Be At It
adapted by John Wayne Samples

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©1993

Subjects:
Scripture / Ministry / Timothy

Synopsis:
A choral reading of II Timothy 3:12 - 4:8 taken from several different versions of the scripture (details at end).

Purpose:
Used originally as a call to worship. Not a "sketch" in the traditional use of the word, this reading is included here as the cornerstone of the drama ministry. It wasn't until after this was presented that we understood how pertinent its message was to our own lives and efforts in Christian theatre.

Staging:
Lined-up in a slight arc, center stage.

8 Characters:
ONE-a & ONE-b
TWO-a & TWO-b
THREE-a & THREE-b
FOUR-a & FOUR-b
(When the script calls for "Two" both Twos read, etc.)

Props:
A Bible for character One A.

Notes:
To be effective, this should be memorized and practiced several -- many -- times. It is much harder to do than we thought it would be. And much more effective.

Attention should be given in casting to matching voices that blend well together. Don't be afraid to reassign parts until you get the right mix.

Inflection is very important. Experiment with different expressions of delivery, particularly with the lines delivered solo.

Pacing cues:
> means to "hit" the phrase or word quickly and/or with emphasis. Try "stepping" on the end of the previous line when delivering a phrase with this cue.

# means to pause before continuing.

- within a phrase means to deliver-in-a-staccato-fashion.

1. ONE-a Opens the Bible and reads the first verse normally.

   
   All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

2. TWO-a

   
   But evil men

3. TWO & THREE

   
   and impostors

4. THREE & FOUR

   
   will grow worse
   # and worse,

5. TWO & THREE & FOUR

   
   > deceiving
   # and being deceived.

6. ALL

   
   You,

7. TWO-b

   
   however,

8. ALL

   
   must remain faithful in what-you-have-learned,

9. TWO & THREE

   
   and the things of which you are certain,

10. ONE & FOUR

    
    knowing from whom you have learned them,

11. TWO-b

    
    and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures,

12. THREE-a

    
    which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith

13. THREE-b

    
    > which is in Christ Jesus.

14. ALL

    
    All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
    # and is profitable

15. ONE & TWO

    
    for doctrine,

16. TWO & THREE

    
    for reproof,

17. THREE & FOUR

    
    for correction,

18. TWO & FOUR

    
    for instruction in righteousness,

19. ONE

    
    that the man of God may be complete,

20. ALL

    
    thoroughly equipped for every good work.

21. TWO-a

    
    I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ,

22. ONE & TWO & FOUR

    
    who will judge the living

23. TWO

    
    and the dead

24. ONE & TWO & FOUR

    
    at His appearing

25. FOUR-a

    
    and His kingdom:

26. ALL

    
    Preach the word!

27. THREE-b

    
    Be at it
    # when it is, and when it is not,
    # convenient.

28. ONE & TWO & FOUR

    
    Convince,

29. TWO & THREE & FOUR

    
    rebuke,

30. ONE & TWO & THREE

    
    exhort

31. FOUR-b

    
    with ALL the patience that the work of teaching requires.

32. ALL

    
    For the time will come

33. THREE-a

    
    when people won't listen to the truth, but according to their own desires,

34. TWO-a

    
    to satisfy their own fancies,

35. FOUR-b

    
    they will heap up for themselves teachers;

36. ONE & TWO

    
    and they will turn their ears away from the truth,

37. THREE-a

    
    and be turned aside to fables.

38. FOUR-a

    
    But
    # you be watchful in ALL things,

39. FOUR-b

    
    endure afflictions,

40. ONE

    
    work to spread the gospel,

41. ALL

    
    fulfill

    #your

    #ministry.

    The End

*Text taken from Nelson's The New King James Bible, and from Zondervan's 26 Translations
including uses of The Revised Standard Version, The New English Bible, Berkeley, Moffatt, and Phillips.
 
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