TIME TRAVEL BIBLE SERIES 020: JOSEPH & HIS BROTHERS – by Tanis Harms, © 2014
TIME TRAVEL BIBLE SERIES 020:
JOSEPH & HIS BROTHERS – by Tanis Harms, © 2014
.....use in address bar: churchskits.blogspot.com
(Ideal for a class going through the main Bible stories. For more, see Time Travel Bible Series menu page.)
STYLE:
Drama/fantasy. (8 pages)
PREMISE:
Brook and Darren imagine what it must have been like for Joseph to reconcile with his family.
TOPIC:
Reconciliation.
SCRIPTURE:
Genesis 42:1-50:26.
CHARACTERS (LINE COUNT) DESCRIPTION:
( 8) BROOK – inquisitive girl
( 6) DARREN – adventurous boy
(17) JACOB –
(16) REUBEN –
( 5) JUDAH -
PROPS:
Bible (which can have script inside), cane/stick.
SCENE 1:
INTRO OPTION 1A:
(If using this as a stand-alone skit, or if you are starting the series at this point.)
(Darren stands holding a Bible, just staring at the book’s cover when Brook walks in and notices.)
BROOK:
Hey Darren... What are you doing?
DARREN:
Trying to read the Bible.
BROOK:
It helps if you open the book.
DARREN:
(signing helplessly)
I’ve tried that. There are so many big words, and funny names, and-
BROOK:
I bet if it was a computer game, you’d be all into it.
DARREN:
Or just IMAGINE – if we could time travel back, and SEE the Bible stories as they happen!
BROOK:
So, why don’t we try that?!
(Darren holds the Bible while Brook opens it up. Both look at the Bible together, eyes wide and exited.)
INTRO OPTION 1B:
(If you are continuing on in the series.)
(Darren and Brook enter. Darren carries a Bible.)
BROOK:
Does the Joseph-story still continue? And what about the rest of the family?
DARREN:
We will be checking in on all of Jacob’s family. Get ready for imagination time travel!
(Darren holds the Bible up, while Brook opens the Bible. They look with excitement, then look around, wondering.)
SCENE 2:
(Jacob is getting older, so he uses a cane to enter. Reuben enters from the opposition side to meet him.)
BROOK:
Oh, Jacob is looking quite old. And there’s Reuben.
REUBEN:
You called. Is everything okay, Father?
JACOB:
Rueben, you know we are running out of food and it does not look like it will rain any time soon. But I hear that Egypt is the only place with food stored up. Somehow, they must have known a very long drought was coming. Anyway, you will go to buy food with all your brothers, except for Benjamin, of course.
REUBEN:
(dryly)
Of course. Why should Benjamin do anything too difficult?
JACOB:
You know he is the only son I have left from Rachel. I am afraid that something bad will happen to him if he goes there with the rest of you.
REUBEN:
Fine. The rest of us will leave at once.
(Reuben and Jacob exit in the directions they entered.)
BROOK:
Remember? The ten brothers wanted to kill their brother, Joseph, because they were jealous, but instead, they sold him into slavery. That’s how Joseph wound up in Egypt, and interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream about the drought. This was why Egypt was so prepared.
DARREN:
(referring to the Bible)
Now, when the ten brothers got to Egypt, they had to go before Joseph, because Joseph was in charge of everything. And the brothers bowed down to Joseph–
BROOK:
Just like in the dream Joseph had when he was a boy. Wait– did they recognize Joseph?
DARREN:
No, but Joseph recognized them.
BROOK:
So what happened next?
(Darren turns a Bible page. Reuben enters and calls out. Jacob enters as fast as he can.)
REUBEN:
Father! We’re back!
JACOB:
Reuben! How did it go? What is wrong?
REUBEN:
All of us came back– except– Simeon. In Egypt, the ruler who was in charge was very harsh with us, and accused us of being spies. We told him that we were just a normal family with twelve brothers in all, and a father who is still alive. But– then– the ruler noticed that there were only ten of us and started questioning us about the other two.
JACOB:
Why would you tell this man anything about us?
REUBEN:
We had to tell him that the youngest was here and the other brother was no longer– alive.
JACOB:
And why did Simeon stay behind?
REUBEN:
The ruler was convinced that we were spies. And the only way he would believe or trust us is if- we left one brother behind, came home, and then- brought back- the youngest brother to him-
JACOB:
Benjamin?! No! You cannot take him away!
REUBEN:
If we do not– then Simeon stays in jail- in Egypt. And... Judah? Now what?
(Judah enters, very concerned.)
