“Befriending Jesus” – Volume 11

Skit Package 1: “Nicodemus – It’s OK To Ask Questions” (John 3: 1-9)

Clem is somewhat forced to be the one to ask questions about two Sunday school lessons Pastor Rufus gave. The rest of the characters were too afraid to ask questions because they didn’t want Pastor Rufus to think they weren’t good Christians. After hearing the story of Nicodemus, they all finally realize that it is perfectly alright to ask questions about Christianity.

Skit Package 2: “Zaccheus – You’re Never Too Small” (Luke 19: 1-10)

After feeling like God can’t use her because she is the smallest of the characters, Tina discovers, with the help of Pastor Rufus, and the story of Zaccheus, that small people (young children) are noticed by God just as much as adults are. She feels better when she is the only one small enough to pick up the pencils under the pews at church.

Skit Package 3: “Peter – Can You Ever Forgive Me, God?” (Mark 14: 66-72)

Harvey hurts God’s feelings by planning to break the law and then saying that he doesn’t care what God thinks about it. Tina and Pastor Rufus use the story of Peter to encourage Harvey after he realizes what he has done. Harvey learns that even though we sometimes say things we don’t mean about God, God knows our hearts and will forgive us if we are truly sorry and don’t do it again.

Skit Package 4: “Jesus And The Children” (Matthew 18: 1-3; 19: 13, 14)

While cleaning up around the outside of an orphanage, Pastor Rufus uses the qualities of each character: obedience, teachable, innocence, faith, and dependence on those who care for them, to explain what Jesus meant when He told us to “become like children.”

Skit Package 5: “The Boy And The Fish – A Little Act Can Go A Long Way” (John 6: 3-14)

Harvey experiences what the boy who shared his lunch with Jesus must have felt! During a bike-a-thon to raise money for a new wing on the children’s hospital, Harvey shares his lunch with Mr. Noteworthy, who has car trouble, and God does a miracle! Harvey learns that acts of kindness and sharing are very pleasing to God.

Skit Package 6: “The Leper – Take Time To Say Thank You” (Luke 17: 11-19)

The Abercrombie family learns the value of saying, “Thank you” when Mom stops doing everything for everyone. Harvey, Tina, and their Dad realize that, just like the one leper who came back to say, “Thank you” to Jesus, they need to do the same to Mom. They also realize they need to thank God for answered prayers, His love, and most of all for the gift of eternal life through His son, Jesus.

Skit Package 7: “James & John – It Takes Time To Be Friends” (Matt. 17:1; Mark 5:36-43; 13:3)

Zelda and Clem have a misunderstanding. Zelda tells Pastor Rufus it’s all Clem’s fault. Pastor Rufus uses the example of James and John’s friendship with Jesus to show that one of the most important ingredients in a sound friendship is spending time with that person. The children are challenged to spend time with Jesus.

Skit Package 8: Judas – “Actions Speak Louder Than Words” (Matthew 26: 47-50)

The characters have to deal with Horace, a boy who only comes to church when there is something fun going on. On a trip to the beach, Pastor Rufus helps them realize that Horace is like Judas because he pretends to be a friend of Jesus, but he isn’t really. The characters learn that there is much more to being a Christian than just saying you are one. (THIS SKIT REQUIRES THE RECRUITMENT OF ONE PERFORMER IN ADDITION TO THE REGULAR STAFF, HE APPEARS IN THE NEXT SKIT ALSO.)

Skit Package 9: Paul – “It’s Never Too Late To Say You’re Sorry” (Acts 9: 1-15, 22)

On a church outing to the mountains, Horace, the boy who only comes to fun events, gets hurt and is helped by the characters and Pastor Rufus. Feeling sorry for the trouble he’s caused, Horace ends up expressing an interest in knowing more about Jesus. Horace, like Paul, the Apostle, learns it’s never too late to accept God’s love and forgiveness. (ADD ONE PERFORMER)

Skit Package 10: “Are You A Friend of Jesus?” (Acts 9:1-15, 22; Rom. 12:9, 10; Luke 6:12; Phil. 4:6; Matt. 10:32; 28:19, 20; John 15:14, 15)

The characters review the qualities of friendship as have been exemplified in Jesus’ friends. The children themselves will be involved in the “brainstorming” of the qualities that they look for in a friend. The main qualities of time, thankfulness, common likes and dislikes, sticking up for each other, and being willing to do anything for that friend will be portrayed briefly. The children are then asked, “Are you a friend of Jesus?” in a possible altar-call setting.