(WT) Jesus and Nicodemus: Drama Workshop

Rotation.org Writing Team

Jesus and Nicodemus: How to See the Kingdom

Drama Workshop

Summary of Activities

Students will perform a skit that highlights the God perspective "from above" that Jesus says we need in order to see and participate in ("enter") his Kingdom! This concept will be represented by various types of "eyeglasses" in the skit.

As part of the skit's fun and to help them memorize Jesus' key point about the perspective we need, students will be taught to shout "gennatha anothen !" –which are the actual Greek words from John 3:3 that mean "genesis from the top/above."

As part of the skit, students will receive and write on a pair of "God Goggles" (99 cent safety glasses) to take home as a reminder to see the world from God's point of view.

Scripture

John 3:1-5, 9, 10, The story of Nicodemus and Jesus. For the purposes of this lesson and drama, we're skipping verses 6-8. We're including verses 9 and 10 because it's a super memorable and fun line Jesus delivers (sort of like, "Are you kidding me?").

Key Verse: Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being GENNATHA ANOTHEN (born from above).” (John 3:4 NRSV)

Lesson Objectives

See the Bible Background at rotation.org for this set's complete list of objectives.

Note: This lesson plan contains a nice walk-through of the Bible verses with questions that help explain the story. It could be used with other lessons in this set as well.

Preparation and Materials

Read the Bible Background and scripture. The Background is especially helpful in explaining the meaning of Jesus' words to Nicodemus.
Purchase "Checklite Safety Glasses" (approx 99 cents each) so that each student can make their own pair of God Goggles and take them home. See note in "source" section below.
A fine tip paint pen (not "sharpies) formulated to write on the safety goggle plastic. See notes at the end of the lesson.
Blow dryer (to quickly dry the paint pen used on the goggles if that's what you use).
A 5 ft ladder wrapped in a white sheet. Make sure you leave step side clear. Attach a container to the ladder from which Jesus can draw the "God Goggles" to hand out during skit (See notes).
One pair of blacked-out glasses (covered lenses).
A collection of various "Big Glasses" (see the 'Source' comments below for bulk funny shaped glasses). Alternatively, pre-cut posterboard eyeglasses. See the note below about preparing/decorating these eyeglasses in advance.
Paper and markers to label-illustrate the glasses which the "Nicodemus'" will wear in the skit.
A spray bottle of water for "water" and confetti for "spirit" to spray and sprinkle on each Nicodemus in the skit.
Index cards or squares of cardstock paper for your "note cards", and pens/pencils.
Camera to take photos of the kids wearing the different types of glasses.

checklitesafetyglasses
99 cent "God Goggles" (Safety goggles)

Lesson Plan

Overview

After studying the passage, working together, students will prepare various types of eye-glasses and then perform a skit using "note cards" they have written to go with each pair of glasses.
During the skit, they'll each receive a pair of "God Goggles."
Afterwards, they will add words and decor to them as a take-home reminder of today's lesson.

wrm This lesson looks more complicated on paper than it really is. The real teaching is in the glasses and notecard preparation. The skit will only take a few minutes.

Opening Study

Welcome your students and say, "In today's Bible story, Jesus is going to tell us how we can see both him and his Kingdom, and know for sure he is our Savior."

Have everyone stand up and spread out in an open area of the room. Now hand one of your students a pair of "blacked-out glasses" and invite him or her to try to navigate to various things in the room, without running into anything. If you have time, let a second student try, then invite everyone to gather for the Bible study.

Make your point: In today's story, we're going to learn about a very religious man who was so spiritually blind that he couldn't see that Jesus was the Messiah, and couldn't see the Kingdom of God Jesus was teaching the people about. In fact, the story takes place at night — to emphasize that, though this man probably knew the Bible backwards and forwards and was right there looking at Jesus, he still didn't believe who Jesus was, or what Jesus' Kingdom was like — even though Jesus was standing right in front of him!

Read John 3:1-5, 9 and 10 together.

When you're finished. ask your students if they understand what Jesus just taught Nicodemus. They WILL most likely have trouble doing that! --so you can say something like, "Nicodemus isn't the only one in the dark! Let's go back over this and I'll give you some clues to help you understand the story." Then walk them through the story verse by verse with these comments.