JUDAH:
We just opened all the bags of grain to make sure it was all good. It is. But– all our money- is in the bags.
JACOB:
Judah, did you not pay the Egyptians for the grain?
JUDAH:
Well, we did. But- I don’t understand. I don’t understand how our money is still with us. And now they will think that we stole the grain. We could all go to jail.
JACOB:
Joseph is no more, Simeon is gone, and now you will take Benjamin! If anything happened to Benjamin, it would kill me. So - no! that cannot happen.
(Jacob exits as fast as possible.)
REUBEN:
Father, you may put my two sons to death if I do not bring Benjamin back to you.
(speaking to Judah)
It is because of what we did to Joseph. Now because of that sin– I believe that God is punishing us.
(Reuben and Judah exit.)
BROOK:
So they’re just going to leave their brother Simeon stuck in jail? I cannot take this. What happens next?
(Darren turns a page. Jacob enters with Judah.)
JACOB:
We are running low on grain, again. You must go back-
JUDAH:
Father, you are forgetting, we cannot go back to Egypt unless we bring Benjamin with us. And if we do not get more grain, we will all die anyway. Look, I will take full responsibility for Benjamin.
JACOB:
If it must be so... But you must also bring gifts. The best of our land. A little balm, honey, aromatic gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. AND - take twice as much money! You must pay for now, as well as last time. Perhaps it was all just a mistake. But we do not want to look like thieves. And may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of that man!
(Judah nods and exits. Jacob slowly follows behind.)
DARREN:
I guess they had no choice but to take Benjamin. Let’s see how this ends.
(Darren turns page. Jacob enters and looks into the distance, curious but perplexed. Judah and Rueben enter.)
JACOB:
What? Now what? Where’s Benjamin? And Simeon?
REUBEN:
They are both fine. Well. We reached Egypt, and quickly explained to the ruler how our money had been found in the bags, so we brought enough money to pay twice. And- we gave him the gifts. Then he invited us to his house for a meal. And asked more questions about our family.
JACOB:
What is this man’s problem?! I hope you did not say too much.
JUDAH:
He was acting very strange. He kept rushing out- like he had to cry- or- throw up. Anyway, we were given our grain and we left. But we did not get very far when guards caught up to us and accused us of stealing a silver cup. They searched and found it– in the bag belonging to Benjamin.
JACOB:
You just said that he was fine.
JUDAH:
We were brought back to Egypt, where- I approached the ruler, fell to my face and BEGGED for mercy. And explained that our father would just die if anything happened to his son, Benjamin.
JACOB:
I will die right now if you do not get straight to the point.
REUBEN:
Joseph is still alive!
(Jacob sinks to the ground using his cane for support.)
JACOB:
What?
REUBEN:
This great ruler in Egypt– is Joseph. That is why he kept asking about us.
JACOB:
I – I am – I don’t – ah, I...
REUBEN:
Father, Joseph, himself, hugged us and forgave us-
JUDAH:
Joseph is very much alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt. And he wants us all to move to Egypt right now, where there is plenty of food. The Pharaoh himself has given us the best land in Egypt, as well as gifts.
REUBEN:
You do want to see Joseph, your favorite son, again? Yes?
JACOB:
How- how can I believe this is true?
REUBEN:
Before leaving, Joseph told us that what we meant for evil, God used for good. And then Joseph told us not to quarrel on the way over here.
JACOB:
Ha! That does sounds like Joseph. It is enough! My son Joseph is still alive. Yes, I will go and see him before I die.
(Jacob gets up with the help of Reuben and Judah and they all exit together.)
BROOK:
So they were saved from dying of starvation – basically because they had tried to kill their brother.
DARREN:
Obviously, even after we make mistakes, God can STILL carry out His plans.
BROOK:
And that is how the Israelites all wound up living in Egypt. And hey, Jacob’s name had become Israel. The twelve sons became the twelve tribes which make up the Israelites. Huh!
SCENE 3:
ENDING OPTION 3A:
(If using this as a stand-alone skit.)
DARREN:
(closing the Bible)
While God has a plan, even when we make huge mistakes, God is so very patient with us, and He will always help us and keep His promises!
BROOK:
(speaking as they exit)
And the whole family was back together again. I’m so glad God loves us that much to never give up on us!
ENDING OPTION 3B:
(If you are continuing on in the series.)
(Darren closes the Bible.)
DARREN:
While God has a plan, even when we make huge mistakes, God is so very patient with us, and He will always help us and keep His promises!
BROOK:
And the whole family was back together again. What a good ending to that true life story! And next time we will see if things continued to go well for them. I’m so glad God loves us that much to never give up on us!
