It’s only Ice Cream!
by Neal Breeding
Copyright 1996, 2007

 Scripture: James 1:14 & 15

Cast: 2 Guys (can be adapted for girls)

Emphasize the words in italic.  Substitute each other’s names in for the blanks.

One:  Hey, ________, you ready to go?

Two:     Yes, let’s go.

One:  Today has been a lot of fun, we should get out and spend more time without the women, you know, “male bonding.” (grunting noising may be made)

Two:     Yes, today has been a lot of fun, and I was thinking that we (looking off as if distracted) should try to do this again, maybe next– (excitedly) hey look over there!

One:  Where?  (surprisingly) Uh ________ we shouldn’t even look over there. (turns body completely around)

Two:  Oh come on, let’s just walk over there for a quick look.  Just a little closer. (pulls One a little closer)

One:   ________ we really shouldn’t!

Two: ________ it is only an ice cream shop.

One:  But what is in the ice cream shop?

Two:  Ice Cream of course, are you feeling ok? (by this point One has pulled Two into the ice cream shop)

One:  Yes!  I’m feeling just fine, and yes I am aware there is ice cream in this ice cream shop!  But I don’t think it is a good idea to be looking at all this ice cream?

Two:  Look ________, just because we are on that sugar busters diet, doesn’t mean we can’t look at the menu, right?

One:  But ________ you know sometimes when we–(interrupted by Two)

Two:  Look! They have homemade vanilla, and double chocolate rocky road, and mocha almond fudge!

One:  (interrupting) ________ we should not be looking at this!  I am telling you we are going to end up––(interrupted by Two)

Two:  (with excitement building) And cookies and cream, and chocolate chip cookie dough-(interrupting)

One:  (starts looking around) –but we really shouldn’t be looking at this (something catches One’s eye)–hey there is Pralines and cream, that has always been my favorite, and it is right next to chocolate peanut butter, which is right next to super-duper, triple-ripple, double-dipped, chocolate peanut butter fudge!  Yummy!  (realizing what has is happening) — what am I doing?  ________ we have to stop looking all this ice cream!

Two:  ________ I told you, just because we are on a diet doesn’t mean–

One:  (interrupting)–you can’t look at the menu, I know, I know, I heard you the first time, but don’t you think looking at all of this ice cream is going to temp us into wanting–(interrupted by Two)

Two:   –Oh look, there is Heavenly Hash, you know how long it has been since I have had that flavor?

One:   ________ are you even listening to me?

Two:  Yes, but I can’t help it! Maybe I’ll just get one of the free samples  Yea, I need one of those little pink spoons.  Yes, just a little sample!

One:   ________ (in a fatherly tone).  You can’t we need to–

Two:  With a name like Heavenly Hash, it can’t be all bad!  I don’t think a sample will be enough!  I think I want a scoop.  Yes, yes, a scoop on a sugar cone!  I can already taste it in my mouth!

One:  No!  (grabbing Two) You can’t!

Two:  Why can’t I? I just want one little tinny, little bitty, small scoop of ice cream, on a little mi·nute sugar cone.

One:  You can’t because you are on a diet!  Remember? Now come on!  (dragging Two out of the store and to a bench, as Two is being dragged he says)

Two:  (pauses) But, I really want… (hesitates & thinks to himself) but I, uh, yea, I am.  (sheepishly, sitting down) Wow, I guess I sort of forgot for a second or two.

One:  (joins him sitting)  Now do you see why I think it would have been a better idea if we would not have even looked at the menu?

Two:  (pauses to think)  Yes, I guess you have made your point.

One:  You know the Bible says in James 1:14 & 15 “but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed.  Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.”

Two:  But it was only ice cream?

One:  But like the ice cream that was temping us, there are things in our lives we watch, hear, read, and are told that may tempt us to sinning.

Two:  (catching on and adding to the statement) And they can cause us to gossip, be greedy, envious, prideful, or fall into lust.  Like we were lusting after that ice cream.

One:  Yes!  And once we have tasted a little bit, we want more.

One:  So I guess we shouldn’t even look at the menu when we are on a diet.

Two:  You are right, and we aren’t just talking about ice cream we should stay away from. Let’s get out of here.

(Both exit)

What is True Love?

by Neal Breeding

Copyright, 1995

Man: Love… we all want to be loved… and we all want to love someone. But what is love? What is true love?

Woman: The Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 13 what true love is and how true love should act. Ask yourself if show this kind of love to your spouse.

Girl: If you are dating someone, ask yourself if he shows you this kind of love.

