'Seventy times Seven' is a presentation from Revelation using new and adapted material. The focus is the giving and receiving of forgiveness. The message is carried in sketches and dialogue, supported with music and dance. The congregation is encouraged to join in. The presentation is aimed at current churchgoers, although the contents would equally be applicable to newer Christians (post Alpha)
'If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive'
Mother Teresa
Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour puts us on a path that is different from the world's view. We realise how much God loves us and we in turn long to love others as God loves us. But sin prevents us from 'loving others as ourselves'. It is very easy to think that accepting Jesus means that we know all about sin and forgiveness ... so we begin with an introduction to establish that we are looking at aspects of forgiveness.
Mime: 'The Wall (part 1)'
shows the seriousness of separation from God and asks each of us whether we have any sinful rubbish, and if so what are we going to do about it?
Sketch: 'What's that on your back?'
is a lighthearted demonstration of how we carry sin around; but God will take the burden if we ask.
Sketch: 'Murgatroyd & Pratt'
Still, the problem is recognising the burden. Perhaps the Ten Commandments will help? Two lawayers, Murgatroyd & Pratt, show us that keeping the law is impossible, and is not the way.
Mime: 'The Wall (part 2)'
Even though the people broke the law, God went on loving them, and sent his Son. This is shown in second part of our mime. God showed his love by sending Jesus, and Jesus showed his love by healing, miracles, and giving His life.
Reading:
Mark 2:1-5
Jesus came not to condemn but to give us life by loving us, and forgiving us. Mark shows Jesus responding to love and forgiving in love.
Reading:
Luke 7:36-38,44-50
Then a reading of Luke has Jesus telling us that 'whoever has been forgiven little shows only a little love'. The dialogue registers the point that if we find it hard to love other people it may be because we may be lacking in the area of forgiveness, either giving or receiving.
Sketch: 'The Devil's in the Detail'
It seems we still need help recognising what needs forgiving - so this sketch gives us a light-hearted introduction to sin, from the Devil's perspective, followed by sketches on specific sins ...
- 'Telephone sales' -- anger, lack of understanding
- 'I am not' -- disappointment & hurt
- 'Look at Her!' -- self-righteousness, passing judgement on others
- 'Birthday Card' -- bitterness, selfishness and self-pity.
Reading:
Matthew 18:21-35
Then we consider how often we forgive other people and hear a reading from Matthew, which tells us what happens when we fail to forgive.
The dialogue then covers the fact that we have to choose to receive forgiveness and leads to the final sketch ...
Sketch: 'Guilt-edged Certainty'
... which reminds us that there is no limit to forgiveness, no limit to love.
This presentation contains material from other drama groups as well as original work (drama & music) from Revelation.
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RevelationOct2001.pdf