Zoom (online) version
Parts: Narrator (Storyteller), Jew, Jesus, Disciple
Ready-to-print: Mark 6, 1-13 – a drama
Script
Narrator: In Mark’s gospel, chapter six, we hear a familiar story about Jesus starting out on his ministry. Hear and see Mark’s words come to life. Mark writes: Jesus left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath Jesus began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were astounded and wondered.
Jew: Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Judas and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us? I don’t like what I see or what I hear from this man!
Jesus: Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.
Narrator: Jesus could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. Jesus was amazed at their unbelief. Then Jesus went about among the villages teaching and called the twelve.
Jesus: Come! Follow me!
Narrator: Jesus began to send the twelve out, two by two, giving them authority over the unclean spirits.
Jesus: Take nothing for your journey except a staff. No bread. No bag. No money in your belts. Wear sandals. And do not put on two tunics. Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.
Narrator: So the twelve went out and proclaimed that all should repent.
Disciple: Repent! Repent!
Narrator: They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. [pause] Here ends the reading from Mark’s telling of the Good News. May God bless us all with understanding.
In-Person Version
Actors: Narrator, Jesus, Jews (1-6); Disciples (1-4+)
The number of Jews and Disciples can be adjusted to match the number of available actors.
Script
Narrator: In Mark’s gospel, chapter six, we hear a familiar story about Jesus starting out on his ministry. Hear and see Mark’s words come to life. Mark writes:
Jesus left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him.
Jesus & Disciples: [Walk up to center front. Disciples sit on steps, looking up at Jesus.]
Jews: [Stand opposite the pulpit, looking toward Jesus.]
Narrator: On the Sabbath Jesus began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard him were astounded.
Jew 1: Where did this man get all this?
Jew 2: What is this wisdom that has been given to him?
Jew 3: What deeds of power are being done by his hands!
Jew 4: Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?
Narrator: And they took offence at him.
Jews 1,2,3,4: [Look with dislike at Jesus; make faces that express this dislike.]
Narrator: Then Jesus said to them,
Jesus: ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’
Narrator: And Jesus could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.
Jews 5 & 6: [Walk up to Jesus, kneel, and let him place his hand on your head in blessing.]
Narrator: Jesus was amazed at their unbelief.
Then Jesus went about among the villages teaching.
Jesus: [Walk down steps.]
Narrator: He called the twelve.
Jesus: [Turn and beckon to the disciples to follow.] Come! Follow me!
Disciples: [Join Jesus.]
Narrator: And he began to send them out two by two.
Disciples: [Find another disciples to be your partner.]
Narrator: Jesus gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them:
Jesus: Take nothing for your journey except a staff. No bread. No bag. No money in your belts. Wear sandals. And do not put on two tunics. Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.
Narrator: So the twelve went out and proclaimed that all should repent.
Disciples: Repent! Repent!
[In twos, go down the aisles toward the glass doors.]
Narrator: They cast out many demons,
and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Here ends the reading from Mark’s telling of the Good News.
May God bless us all with understanding.
ALL: [Return to your seats. Thank you!]