(Brook comments as they exit.)
JOSEPH & HIS BROTHERS – by Tanis Harms, © 2014
.....use in address bar: churchskits.blogspot.com
(Ideal for a class going through the main Bible stories. For more, see Time Travel Bible Series menu page.)
STYLE:
Drama/fantasy. (8 pages)
PREMISE:
Brook and Darren imagine what it must have been like for Joseph to reconcile with his family.
TOPIC:
Reconciliation.
SCRIPTURE:
Genesis 42:1-50:26.
CHARACTERS (LINE COUNT) DESCRIPTION:
( 8) BROOK – inquisitive girl
( 6) DARREN – adventurous boy
(17) JACOB –
(16) REUBEN –
( 5) JUDAH -
PROPS:
Bible (which can have script inside), cane/stick.
SCENE 1:
INTRO OPTION 1A:
(If using this as a stand-alone skit, or if you are starting the series at this point.)
(Darren stands holding a Bible, just staring at the book’s cover when Brook walks in and notices.)
BROOK:
Hey Darren... What are you doing?
DARREN:
Trying to read the Bible.
BROOK:
It helps if you open the book.
DARREN:
(signing helplessly)
I’ve tried that. There are so many big words, and funny names, and-
BROOK:
I bet if it was a computer game, you’d be all into it.
DARREN:
Or just IMAGINE – if we could time travel back, and SEE the Bible stories as they happen!
BROOK:
So, why don’t we try that?!
(Darren holds the Bible while Brook opens it up. Both look at the Bible together, eyes wide and exited.)
INTRO OPTION 1B:
(If you are continuing on in the series.)
(Darren and Brook enter. Darren carries a Bible.)
BROOK:
Does the Joseph-story still continue? And what about the rest of the family?
DARREN:
We will be checking in on all of Jacob’s family. Get ready for imagination time travel!
(Darren holds the Bible up, while Brook opens the Bible. They look with excitement, then look around, wondering.)
SCENE 2:
(Jacob is getting older, so he uses a cane to enter. Reuben enters from the opposition side to meet him.)
BROOK:
Oh, Jacob is looking quite old. And there’s Reuben.
REUBEN:
You called. Is everything okay, Father?
JACOB:
Rueben, you know we are running out of food and it does not look like it will rain any time soon. But I hear that Egypt is the only place with food stored up. Somehow, they must have known a very long drought was coming. Anyway, you will go to buy food with all your brothers, except for Benjamin, of course.
REUBEN:
(dryly)
Of course. Why should Benjamin do anything too difficult?
JACOB:
You know he is the only son I have left from Rachel. I am afraid that something bad will happen to him if he goes there with the rest of you.
REUBEN:
Fine. The rest of us will leave at once.
(Reuben and Jacob exit in the directions they entered.)
BROOK:
Remember? The ten brothers wanted to kill their brother, Joseph, because they were jealous, but instead, they sold him into slavery. That’s how Joseph wound up in Egypt, and interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream about the drought. This was why Egypt was so prepared.
DARREN:
(referring to the Bible)
Now, when the ten brothers got to Egypt, they had to go before Joseph, because Joseph was in charge of everything. And the brothers bowed down to Joseph–
BROOK:
Just like in the dream Joseph had when he was a boy. Wait– did they recognize Joseph?
DARREN:
No, but Joseph recognized them.
BROOK:
So what happened next?
(Darren turns a Bible page. Reuben enters and calls out. Jacob enters as fast as he can.)
REUBEN:
Father! We’re back!
JACOB:
Reuben! How did it go? What is wrong?
REUBEN:
All of us came back– except– Simeon. In Egypt, the ruler who was in charge was very harsh with us, and accused us of being spies. We told him that we were just a normal family with twelve brothers in all, and a father who is still alive. But– then– the ruler noticed that there were only ten of us and started questioning us about the other two.
JACOB:
Why would you tell this man anything about us?
REUBEN:
We had to tell him that the youngest was here and the other brother was no longer– alive.
JACOB:
And why did Simeon stay behind?
REUBEN:
The ruler was convinced that we were spies. And the only way he would believe or trust us is if- we left one brother behind, came home, and then- brought back- the youngest brother to him-
JACOB:
Benjamin?! No! You cannot take him away!
REUBEN:
If we do not– then Simeon stays in jail- in Egypt. And... Judah? Now what?
(Judah enters, very concerned.)
JUDAH:
We just opened all the bags of grain to make sure it was all good. It is. But– all our money- is in the bags.
JACOB:
Judah, did you not pay the Egyptians for the grain?
