Under the Hood
by Craig Castleberry
and
Bill and Rhonda Proseus
(This skit has alternate endings and was actually a part of a class for our writers as it began with the same opening, and then each writer came up with their own ending. If you would like, you can get different actors and do all of the endings, or just choose your favorite.)
Scripture: In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. James 2: 17-18
Theme: Faith, Laziness
Scene: A man appears to be stranded next to his car. A person walks up to him and notices that he is just standing there with the car on the side of the road...and they begin to talk...
Props: Anything to make the trooper appear to be an officer such as sunglasses and a police cap or a plastic badge, etc. Unless you have a car handy in your building, you will either have to invent a great prop for a car or just pretend it is there. Get creative with an 8 foot table and cardboard boxes! The look of a supposed car may be half the fun...
Man: (Relaxed next to his vehicle) Hello there, nice weather we are having, huh?
Lady/Man: You could say that, so are you stranded?
Man: Well, yeah, pretty much.
L/M: What is wrong, overheated?
Man: Who me? Nah, I am just sitting here hoping my car will get better soon.
L/M: Better? Have you looked under the hood? How do you know?
Man: Well, I guess I just have faith!
L/M: I believe that faith without works is dead. Do you ever read the Bible?
Man: Oh, you mean the driver's manual?
L/M: I guess, for some they might call it that. So are you just going to stand here and hope it gets better?
Man: Sure. Hey, but it is a nice looking car, huh? The engine purrs...when it runs.
L/M: I would suggest getting some help...even after your car is fixed.
Man: Hey, was that statement pointed at me? I might just open this hood and fix it...if I have time...later.
OPTIONAL ENDINGS!!!!
_________________________________________________
Option 1:
L/M: You know it's never too late.
Man: Too late for what?
L/M: It is NEVER too late to start acting on your faith.
Man: What do you mean, 'acting on your faith?'
L/M: It's just that real faith doesn't just sit around and do nothing. When you faith is real, you WANT to live the way Jesus taught us.
Man: What? [Looking puzzled]
L/M: Just like sitting here waiting for your car to start won't get you home, just saying you know who Jesus is won't get you to heaven. Once you let Jesus into your heart, letting Him be the Lord of your life, you can't be the same.
Man: [Thinking and just nodding his head]
L/M: Let's open the hood of that car of yours and see if we can get you home.
Man: Great! I can give you a ride!
L/M: Why...don't you let me drive at first.
The End
Option 2:
L/M: Indeed! You said you have faith. Do you think that the car is just going to fix itself because of your faith?
Man: Well, I really hoping so.
L/M: Jesus said that faith without works is dead and if you don't get some work done on that car, it doesn't matter how much faith you have. It will not fix itself!
Man: Do you think so?
L/M: I KNOW so! It is good to have faith, but we have to put some action behind that faith.
Man: Alright. I think I see your point. It is good for me to have faith, but without some work, this car will not move. Oh well, do you have a cell phone? I need to call a wrecker.
L/M: Sure, here it is, feel free to use it as you need to. [Hands the phone to L/M] The first step is always the toughest.
[Lights go down on characters if possible, or they may simply exit]
The End
Option 3:
[A state trooper pulls up in his car and approaches the man.]
Man: Finally a state trooper! Hello sir!
Trooper: What seems to be the problem?
Man: My car is broken down.
Trooper: Let me take a look.
Man: At what?
Trooper: Your car! Under your hood!
Man: I am not sure you want to do that.
Trooper: Why not?
Man: I already did that.
Trooper: When?
Man: When I bought it.
Trooper: And that was how long?
Man: Five years ago.
Trooper: That does it! You are under arrest!
Man: On what charge?
Trooper: For impersonating a driver and driving without any sense!
[Trooper grabs the man by the arm and escorts him off stage]
The End
Study Question
What good is faith if we are not willing to do anything...especially prayer?
Are we like the man who would not open the hood? We may be just like that. As a new Christian, we let God examine us and we were open to making sure God could fix what is wrong inside us.
But, after a few years or many, there is a tendency to shut down and let our spiritual growth suffer and finally breakdown. In the case above, not even a friend or stranger trying to help can have an impact.
Have you allowed God to open your hood lately? Who has to make the first move? Hint: It is not God.
© 2005 by Craig Castleberry