~Act 1 ~ Tuesday ~
STEVIE: All right, have you got your full armour on?
DAVE: Yep.
STEVIE: Ok, let's get this dragon. And try not to get killed this time.
DAVE: Wait, wait… I Just need some more chips…
STEVIE: Oh yeah, better powerup!
[chips crunch]
STEVIE: Ok I'll count to three and I'll distract the dragon and you shoot it.
DAVE: Let’s do it!
STEVIE: OK. 1….2…. THREE!!
DAVE: Hey, wait up! I thought you meant after three!
STEVIE: It’s above you, Shoot it, shoot it!
DAVE: I can’t see it.
STEVIE: Oh, it’s got me.
DAVE: Augh nuts. Me to!
STEVIE: Oh man. That was over quick. This is so hard.
DAVE: We need to powerup our armour more I reckon.
STEVIE: Yeah, or eat more chips…
DAVE: Don’t mind if I do. I gotta go home. More Minecraft tomorrow?
STEVIE: Yeah, we should mine for more diamonds, so we can power up our amour to maximum.
DAVE: Sound’s good, can’t wait. See you at school. We can talk strategy at lunch time.
STEVIE: See ya, Dave.
DAVE: By!
[Dave leaves, Fiona enters]
FIONA: Hey Stevie, Can I borrow your headphones?
STEVIE: No. You’ll just break them.
FIONA: NO I WONT!
STEVIE: Fiona, you break everything! It’s like it’s all you know how to do.
FIONA: No I don’t
STEVIE: Well use YOUR headphones then!
FIONA: I can’t.
STEVIE: Why not?
FIONA: Because… I broke them.
STEVIE: See!
FIONA: But it wasn’t my fault.
STEVIE: You jumped into a swimming pool while wearing them, Fiona!
FIONA: I forgot I had them on! PLEEASE! I don’t need them very long. I’ll look after them and give them back later tonight. Promise I won’t go swimming with them!
STEVIE: OK. But if you break them, I’ll never lend you anything EVER again!
FIONA: Thanks, Stevie! You’re the best.
[Fiona leaves and Paul enters]
PAUL: Hi Stevie! How’s it going?
STEVIE: [sadly] Hi Pastor Paul. I’m ok.
PAUL: That wasn’t very convincing. Are you really ok?
STEVIE: [sadly] Yeah.
PAUL: Hmm, what’s up? You really don’t sound overly cheery.
STEVIE: Everything’s fine. But… oh you’ll think it’ silly.
PAUL: Maybe, but I like silly. What is it?
STEVIE: You’re a Christian, right, Pr Paul?
PAUL: Sure am!
STEVIE: I’m a Christian too
PAUL: Yeah, that’s great!
STEVIE: But the problem is… I don’t’ have any superpowers!
PAUL: You don’t have any super powers?
STEVIE: Told you you’d think it’s stupid.
PAUL: What super powers do you think you should have?
STEVIE: Well like the people in the Bible, they all seem to have super powers. Like Super strength Sampson, David killing the giant, Goliath, Moses parting the Red Sea, Elija bringing fire down from heaven, the disciples healing, I don’t have any superpowers like any of them.
PAUL: Oh, I see! You want to be like one of the Bible heroes?
STEVIE: Yeah. Why hasn’t God given me any of those super powers?
PAUL: Well, you say you’re a Christian, what do you actually do as a Christian?
STEVIE: Umm… my parents usually take me to church.
PAUL: Oh very good, and what else?
STEVIE: Ummm. I dunno. We usually say grace before we eat.
PAUL: I see. And…?
STEVIE: That’s it, I guess.
PAUL: I see. I think I know the problem.
STEVIE: You do!?
PAUL: Yeah! Sound’s like you need to powerup!
STEVIE: To powerup?? What do you mean?
PAUL: Well, those Bible heroes, they didn’t just go and do amazing things after just going to church each week. They would have powerupped, along the way.
STEVIE: Really?
PAUL: Yeah. In fact, I’ve been working on a machine that measures a person’s Christian powerups. Wanna see it?
STEVIE: See it? I wanna try it!
