These Plays & Skits Work Great With Youth Groups in Church!

Playwrights Notes:

The idea of “Eve” means cusp of change, but it is also the name given to the first woman—the name which means “to live” or “breathe.” Adam, in contrast, means “man.” It is Eve’s meaning of living that is central to the narrative of seeds and living into our potential through grace.

Gabe, the cemetery caretaker, is according to Shakespeare, living out the oldest profession. From Hamlet: “Come, my spade; there is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers, and gravemakers; they hold up Adam's profession.” The thread of the grave runs from Adam through to Jesus, who finally overcame it. In this way, Gabe holds both our mortality and our hope.

It should be also noted that episode 4—Eve of Freedom—borrows a real event from the Chicago Seven trials after the riots on the occasion of the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

The defendants “appeared in court dressed in judicial robes. When the judge ordered them to remove the robes, they complied, to reveal that they were wearing Chicago police uniforms underneath.” This is not used to make a political statement but a statement of systems and the faith and courage it takes to stand against them.

Biblical Text: Romans, Chapters 5, 6, 7 & 8

Theme: The free gift of grace is given to all of us. We need to ask ourselves, then, what do we do with this free gift?

Time Needed to Perform: 5-8 minutes per skit, generally.

Age Appropriateness: All ages, though best for teens and above.