Burning question 1: What's Gone Wrong With The World?
Bible ref: Genesis 3:17-23, Romans 5: 12-25, 1 Corinthians 15: 20-22
Song: "Long Way Back To Eden"
Sketch: "Would You Adam And Eve It?"
Most people today recognise that the world is in a terrible mess.
Pollution, mass starvation, the threat of global warfare, religious and
political persecution and ethnic cleansing are just a few of the
symptoms of the world's broken-ness.
Christians believe that when God created the world it was perfect. It is
through human sinfulness and selfishness that the world has been
spoiled. But God has prepared a "way back to Eden".
So. What do you think is wrong with the world? Why is it in the state it
is?
The Bible has the answers. Genesis explains the fall. Romans and
1-Corinthians explain how, though death came into the world through
disobedience, there is a way back to the peace and joy of Eden for each
individual through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
In the words of the song ...
"there's a road laid by God's own tears".
Burning question 2: Can I Start Again, Please?
Bible ref: Luke 19: 1-10, John 3:1-17
Sketch: "Short Change."
Song: "Never too late"
When you go back home, open your bibles to Luke chapter 19 and read
about Zacchaeus. Now there was a traitor for you. Deceitful, dishonest
and disloyal. As well as working for the Roman occupation force, he was
making dishonest tax demands. But when he met Jesus, his life changed,
and he wanted to return the money he had stolen, and to help the
poor.
No matter what we have done, or how badly we feel we have messed up our
lives, God loves each of us. Like Zachaeus, we are given the opportunity
to be born again. We can start a new life with Jesus as our Lord and
friend.
There is a wonderful passage in John chapter 3, about God's great love
for us and the need for new birth. The Christian message is that it's
never too late for turning a life around.
Burning question 3: What's The Point Of It All?
Bible ref: Luke 12: 13-21, & 22-34
Song: "Old McDonald"
Many people spend their lives earning, saving and accumulating things,
yet they often still feel dissatisfied. Material possessions do not
satisfy the spiritual side of our nature.
The story of the Rich Fool is well known and is found in Luke chapter
12, where Luke a bit later on lists the things that last. Read the story
and the list, then ask yourselves what are your goals in life? Do they
measure up to Luke's teachings? You may be surprised. Many people do not
stop to ask whether they are rich in eternal terms.
Jesus said: "Provide for yourselves purses that don't wear out, and save
your riches in Heaven, where they will never decrease, because no thief
can get to them, and no moth can destroy them. For your heart will
always be where your riches are" (Luke 12: 33-34).
Burning question 4: What's The Cost Of Becoming A Christian?
Bible ref: Luke 18: 19-30, Matthew 10: 38-39
Sketch: "The Cost of Living"
Song: "Nothing less than everything"
The story of the Rich Young Man, which we can read in Luke chapter 19,
is a story about priorities. In the end, he went away feeling sad
because he wasn't willing to make God's kingdom the highest priority in
his life.
The next drama and song pinpoint the fact that there is a high cost
involved in following Jesus. It is not something to be done lightly.
Matthew, in chapter 10, wrote "Whoever does not take up his cross and
follow in my steps is not fit to be my disciple. Whoever tries to gain
his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for my sake will
gain it."
It is in leaving self behind and following him that we discover the joy
and liberty of the children of God.
Burning question 5: Could God Use Someone Like Me?
Bible ref: John 13:36-38, John 18: 15-18 & 25-27, John 21: 15-19
Monologue: "Witness for the Prosecution."
Song: "Stony Ground"
Many people feel that they aren't good enough to become a Christian, or
that they would not be able to live up to the high standards which are a
part of the Christian lifestyle.
Take a look at the story of Peter's denial. It's in John chapters 13 and
18, and he reminds us just how human the disciples were. They knew what
is was to fail the Lord … and they must have often felt that they were
not worthy of his kingdom.
Following Jesus is all about recognising our unworthiness, our failure
and our weakness, … and allowing him to change us day by day into his
likeness.
When you have read about Peter's denial, follow it up by reading John
chapter 21. The conversation between Peter and Jesus gives hope to us
all.
Burning question 6: How Do I Become A Christian?
Bible ref: Luke 23: 26-43
Sketch: "Thieves' Paradise."
Song: "Forgiven"
The story of the dying thief found in Luke chapter 23 reminds us that it
is never too late to accept Jesus Christ as our Saviour. The thief on
the cross beside Jesus was near death … yet he put his faith in the Lord
and heard Jesus say, "I promise you that today you will be in paradise
with me" (Luke 23: v43).
The thief could not earn his way into heaven, nor demonstrate a good
enough lifestyle to achieve salvation. But we are forgiven and restored
to our heavenly Father by faith - not by what we do.
Jesus' death on the cross shows us the extent of God's love for us, and
his willingness to forgive us. "We have then, brothers, complete freedom
to go into the Most Holy Place by means of the death of Jesus".
The message is that we are forgiven - not by anything we can do - but by
his love.
Burning question 7: Is There Life After Death?
Bible ref: Acts 7: 54-60
Sketch: "Stephen"
Song: "Light a candle in your heart"
The story of Stephen in Acts chapter 7 graphically shows a Christian who
is not afraid of death because he has a wonderful vision of Jesus and an
assurance of the eternal. "Look!" he said. "I see heaven opened and the
Son of Man standing at the right side of God" (Acts 7: 56).
As Christians we can face death at any time because we know that after
we die we will be in the wonderful presence of our Friend and Saviour
forever.
The assurance of everlasting life brings great joy and helps put
everything into perspective in the struggles of this earthly life.
The song reminds us that ...
"Death shall never have dominion
Where the King of Life shall reign."
Burning question 8: Can I Know Jesus?
Bible ref: Acts 9: 1-19
Sketch: "Spies R' Us"
Song: "Burning questions"
The core of the Christian experience is a relationship with the living
Jesus Christ. Countless millions of Christians around the world know him
as a personal and living Friend.
When Saul of Tarsus set out to destroy the church, and to persuade the
early believers to forsake their risen Saviour he had a dramatic
experience on his way to Damascus. Read it again tonight in Acts chapter
9. He heard a voice calling, "Saul, Saul! Why do you persecute me?" This
was the turning point in his life, transforming him from being a
persecutor to one of the greatest missionaries that the church has ever
known.
The start of the Christian life is the start of a pilgrimage with Jesus.
There may be nothing particularly dramatic or emotional about the first
steps on this journey … but they can lead on to a friendship with Jesus
which is the richest experience life has to offer.
When we discover Jesus, … we begin to find the answers to the burning
questions in our heart.
Finale: "On Fire (to lift up the name of Jesus)"
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