PAUL: It’s over here [unveils] TaDa!
STEVIE: Oh, that looks cool! How’s it work?
PAUL: All you have to do is say “I love Jesus” in here, and it will show your powerup level. Here, let me turn it on, and you can have a go.
[sound effects play, motors start]
PAUL: Ok, say “I love Jesus” in here
STEVIE: [fairly flat and unconvincing] I love Jesus….
[machine sound effect plays - shows 1 powerup on meter.]
STEVIE: How did I go?
PAUL: Well…. See here, this shows your powerups. It looks like you only have one powerup, and you probably got that because you go to church.
STEVIE: Really, I only get one measly powerup for going to church?
PAUL: Yeah. Sound’s like that’s your problem.
STEVIE: Why so low? Church goes for ages and I go EVERY WEEK!
PAUL: Going to church is actually very small part of being a Christian.
STEVIE: Well what other ways are there to powerup?
PAUL: Oh, there’s lots of ways, like reading you Bible, and praying
STEVIE: I do that already!
PAUL: Really? It’s not registering on the machine.
STEVIE: Well, I am…. Sometimes…. Very briefly.
PAUL: Oh, that could be it. You gotta pray
from your heart, not just say words, but really pray as if you’re talking to
your best friend.
And same with your Bible reading. You have to really read. Not just read the
words, but read the meaning of what the Bible is saying.
Prayer and Bible reading are not ‘tick box’ activities. You have to concentrate and be sincere.
STEVIE: I guess I do say the same things in my prayers, and they’re pretty short too.
PAUL: How about you have a go at some serious prayers to our loving God. Pray as if you’re talking to a best friend.
STEVIE: Yeah, ok.
PAUL: And also, read that Bible! Start in the new testament. Read just one of the stories, and try to see what you can learn about Jesus. Then come back tomorrow and we’ll test if you’ve powerupped!
STEVIE: Ok I will, thanks Paul! I’ll see you here tomorrow. Who knows, maybe I’ll have my super powers by then!
PAUL: Maybe! See you tomorrow!
[Paul leaves]
STEVIE: I found some diamond ore!
DAVE: Awesome, how many? I think I only need 3 more to fully powerup my armour.
STEVIE: Looks like two blocks.
DAVE: I’ll keep mining down here.
STEVIE: No there’s four blocks!
DAVE: Yeah! That’s it, I can craft my diamond helmet! Time to celebrate with some chips! Want some?
STEVIE: Yeah! [crunches] Have we got time to attack the dragon again?
DAVE: Oh, no. I’m late getting home. Just save it there.
STEVIE: I’ll go make some more arrows, then finish up. See you at school tomorrow.
DAVE: See ya.
STEVIE: Think I’ll put some music on, this could take a while. Hey, Fiona!.... Fiona!
FIONA: Yes, Stevie.
STEVIE: Can I have my headphones back? I need them.
FIONA: No.
STEVIE: Fiona, their MY headphones, Give them back.
FIONA: No, you can have them back… but….
STEVIE: But what? [ Pause then building anger] You BROKE THEM DIDN’T YOU!
FIONA: Maybee.
STEVIE: I KNEW I SHOULDN’T HAVE LENT THEM TO YOU. You break EVERYTHING!
FIONA: I didn’t mean to, Stevie! I was just riding my bike and….
STEVIE: And what, they fell off your head.
FIONA: Well, they didn’t fit very well over my helmet. Yeah they slipped off. And got caught in my wheel.
STEVIE: I’m never leanding anything to you EVER AGAIN!
FIONA: It’s not my fault!
STEVIE: What, is it my fault?
FIONA: Kinda.
STEVIE: How is it my fault, Fiona?
FIONA: Well, if your had earbuds I could borrow, instead of headphones, they wouldn’t have fallen out would they!
STEVIE: Don’t be stupid. You owe me some new headphones. Just go away!
FIONA: Sorry, Stevie.
STEVIE: Sorry nothing. Just get me some new headphones.
[Fiona leaves sadly]
STEVIE: Augh, sisters! I tell you, if I had super powers, I’d….
Oh yeah, I need to power up, like Pr Paul said.
What was it I needed to do to power up to be a bible super hero?
He said I needed to do what?
Can anyone remember?
Prayer was one of them! That’s right, what was the other one?
Bible study,
that’s it! Prayer and Bible study. I can do that.
Where’s my Bible. Fiona probably took it and broke it!
FIONA! Did you take my Bible.
[Fiona out of sight]
FIONA: Nope haven’t touched it, haven’t even seen it. Probably somewhere in your messy room.
STEVIE: Found it! Ok, open up and read. Numbers chapter 7: 30 - On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering.
His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering
OH MAN! I got no idea what this is talking about. Oh yeah. Where did Pr Paul say to start? New Testament!
Let’s go there. Let’s see, 1 Corinthians 6:19, what have we here. Read and focus:
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.
Ok so what does that mean? My body is a temple for the Holy Spirit… Honour god with my body. I suppose it’s saying I need to be healthy. Hmm, I guess that’s good advice.
So, I’ve read my bible, now I need to pray.
Dear God, thank you for a good day and for dying for me. Amen.
Now, I should have… oh, yeah, he said to pray serious, as if I’m talking to a best friend.
Dear Jesus, sorry for my quick prayers. I’ve never really thought about you’re actually listening to them. Thank you for keeping me safe again today, and that I could play with my friend Dave. And thank you for the Bible and the passage I just read about being healthy. Help me to be healthy for you. Anyway, I’ll talk to you again soon. Bye, I mean, Amen.
Well that felt like a better prayer. I hope God heard that one.
I wonder If I’ve powered up now? I’ll go see Pr Paul.
Hi Pr Paul!
PAUL: Hi Stevie, nice to see you again.
STEVIE: Can I have another go of your powerup machine?
PAUL: Sure. Do you think you’ll get a different reading today?
STEVIE: I do! I’ve prayed today, like praying to a friend. It was cool. I’d never thought about God might actually be listening like a friend when I pray.
PAUL: Yes, that’s it!
STEVIE: It wasn’t a very long prayer though.
PAUL: Hey if it’s from your heart, and not just habit, God loves it. And the more you get to know Him, the easier and longer your prayer chat’s with God will probably be. Just like you can talk for ages with a good friend.
STEVIE: Oh, and I read a bit of the Bible too and tried to figure out what it meant.
PAUL: Wonderful! Oh well, let’s start the machine and see what your powerup level is today.
STEVIE: Great! I bet it will be maximum today!
[machine powers up SFX]
PAUL: Ok it’s ready, just say ‘I love Jesus’ in here, like last time.
STEVIE: [mildly enthusiastic] I love Jesus
[machine sound effect plays - shows 3 powerup on meter.]
PAUL: Wow, that is an improvement, Stevie!
STEVIE: So, do I have enough powerups to have super powers yet?
PAUL: Well, You certainly have enough for a bit of God’s power in your life today, but you can certainly get a lot higher.
STEVIE: Really? But I read my Bible, trying to understand it, and prayed seriously – like you said!
PAUL: Yes, and you have more powerups now, but there’s many more things you can do to power up more.
STEVIE: Like, what else can I do?
PAUL: Well, another one some people overlook is to be healthy.
STEVIE: Healthy?
PAUL: Yeah, like in 1 Corinthians, it says our body is a temple for the Holy spirit and we should glorify God with….
STEVIE: …with our body – hey that was the verse I read today!!
PAUL: There you go! Sound’s like God was trying to talk to you!
STEVIE: Wow! That’s cool! So, how can I actually do that?
PAUL: Well, you could start with exercise and doing things that are active and not just sitting around, getting enough sleep, and also by eating healthily.
STEVIE: And then you reckon that will give me some more powerups?
PAUL: I do. But, it will be hard to change your habits! You might want to pray for help with that too.
STEVIE: Ok, thanks Pr Paul, I’ll give that a go tomorrow.
~ ACT 3 ~ Thursday ~
FIONA: Hey Steve, can I borrow your Head torch?
STEVIE: No.
FIONA: Oh come on.
STEVIE: Use the new one mum bought you.
FIONA: I can’t… It’s broken.
STEVIE: Well, you’re not breaking mine.
FIONA: Come on, PLEASE! It’s only for a minute
STEVIE: No, Fiona. Like I said, I’m never lending you anything ever again.
FIONA: I said I was sorry. Just for a minute. PLEEEEASE?
STEVIE: No, never again.
FIONA: Humph.
[Fiona leaves, Dave enters]
DAVE: Hi Stevie! Ready to finally kill that dragon tonight?
STEVIE: Yeah!
DAVE: I brought some powerup chips
STEVIE: [contemplatively to himself] Powerup…. What did Pr Paul say, I needed to do again to power up? Prayer, Bible study and what were the next two?
[to audience] what was the next thing?
Oh year, exercise, and eat healthy.
DAVE: Ready Stevie, two hours of chips and gaming, 5th day in a row! Surely tonight’s the night!
STEVIE: 5 days of 2 hours sitting playing?
DAVE: And 5th bag of chips!
STEVIE: Crumbs.
DAVE: Nothing your dad can’t vacuum
STEVIE: [mutters] Exercise and healthy eating…. [ to Dave] Um, how about we go play some soccer out the back today.
DAVE: Um, but, we just powerupped our armour to full – we can finally beat that dragon!
STEVIE: Yeah… nah. Let’s get some exercise this arvo. Play another time.
DAVE: Ok.
STEVIE: Here, let’s take an apple.
DAVE: An apple? No thanks, I’ll just take the chips.
STEVIE: Ok, I’m powerupping with an apple though. All right you go that end. Hit the other person’s fence and you get a goal.
DAVE: Ok. I’m starting.
[while they talk, Soccer ball is thrown up into view, flying from left to right to left, in the puppet stage area between the puppets on either side – thrown and caught by two hidden stage hands.]
STEVIE: How’s your dad going, Dave?
DAVE: Not great. His back is still really sore. He’s in bed most days.
STEVIE: Oh that’s bad.
DAVE: Yeah, Our place is such a mess. The lawn needs mowing, Car needs washing, Gates need painting, rubbish bins need emptying, house needs vacuuming, dishes need washing.
STEVIE: What about your mum?
DAVE: Well… she moved out a month ago.
STEVIE: Oh, I’m so sorry. I had no idea about all this.
DAVE: We’ll get there. I should probably go home and make dad some dinner.
STEVIE: Ok. See you tomorrow.
DAVE: Yeah, see ya.
[Dave leaves Pr Paul enters]
PAUL: Hey, Stevie.
STEVIE: Hi Pastor Paul.
PAUL: How’s your quest to powerup going?
STEVIE: GOOD! I read another passage this morning, about the good Samaritan, and spent some time praying to my friend God.
PAUL: Great, and what about exercise and healthy eating
STEVIE: Oh yeah. Instead of playing Minecraft this afternoon I played soccer, and instead of chips I ate an apple!
PAUL: Wow, you’re doing great. It’s hard to overcome old habits so you’ve done very well! How’s it feel?
STEVIE: Yeah, I do feel more powered up, I reckon. Can I do another test?
PAUL: Sure! Lets start up the machine
[power SFX]
PAUL: Ok, you know what to do.
STEVIE: [with some energy and conviction] I love Jesus
[machine sound effect plays - shows 5 powerup on meter.]
PAUL: Wow, look at that, you’re up to 5 powerups!
STEVIE: Is that good?
PAUL: Well, it’s better than only having one, like you did two days ago.
STEVIE: I am feeling closer to God and stronger, yeah.
PAUL: Great! Do you want to power up some more?
STEVIE: More?!! How high’s this go?
PAUL: You’d be surprised.
STEVIE: Sure, what else can I do?
PAUL: So what are your current powerups?
STEVIE: Bible reading, Prayer, exercise and healthy eating.
PAUL: Ok. I know two more big ones. You need to serve others, and to share Jesus with others.
STEVIE: Oh, that sounds a little scary.
PAUL: It does, doesn’t it. But looking at your powerup meter, I reckon you have enough powerups to be able to start helping others, and sharing Jesus.
STEVIE: Ok, I’ll do that. I don’t think I know anyone who needs any help though.
PAUL: You’d be surprised. There’s a lot of people who need help. Many you’ll have no idea about.
STEVIE: Those powerups sound hard.
PAUL: They are, if you don’t have any powerups already, but you do!
STEVIE: So when I reach level 7 of powerups, does that mean I can go to heaven.
PAUL: No
STEVIE: WHAT!!!! How many levels are there?
PAUL: I’m not sure, actually, but it’s not earning powerups that gets’ you to heaven. You just have to accept Jesus gift of life for that, and follow him. The powerups just show how much you’re living your best according to what God wants for us.
STEVIE: Alright I’ll see who I can find to help. Thanks Pr Paul.
PAUL: No problems. I’m loving seeing your enthusiasm. It really looks like God is growing in your heart. I’ll see you later, and we can see if you can get to the top of the powerup machine.
STEVIE: I will, you watch! See ya.
~ ACT 4 ~ Friday ~
FIONA: Hey Stevie, can I borrow your Head torch?
STEVIE: No, Of course not!
FIONA: Why not?
STEVIE: Because I said you can never borrow anything ever again, remember!
FIONA: But why?
STEVIE: Because last time you borrowed something you broke it!
FIONA: I said I was sorry.
STEVIE: Doesn’t matter.
FIONA: Well, that’s not fair!
STEVIE: Not fair is breaking my stuff!
FIONA: I didn’t mean to!
STEVIE: Doesn’t matter.
FIONA: You’re not very nice, Stevie.
STEVIE: You’re the one breaking stuff, you think that’s being nice?
FIONA: I DIDN’T MEAN TO!
STEVIE: Whatever, doesn’t matter.
FIONA: You’re mean.
[Fiona leaves]
STEVIE: Mean is breaking other people’s stuff!
FIONA: [from far away calls out] Didn’t mean to.
[Dave comes in]
DAVE: Hi Stevie! Ready for some dragon killing?
STEVIE: I don’t’ want her dead.
DAVE: What??
STEVIE: Oh, Minecraft! I though you talking about my pest of a sister.
DAVE: Fiona? She’s sweet.
STEVIE: Sweet? Sweet until she starts breaking your stuff.
DAVE: What did she do?
STEVIE: I don’t even remember anymore. She broke something I lent her.
DAVE: I can’t imagine her doing anything like that on purpose.
STEVIE: What you’re on her side too?
DAVE: I don’t know. I just came to play Minecraft. I gotta get out of the house. It’s just depressing how terrible our place looks.
STEVIE: Why don’t you just clean it up for your dad?
DAVE: Between homework and cooking and washing clothes, I don’t have time.
STEVIE: You’ve got time to come over here?
DAVE: If I didn’t come over here for a break, I’d go crazy, Stevie. Without mum around to help while Dad’s injured, we just can’t get it all done.
STEVIE: [to himself] Oh, Pr Paul said serving others is a way to power up. Maybe I could….? [to Dave] Hey Dave, what if instead of Minecraft I come over and help for a bit?
DAVE: Really? You don’t have to. I wasn’t asking you to.
STEVIE: NO it’s fine, The Bible says we should help others, and you need help!
DAVE: The Bible? You actually read that thing?
STEVIE: Yeah. More so recently.
DAVE: I knew you went to church and your parents wouldn’t let you come to football on Saturdays, but I thought that was just because your parents made you.
STEVIE: Used to be. But I’m starting to see how real it all is. You should come some day.
DAVE: I got too much housework to do on the weekends.
STEVIE: Well, I’m coming over now to help, so maybe you’ll have some time now.
DAVE: I guess so. Well, if you’re really coming over to help, let me go home and get some stuff ready for you.
STEVIE: Sure. I’ll come around in a bit.
PAUL: DAVE: Thanks Stevie. You’re different to my other friends.
STEVIE: Good different I hope,
DAVE: Ha! Mostly.
STEVIE: I’ll see you soon.
