(scene: several rows of chairs facing podium)
(Student and an unspecified number of other students carrying Bibles enter one or two at a time, sit, leaving chair closest to audience empty, except in the first row, where Student sits)
TEACHER -- (enters carrying Bible and notes, crosses to podium) Hello everybody.
ALL -- (shout various greetings)
TEACHER -- Did you all study this week's scripture passages?
ALL -- (shout various affirmatives)
TEACHER -- Good. Let's study the Bible then. Open to Galatians 5:1.
(all comply)
TEACHER -- Who wants to read the verse?
(several raise hands)
TEACHER -- (points) Okay.
STUDENT -- (stands) "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
BAG LADY -- (enters pushing loaded shopping cart or carrying several bulging bags)
TEACHER -- May I help you?
BAG LADY -- Ah, no, it... it started raining outside so I came in to keep dry. Am I interrupting something?
TEACHER -- This is a Bible study. Would you like to join us?
BAG LADY -- Oh,... sure. (leaves bags, sits in last row closest to audience, begins silently begging for money from a student in the row ahead)
TEACHER -- Please read the verse again.
STUDENT -- "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."
TEACHER -- While you're up, why don't you read John 8:36 too?
STUDENT -- Oh, sure. (flips quickly to marked pages) "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed". (sits)
BAG LADY -- (stands, bends, begs more aggressively for money from the student in the row ahead)
TEACHER -- Okay. Can anyone tell us what freedom is? (points at Bag lady) Yes, would you like to tell us what freedom is?
BAG LADY -- Who? Me?
TEACHER -- Yes. Can you tell us what freedom is?
BAG LADY -- (straightens) Yes, well, I'd say I'm pretty much an expert on freedom. Freedom is not being tied down... you know, tied down to house payments and car payments, and utility bills. I'd say it's not being shackled by house work and paper work and school work. (moves forward one row, sits, begins begging for money from the student in the row ahead)
TEACHER -- Is that all there is to freedom in your opinion?
BAG LADY -- (oblivious, stands bending, points to own open palm, begs silently)
TEACHER -- I say, is it your opinion that that's all there is to freedom?
BAG LADY -- (straightens) Oh, you're talking to me?
TEACHER -- Yes.
BAG LADY -- Oh, there's a lot more to freedom. I'd say freedom is also not being a slave to fashion, like being able to wear a white dress after labour day or being able to order red wine with fish. (moves forward one row, sits, begs for money from the row ahead)
TEACHER -- I see. And would you say that your lifestyle characterizes freedom?
BAG LADY -- (oblivious, stands bending, points to own open palm, begs silently)
TEACHER -- I say, would you say that your lifestyle characterizes freedom?
BAG LADY -- (straightens) Oh, you're talking to me?
TEACHER -- Yes.
BAG LADY -- Oh. Yeah. I'd say that freedom doesn't get much more free than me. I mean, I don't punch a time clock. (moves forward one row, sits, begs for money from Student in front row)
TEACHER -- Does anyone else think they know what freedom is?
STUDENT -- (raises hand)
TEACHER -- Yes?
STUDENT -- (stands) I think when we talk about freedom, we should look to Jesus for an example.
TEACHER -- And how did Jesus exhibit freedom?
STUDENT -- In two ways, I think. First, freedom is upward mobility, the ability to do great things. For example, Jesus was a carpenter by trade, yet, he became so famous that they changed the calendar to start at the date of his birth and they still celebrate both his birth and his death all around the world to this day. (sits)
TEACHER -- (point to Bag lady) What about you? Do you think your brand of freedom gives you upward mobility? Do you have the expectation of greatness?
BAG LADY -- Not unless an armoured truck spills its load.
TEACHER -- Okay, (points to Student) you mentioned TWO ways Jesus exhibited freedom.
STUDENT -- (stands) Oh, yes, the other freedom is the freedom to give up small things in order to reach for greater things.
TEACHER -- Can you give us an example?
STUDENT -- Yes. Jesus was God. He had all the power in the universe, but he gave it up and relied on God the Father as his source of power in order to make us all free.
TEACHER -- Good. How about another example?
STUDENT -- Sure. Jesus gave up his life in order to give us life for all eternity.
TEACHER -- Two good examples of freedom. (points to Bag lady) How about you?
BAG LADY -- Me?
TEACHER -- Yes.
BAG LADY -- What about me?
TEACHER -- You said you exhibit freedom. What freedoms could you give up to achieve even greater freedoms?
BAG LADY -- I don't have anything to give up.
TEACHER -- Then, can you say that you are truly free?
BAG LADY -- (crossing to exit) I'm free to leave.
TEACHER -- But it's raining outside.
BAG LADY -- (turns) Yeah, well, what do you want for nothing? (exits)
ALL -- (exit opposite praising Student)
-Bob Snook-
Please comment and share with me ... and others who read this ... what in your opinion would you say is true freedom?
Picture found on Google
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