Boy: And if she shows it back? Let us demonstrate what we mean.

Woman: (man’s name) is patient,

Man: Sure, I don’t mind going to one more store before we leave the mall. (pause) Boy: (girl’s name) is kind. She does not envy,

Woman: I understand you can’t afford to take me to Red Lobster like George is taking Emily. Burger King is fine.

Girl: He does not boast, he is not proud. He is not rude, he is not self-seeking.

Boy: I really need to study for Friday’s English test, but if you don’t understand your Algebra, I’m sure I can make some time to help you.

Man: She is not easily angered, she keeps no record of wrongs.

Woman: Your have to work late again? (pause) That’s ok, I know you are trying to meet your deadline. After your deadline maybe we can do something special together.

Man: (woman’s name) does not delight in evil,

Boy: but rejoices with the truth.

Woman: He always protects, always trusts,

Girl: always hopes, always perseveres.

All: (Each other’s name) never fails.

Boy: This definition of Love is the ideal love.

Man: Realistically, we are human and we are going to fail.

Woman: We should, however, strive to show this kind of love to others

Girl: And seek someone who is doing the same.

Man: God, however, is perfect and shows us what perfect love is, because:

Woman: God is patient,

Girl: God is kind.

Boy: He does not envy,

Man: He does not boast,

Woman: He is not proud.

Boy: God is not rude,

Man: He is not self-seeking,

Girl: He is not easily angered,

Boy: He keeps no record of wrongs.

Man: God does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth.

Woman: He always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always

perseveres.

All: God never fails. (pause)

Woman: We ask you to think about who you love?

Man: Who loves you?

Girl & Woman: And is there love, (points at man)

Boy & Man: your love, (points at woman)

All: God’s Love? (both point up)

(actors freeze for 2 seconds, then exit stage.)

(based on 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 (NIV))

______

This sketch may be used freely. No copies should be sold to anyone else. Visit www.nealbreeding.com for more drama.

Jesus Loves Me

by Neal Breeding

Copyright 1994

Performance directions: The song is sung one time through, then each boldfaced line is sung followed by the comments. At the end, the actors should ask the audience to sing along with them and exit while the audience is singing. If more than one actor is used, all actors can sing together. Individual actors can take turns saying the spoken lines. The whole cast can sing the sung lines.

Jesus We are speaking about Jesus, the son of God; who became human like you and me but lived a sinless life while He was here on earth.

loves me He not only love me, but He loves you (pointing at different members of the audience), and you, and you, but not just you, and you, but He loves all of us!

this I know I know this for a fact. Not just up here in my head, but down here, in my heart where it counts and where I will never forget.

for the Bible tells me so It really does! It tells me in John 3:16 “God so loved the world [that’s us] that He gave His one and only son [that’s Jesus] that whoever believes in Him [and asks Him into their heart] shall not die [which is separation from God in Hell] but have eternal life [which is fellowship with Him in Heaven].”

Little ones, to Him belong – We don’t just be little babies because we all start out that way, but once we ask Jesus into our heart, we become babies again, but we are spiritual babies that belong to Him.

they are weak but He is strong Although we might be weak when we first become spiritual babies, Jesus is strong. Stronger than the Incredible Hulk, Superman and every other Super Hero combined! And that is pretty strong! (pause if there is laughter) When we rely on His strength, we grow stronger.

Yes, Jesus loves me and you and you, and you… (pointing to different members of the audience)

Yes, Jesus loves me and you and you, and you and you… (pointing to different members of the audience)

Yes Jesus loves me the Bible tells me so.

Why don’t you join and sing it with us, (pause) to Him. (pointing upward)

(as the audience begins to sing, actors exit the stage).

____________

This sketch may be used freely. No copies should be sold to anyone else. Visit www.nealbreeding.com for more drama.  Copyright 1994

When I was in college, I was involved in the BSU’s (now BCM) drama ministry.  Shortly after I was involved, my good friend Jason Ebeyer and I went to a drama conference in Alexandria, where we met Matt Tullos.  We sat in on a session that Matt was leading and by the end of the session we were both pumped up about writing short drama “sketches.”

I was lucky enough to not only write a few over the years, but to even have them published in the National Drama Service publication which Lifeway published.

I’ve been wanting for some time to put the drama I’ve written back on the web, but I just haven’t made the time to put it out there. It recently hit me that I should just make a blog category and throw it out there, so I’ll be doing that in the weeks to come.  Feel free to use the drama anyway you like, all I ask is that you give me credit, 🙂