The Study
Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
Question: How smart do you think a Pharisee and leader of the Jews should be? Should Nicodemus be able to recognize God's Messiah? (No, something was blinding him.)
Nicodemus came to Jesus by night...
Question: What does the "night" symbolize? Darkness, and maybe he didn't want others to see him talking to Jesus; why not?
and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher (notice Nic doesn't call Jesus the Messiah) who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.”
Question: His words sound like a compliment, but it is certainly not a declaration of faith. A lot of Christians are like that. They "like" Jesus, but aren't really believers.
What do you think Nicodemus wants to know?
Jesus has heard enough and interrupts Nicodemus to get to the point:
Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”
The phrase "born from above" or ("born again" in some Bibles) is the Greek phrase "GENNATHA ANOTHEN" (said with a hard 'g' - "ge-nath-a a-noth-en" or literally "born from the top." In today's skit, we're going to be shouting that phrase, so let's try it once: GENNATHA ANOTHEN, "born from the top or above."
Question: Who's above at the "top"? (God! Jesus just told Nicodemus he must be born from God.)
Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?”
Point out: Nicodemus is obviously confused. In the dark again! So Jesus explains it another way.
Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter/participate/see the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.
"Water and Spirit" are two of God's powerful creative forces. Water and Spirit were present in the first Genesis (Creation). Water can wash away sins (baptism), living water gives us life, and the Spirit sets our faith on fire. We cannot see or be part of God's Kingdom without God's transforming gifts. We can ask for them, and prepare for them, but they are God's gifts to give.
Did Nicodemus have them yet? Will he ever? (Yes, we think so. He helped take Jesus' body from the cross and honor it with a proper burial.)
(Verse 9) Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” (Which is to say, "WHAT?!?! Nic is still in the dark, but maybe there's a light starting to flicker??)
(Verse 10) Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
Question: If you were Jesus, how would you have said this line to Nicodemus? (Maybe, "What you talking about!" or "Are you kidding me?")
Jesus' point is that Nicodemus can't see the Messiah or his Kingdom, because Nicodemus is in the dark and needs to see from God's point of view, literally GENNATHA ANOTHEN!

Say: In the skit we're going to perform today, we're going to be thinking about the different ways people look for what's important in this world, and miss being able to see and believe in Jesus and his Kingdom.

Overview of the skit prep and skit performance

You will assign several students to be "Nicodemus" and one or two to be Jesus.
You will present for discussion the various pairs of Nicodemus eyeglasses to the group (wrong point of view, blinded by, etc).
Working together, they will create "what to say" on their notecards.
Nicodemus students wearing their oversized 'wrong" eyeglasses will walk one-at-a-time onto the stage in front of Jesus who is "above" on a ladder. Each will make a dramatic entrance that matches his/her attitude/perspective.
They pause in front of where Jesus (God) is perched and tell the audience about themselves using the notes about the glasses they prepared. Their job is to dramatically describe their wrong perspective as if it's the right way.
Jesus (God) students will stand on the ladder or table in the "above" position, wear a pair of "God Goggles," and watch the Nicodemus students come beneath them one-at-a-time.
After hearing each Nicodemus' "wrong perspective," Jesus will then set them straight with God's perspective (using their prepared notes).
Jesus will then spray water and sprinkle spirit confetti onto the student below.
The student will drop their pair of wrong perspective glasses, reach up to receive a pair of God Goggles from Jesus, and then shout "Gennatha Anothen" (Born from Above). [Said with a hard 'g' - "ge-nath-tha a-noth-en".]

gennatha

Dramatic Notes: You might choose to have one or two Nicodemus students to refuse the gift of goggles, water, and spirit by brushing off the confetti, and walk away in a huff. You might choose a Nicodemus to question God's perspective before accepting the Goggles. Each of these variations can be teachable moments. A key idea is that God's unearned gifts (such as grace, water, spirit) can be rejected, or accepted timidly. You might even have a helper dramatize a "Nicodemus" who switches back and forth between the wrong and the right perspective – as that illustrates how we often see God — on and off. Feel free to interject talking points, such as believing and accepting doesn't give you magic eyesight or instantly turn you into a super Christian. Being spiritually transformed is a lifelong process of challenges and decisions. Even our failures (sins) play a role in transforming our hearts to see God more clearly. Like the song says, "Day by Day.")

Preparing the Skit and the "Nicodemus Glasses"

Prepare (in advance) at least six OVERSIZED pairs of eyeglasses --using either purchased "big" glasses or over-sized glasses made from posterboard. See the list of suggested "glasses" and example images at the end of this lesson.

Show each pair of glasses to your class and describe how they are a "wrong" perspective. To invite discussion, have a student put on the eyeglasses and invite them to improvise a line or two. Invite responses from the rest of the group. Give a notecard to the student who seems to best understand that pair of eyeglasses and have them begin to write down some of the "lines" which the group has come up with, that they can say when they walk out on the stage wearing those glasses. Give another notecard to one of your Jesus actors and have them write out some lines in response to Nicodemus' perspective -which the group has come up with.

Teaching Note: Preparing the cards is a major teaching opportunity. If your students don't write well, have a volunteer help them, or assign a volunteer to write down the "lines" for each card as the group comes up with them during the discussion. Be sure to write in a style the students will be able to read. Three or four comments per card should be enough.

Use the following questions during the discussion to come up with the lines Nicodemus and Jesus will say during the skit:

How will Nicodemus ACT as they wear these glasses and walk onto the stage?
What would Nicodemus SAY to express their attitude/perspective as they wear the glasses and walk towards Jesus?
What will Jesus say to get Nicodemus' attention about his wrong perspective?
What would Jesus say is the right perspective?
What should Nicodemus do to stop "looking" or acting that way?

Performing the Skit

Once you have all the Nicodemus "wrong perspective" eyeglasses made, and the Nic & Jesus "note cards" written out for each pair of wrong perspectives, it's time to do the skit!