JUDAH:
Well, we did. But- I don’t understand. I don’t understand how our money is still with us. And now they will think that we stole the grain. We could all go to jail.
JACOB:
Joseph is no more, Simeon is gone, and now you will take Benjamin! If anything happened to Benjamin, it would kill me. So - no! that cannot happen.
(Jacob exits as fast as possible.)
REUBEN:
Father, you may put my two sons to death if I do not bring Benjamin back to you.
(speaking to Judah)
It is because of what we did to Joseph. Now because of that sin– I believe that God is punishing us.
(Reuben and Judah exit.)
BROOK:
So they’re just going to leave their brother Simeon stuck in jail? I cannot take this. What happens next?
(Darren turns a page. Jacob enters with Judah.)
JACOB:
We are running low on grain, again. You must go back-
JUDAH:
Father, you are forgetting, we cannot go back to Egypt unless we bring Benjamin with us. And if we do not get more grain, we will all die anyway. Look, I will take full responsibility for Benjamin.
JACOB:
If it must be so... But you must also bring gifts. The best of our land. A little balm, honey, aromatic gum, myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds. AND - take twice as much money! You must pay for now, as well as last time. Perhaps it was all just a mistake. But we do not want to look like thieves. And may God Almighty grant you compassion in the sight of that man!
(Judah nods and exits. Jacob slowly follows behind.)
DARREN:
I guess they had no choice but to take Benjamin. Let’s see how this ends.
(Darren turns page. Jacob enters and looks into the distance, curious but perplexed. Judah and Rueben enter.)
JACOB:
What? Now what? Where’s Benjamin? And Simeon?
REUBEN:
They are both fine. Well. We reached Egypt, and quickly explained to the ruler how our money had been found in the bags, so we brought enough money to pay twice. And- we gave him the gifts. Then he invited us to his house for a meal. And asked more questions about our family.
JACOB:
What is this man’s problem?! I hope you did not say too much.
JUDAH:
He was acting very strange. He kept rushing out- like he had to cry- or- throw up. Anyway, we were given our grain and we left. But we did not get very far when guards caught up to us and accused us of stealing a silver cup. They searched and found it– in the bag belonging to Benjamin.
JACOB:
You just said that he was fine.
JUDAH:
We were brought back to Egypt, where- I approached the ruler, fell to my face and BEGGED for mercy. And explained that our father would just die if anything happened to his son, Benjamin.
JACOB:
I will die right now if you do not get straight to the point.
REUBEN:
Joseph is still alive!
(Jacob sinks to the ground using his cane for support.)
JACOB:
What?
REUBEN:
This great ruler in Egypt– is Joseph. That is why he kept asking about us.
JACOB:
I – I am – I don’t – ah, I...
REUBEN:
Father, Joseph, himself, hugged us and forgave us-
JUDAH:
Joseph is very much alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt. And he wants us all to move to Egypt right now, where there is plenty of food. The Pharaoh himself has given us the best land in Egypt, as well as gifts.
REUBEN:
You do want to see Joseph, your favorite son, again? Yes?
JACOB:
How- how can I believe this is true?
REUBEN:
Before leaving, Joseph told us that what we meant for evil, God used for good. And then Joseph told us not to quarrel on the way over here.
JACOB:
Ha! That does sounds like Joseph. It is enough! My son Joseph is still alive. Yes, I will go and see him before I die.
(Jacob gets up with the help of Reuben and Judah and they all exit together.)
BROOK:
So they were saved from dying of starvation – basically because they had tried to kill their brother.
DARREN:
Obviously, even after we make mistakes, God can STILL carry out His plans.
BROOK:
And that is how the Israelites all wound up living in Egypt. And hey, Jacob’s name had become Israel. The twelve sons became the twelve tribes which make up the Israelites. Huh!
SCENE 3:
ENDING OPTION 3A:
(If using this as a stand-alone skit.)
DARREN:
(closing the Bible)
While God has a plan, even when we make huge mistakes, God is so very patient with us, and He will always help us and keep His promises!
BROOK:
(speaking as they exit)
And the whole family was back together again. I’m so glad God loves us that much to never give up on us!
ENDING OPTION 3B:
(If you are continuing on in the series.)
(Darren closes the Bible.)
DARREN:
While God has a plan, even when we make huge mistakes, God is so very patient with us, and He will always help us and keep His promises!
BROOK:
And the whole family was back together again. What a good ending to that true life story! And next time we will see if things continued to go well for them. I’m so glad God loves us that much to never give up on us!
(Brook comments as they exit.)
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