Fish Tales and More . . .
by
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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Luke 10:38-42
The teacher has settled down in the chair with Bible on his/her lap. Welcomes the kids and begins to discuss something from the Bible when . . .. There is banging, chairs being moved roughly, muttering, etc. The curtain of the puppet theater is hit and ruffles back and forth. More muttering. A squawk every so often.
ALL OF A SUDDEN SCARVES, SOCKS, A BOOK AND OTHER THINGS START TO FLY OUT ABOVE THE PUPPET THEATER! (Just over the edge so as not to hit any of the kids.)
TEACHER: What on earth? Matilda? (No real response, just more commotion, muttering and a few squawks.)
TEACHER: Matilda? (Louder noises and a shoe box comes flying out.)
TEACHER: MATILDA!!!!
Matilda comes into view with a sock draped across her head, which she gives a fling and sends the sock flying.
MATILDA: WHAT!!?? (Said with agitation in the tone.)
The teacher looks at Matilda in silence for a little while.
TEACHER: Why are you making all of this noise and causing such a ruckus? You should be in Sunday School.
MATILDA: In Sunday School? With this mess? Look at it. Just look at it!!!!
TEACHER: Well, there isn’t that much to straighten up and it can be done afterwards you know.
MATILDA: I have been making beds, washing dishes, picking up after everyone this morning. And now look at this mess! She reaches down and grabs a rag and gives it a hefty toss out into the audience. Where is everyone else? In Sunday School. There is so much work to be done and only one of me. Do you see them? There they are. Having all kinds of fun and not one of them has offered to help me. NOT ONE!
TEACHER: Now calm down Matilda. I am sure they will help when they are out of church. Which is where you should be right about now? You know, there is a story in the Bible which we are told about. It is almost this same situation. Let me tell you that story.
MATILDA: The Bible has a story about MWAH! You are kidding!
TEACHER: No, the Bible does have a story which is very similar to what you are going through right now. He cares that much about you that He included stories which will help you to work through Him to solve problems you have today.
MATILDA: Cool. Well, let’s hear it.
TEACHER: Jesus had friends who were close to Him and with whom He could relax and just have a good time. His life on earth included all aspects of life. He lived a life very similar to ours. He had a job, He was a carpenter. He shared about God everywhere. He had friends. He had sad times in His life and happy times also.
MATILDA: I never thought of Jesus like that before. So He knows what it is to live His life just like us? Just like me?
TEACHER: That’s right.
These friends were two sisters and a brother. They lived together in the same house where Jesus would come and relax and rest. Their names were Mary, Martha and Lazarus.
Martha was a really great hostess. She would spend days before a dinner party preparing the house, the menu, shopping for the food, doing early preparations. She had the best decorations, the plumpest pillows, top notch things which made her guests feel like royalty and pampered.
MATILDA: Now, that is a girl after my own heart. (Matilda is primping the curtain of the puppet theater.)
TEACHER: Martha was preparing a really special dinner party. Jesus and His apostles were coming to visit and stay for a few days in town. She wanted everything to be perfect because it was Jesus.
MATILDA: I can understand where that sister is coming from!
TEACHER: She was hurrying around the day of the dinner party. She had gotten up very early and had started getting things laid out and had started getting the many chores of the day going. She had some servants in to help in the many, many preparations. (Attention is shifted to the second, larger puppet theater.)
MARTHA: Mary! Did you slice those tomatoes and tear apart enough lettuce? How are the loaves of bread coming? Here! (She hands a sack with even more food to a worker.) Give this to Mary. Are there enough plates set out? Have you drawn enough water? (The puppets in the larger puppet theater are busy but not talking.)
TEACHER: As you can see, Martha is very organized and has a lot going on. The day has progressed and the evening meal is beginning. But there seems to be a lot of activity with food being passed out. Jesus and His apostles along with Lazarus are starting to eat and seem to be quite involved in different conversations. There is a lot activity and laughter.
And there is Martha, still bustling. Still preparing food. She suddenly stops and begins to look around . . .
MARTHA: Mary? Where are you? Mary! She is never to be found to help me. She leaves all of this work for me to do by myself. SO! Does she think that these sandwiches and cakes are going to make and serve themselves? The lettuce, I suppose, is just going to lie down on a slice of bread on its own. . . (muttering) . . . MARY!
MATILDA: Martha is really getting worked up isn’t she? She needs a chill pill about now. Her head is going to pop off and start rolling across the floor if she isn’t careful.
The teacher looks thoughtfully at Matilda.
TEACHER: Hmmmmm. That is a very interesting comment, Matilda.
MATILDA: Well, Mary was helping her all day, after all. She wasn’t left to do it all. Besides, she is fixing way too much. Keep telling the story.
TEACHER: Martha was really beside herself and she was becoming rather short. She is still preparing and working hard. She stands and looks around in the other room and then she stops cold . . . with her mouth wide open. Right there in front of Jesus listening to every word is . . .
MARTHA: Mary! There is that lazy girl. Sitting there among all those men laughing and talking with them. And she just lets me do all of this work. Well, I will show her.
TEACHER: Martha marches over to where Jesus is and begins to speak rather imploringly and without any hesitation.
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About the Book
This collection of puppet skits is written not only to draw the children into the lesson, but to highlight the desire of God to guide our lives and show His love and mercy. The skits have been written so any of them can be performed on a grand scale or in a small church setting. Even an individual can do a few minor changes so it is performed by one. The characters are enthusiastic in their participation of telling the events and some may display the same attitudes we exhibit in our own lives. The puppets have been given personality according to the story. Any changes in the heart as lessons are learned are evident in the puppet. Opportunity is given for teachable moments helping children of all ages to understand what is being spoken of whether a term, object, historical fact, or a cultural practice as related to Bible times and today.
About the Author
Debbie Miley was saved at a small Baptist Church when she was in the ninth grade. She did not have any formal training in working with children or studying the Bible. At the age of 19 she worked with children in different areas continuing to the last few years. She has used her talents in teaching Awana, Pioneer Girls, VBS, Sunday School, and Children’s Church. She always felt comfortable that this was the place she was to serve in the church. The Lord blessed her talent in working with children as she ministered under the guidance of a great pastor and very Godly mentors. Because of some health concerns her husband, Gary, encouraged her to retire early. The last few years the Lord has prompted her with ideas of writing of Sunday School programs and puppet skits. Her feelings are this book could be a vital tool in reaching children for Christ. Its use could also foster an opportunity for young people to serve within the church by developing a puppet ministry.