Rotation: Road to Damascus Bible Reference: Acts 9:1-19 Drama Workshop Objectives: Adapted from Paul and the Bright Light by Neil MacQueen @ rotation.org Outline the basics of the story; who is in it, what happened. Describe how Saul/Paul was transformed by meeting and believing in Jesus. Know that Jesus' "amazing grace" reaches out even to those who resist him or hate him. Discuss ways we can help grow God s kingdom. Bible verse: If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 9:15 a.m. Arrival Activity: Saul is changed Materials needed: Photocopies of the 8-picture story from Tour the Tale with Light, found in Crazy Clothesline Characters by Carol Mader Scissors, staplers, colored markers Upon arrival, kids cut out all 8 pictures of the Bible story and assemble them, in order, to create a little book. The pictures are numbered. If time permits, the kids may color some the pictures after assembling the book. This can be continued at home or at the conclusion of the workshop while waiting for parent pick-up. 9:30 a.m. Opening Ritual Materials needed: Bible, white liturgical cloth, battery-powered candle, offering basket The shepherd will start the lesson in prayer. Take the attendance sheet and ask the children to gather around you. Ask if everyone has signed in (and add those who did not). Ask if anyone has a prayer request or praise to be lifted. Write notes next to the child s name to help you remember.
LESSON LITANY Lighting the Candle Lay out the special cloth (colored by the liturgical season). Light the candle and say, We gather around God s light. Ask the children to respond, To hear the story of God s love. Sharing our Prayers Ask for prayer requests and note them by name. Using your sign-in sheet, pray for each child by name. Dear God, Thank you for bringing these children here today: (read children s names). You have given us life after death. We are grateful for your love and grace. Help us to give ourselves to you, so that all we do will please you. In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen. Prayer of Thanksgiving and Offering Children will have placed their offering in the basket as they arrived. Bring the basket to the circle and thank the children for their offering for helping, sharing and caring. Then bless the offering with a prayer of thanksgiving like the following: Always Loving God, For hands and feet, and head and heart Thank you God For family and friends, and enough to eat Thank you God For Jesus, my church, and the world all around Thank you God For all I can be and do Thank you God By helping, sharing and caring, I say Thank you God Children may sing the doxology afterward: Praise God from whom all blessings flow Praise him all creatures here below Praise him above all ye heavenly hosts Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.
9:35 Bible Lesson Props needed: chains 1. Jesus had died and risen again. He had told his followers (disciples) to be messengers (apostles) to the world. The apostles began to preach throughout the land that Jesus was the Messiah. The Christian church had begun. 2. Peter led the apostles in Jerusalem, and many Jews believed and were baptized. One of those baptized was Stephen, whom the Jewish authorities arrested and questioned. Stephen was taken outside the city and stoned to death for his faith. A young man came with the crowd and watched Stephen die. He approved of what he saw, and he meant to bring more Jews to justice for their faith in Jesus. That young man was Saul, a Pharisee born to a wealthy family. Saul was brilliant and he knew the scriptures as well as any man alive. But Saul was a bully, and he hated Christians. He wanted all Jews who believed in Jesus (SHAKE CHAINS) to be arrested and punished. Open your Bible to Acts 9. Place the lesson plan on your lap. Tell the children you will be reading the Bible verses from your lesson, but they are exactly the same words that are in the Bible. Read Acts 9:1-2. Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord s followers. He even went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters to the Jewish leaders in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord s Way. How did Saul want to punish the followers of Jesus? (Verse 1) He threatened to kill them. Why did he go to the High Priest? (Verse 2) To get letters of introduction to the synagogues in Damascus. The letters would allow him to arrest Jews there and bring them back to Jerusalem for trial. Saul set out on a walking trip to arrest and catch more Christians. Let s read what happened when he neared Damascus.
Read Acts 9:3-6. When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me? 5 Who are you? Saul asked. I am Jesus, the Lord answered. I am the one you are so cruel to. 6 Now get up and go into the city, where you will be told what to do. Who was speaking to Saul? (Verse 5) Jesus (whom Saul believed was dead). This is what Jesus meant; say these words after me: Saul Why are you throwing The people who follow me In jail? Saul had been blinded by the light. The soldiers who were with him led him into Damascus. For three days Saul was blind and did not eat anything. Let s read on and meet another person in the story. Read Acts 9:10. A follower named Ananias lived in Damascus, and the Lord spoke to him in a vision. Ananias answered, Lord, here I am. The Lord called out to him in a vision. Cup your hands around your mouth and use a deep voice as you read: Read Acts 9:11-12. 11 The Lord said to him, Get up and go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. When you get there, you will find a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. Saul is praying, 12 and he has seen a vision. He saw a man named Ananias coming to him and putting his hands on him, so that he could see again. Ananais had heard of Saul. He was afraid to do what the Lord asked of him. Why do you think Ananais was afraid? Saul was throwing Christians in jail; he wanted them dead. The Lord told Ananais to go anyway. He had chosen Saul to do his work.
