Dramatised Readings - New Testament
Simple dramatised tellings of some New Testament stories
The Feeding of the 5,000 (From Mark 6 and John 6) Jesus is trying to find a solitary place but 5,000 people are following him. When they are hungry should he send them away or challenge his disciples to do something about it? .
Jesus is Condemned (From Mark 15:1-16)
Pilate gives in to the demands of the crowd and turns Jesus over to be crucified.
Dancing at the Beautiful Gate (Acts 3:1-16) Peter and John meet a lame beggar at the temple gate and offer him the transforming and healing grace and love of God.
Jesus washes his disciples feet (John 13:1-35)
The story of Jesus' great act of love and service and his call to us to do the same.
The Christmas story (Luke 2:1-20)
Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, the birth of Jesus and the visit of the shepherds.
The Presentation (Luke 2:22-40) The presentation and dedication of Jesus in the temple and the prophecies of Simeon and Anna.
The Wedding at Cana (John 2:1-11)
Jesus' first miracle - the changing of water into wine.
Touching His Robe (Mark 5:21-end)
The story of Jesus' raising Jairus's daughter and his encounter with a sick woman on the way.
Jesus before Pilate (Matthew 27:1-26) The story of Jesus trial and the part that Pilate played in issuing his death sentence.
Mary and Jesus - 3 stories (Particularly appropriate for Mothering Sunday)
Jesus in the temple (Luke 2:41-52)
Come home with us (Matthew 12:46-50)
At the cross (John 19:25-27)
These 3 simple dramatised readings are designed to reflect on Mary's thoughts and feelings.
Paul and Silas in Philippi (Acts 16:6-36)
The story of Paul and Silas imprisonment at Philippi, but then the extraordinary events that saw them freed from prison and their Jailer and his family baptised as Christians.
The Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-9)
Jesus glory is revealed to Peter, James and John in an unforgettable mountain top experience.
The Triumphal Entry - Palm Sunday (Luke 19:29-40)
The story of Jesus last journey to Jerusalem with plenty of audience participation.
The Visit of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-12) The wise men come to the end of their journey and reveal their gifts and their meaning.
The Master needs them - Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:1-11)
The story of Palm Sunday from Matthew with plenty of audience participation.
From Simon to Peter
The story of St Peter's journey from fisherman to apostle.
Jesus and Thomas
The 2 post-resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples and Thomas's transformation from doubt to faith. . John 20:19-29
King Herod
The visit of the Magi from Herod's point of view
Matthew 2:1-18
The Angel visits Mary
The visit of the Angel Gabriel to Mary revealing what might have been Mary's inner thoughts. Luke 1:26-38
Workers in the Kingdom
Jesus' parable about workers in his Kingdom vineyard.
Matthew 20:1-16
Jesus at Nazareth
The story of Jesus return to his home town where his reception was not quite the warm welcome home we might have expected. – 8 characters
(Luke 4:16-28)
The rich man's bumper harvest
Jesus parable about a selfish farmer and his bumper harvest with an ending that is a warning to us all. – 6 characters
(Luke 12:13-21)
Anointing at Bethany
The story of a woman's daring appearance at a 1st century dinner party (Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; Luke 7:36-50; John 12:1-8)
The Ascension
Peter and John's experience as they see Jesus taken into heaven.(Acts 1:1-14)
John the Baptist
The story of John from his birth to his death at the hands of Herod.
The tenants in the vineyard
Jesus hard-hitting parable about the truth and cost of the Gospel (Matthew 21:33-end)
The healing of a man born blind
This is substantially a dramatization of the NIV text of John 9. The story of how a man born blind receives his sight and tries to explain the miracle to his neighbours, his parents and the Pharisees.(John 9)
The journey of the Magi
The story of the Magi from their observation of the star to their arrival at Bethlehem. (Matthew 2:1-12)
Mary and Jesus
Another version of these 3 moments from the Gospels revealing the nature of Jesus' relationship with his mother. These are particularly suitable for use on Mothering Sunday.