[Dave leaves, Pr Paul enters]
PAUL: Hi Stevie
STEVIE: Oh, hi Pr Paul,
PAUL: You don’t’ sound too happy to see me today? What’s up?
STEVIE: Oh, I just forgot to do those powerups you mentioned yesterday.
PAUL: You haven’t done any powerups today??
STEVIE: Oh, no, I’ve done my Bible reading for today, and a prayer with God – though I almost forgot. And I played sport at lunch instead of computers in the library, and bought a fruit salad from the canteen instead of chips.
PAUL: Wow, sounds like some good powerups there.
STEVIE: I can’t even remember what the new powerups were.
PAUL: Hmm what were they?
STEVIE: [to audience] Does anyone remember what the new powerups were?
That’s
right, Serving others, and the other was?...
Yes, Sharing Jesus!
PAUL: Yes, that was them.
STEVIE: Yeah, so I haven’t done those.
PAUL: Oh I see. So you don’t want to do a powerup test today?
STEVIE: I guess not.
PAUL: Ok, well, you can come back any time you want to test.
STEVIE: Actually, can I have a go anyway? It is kinda cool
PAUL: Sure. Let me start it up.
[machine sound fx]
PAUL: It’s ready. Do you remember what to say?
STEVIE: Yep. [ into machine with general joy] I love Jesus
[machine sound effect plays - shows 7 powerup on meter.]
PAUL: WOW, Stevie, look!
STEVIE: Wait, what?
PAUL: You’re up to seven powerups!
STEVIE: How can that be? What are they?
PAUL: Let me look….. It says…. You go to church, you sincerely read your bible, you sincerely pray, you exercise, you eat well, AND it says you have served others, AND told them about Jesus!
STEVIE: What?? When??
PAUL: I don’t know, it doesn’t tell me that.
STEVIE: When did I serve someone, and tell someone about Jesus?
PAUL: Try thinking back.
STEVIE: ….. nup don’t know.
PAUL: Humm, that’s odd. Maybe the machine is broken?
STEVIE: Bummer. Oh well, I gotta go help Dave clean up at his house. See you pastor Paul
PAUL: What did you say?
STEVIE: I said see you, Pr Paul.
PAUL: No before that.
STEVIE: I’m going to Daves house to help…. OH!!
PAUL: That’s it! Serving others.
STEVIE: Oh yeah! But I haven’t actually gone to help yet.
PAUL: No, but the machine reads your heart. It’s not your actions the machine reads. It’s your heart behind the actions. If you pray without meaning it, it won’t register as a powerup, If you read the Bible without trying to understand it or see Jesus, then it won’t register a powerup. So if you’re having compassion on Dave and are planning to go and help, then it registers as a powerup!
STEVIE: Oh!
PAUL: God cares more about our hearts than our actions. It’s just that usually when we have a good heart, it leads to good actions, so it looks like it’s the works that are the good thing, but it’s your love that is good.
STEVIE: So I don’t actually have to go and help Dave then. I get that powerup from just saying I’ll help him?
PAUL: NO, The powerup only counts if you mean it in your heart. And it’s because you mean it that you’ll do it. Are you actually going to avoid helping Dave now?
STEVIE: No, he needs my help. You should hear what it’s like over there.
PAUL: See, your heart is in it. Your love and compassion on Dave’s family has registered the powerup!
STEVIE: Right. I kind of get it. But want about the sharing Jesus Powerup, when did I do that?
PAUL: Have you talked to anyone about Jesus today? Maybe Dave?
STEVIE: Oh yeah, I did mention about coming to church with me, and that I like to read the Bible.
PAUL: Well, there you go, the machine is right after all!
STEVIE: Well. I gotta go help Dave, but what’s next then. Is that all the powerups?
PAUL: Oh, there’s lots of ways to powerup and become closer to God, but let me give you just one challenging one this time to try.
STEVIE: Just one? Sure. How hard can it be!
PAUL: Forgiveness.
STEVIE: Forgiveness?
PAUL: Yep. Letting go of anger towards someone for what they have done.
STEVIE: Oh, ok. That doesn’t sound too hard. I mean I guess I can forgive Dave for something. Not sure what.