Tip: Create the mood by organizing a stage area and having some dramatic lighting if possible. Record the skit with your smartphone for playback during the "God Goggles" activity.

After the Skit ~ Label the God Googles to Take Home

Each student will take home a pair of plastic "God Goggles" as a fun reminder of the lesson and Bible verses. How elaborate you make the goggles depends on how much time you have left.

Primarily, you will want to have them write "GENNATHA ANOTHEN" (John 3:4) on the glasses, using a permanent marker that is formulated for plastic (regular "sharpies" won't stick to safety acrylic.) We found fine-tip "sharpie paint markers" at MIchaels that worked great. They dried fairly quickly but we suggest you also use a blow dryer to hasten drying time.

In the glasses seen above, we also added a blue cross in the upper left portion of the lens that had a "cross-arrow" pointing up. In addition, some students may want to draw the outline of a heart or Jesus' profile on one of the lenses so that they are "seeing the world with a heart of compassion," or "through Christ's eyes." Taking these home will undoubtedly provoke questions from family, so help your kids express what their glasses mean.

Adaptations

For Younger Students: If you're using a children's illustrated Bible, be sure to ask some of the questions seen above as you go through the story a second time. "Blindness" and "perspective" are metaphors that need to be explained to young children. The skit will help.

Shortened Lesson or Children's Sermon Version: The "eyeglasses" idea for this lesson originally came from a team member's children's sermon. The eyeglasses were prepared in advance, then taken out of a bag one-by-one and handed to students while being described.

Sources

MCR brand "Checklite" safety glasses, or similar brand, are sold at online industrial supply sites for about 99 cents each, usually by the dozen. Designed for disposable use, they are perfectly priced for our God Goggles! We tested a 99 cent pair purchased from GlobalIndustrial.com Durable, lightweight, and the fine-tip paint pen worked great on it.

"BIG" over-sized toy glasses can be found online. Ebay and Amazon sell them in packs for about $1 each. Search for "Novelty Jumbo Sunglasses" or "Costume Sunglasses." Consider making a display of them after the lesson to reinforce what you taught.

Notes on Types of Nicodemus Glasses

1. Dark glasses that don't let you see Jesus at all. Dark/night can represent "doubt." Their glasses could represent someone who thinks they don't need God. They could also represent someone who doesn't WANT to see God for fear of punishment. So they pretend that the Kingdom and King aren't really there. — Jesus would tell them that they have nothing to worry about, that God is loving and forgiving, and that it's okay to have doubts. But if you never look, you will never see.

2. Money Glasses make you focused on money and possessions. You think happiness can be bought. You think the solution to every problem is more money. Wanting more money and more possessions can blind us to what's really important, such as, caring and giving. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters, God and money. He would tell them that there are more important things in this world than possessions. Know what you need, not just what you want. Don't let the desire for more possessions to possess your heart.

3. Disguise Glasses and Mustache could represent people who say they believe, but don't want others to know they are a Christian. They think others will make fun of them, or put them down for believing. — Jesus would forgive them, but call them to be bold disciples and share the Good News they have received. They can also represent Christians who, when they're around others, hide the fact that they go to church and believe in Jesus. They may turn a "blind eye" to wrongs they see, or go along with the crowd trying to blend in.

4. Entertainment Glasses are the things we do that crowds out God. We like to do "fun" things and don't have time for worship or Sunday School. We are too busy to spend time helping people in need or comforting a friend. Our "fun stuff" gets in the way of seeing that our friends and family members may need us, or that we need more than just fun to live. Jesus would tell them fun is okay, but they need to live a more balanced life. They need to stop thinking of their OWN needs first, and start looking around for who needs them.

5. Hurt or Sad or Lack of Worth Glasses are people who think God and others don't care about them or their problems. They can't see past their own problems, or think God doesn't care about them or that their problems can't be solved by God. They may even be blind to the help Jesus is trying to give them. Jesus would tell them that in his Kingdom, they will see that they are unconditionally loved, will know they have a place with him. Jesus might tell them that the way to joy is to focus on their blessings, -what they DO have. And then working with Jesus on godly solutions to problems, such as prayer, and reaching out to others.

6. Pharisee Glasses represent those who think all they have to do is obey the rules and they will be saved and be part of God's Kingdom. The way to "see" God is by knowing (and being able to argue) every belief or practice in the church and Bible. They think they can "earn" their way into heaven. They aren't very merciful or forgiving because "people get what they deserve." Jesus had a lot of problems with people like that! ...including Nic. — Jesus would tell them that in his Kingdom, disciples need to know and show mercy, not bully people about their beliefs and ideas. Jesus came to save sinners, not toss them. They need to be more inclusive of those who think, look, and believe differently than they do They need to humble themselves to the Law of Love, and realize they don't know everything.

Additional "Opposites" Dramatic Idea
The Bible Background has a list of "opposites" that helps explain the difference between God's Kingdom, and the world's point of view (hate ⇒ love, for example). If you have time or extra students, these could be quickie walk-throughs. A student walks by Jesus saying one thing, while Jesus repeats the opposite. The person gets louder and Jesus gets softer until the person walks off in a huff.