Character Trait: Creative

Meeting a need, a chore, or a task from a different point of view.

Perspective Challenge

Just because you are right, doesn’t mean the other person is wrong. They may just be looking at it a little differently. Let us not be so quick to argue or anger and instead listen

1. Hook: the Blocked Door (3 min)

Set up: Call up 9 volunteers.

stand in a line across the front of the stage.5 crowd:

each holds a corner of the blanket. The stuffed animal lies on it.4 friends:

You stand behind the crowd.

"This is your friend. He is sick. He cannot walk." "I can help him. Bring him to me." "But... no pushing!"

Let them try (about 1 minute). The crowd moves slowly to stay in the way. Most groups go around the end of the line. The audience cheers.

When they reach you:

"Wow! You found a new way. That is creative." "Creative means finding a new way to help."

Keep all 9 volunteers on stage.

Safety: Blanket stays low. If they try to lift it over heads, say "Around, not over!"

2. The story: Mark 2:1–4 (5 min)

Mark 2:1–12 … They came to him bringing a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they were not able to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and after digging through it, they lowered the mat on which the paralytic was lying.

Seeing their faith, Jesus he told the paralytic—“I tell you: get up, take your mat, and go home.” Immediately he got up, took the mat, and went out in front of everyone. As a result, they were all astounded and gave glory to God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!””

3. The surprise: Mark 2:5–12 (3 min)

Put the backpack on the blanket next to the stuffed animal. Turn the sign so everyone can read it: BAD THINGS I DID.

Script:

"The friends wanted Jesus to fix his legs."

"But Jesus said: "'Your sins are forgiven.'

"Sins are bad things we do, say, and think. Everybody has them." "Heavy?" (Let one friend lift the backpack.)(Yes!)

Say: "He came for new legs. Jesus gave him new legs and a clean heart."

4. Your crowd (2½ min)

Say: "Jesus is right here today. But sometimes there is a crowd in the way."

Hold up the 3 signs one at a time. The room reads each one out loud with you:

— "Homework. Tutoring. No time."BUSY

— "Always something to watch."PHONE

— "Jesus is not for me, he is for the West!

Say: "Which one is your crowd? Just think." (Pause 5 seconds.)

Call: "Door blocked?" Room: "Find the roof!"

Your roof (one simple step): "Read about Jesus yourself. Open the book of John. See who he is."

5. Close (1½ min)

Call it one last time: "Door blocked?" Room: "Find the roof!"

Prayer (short): "Jesus, thank you that you are right here. Help us find a new way to see you. Amen."

Takeaway: Students hand out the paper squares at the doors. Each one says: