Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Drama Workshop

Summary of Lesson Activities:

Children will use a script called "Babylonian Idol".

Editor's Note: As originally posted, the writer had the kids rehearse on Sunday and perform the play at their Wednesday fellowship group. We've made a slight modification to fit it into a Sunday lesson lasting 40 minutes or more.

Memory Verse: Romans 8:28
"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him."
He appointed them to be saved in keeping with his purpose.

Lesson Objectives:

• Children will act out a fun modern day version of the fiery furnace story.
• Children will discuss doing what’s right even when it’s hard.

Leader Preparation:

• Read the scripture ahead of time.
• Gather the materials.

Supply List:

• Golden Idol costume
• Mic for host
• Table and chairs for judges
• Tour Guide

Presentation

Opening-Welcome and Lesson Introduction:

Greet the children and introduce yourself.

Open with a prayer.

Dig-Main Content and Reflection:

How will you act when your parents and Sunday School teachers aren’t there and you are asked to do something that is wrong?

Lesson:

1. Read Daniel 3 from the Adventure Bible.

2. Ask the following questions:

• What were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego asked to do that they were taught was wrong? (bowing down to the king’s statue)
• Did they change their minds about obeying the king when they were brought before him? Why or why not? (They knew it was wrong and they knew God could save them)
• What happened when they were thrown in the furnace? (they didn’t burn; a fourth man also appeared in the fire)
• How did the king feel about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s true God after they survived the furnace? (He made it a law that no one could say anything bad about God)

3. Discussion: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s parents weren’t there when they faced King Nebuchadnezzar and his fiery furnace but they still did what was right. How will you act when your parents and Sunday School teachers aren’t there and you are asked to do something that is wrong? (Ask for some examples of times when they will have to “Bow or Burn.” I.e.- When people are gossiping about someone else. When a friend is watching a TV show you’re not supposed to watch. When friends are trying to get you to break a class rule, like chewing gum in class or cheating on a test.)

4. Pass out the scripts and assign parts and rehearse.

Script: "Babylonian Idol"

Characters:
Host
3 Judges
Shad
Mechelle
Abe
Golden “Idol”

Props/Costumes:
Golden Idol costume
Mic for host
Table and chairs for judges

Setting:

The skit is set up like the American Idol show. It begins with the host standing center stage and the judges sitting at a table over to the side. Position the table diagonally so that the judges are looking at the contestants but can also be seen by the audience.

Host:

Welcome back to Babylonian Idol! During the commercial break, we counted up the votes and we have now narrowed it down to our final three contestants. Would you like for me to bring them on stage? All right. Here they are…Shad, Mechelle, and Abe!

(Shad, Mechelle, and Abe walk onto the stage, waving at the audience, and stand by the host.)

Host:

I know we’ve chosen songs for you and had the Babylonian people at home call in and vote for the past several weeks, but tonight we’re going to do things a little differently. We want to see if you are worthy to be called the next “Babylonian Idol.” Our judges will be asking you each a question and the people will vote based on your answers. Shad step forward. (Shad stands next to host.) How are you? Are you feeling nervous?

Shad:

No. I’m ok. My parents have prepared me for this moment all of my life. I’m ready!

Host:

Great! Let’s begin. Judges?

Judge #1:

Hey, Shad! I’m so proud of you! You know I’ve been pulling for you all season, right? So don’t let me down. Here’s your question:
If you were walking along the street and found a wallet on the ground that was full of money, what would you buy with all of that money?
a. A fur coat
b. Snakeskin boots
c. A golden necklace with the letter S

Shad:

Well…I wouldn’t buy anything.

(Judges all gasp)

Judge #1: Nothing!?

Shad:

I would try to find the owner of the wallet.

Host:

Okay…(shaking his head and ushering Shad back to his place in line.) Mechelle, why don’t you come on up and show Shad how to play the game?

(Mechelle stands next to host)

Host:

Judges, what’s Mechelle’s question?

Judge #2:

(Do a Bristish accent, if you can.) Mechelle, I didn’t vote for you at the auditions and I never thought you had any talent. I’m not expecting much from you here either. Here’s your question:
Your agent just called and wants you to try out for a rated-R movie. Which movie would you audition for?
a. Let’s Shoot Everybody
b. Run Them Over With Your Car
c. Halloween 18

Mechelle:

Well…I wouldn’t choose any of those.

(Judges gasp.)

Judge #2:

Not surprising…

Host: Why?!

Mechelle:

My mom won’t let me see rated R movies. And those movies don't sound uplifting.

Host:

All right, Mechelle…(shaking his head and ushering her back in line.) We’ve got one more contestant here. Abe, come on up!

(Abe stands next to host)

Host:

Judges?

Judge #3:

Yo, dog! You’ve brought the love here every night, dog. Let’s see what you’ve got tonight! Here’s your question:
The fans are swarming all around you. You’re signing autographs and people are screaming your name. Suddenly you see someone you go to school with. This guy doesn’t have any friends…you know a real loser. Some other people are pushing him trying to get closer to you, but he keeps calling your name. To make yourself look really cool in front of your fans, do you:
a. Just ignore him and act like you’ve never seen him before
b. Walk past him and push him like everybody else
c. Call him a dork and high five everybody nearby

Abe:

Well…I wouldn’t do any of those things.

(Judges gasp.)

Judge #3: Yo, dog!

Host: Why?!

Abe:

I don’t treat people like that.

Host:

Okay, folks. (Abe joins the others in line.) It’s time for you to call or text in your votes. This should be very interesting to see how this all turns out. While we’re counting up the votes, judges give us your thoughts.

Judge #1:

I think they’re all really special people, but I just don’t know if they have what it takes to be the next Babylonian Idol.

Judge #3:

Yo, dog, I know what you mean! They’ve got to live the life of the world, dog.

Judge #2:

None of them deserve to win as far as I’m concerned. All I have to say is “YAWN!”

Host:

(Holding his hand on his ear) We’ve just got word that the results are in. The winner of this year’s Babylonian Idol is…(shocked) nobody. It’s a three-way-tie. You each got only one vote and that was just from your own moms.

(Shad, Mechelle, and Abe high five and hug each other.)

Host:

Luckily we have a way to do a tie-breaker. Bring out the Idol.

(Golden Idol walks out then freezes like a statue.)

Host:

When you hear the trumpet and then the music plays, we want you to bow down to this idol. The judges will decide who does the best bowing and groveling and that person will win. Are you ready?

Shad:

Are you kidding?!

Mechelle:

There’s no way I’m going to bow down to that thing.

Host:

If you don’t do it, you will lose everything!

Abe:

No. If we bow down to that statue we will lose everything that really matters.

Mechelle:

We don’t want to worship your idols or be worshipped by others either.

Shad:

The only one who is worthy of being worshipped is God.

Abe:

We’re out of here!

(Shad, Mechelle, and Abe walk off stage.)

Host:

I’ve never seen anything like this before. What is Babylon coming to? What would we be without our idols? (Put hand to ear)

This just in:
1 Samuel 12:21-Do not follow after idols. They can do you no good… because they are useless.
and
Psalm 96:5 The gods of other nations are mere idols, but the Lord made the heavens!
Well, that’s all our time tonight. Thanks for watching and join us next time for Babylonian Idol!

Suggestions:  

Project this script large on the wall. You can do this by either using an LCD or overhead projector. This will turn the script into "cue cards" for all the players and leave their hands free.

Videotape the skit. If time, do it twice changing roles. Leave time to view.

The "Babylonian Idol" script is fun, and a take-off of the currently popular "American Idol" TV show.

A lesson written by Abby Rosser from: North Boulevard Church of Christ

Murfreesboro, TN

A representative of Rotation.org reformatted this post to improve readability.