Ministering Through the Arts
Lesson 5

Ministering Through Drama

I. Introduction: A very power and effective tool
II. Uses and types of Drama
III. Choosing a Drama
IV. Drama Team

I. Introduction:

Drama can be a very powerful tool to lead people to Christ, to convey God’s messages and teach His principles in a fun way that appeals to all ages. With the technological advances of our society, people are accustomed to being entertained. They crave new and exciting experiences, therefore; even unbelievers are receptive to Christian drama, making it a powerful evangelism tool. Through drama, we can convey life-altering messages and create life-altering experiences.

II. Uses and types of Dramas

Use Dramas to:

• Get peoples attention
• Give them a message
• Invoke a response from them
• Bring people into a more intimate relationship with God

Different Christian dramas have different purposes and are designed with different audiences in mind. They may be used in a church service for adults, kids or youth. They may be used in evangelistic events outdoors.

Dramas can be long or short. They can be very elaborate with many actors or very simple with just one actor. A drama can have many props and costumes or no props or costumes at all. Dramas can be human videos, skits, or full plays. They may involve music or may not. They may even include puppetry.

Nevertheless, the purpose of drama from a Christian perspective is to get peoples attention, give them a message, invoke a response, bring them into a closer relationship with God, and entertain them in the process.

III. Choosing a Drama

Some dramas take more acting skills and require more practice than others require. Longer dramas with many people and many lines requires the actors to be more skilled and also requires more time spent in practice. Before choosing a drama, consider the skill level of the actors, the availability of people and resources, and the amount of time you have before the drama must be preformed.

There are tons of free skits and dramas of all types on the internet. There also are many books of Christian dramas; however, if someone on the drama team has the creative ability to write dramas, that is best. If your team does their own writing, they can convey the exact message the minister wants to convey. Also the drama can be written with the number of actors and other resources your team has available to them. However, if no one has the creative ability to write, you can adjust one that is already written to your particular needs and circumstances.

Consider these things before beginning to write:

• What message do you want to convey?
• Who is your target audience and how can you best reach them?
• Do you want it to be funny, intense, scary, soul gripping, etc?
• What response do you want from your audience?
• Will there be a sermon following? If so how can your drama work with that sermon.
• Will there be an alter call immediately following? If so how can your drama work with that alter call.
• How many people do you have at your disposal to carry out the drama?
• What resources do you have available to you as far as costumes and props go.
• Consider your budget.
• Be creative, think outside the box of the usual

Include such information as the topic of the script, how many characters are needed and what gender they need to be, a list of props that will be needed, and any necessary stage directions.

Think your script through in your mind. Does it work? Now, using actors, work it through. Make notes of any changes to the drama, crew, or props on paper. If the script has any lines to memorize be sure each cast member gets a copy of the script so they can memorize their lines. Give everyone the needed days to memorize their lines then practice until everyone is comfortable with their parts and everything goes smoothly. Remember, you are working for God. Take pride in the work you do for Him and always give it your best effort. Hard and conscientious work will pay off.

IV. Drama team

The drama team may consist of:

• A leader or director: This person chooses an appropriate drama. He works between the minister and the drama team to put it all together and to be sure that the message of the minister is conveyed. The drama will go hand in hand with the sermon and the alter call in most cases. Regardless, it will fit the tone that the minister seeks for the service or event. The leader or director oversees and directs the entire project from start to finish. He may have an assistant.
• Actors
• Writer or the whole team may work together on writing
• Props and costumes person
• Administrative worker: Someone to type scripts, make copies, file etc.

The drama team all work together to make a dramatic presentation come together and work to do the things it is meant to do. As in all ministry, the purpose of drama is to speak God’s message and to do His work. Ministry is always serious work and should not be taken lightly.

Drama team members are ministers of the gospel and should have an active and serious relationship with God. They should always pray before ministry, expecting God to do great and awesome things through them. They should realize that without God’s power their drama will have little lasting effect, but with God’s power lives will be changed.

If you are interested in being a part of a drama team and are prepared to be committed to that team, let your teacher know tonight. Also, let him know what job on the drama team you feel you would like to do.

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