THEMES: Faith, Consistency, Rashness, Instability, Obedience

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:  

James 1:1-8

Judges 17

James 2:14-20 14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15  If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16  And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20  But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?  .

TIME: 11 minutes

GENRE: Drama

SUGGESTED USE: Great as a sermon enhancer, worship service, leadership conference, etc.  Can be used as a conversation starter for a bible class or seminar.

SYNOPSIS: Lois is a talented Christian who is always starting new business ventures; however, she seldom completes any. Like many Christians, Lois does not fully understand what faith is. She is convinced that God is instructing her in her endeavors. However, her two long-time friends, Marvin and Janice who have always been supportive of her, have now grown weary of her instability. Therefore, hearing of her next venture, they seize the opportunity to share with her that faith without works is dead.

SETTING: Church break room.

PROPS: Table (can have a couple of small tables, if desired) chairs around table.

COSTUMES: All characters are dressed casually.

Characters:

 LOIS -  An intelligent Christian woman who is an entrepreneur.

JANICE – A strong Christian, who is Janice’s friend.

MARVIN:  Strong Christian, who is Janice and Lois’ friend.

EXCERPTS ONLY --- Copyright Material

JANICE: (sitting at a table thumbing through a magazine)

LOIS:  (rushes in excited) Girl, I have this wonderful business idea.

JANICE:  (nonchalantly briefly looking up from her magazine to acknowledge Lois’s presence, but then continues to flip through the magazine) Really.

LOIS:  (excited) Yes!  I know this is it.  I have prayed about it and I know God is going to bring this to pass.

JANICE:  Just like all your other brilliant business ideas.

LOIS: What are trying to say? 

JANICE:  Nothing.

LOIS: Seriously Janice, this is it!  I can see it.

JANICE:  That’s good, Lois.

LOIS:  (puzzled) You haven’t even asked me what it is.

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MARVIN:  I’m saying that faith without works is dead. You cannot just dream.  You must wake up and get to work. God waits on us to move. We must do more than just pray about it. We must move when God tells us to move. In Judges 17, what did Joshua tell the children of Manasseh when they complained that they had not received what was promised to them?

 LOIS: I don’t know.

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LOIS: (folding her arms) So, you think I’m unstable?

JANICE: You know you are my best friend and I love you. (hesitantly) If  a small breeze blows, it pushes you off course. (brief pause) Look, do you remember when pastor told us that the Lord was leading him to build a new education building? He didn’t just talk about it. In fact when the vision was presented to the church he already had the plans drawn up, an estimated cost, and ideas on how to generate the income required to complete the project.

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