It's Called Forgiveness
Drama
Graduation Is Not For Angels
Contemporary Christian Dramas
Object:
In the family of God, forgiveness is a command, not a choice. In order to be forgiven, one must forgive. There are no options.
(This play is designed for easy production and special lighting is not needed. The occupation in the story may be changed to fit the church congregation best.)
* * *
Scene: Kitchen of a farm house
Props: Table and two chairs, newspaper, coffee cup, seed corn cap
Characters:
1ST BROTHER: Middle-aged man who is loud and angry
2ND BROTHER: Younger man, humble and soft spoken
Costumes: Work clothes -- jeans, washed out shirts (this will vary with the occupation used)
Scene: Weekday morning
* * *
(1ST BROTHER is sitting at the kitchen table, left center, reading the paper, drinking a cup of coffee. An empty chair sits across from him. He is dressed in the work clothes of a farmer; seed corn hat sits on the table. 2ND BROTHER walks in from far right. He is dressed similarly to the first man. He halts momentarily in deep thought, hesitates, then steps slowly to the table. 1ST BROTHER is surprised to see his brother standing there. Deliberately ignores him)
2ND BROTHER: (Hesitantly) Ah ... may I come in?
1ST BROTHER: (Angrily, very curtly) You're already in. What do you want?
2ND BROTHER: (Calmly) I was wondering if we could talk?
1ST BROTHER: (With a sneer, continues to read paper) We haven't talked in years. There's nothing left to say.
2ND BROTHER: Brother, I have come to ask your forgiveness for the part I have played in the deadly quarrel we've nursed all these years. I want you to know that I've been wrong.
1ST BROTHER: (Stands, huffily) What is this, some kind of joke?
2ND BROTHER: No, this is no joke. You are my brother. My flesh, my blood. When I think how we have hated one another, how much precious time we've wasted, just hating ... (His head drops to his chest)
1ST BROTHER: (Shouts) Get out of my house!
2ND BROTHER: Please, will you give me a moment to explain?
(1ST BROTHER grudgingly gestures to the empty chair at the table, then sits back down in original chair)
2ND BROTHER: (With deep emotion) Thank you. (Sighs) I hardly know where to begin. I guess it's no big secret that we've hated one another.
1ST BROTHER: Get on with it! What is it you have to say.
2ND BROTHER: I just want to say I'm sorry. I've been a selfish, self-centered fool. A few months ago our congregation started a study on making our church more effective and alive for Christ. We talked about vision, and outreach, the Spirit.
And I realized I really didn't have anything to say to someone who was searching for Christ. I wasn't too excited about him myself. Now, basketball I can get excited about. I know I'm taking too long, but I hope you'll hear me out.
So, I began to read the Gospels ... something easy, just for starters. And, the more I read, the more I wanted to read. (Becoming more excited) It was as if the pages had come alive. And then I started to pray. And the more I prayed, the more I wanted to pray. I even started talking to God -- out loud. Sounds pretty ridiculous, doesn't it? Me, a solid part of the community, driving my tractor and talking to God, out loud.
And then I came across the verse that says that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court. Suddenly, I realized I was the one guilty before the court, God's court. I argued with God. I pleaded with him that I had every right to hate you, my very own brother. He told me my only right was to forgive.
I'm beginning to realize how much of Christ I will never know if I continue to hate you, my own flesh and blood. I ask, in all humbleness, that you forgive me, and allow me to become the brother God wants me to be to you.
1ST BROTHER: (Moved, but skeptical) And what about the eighty acres Dad left me that you thought should be yours?
2ND BROTHER: It doesn't matter anymore. I've found something better.
1ST BROTHER: (Angrily) You spread ugly rumors that I stole it, that I told Dad lies about you. Half of the community still thinks I'm a gold digger.
2ND BROTHER: I was wrong. Dad gave you that land because ...
1ST BROTHER: (Boldly) Because I told him you were irresponsible. I wanted that land, and I got it.
2ND BROTHER: (Slowly) It doesn't matter. All that matters is that you are my brother ... and I love you.
1ST BROTHER: (Leans over the table) Didn't you hear what I said? I cheated you!
2ND BROTHER: It doesn't matter. Hate is death, and I want to live in life. (Standing and extending his hand) Brother, all I ask is that you forgive me for my anger against you, and that you allow me to live in peace with you, once again.
1ST BROTHER: (Still sitting. Thinks, then slowly extends his hand as if he has nothing to lose) I don't believe I'm hearing you right ... but, all right, I forgive you.
2ND BROTHER: (Shakes his brother's hand) Thank you, thank you so much. (Walks to the door. Then turns) Could we have a cup of coffee together soon? You know, catch up for lost time? Maybe, see Mom?
1ST BROTHER: (Slowly nods his head. His brother begins to walk off when he rises and calls after him) Brother? (Walks around table. There is a pause as his brother turns to face him) Brother, I, too, want life. Will you ... will you forgive me?