PAUL: Keep your eyes opened. This is a hard one! Usually it involves someone who’s hurt you.
STEVIE: Ok, Pr Steve. I’ll keep looking out. See ya!
~ ACT 5 ~ Sabbath ~
FIONA: Hey Stevie, can I borrow your Head torch?
STEVIE: No!
FIONA: Come on Stevie. I don’t need it very long!
STEVIE: No, no, no, no, NO! Stop asking.
FIONA: But why!
STEVIE: I’ve told you a million times. Last time you borrowed something you broke it!
FIONA: I said sorry.
STEVIE: Go away, I’m, busy!
FIONA: Fine.
[Fiona leaves]
STEVIE: Sisters! MAN!
So big powerup day today!
I’m off to
church, that’s 1 powerup.
I’ve served others by helping Dave with cleaning up his house, that’s 2
powerups.
I’ve invited Dave to Church, AND he’s going to come! That’s 3 powerups.
I’ve played some sport instead of video games, that’s 4 powerups.
And I ate all the salad my mum served me, even though I don’t really enjoy it, that’s 5 powerups.
Oh, I have to read my Bible! I’ll do that now. New testament. Luke 9:
One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.
Jesus gave them power? Like bonus powerups I guess?
Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Wow, so, these disciples must have had some big powerups to heal the sick! I wonder how I can get these bonus powerups too. I’d love to heal Daves dad. Interesting. I wonder if that’s possible. I’m going to have to read more on this.
Ok, so I’ve
done some bible reading. That’s powerup number six.
What’s left….
[to audience] What’s left guys?
Oh yeah! Prayer, of course. That will be number 7 I forgot to do that this morning.
And what was the new one Pr Paul gave me yesterday? FORGIVENESS!
That’s it! But he said that would be a hard one. Who to forgive, who to forgive? I can see why it’s hard. How can you forgive if there’s no one to forgive?
Maybe I can
pray about this! Ok.
Dear God, thank you that I have been able to help Dave’s family, and please
help Dave’s dad to get better, and if there’s anything I can do to help him,
help me to think of it. Thank you that Dave is coming to church today for the
first time. Help him to make some friends and have a good time so he will want
to come back and so he can learn more about you and discover how awesome you
are. And please help me to find someone to forgive. If there’s anyone I should
be forgiving please point that out to me…
FIONA: Hey Stevie!
STEVIE: And help me to forgive them when I do figure out who I need to forgive, but if you can help me find someone to forgive so I can powerup
FIONA: Stevie!?
STEVIE: that would be great, gota go. Love you God. Amen.
FIONA: Oh there you are, Stevie.
STEVIE: [unimpressed] Yes, here, I, am.
FIONA: Can I please borrow…
STEVIE: NO!
FIONA: You don’t even know what I was going to ask!
STEVIE: Doesn’t matter, it’s a no!
FIONA: Oh, why won’t you forgive me Stevie!
STEVIE: I won’t forgive you because…”
[Stevie pauses and slowly looks at audience and then back to Fiona. Then lets out a sigh]
STEVIE: [quietly] I forgive you.
FIONA: You’re so mean.
STEVIE: I forgive you.
FIONA: I never meant to…. what??
STEVIE: I forgive you, Fiona.
FIONA: You forgive me?!
STEVIE: Yes.
FIONA: Oh, thanks Stevie. You’re the best brother ever.
STEVIE: What is it you want to borrow?
FIONA: Oh, well it is your head torch still, actually.
STEVIE: Thought so! Sure. You can borrow my head torch. Please be careful with it.
FIONA: I’m always careful, Stevie.
STEVIE: I know. That’s what worries me.
FIONA: Thanks Stevie!
[Fiona leaves, Pr Paul enters.]
STEVIE: Pr Paul, Pr Paul!! I did it!
PAUL: Hey, Stevie, what have you done.
STEVIE: I found someone to forgive! I got the next powerup!
PAUL: Oh well done! Was forgiveness a hard one?
STEVIE: Sure was. It feels great to forgive. I didn’t like being angry at my sister.
PAUL: Yes, Forgiveness is often as much for your benefit than it is for the other persons!