Read Acts 9:17-20. 17 Ananias left and went into the house where Saul was staying. Ananias placed his hands on him and said, Saul, the Lord Jesus has sent me. He is the same one who appeared to you along the road. He wants you to be able to see and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Suddenly something like fish scales fell from Saul s eyes, and he could see. He got up and was baptized. 19 Then he ate and felt much better. For several days Saul stayed with the Lord s followers in Damascus. 20 Soon he went to the Jewish meeting places and started telling people that Jesus is the Son of God. What did Saul do after he was healed? He went straight to the synagogues and preached that Jesus was the Son of God. Why would people be amazed at this? Saul used to put Christians in jail and now he is telling them about Jesus! Saul was a bad guy but Jesus changed him! Our Bible verse says If anyone belongs to Christ, there is a new creation. The old things have gone; everything is made new. How was Saul made new? Allow for responses. We might not be blinded by God s light, but we can show love and kindness to friends and strangers share what we have with others tell people about Jesus. Jesus can use any of us to grow his kingdom, just like he used Saul!
ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS Narrative for nonreaders by Betty Greene Salwak Copyright 2001, 2006, 2010, 2013 by Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN This narrative is to be read aloud to nonreaders who will portray the action and improvise their spoken lines. The narrator should pause at each break in the script to allow the actors to speak or move. Scene One: On the road to Damascus of Jesus Saul, Soldier 1, Soldier 2, Voice Introduction: Three years following the death of Jesus, many Jews were beginning to believe that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. The leaders of the Jews were very unhappy about it and wanted to stop them. In Jerusalem at the time was a young man named Saul, a Pharisee from the city of Tarsus. A wealthy and educated man, Saul knew the Jewish scriptures as well as any man. He was angered by Jews who failed to strictly follow Jewish law, and he cruelly punished anyone who claimed Jesus was the Son of God. Saul had heard that a new Christian church was starting in Damascus. He asked for letters from the Sanhedrin to arrest and bring back to Jerusalem any Jews who were followers of Jesus. The Sanhedrin sent soldiers with Saul to help him. Begin action: Saul and the soldiers set out for Damascus. Saul made the soldiers walk behind him and told them not to speak to him or touch him. They walked this way for many days until they were only a few miles from the city of Damascus. Suddenly a light from the sky flashed around them. Bright light shines on Saul briefly (like lightning?) Saul dropped his letters and fell to the ground. He was blinded by the light.
The soldiers saw the light and were frightened. They asked each other what was happening. Saul heard a voice from the sky. The soldiers heard, too, but they did not understand. They looked around to see who was talking. They watched Saul talk to the voice. The voice said, Saul! Why do you persecute me? Saul answered, Who are you? The voice said, I am Jesus. (pause) Get up and go into the city. (pause) You are to tell others what you have seen today. (pause) You are to open their eyes (pause) so that through me they will have their sins forgiven. Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. He asked the soldiers to please help him walk. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. Scene Two: In a house in Damascus of Jesus Saul, Soldier 1, Soldier 2, Ananias, Voice The soldiers led Saul to the house of a Jew named Judas. Saul told them to leave him and return to Jerusalem. Saul would not eat or drink for three days. During that time he prayed constantly. Ananias was a Jew who lived in Damascus. He was walking when he heard the voice of the Lord speak to him. The voice said, Ananias! (pause) Ananias answered, Here I am, Lord. The Lord said, Go to the house of Judas (pause) and ask for a man named Saul. (pause) He is waiting for you to come. Ananias said, Lord, I have heard of this man. (pause) He has done terrible things to your people in Jerusalem. (pause) And he has come to Damascus to arrest all the people who worship you. The Lord said, Go. I have chosen him to serve me. (pause) He has given himself to me. So Ananias went to the house of Judas and found Saul praying. Saul heard Ananias, but he could not see him. Ananias put his hands on Saul.
Ananias said, Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me (pause) so that you might see again (pause) and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias placed his hands on Saul s eyes and something like fish scales fell to the floor. Saul opened his eyes and he could see again. He stood up and thanked God. Then he thanked Ananias. Ananias left, and Saul began to eat to get his strength back. Scene Three: On the streets of Damascus Saul, Jew 1, Jew 2 (Believers) Saul stayed in Damascus to preach to the Jews about Jesus. He stood in front of a synagogue to talk to the Jews. Saul told everyone who came by that Jesus was the Son of God. Everyone who heard him was amazed. One Jew said, Isn t he the one (pause) who killed the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem? Another Jew said, I thought he came here to arrest those people (pause) and take them back to the chief priests! But Saul s preaching about Jesus was so powerful that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not argue. After many months, some Jews made plans to kill Saul. He needed to leave the city. Some believers gathered together to plan Saul s escape. Saul s fellow believers waited until night and led Saul to a house near the city wall. They put Saul in the basket and lowered him over the wall so that he could escape. As Saul ran away, he called back, God bless you! If there is time (and enough actors) you may include Scene 4. If not, go to closing statement by Narrator. Scene Four: In front of a house in Jerusalem (Believers) Paul, Barnabas, Peter, James Saul preached for three years in Arabia and Damascus. He returned to Jerusalem to join the apostles of Jesus. Saul now used his Greek name, Paul. Paul came to a house where the apostles of Jesus met with fellow believers.