(BROTHERS embrace for a long moment, then walk off together)
(This play is designed for easy production and special lighting is not needed. The occupation in the story may be changed to fit the church congregation best.)
* * *
Scene: Kitchen of a farm house
Props: Table and two chairs, newspaper, coffee cup, seed corn cap
Characters:
1ST BROTHER: Middle-aged man who is loud and angry
2ND BROTHER: Younger man, humble and soft spoken
Costumes: Work clothes -- jeans, washed out shirts (this will vary with the occupation used)
Scene: Weekday morning
* * *
(1ST BROTHER is sitting at the kitchen table, left center, reading the paper, drinking a cup of coffee. An empty chair sits across from him. He is dressed in the work clothes of a farmer; seed corn hat sits on the table. 2ND BROTHER walks in from far right. He is dressed similarly to the first man. He halts momentarily in deep thought, hesitates, then steps slowly to the table. 1ST BROTHER is surprised to see his brother standing there. Deliberately ignores him)
2ND BROTHER: (Hesitantly) Ah ... may I come in?
1ST BROTHER: (Angrily, very curtly) You're already in. What do you want?
2ND BROTHER: (Calmly) I was wondering if we could talk?
1ST BROTHER: (With a sneer, continues to read paper) We haven't talked in years. There's nothing left to say.
2ND BROTHER: Brother, I have come to ask your forgiveness for the part I have played in the deadly quarrel we've nursed all these years. I want you to know that I've been wrong.
1ST BROTHER: (Stands, huffily) What is this, some kind of joke?
2ND BROTHER: No, this is no joke. You are my brother. My flesh, my blood. When I think how we have hated one another, how much precious time we've wasted, just hating ... (His head drops to his chest)
1ST BROTHER: (Shouts) Get out of my house!
2ND BROTHER: Please, will you give me a moment to explain?
(1ST BROTHER grudgingly gestures to the empty chair at the table, then sits back down in original chair)
2ND BROTHER: (With deep emotion) Thank you. (Sighs) I hardly know where to begin. I guess it's no big secret that we've hated one another.
1ST BROTHER: Get on with it! What is it you have to say.
2ND BROTHER: I just want to say I'm sorry. I've been a selfish, self-centered fool. A few months ago our congregation started a study on making our church more effective and alive for Christ. We talked about vision, and outreach, the Spirit.
And I realized I really didn't have anything to say to someone who was searching for Christ. I wasn't too excited about him myself. Now, basketball I can get excited about. I know I'm taking too long, but I hope you'll hear me out.
So, I began to read the Gospels ... something easy, just for starters. And, the more I read, the more I wanted to read. (Becoming more excited) It was as if the pages had come alive. And then I started to pray. And the more I prayed, the more I wanted to pray. I even started talking to God -- out loud. Sounds pretty ridiculous, doesn't it? Me, a solid part of the community, driving my tractor and talking to God, out loud.
And then I came across the verse that says that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court. Suddenly, I realized I was the one guilty before the court, God's court. I argued with God. I pleaded with him that I had every right to hate you, my very own brother. He told me my only right was to forgive.
I'm beginning to realize how much of Christ I will never know if I continue to hate you, my own flesh and blood. I ask, in all humbleness, that you forgive me, and allow me to become the brother God wants me to be to you.
1ST BROTHER: (Moved, but skeptical) And what about the eighty acres Dad left me that you thought should be yours?
2ND BROTHER: It doesn't matter anymore. I've found something better.
1ST BROTHER: (Angrily) You spread ugly rumors that I stole it, that I told Dad lies about you. Half of the community still thinks I'm a gold digger.
2ND BROTHER: I was wrong. Dad gave you that land because ...
1ST BROTHER: (Boldly) Because I told him you were irresponsible. I wanted that land, and I got it.
2ND BROTHER: (Slowly) It doesn't matter. All that matters is that you are my brother ... and I love you.
1ST BROTHER: (Leans over the table) Didn't you hear what I said? I cheated you!
2ND BROTHER: It doesn't matter. Hate is death, and I want to live in life. (Standing and extending his hand) Brother, all I ask is that you forgive me for my anger against you, and that you allow me to live in peace with you, once again.
1ST BROTHER: (Still sitting. Thinks, then slowly extends his hand as if he has nothing to lose) I don't believe I'm hearing you right ... but, all right, I forgive you.
2ND BROTHER: (Shakes his brother's hand) Thank you, thank you so much. (Walks to the door. Then turns) Could we have a cup of coffee together soon? You know, catch up for lost time? Maybe, see Mom?
1ST BROTHER: (Slowly nods his head. His brother begins to walk off when he rises and calls after him) Brother? (Walks around table. There is a pause as his brother turns to face him) Brother, I, too, want life. Will you ... will you forgive me?
(BROTHERS embrace for a long moment, then walk off together)