STEVIE: Can I try the powerup machine again, please!
PAUL: Sure! Let’s start it up!
[Machine fx]
PAUL: Ok, you know what to say. Go for it.
STEVIE: [full of energy and conviction.] I love Jesus!
[machine sound effect plays - shows 9 powerup on meter.]
PAUL: Hey, fantastic powerup score, Stevie. How are you feeling about God now?
STEVIE: Oh, I feel different. I want to learn more, I want to talk more with Him. I want to help others more, I want to tell others more about Him.
PAUL: Yeah. That’s what it’s all about – you’re feeling the power of God in your life!
STEVIE: Is that what it is? You know at the start I just wanted to get some magical powers from God, like it looked as if the Bible heroes all had. But now I just want to serve, and if He calls me I’m ready to help.
PAUL: That’s great. And yes, if you’re needed, the Holy spirit can give you such power to do miraculous things. But that doesn’t happen that often – usually it’s many, many little things we’re called to do.
STEVIE: Oh right.
PAUL: You know, it sounds like you have really made a decision to love and serve God. Have you thought about being baptised?
STEVIE: Baptised? I’m not good enough for that yet. I said some nasty things to my sister today even.
PAUL: Oh, you don’t need to be perfect to be baptised. Otherwise NO ONE would be able to be baptised.
STEVIE: Oh.
PAUL: Yeah, all you have to do is decide that God is the one you want to serve in your life more than anything else in the world, and be ready to tell the world that that is your decision.
STEVIE: Yeah. But what if sometimes I forget to power up? I don’t’ think I’m going to get that perfect every day.
PAUL: Ha! No one’s perfect at powering up.
STEVIE: Unless you’re a pastor, I know.
PAUL: NO! Not even pastors are perfect at powering up. We are passionate about serving Jesus, but we make mistakes too. We can find it hard to forgive people, can find it hard to eat healthy, find it hard to find time to even read the Bible sometimes, we get so busy!
STEVIE: Oh, so you’re’ not perfect at powerups?
PAUL: I want to be, but I am human, just like you.
STEVIE: Oh. Well there you go.
PAUL: So, think about Baptism, Stevie. We can do some Bible studies to make sure you understand God’s love for you, but sounds like You’re really starting to get it.
STEVIE: I’d like that, Pr Paul.
PAUL: Great! We’ll organise a time to meet up. I have to go right now. Get your parents to call me.
STEVIE: I will, thanks Pr Paul. See ya!
PAUL: See you, Stevie
[Pr Paul leaves, and we here Fiona before we see her arrive…]
FIONA: Hey Stevie, wanna see something?
STEVIE: Sure, Fiona.
FIONA: Look.
[Fiona appears, whit head torch on, and spinning slowly around]
STEVIE: What are you doing?
FIONA: I’m a light house!
STEVIE: Very good, Fiona.
FIONA: Here, you can have your head torch back.
STEVIE: No, I said you can borrow it.
FIONA: Nope, I’m done. That’s all I wanted it for.
STEVIE: That was it?
FIONA: Hey, what’s that machine over there?
STEVIE: Oh, that’s a powerup machine. Looks like Pr Paul left it on.
I wonder how we turn it off?
FIONA: A powerup machine, that’s funny.
STEVIE: It’s not funny, it’s very serious.
FIONA: How’s it work?
STEVIE: Oh, you just say I Love Jesus, in this end and it tells you how many powerups you have, and that shows how close you’re becoming to God.
FIONA: You say it in here?
STEVIE: No don’t, you’ll break it…
FIONA: [with great innocent and energetic joy] I love Jesus!
STEVIE: Oh no.
[machine powers up, Sound FX and goes to maximum, and breaks down]
FIONA: Oh no.
STEVIE: Fiona!
FIONA: I didn’t mean to! I just really love Jesus. He’s my star. My best friend!
[start to leave]
STEVIE: Let’s go find Pr Paul
BOTH: By everyone!
FIONA: Do you think he’ll forgive me?
STEVIE: I think he will.
Presentation: Greater Sydney Big Camp - Juniors Tent - April 22-26, 2025