusion that they are lowering a heavy object

through the roof and into the house.

INTRODUCTION

Let's imagine for a minute that you are writing a story for school, and you need help spelling a word. A

really hard word like antidisestablishmentarianism. Where could you go for help? (Probable answers

from the audience: a dictionary, my teacher, my mom or dad, my sister or brother, a friend, the

computer's spell checker, etc.)

You know, we each face times when we need help to get our needs met. Sometimes other people can

help us with small needs, like how to spell a word or carrying something that's really heavy. At other

times, what we need may be harder to find, like when we need a friend or someone to listen to us. In

today's drama, we'll learn about a man who had two big needs in his life. Let's see what those needs were

and how he was helped.

DRAMA

Joshua and Miriam stand on top of the "roof." They each hold ropes in both hands, obviously straining to bear the weight of some heavy object as they lower it through the roof.

MIRIAM: (straining and lowering the rope) Almost! (pause) Just (pause) a little (pause) more!

JOSHUA: (also straining) This (pause) better work (pause) Miriam.

Together, they stop straining as the burden they are lowering comes to rest.

MIRIAM: There! (wiping her brow) Whew! We did it! He's right at Jesus' feet. I guess we can drop these ropes, huh?

JOSHUA: No way! Those ropes cost me a fortune! I need them!

MIRIAM: C'mon, Joshua. I think Marcus needs to be healed more than you need your ropes.

JOSHUA: I don't know. If this doesn't work, we may have to hoist him back up!

MIRIAM: Joshua! Where's your faith? Of course it'll work. If Jesus can't make him walk again, no one can!

JOSHUA: I sure hope you're right, because if He doesn't, we're out one really good rope!

MIRIAM: Forget about your precious rope, will you? Isn't Marcus more important to you than that?

JOSHUA: Of course he is!

They both let go of the ropes, and watch them fall through the hole.

JOSHUA: I can't believe I let you talk me into this!

MIRIAM: Well, how else were we supposed to get him near Jesus? The house is packed, and people are crowding around outside just to get a look in the windows.

Miriam kneels down for a better look. Joshua remains standing, surveying the damage to the roof.

JOSHUA: Look at the size of that hole! Hey, did you see the look on Jesus' face when pieces of the roof started falling on his head!

MIRIAM: Shh! I want to hear what's going on!

JOSHUA: Peter's gonna be furious when he sees this! So, did your brilliant plan cover how we're going to pay for the damage?

MIRIAM: Joshua, please! Jesus is talking to Marcus right now!

Joshua kneels down, too. They both pause, straining to hear.

MIRIAM: Huh? Did you hear that?

JOSHUA: (confused) Yeah. Jesus just told Marcus that his sins are forgiven. Can't He see that what Marcus really needs is to be healed?

MIRIAM: Besides, isn't that blasphemy? I mean, I thought only God could forgive sins!

JOSHUA: Shh! Jesus is speaking again!

MIRIAM: What! What did He say?

JOSHUA: I think He must have heard you. He said, "Which is easier, to say to this paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven' or to say, 'Get up, take up your mat and walk'?"

MIRIAM: Hmm. I guess telling Marcus to get up and walk would be harder.

JOSHUA: Huh? I don't get it.

MIRIAM: Well, if I tell you that your sins are forgiven, how will anyone know what I say is true? I mean, only God can see into your heart, right?

JOSHUA: (beginning to understand) So, telling Marcus to get up and walk would be harder. I mean, everyone will be watching to see if Marcus is healed. If Jesus doesn't have the power to heal, nothing will happen, and everyone will know it.

MIRIAM: Wait! Jesus is talking again! He just said, "To show you that I have authority on earth to forgive sins ... " (pause) Yes! He just told Marcus, "Get up, take your mat and go home!"

JOSHUA: (standing up, pointing down the "hole") Look! Look at Marcus! He's standing up!

MIRIAM: (standing up) He's laughing! He's dancing!

JOSHUA AND MIRIAM: (together) He's healed!!

Still gazing down the "hole," they dance a little jig.

MIRIAM: (laughing) He's rolling up his mat and walking out of the house!

JOSHUA: My ropes! Can you see my ropes? Does he still have them?

MIRIAM: (climbing back down the platform) Who cares about your silly ropes! Let's go see him!

JOSHUA: (following her) If you get to him before I do, ask him about my ropes!

CONCLUSION

Jesus knew that the paralyzed man had two very big needs, the need to be healed and the need to be

forgiven. When He healed and forgave the man, He showed everyone that He has the power to help

people both physically and spiritually. And, Jesus wants to meet the needs of people today. Sometimes,

like the paralyzed man and his friends, we get so focused on our physical needs that we can't see that our

biggest need is spiritual, our need to be forgiven of our sins. What's your biggest physical need today?

What do you need spiritually? Remember, that Jesus wants to be the One you go to to meet all of your

needs.

PRAYER POINTS

Jesus, thank you for knowing our needs. Thank you for having the power to meet those needs.
Please help us to come to you whenever we have a need. Help us to rely on your power to meet those needs.
Help us to encourage others to bring their needs to you, too, Jesus.