The apostles had a hard time believing that Paul was a Christian, and they were worried he was a spy. They pulled away from him and talked among themselves. Barnabas came in and saw that the apostles and believers were afraid. He explained how Paul had seen the Lord on the road. He told them the Lord had spoken to Paul, and now Paul was preaching in the name of Jesus. Peter and James came forward and welcomed Paul, and the other believers followed their example. Paul sat with the apostles and believers and told them of his plans to preach in Jerusalem. Peter and James promised to help him. Paul thanked them and invited everyone to bow their heads in prayer. Closing: And so it was that the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. Through the help of the Holy Spirit it was strengthened and grew in numbers, as it lived in reverence for the Lord. The End
ON THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS A play for elementary grades by Betty Greene Salwak Copyright 2001, 2006, 2010, 2013 by Second Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, IN Characters Scenes Props Narrator All scenes Letters (scrolls) Saul/Paul All scenes Spotlight Soldier 1 1, 2 Fish scales Soldier 2 1, 2 Large basket Voice of Jesus 1, 2 Rope Ananias (an-uh-nye-us) 2 Bundle (for travel) Jew 1 3 Plate of fruit and bread Jew 2 3 Cup Peter * 4* James * 4* Barnabas * 4* Nonspeaking roles Believers (3 or more) 3, 4* Story After Jesus death and resurrection, a Pharisee named Saul is eagerly searching out and arresting anyone who claims to follow Jesus. He gets permission from the Jewish council to seek out believers in Damascus. On the way there, Jesus appears to Saul and asks him why he persecutes him. Saul is blinded and has to be led to the house of a man in Damascus. Saul fasts and prays for three days, until Ananias comes to him and heals his blindness. Saul is a changed man, and he goes to the synagogues of Damascus to proclaim that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. Saul s life is threatened and he must sneak away from Damascus. Returning to Jerusalem after several years of preaching, Saul meets with the apostles, who at first are leery of the man who used to persecute them. Saul tells them of his vision of the Lord and continues to preach boldly in the city. The new church continues to grow throughout the land, and it enjoys a period of peace. Setting
c. 35 A.D.: On the road from Jerusalem to Damascus; in a house in Damascus; on the streets of Damascus; in front of a house in Jerusalem.* * Scene four can be eliminated if there are not enough actors or time. See directions in the script.
Scene One: On the road to Damascus of Jesus Saul, Soldier 1, Soldier 2, Voice Narrator stands alone in a spotlight. Narrator Three years following the death of Jesus, many Jews were beginning to believe that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. The leaders of the Jews were very unhappy about it and wanted to stop them. In Jerusalem at the time was a young man named Saul, a Pharisee from the city of Tarsus. A wealthy and educated man, Saul knew the Jewish scriptures as well as any man. He was angered by Jews who failed to strictly follow Jewish law, and he cruelly punished anyone who claimed Jesus was the Son of God. Saul had heard that a new Christian church was starting in Damascus. He asked for letters from the Sanhedrin to arrest and bring back to Jerusalem any Jews who were followers of Jesus. The Sanhedrin sent soldiers with Saul to help him. Saul and the soldiers set out for Damascus. Fade light on Narrator. Narrator moves to one side as actors take their places. Lights up on actors. Saul carries a bundle over his shoulder and rolled up letters in his hand. Saul You will walk behind me at all times. You are not to speak to me or touch me at any time. Soldiers 1 & 2 Yes, Citizen. Narrator They walked this way for many days until they were only a few miles from the city of Damascus. Suddenly a light from the sky flashed around them. Bright light shines on Saul briefly (like lightning?). Jesus stands hidden behind scenery or curtain. Narrator Saul dropped his bundle and letters and fell to the ground. He cried out and held his hands to his eyes. Soldier 1 Soldier 2 What is happening?! Look at the Pharisee!
