Jesus Teaches In The Upper Room
Drama
Robert Lakey
Readers’ Theater for Children’s Church
Object:
Characters
Narrator
John
Jesus
Matthew
Peter
Questions
1. How did the disciples react when Jesus predicted that one of them would betray him?
2. What did Jesus mean when he told them to "love one another"?
3. Did Jesus say that all people would like them?
4. Can you remember any of the things Jesus said the Spirit would do in our lives?
Narrator: Jesus and the disciples gathered in the upper room for the last meal they would ever eat together on this earth. Jesus washed their feet, teaching them to be servants of one another. Then he gave them a simple meal, eating bread and drinking from a cup. He told them to remember him, and especially to recall that his body was broken and his blood was shed for them. He is about to share with them his final message, those things that he felt most important for them to remember.
John: Lord, you seem so sad. Is something troubling you?
Jesus: One of you, one of my closest friends, is going to betray me this very night.
John: You can't mean that, Lord! Surely not one of your twelve disciples.
Matthew: Well, it won't be me. I've stuck with you for three years, and I have no intention of turning back now.
John: (quietly) Lord, will I be the one who will do it?
Peter: (confidently) It certainly isn't going to be me. Maybe some of these others will turn against you, but not me!
Jesus: Oh, Peter, dear friend. Don't underestimate the power of Satan. Before dawn comes with the crowing of the cock, you will three times claim that you don't know me.
Peter: Never!
Jesus: Now, listen carefully to what I am about to say, for there are a few things that you must know. First, I'm giving you a new and important commandment. Love one another, love your fellow believers.
John: You've told us to love God, and we do.
Matthew: You've told us to love everyone, and we do love our neighbor.
Jesus: But this is a new commandment. Have a special love for your fellow Christian. You who believe in me are God's children, part of his family, so you must love your brothers and sisters. When you do that, people will know you are my followers.
Peter: We will try, Lord.
Jesus: Then I want to warn you. Not everyone will love you. Indeed, some will hate you simply because you follow me.
Matthew: But if we love everybody, why would they hate us?
Jesus: Remember, you're no different than I am. Many have hated me and those same people will despise and persecute you.
John: It doesn't sound like the perfect life. Oh, well, we've faced persecution before. I guess we can face it again.
Jesus: I'm going away, but I will not leave you alone. The Father will send a companion who will be with you -- the Holy Spirit.
John: What will this Spirit do?
Jesus: The Spirit will dwell in you, inspiring you to believe in me. The Spirit will convict people of their sin. The Spirit will show people what real goodness looks like. The Spirit will remind people that all sin will be judged by God.
Peter: How can we possibly remember all these things you have told us?
Jesus: The Spirit will remind you of all I have said. But now, let us sing a hymn and then go out to the garden. I must finish the work my Father has called me to do.
__________
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
Narrator
John
Jesus
Matthew
Peter
Questions
1. How did the disciples react when Jesus predicted that one of them would betray him?
2. What did Jesus mean when he told them to "love one another"?
3. Did Jesus say that all people would like them?
4. Can you remember any of the things Jesus said the Spirit would do in our lives?
Narrator: Jesus and the disciples gathered in the upper room for the last meal they would ever eat together on this earth. Jesus washed their feet, teaching them to be servants of one another. Then he gave them a simple meal, eating bread and drinking from a cup. He told them to remember him, and especially to recall that his body was broken and his blood was shed for them. He is about to share with them his final message, those things that he felt most important for them to remember.
John: Lord, you seem so sad. Is something troubling you?
Jesus: One of you, one of my closest friends, is going to betray me this very night.
John: You can't mean that, Lord! Surely not one of your twelve disciples.
Matthew: Well, it won't be me. I've stuck with you for three years, and I have no intention of turning back now.
John: (quietly) Lord, will I be the one who will do it?
Peter: (confidently) It certainly isn't going to be me. Maybe some of these others will turn against you, but not me!
Jesus: Oh, Peter, dear friend. Don't underestimate the power of Satan. Before dawn comes with the crowing of the cock, you will three times claim that you don't know me.
Peter: Never!
Jesus: Now, listen carefully to what I am about to say, for there are a few things that you must know. First, I'm giving you a new and important commandment. Love one another, love your fellow believers.
John: You've told us to love God, and we do.
Matthew: You've told us to love everyone, and we do love our neighbor.
Jesus: But this is a new commandment. Have a special love for your fellow Christian. You who believe in me are God's children, part of his family, so you must love your brothers and sisters. When you do that, people will know you are my followers.
Peter: We will try, Lord.
Jesus: Then I want to warn you. Not everyone will love you. Indeed, some will hate you simply because you follow me.
Matthew: But if we love everybody, why would they hate us?
Jesus: Remember, you're no different than I am. Many have hated me and those same people will despise and persecute you.
John: It doesn't sound like the perfect life. Oh, well, we've faced persecution before. I guess we can face it again.
Jesus: I'm going away, but I will not leave you alone. The Father will send a companion who will be with you -- the Holy Spirit.
John: What will this Spirit do?
Jesus: The Spirit will dwell in you, inspiring you to believe in me. The Spirit will convict people of their sin. The Spirit will show people what real goodness looks like. The Spirit will remind people that all sin will be judged by God.
Peter: How can we possibly remember all these things you have told us?
Jesus: The Spirit will remind you of all I have said. But now, let us sing a hymn and then go out to the garden. I must finish the work my Father has called me to do.
__________
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
