Based on Ephesians 4:11-12
POY! SKIT GUIDELINES:
- In a small group, participants might simply read their lines, or glance at their lines to get the idea so they can speak in their own words.
- Most POY! skits require no practice in advance.
- Have any small children play a brief part. Most scripts have an optional part for children, listed last under Participants.
- Most scripts have a Narrator who should read the script beforehand to see how to keep moving the story along.
- It is not necessary to employ costumes and objects, unless the skit recommends such.
- It is not required to have an audience watch the skit. All present may participate.
- Scripture and paraphrases, if any, usually appear in bold.
PARTICIPANTS:
Mature (also serves as Narrator)
Amateur
DevilPrompter (Optional). Prompter shouts a brief line and Companions repeat it.
Companions (Optional): children and all adults who want to take part. Make sure Companions know who the Prompter is, and that they are to repeat Prompter’s words.
SCRIPT:
Mature |
I am Mr. Mature. I’m leaving for home after a worshipping and… Wait! Who is that lurking over there, watching us. (Point at devil) He gives me the creeps. He looks really bad! |
Prompter & Companions |
Really bad! Really bad! |
Mature |
Oh, here’s Mr. Amateur. |
Amateur |
Hi, Mr. Mature. Did you understand that preacher’s teaching about God giving five kinds of gifted people to our church? He left me confused. |
Mature |
Ephesians four explains that God gives five kinds of gifted people to edify His churches. You, Mr. Amateur, are one of these, and I would be glad to help you find out which. Do you recall what the five gifted types are? |
Amateur |
Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. |
1. Apostles
Mature |
Very good, Mr. Amateur! Let’s start with apostles. Can you recall the role of apostles in helping our church grow in Christ and multiply? |
Amateur |
Apostles? Hmmm. (Hold your chin and frown.) |
Devil |
(Point both index fingers up like horns above your forehead, as you sneak up from behind Amateur on tiptoes. Then cup one hand by his ear and hiss from time to time as you talk into his ear. Talk loud enough for all to hear.) Apostles come from afar, have lots of money, hire local people to do church work, and take long vacations. You’ll love being an apostle! With such position, you’ll gain great wealth. Wealth! Wealth! WEALTH! (Step back.) |
Prompter & Companions |
Wealth! Wealth! |
Amateur |
Aha! I know what an apostle is! (Repeat the gist of Devil’s words.) |
Mature |
Wait! Where do you get such ideas? Now listen carefully. For every professional, paid apostle, hundreds of volunteer apostles go and start churches or cell groups in other neighborhoods, cities and countries. |
Amateur |
Oh! I see! I can do that kind of apostolic work if you will coach me. |
2. Prophets
Mature |
I will coach you. Another type of leader is the prophets. Do you recall how prophets help our church develop and reproduce? |
Amateur |
Let me think… |
Devil |
(As before.) Prophets go into trances, get grand visions, speak in a shaky voice and predict the future. They scold everyone and warn of coming doom. Everyone will fear your great power! Power! POWER! |
Prompter & Companions |
Power! POWER! |
Amateur |
I would love being a prophet! (Repeat the gist of Devil’s words.) |
Mature |
Wait! For every prophet of that kind, God gives hundreds of unpaid prophets of another kind who, according to 1Â Corinthians 14:3, simply speak comfort, strengthening and encouragement to others. |
Amateur |
Oh! I can do that kind of prophetic work if you will coach me. |
3. Evangelists
Mature |
Good. Do you recall an evangelist’s role to help your church win people to Jesus? |
Devil |
(As before.) Evangelists stand on platforms before huge, admiring crowds, shout into microphones, and hundreds raise their hands to go to heaven! You’ll love being a popular, famous evangelist. Fame! Fame! FAME! |
Prompter & Companions |
Fame! FAME! |
Amateur |
(Repeat the gist Devil’s words. Emphasize getting everyone to raise hands.) |
Mature |
Just raise hands? Without repentance? Their hands may go to heaven, anyway! Listen carefully. For every professional, paid evangelist, we need hundreds of ordinary evangelists, people like you and me, who simply tell the Good News about Jesus to their families and friends. No manipulating. Just let the Holy Spirit do His work, as Peter and Paul did. |
Amateur |
Oh! I can do that if you will mentor me. |
4. Pastors
Mature |
Do you recall pastors’ part to lead your church? “Pastor†means shepherd. |
Devil |
(As before.) Pastors wear robes or neckties, get to do all the important church work and receive a great salary. You’ll be a popular pastor. People will leave their churches and flock to hear your magnificent oratory! You’ll outshine the other pastors! Prestige! Prestige! PRESTIGE! |
Prompter & Companions |
Prestige! PRESTIGE! |
Amateur |
(Repeat the gist of Devil’s words.) |
Mature |
Wait. For every professional, paid pastor, God gives many more volunteer shepherds who lovingly care for newborn lambs and form tiny cell groups. |
Amateur |
Oh! I can do that if you will show me how. |
5. Teachers
Mature |
Do you recall how teachers help your church to develop and multiply? |
Devil |
(As before) Teachers in huge classrooms tell students what they’ll need to know three years later. Scholars will come from all over the world to admire your great wisdom. You’ll love being a highly paid teacher. You’ll be so much wiser than anyone else. Wiser! Wiser! WISER! |
Prompter & Companions |
Wisdom! WISDOM! |
Amateur |
(Repeat the gist of Devil’s words.) |
Mature |
Wait! For every professional, paid teacher, God gives hundreds of teachers who simply equip ordinary people to obey Jesus and do all the New Testament ministries. Now, are you still listening to that other fellow’s voice? |
Amateur |
No more! I will be content to serve humbly with the spiritual gifts God has given me, anywhere, and in any way I can. Let me serve God. Let me serve you. |
Prompter & Companions |
Let me serve God. Let me serve you. |
DISCUSS:
How can our church, cell or organization better discover and mobilize the five types of God-given servants?
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