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:
Robber #1 (also serves as Narrator)
Robber #2
Voice (of Jesus)Stand to one side, read slowly and loudly.
Prompter (Optional). Prompter shouts a brief line and Companions repeat it.
Companions (Optional): children and all adults that want to take part. Make sure Companions know who the Prompter is, and that they are to repeat Prompter’s words.
SCRIPT:
|
Robber #1 |
Well, this is it! Three of us, sentenced to death. Here we go! On our way to die. |
|
Robber #2 |
Look at that sadistic crowd! They’ve come to watch our grand parade, to see us lug our crosses out to that hill they call Golgotha. |
|
Robber #1 |
(Look toward “Voice.â€) That poor wretchis staggering under His cross.His back’s all bloody, his face, too; no wonder He’s so weak! |
|
Robber #2 |
The spectators are all watching him. They call him Jesus. Must be someone important. |
|
Robber #1 |
He must have tried to assassinate King Herod, the way the authorities are treating him. Oh, He fell! They’re making that foreigner carry his cross. |
|
Robber #2 |
Some of those women speak with a Galilean accent. Just listen to them wail! |
|
Robber #1 |
That man all bloodied doesn’t complain or curse His executioners as we do. Oh, listen! |
|
Voice |
Daughters of Jerusalem! Don’t weep for me, but for your children! |
|
Robber #1 |
Well, we’ve arrived at the site; it won’t be long now. Oh, here goes. Oh. Listen to my poor robber companion. |
|
Robber #2 |
(Hold arms out as on a cross.) Oh, not those big spikes! No! No! No! Please! Please! |
|
Robber #1 |
Now he’s shrieking. Oh, that pitiless sledgehammer is pounding! Thud! Thud! |
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Prompter & Companions |
Thud! Thud! Thud! |
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Robber #1 |
The soldiers are pounding large spikes with a sledgehammer into his hands and feet. Now it’s my turn.I can’t help but scream in pain.No! No! No! |
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Prompter & Companions |
No! No! No! |
|
Robber #2 |
How could that one hanging between us keep silent as they nailed him? |
|
Robber #1 |
He doesn’t look like a criminal. You and I do; our faces are lined by careers of violence and hate. We rage with fury, cursing the terrible pain, but that man, crucified between us, says nothing! He’s… He’s… different! |
|
Robber #2 |
(Hold arms out as on a cross.) You there! Those priests are saying you claim to be the Son of God who can save others. They challenge you to come down from the cross and save yourself. So do so! And save us at the same time! |
|
Robber #1 |
I can’t stand this pain! How does that guy Jesus take it without complaining? Hey you! How can you resist cursing those who torture and revile you? Who are you? What are you? |
|
Voice |
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. |
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Robber #2 |
Hey, are you crazy? How can you pray to forgive our enemies? I’ve heard about you. You deceived folks into thinking you did miracles. If you are the Messiah, save yourself and us! |
|
Robber #1 |
Forgiveness! He begs forgiveness for his executioners, His accusers, the judges who condemned Him. Somehow ? I feel it in my soul ? He forgives us, too. I’ve never known anyone so loving, so God-like. Absorbing such shame and abuse, yet only caring for others! |
|
Robber #2 |
You, whom they call king! A fine Messiah you are! Can’t even save yourself! |
|
Robber #1 |
How can you speak to this good man that way? Do you not even fear God, since you’re under the same sentence of condemnation? You and I are suffering justly, receiving what we deserve for our crimes; but this man has done nothing wrong. Oh, what pain! |
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Prompter & Companions |
Oh, what pain! What pain! |
|
Robber #1 |
(Groan loudly.) His followers have deserted him, the crowd despises him, the soldiers despise him, and the rulers hate him! Am I the only one who recognizes who he is? |
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Robber #2 |
The sky has grown dark but it’s not night! What’s happening? The earth is shaking! Thunder is deafening! Oh, hear it crash! |
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Prompter & Companions |
Crash! Crash! Crash! |
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Robber #2 |
Jesus, Jesus! Can you hear me? Jesus! Please! Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom! |
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Voice |
I assure you, today you shall certainly be with me in paradise. |
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Prompter & Companions |
In paradise! In paradise! |
DISCUSS:
What kind of faith did the dying criminal have, to trust Jesus when His followers had fled, the soldiers were jeering at Him, and the authorities had shamed Him?
The dying robber had no time to do good works. What does this say about God’s redemptive grace?
[…] Jesus restores God’s image in a dying thief […]