Narrator The soldiers were frightened. Saul heard a voice from the sky and looked up, but the soldiers could not see who was talking or understand the words. They watched Saul talk to the voice. Jesus Saul Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me? Who are you? Jesus I am Jesus. Get up and go into the city. You are to tell others what you have seen today. You are to open their eyes so that through me they will have their sins forgiven. Narrator Soldier 1 Soldier 2 Saul Soldier 1 Soldier 2 Narrator Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. Forgive me, Citizen, but what has happened to you? Who were you talking to? Please, I am blind. Help me walk. I must go to Damascus. Give me your hand. I will lead you. Give me your things and I will carry them. So the soldiers led Saul, blind and stumbling, into Damascus.
Scene Two: In a house in Damascus Saul, Soldier 1, Soldier 2, Ananias (hiding fish scales ) Voice of Jesus Narrator Saul The soldiers led Saul to the house of a Jew named Judas. Thank you for your help. Leave me now and return to Jerusalem. Soldiers 1 & 2 Yes, Citizen. Narrator The soldiers left. Saul knelt and prayed constantly for three days. During that time he would not eat or drink. Saul O Lord, help me to understand what has happened. You have told me a man will heal me. Please be merciful, Lord, even though I do not deserve your compassion. Ananias walks in front of the house (with fish scales hidden). He walks slowly as the narrator speaks. Narrator Ananias was a Jew who lived in Damascus. He stopped walking when he heard the voice of the Lord speak to him. Jesus Ananias Ananias! Here I am, Lord. Jesus Go to the house of Judas and ask for a man named Saul. He is waiting for you to place your hands on him and heal his blindness. Ananias Lord, I have heard of this man. He has done terrible things to your people in Jerusalem. And he has come to Damascus to arrest all the people who worship you. Jesus Go. I have chosen him to serve me. He has given himself to me. Narrator So Ananias went to the house of Judas and found Saul praying. Saul heard Ananias, but he could not see him. Saul Narrator Who s there? Ananias put his hand on Saul.
Ananias Brother Saul, the Lord has sent me so that you might see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Close your eyes. Narrator Ananias placed his hands on Saul s eyes and something like fish scales fell to the floor. Saul opened his eyes. Saul Narrator I can see again! Thank you, Lord! And thank you, Brother Ananias. Ananias bowed and left, and Saul began to eat to get his strength back.
Scene Three: On the streets of Damascus Saul, Jew 1, Jew 2 (Believers) Narrator Saul stayed in Damascus to preach to the Jews about Jesus. He stood in front of a synagogue to talk to all of the Jews who came by. Saul Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah who lives again! Jesus is the Son of God! He has fulfilled scripture as foretold by Isaiah and Micah! Narrator Jew 1 Jew 2 chief priests! Everyone who heard him was amazed. Isn t he the one who killed the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem? I thought he came here to arrest those people and take them back to the Narrator But Saul s preaching about Jesus was so powerful that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not argue. After many months, some of the Jews made plans to kill Saul. He needed to leave the city. Saul s friends gathered together to plan his escape. They waited until night and led Saul to a house on the city wall. They put Saul in the basket and lowered him over the wall so that he could escape. Saul God bless you, my brothers! Narrator And Saul ran away in the night, to preach in the name of Jesus another day in another city. If there is time (and enough actors) you may include Scene 4. If not, go to closing statement by Narrator.
Scene Four: In front of a house in Jerusalem (Believers) Paul, Peter, James, Barnabas Narrator Saul preached for three years in Arabia and Damascus. He returned to Jerusalem to join the apostles of Jesus for a short time. Saul had begun using his Greek name, Paul, instead of his Jewish name. Paul came to a house where the apostles of Jesus met with fellow believers. Paul Brothers! I have returned to Jerusalem after preaching about Jesus for years. I came here to see you, my fellow Christians. Do you know who I am? Peter We know who you are. You are Saul, the man who watched Stephen as he was stoned to death. James You are the Pharisee who arrested and killed many followers of Christ. Now you want us to believe that you are a Christian? Paul Peter Narrator God knows I am not lying! How do we know you re not a spy? Barnabas stepped between Paul and the others. Barnabas Wait! What this man says is true. God came to him and called him to follow. His name is now Paul, and he preaches boldly in the name of Jesus all over the land. I have heard him myself, and God is with him. Narrator Paul. Peter James The apostles looked at each other for a moment. Peter stepped forward to Then welcome, Paul, to the brotherhood of Jesus. Welcome. Whatever is ours is yours. Narrator The other believers came forward and welcomed Paul to Jerusalem. Paul sat with the apostles and believers. Paul I would like to preach in the synagogues in Jerusalem. But I know that there are people in this city who are a danger to me and the Lord s message. Peter We can help you. We know who you can trust in Jerusalem. Let s meet again and we ll introduce you to our friends. Paul Thank you, my brothers in Christ. We must thank the Lord for his goodness. Let us pray.
Lights down on actors. Light up on Narrator. Narrator And so it was that the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. Through the help of the Holy Spirit it was strengthened and grew in numbers, as it lived in reverence for the Lord. The End