A short drama for children and youth to perform

Since the times of the Bible, children and young people have been praising God in the midst of
challenges and have seen God’s miraculous intervention. Here is a sketch developed around the Bible
account of Jairus’ daughter raised from the dead by Jesus.

Use the Bible passages and the drama outline of scenes below for children or youth to make up and tell the
story in their own words. It is better that the children own the story for themselves and develop the dialogue
in their own words. The passage is Jairus’ daughter: Jesus raises a dead girl and heals a sick woman; Mark 5:21-
24, 35-43 & Luke 8:40-42 (Miss out the part about the healing of woman with bleeding.)

If you prefer to use the pre-prepared script then feel free to translate the appendix.

CHARACTERS
 Jairus’ daughter is 12, Rebecca, who dies. She has been
going out to work in a taylor shop doing long hours.
 2 younger siblings, both boys; David 8 years old, Joshua,
10 years old.
 Ezekiel, 8 years old, David’s best friend.
 Jairus, a synagogue leader; his wife, Mrs Jairus
 A doctor
 Jesus, Peter, James, John, other disciples
 The crowd
 Jairus’ servant
Jairus' daughter Edwin Long, Bath Museum
 Friends of Mr and Mrs Jairus

SCENES
1) Early afternoon at Jairus’ home. Mrs Jairus and doctor. Doctor says he cannot do anything more for
Rebecca. Leaves. Mrs Jairus speaks to herself and audience complaining about Jairus spending too much
time at the synagogue, looking after other people’s problems. Then she prays. Her sons come in from
school, arguing David (8) not liking school saying older brother, Joshua, good at learning scriptures. Accuses
him of being teacher’s pet. Mrs Jairus tells boys to be quiet as Rebecca is not well. David somewhat
unsympathetic on the surface about Rebecca.
2) Same day, late evening, Jairus comes back from the synagogue. Mrs Jairus complains he is never here when
he is needed.
3) Early next morning Jairus goes in to see his daughter – she is very poorly. He tells her he is going to get the
teacher Jesus, the one everybody is talking about. Even though the leaders of the synagogue say we should
not go to see Jesus or we will be thrown out of the synagogue.
4) Downstairs Mrs Jairus starts into Jairus moaning that he is off to work doing nothing and not even here to
help get the boys off to school. Jairus finally gets a word in – he tells her he is going to get Jesus. And now
Mrs Jairus is sceptical and also says that Jairus will then lose his job and they will have no money to live off.
5) The boys come down to breakfast. David is saying he doesn’t want to go to school. Rebecca he says is
always at home: having days off. Why can’t he have a day off. Mrs Jairus gets cross that David should say such
a thing – Rebecca is very ill. The boys leave arguing as usual.
6) In the street the boys meet Ezekiel, David’s best friend. Joshua walks on saying he needs to get to school
and musn’t be late. The two boys chat. David suggests they sneak off school. Ezekiel proposes they go and
see this Jesus all the people are talking about – Jesus is visiting the next village.
7) When the boys arrive there is a crowd already around Jesus. They climb a wall to look down. Filled with
fear as David sees his father approach the crowd. Joshua persuades David to stay. Here Jairus speaks to
Jesus – then the rest is as in the Bible. David is upset and prays. He says he must go home – he knows a
short cut.
8) The servant of Jairus arrives, as in the Bible, announcing that Jairus’ daughter is dead and not to bother
Jesus. As in the Bible, Jesus tells Jairus just to believe.
9) Outside Jairus’ home – crowds are wailing in grief. The boys push in amongst them asking what has
happened.
10) Jesus arrives – then as per the Bible
11) Jesus with Rebecca – as per the Bible
12) Downstairs – rejoicing as Rebecca comes down – healed. Joshua gets back from school asking what is going
on and where were you today, David? He is told what has happened. Break into a song of praise /
thanksgiving.

OPTION

Ask children what David felt and how Jairus felt. How might the different characters have changed their
thinking and behaviour to others after this event.?

PRE-PREPARED SCRIPT

Doctor I have done all I can for her, Mrs Jairus. She is as comfortable as I can make her. The long hours
as a seamstress assistant under that dragon of a lady Mrs Taylor have not helped her condition.
Rebecca is a sweet girl and a credit to you both.
Pause. Will you sit down Mrs Jairus. Please. I’m afraid that Rebecca may not have long to live…
Mrs Jairus No, no, that can’t happen doctor. Sobs uncontrollably
Doctor I am very sorry Mrs Jairus. Truly. I am afraid I can’t stay I have so many other patients to see.
And so few of them are able to pay. Please send for your husband. Call the neighbours round.
He leaves quietly
Mrs Jairus That husband of mine only thinks about the synagogue. He is never here when I need him.
Always looking after others and he can see the needs under his own feet. The boys need his
discipline, especially David. Rebecca needs his presence, not his money.
Oh Rebecca, my dear sweet girl: don’t leave us.
Please God she is a dear child, have mercy on us, have mercy on Rebecca. Extend her life like
you did for Hezekiah. Please God we need your miracle.
Boys come into room for breakfast
David I hate school. Why do we have to go? All we learn is stories about old people who have been
dead for years. What’s the use of that? And all those old songs, psalms. There are so boring.
Joshua The scriptures are what make us a strong nation. They make us wise. I love how the words
flow.
David You’re just a dreamer, Joshua. You never come and play in the street.Your just teacher’s pet.
Joshua I’m not
David You are. Teacher’s pet. Teacher’s pet. Joshua Joshua, the little swat.
Joshua Stop it David.
Mrs Jairus David, Joshua, quit arguing. Be quiet. Don’t you remember Rebecca is up in her bedroom and
 she is very ill.
David She has one of her headaches I suppose. That Mrs Taylor would give me a headache. When I
grow up I’m not working indoors. I am going to be a famous warrior and fight the Romans. I’m
going to be like King David and fight Goliath.
Shadow fights
Mrs Jairus Shsh David! You must never talk about the Romans like that. It will get you into trouble.
Later that same evening
Jairus Hello, I’m back. Sorry I’m late but I had to visit Mordechai at the other end of town.
Mrs. Jairus You are never here when you are needed, Jairus. Your daughter is not well and all you can be
thinking about is some other man at the synagogue and his problems. Don’t we have enough
of our own? You need to take a hard look at yourself Jairus and where your priorities are.
My mother always said that pride and position would get the better of you, Jairus. She warned
me and I didn’t listen
Jairus Don’t bring your mother into this. I have had a long hard day and I’m going to bed. I ate at
Mordecai’s.
Mrs Jairus follows him out muttering and clearly incensed with anger.
Next morning Jairus enters Rebecca’s bedroom early.
Jairus Good morning my dearest daughter, how are you feeling this morning. She stirs clutching her
head and moaning.
Look I know how poorly you are feeling. I have been praying to God this morning. I have
decided that I need to go and see the man they call Jesus. Everybody is talking about him. They
say he heals the sick. I’m going to see if he will come and heal you.
Rebecca Now alert. But father, you know what the priests and Pharisees have said. Anybody who talks to
Jesus and goes to see him will be thrown out of the synagogue. You’ll lose your job. Then what?
Jairus Your are my precious daughter, I love you very much.Your health is worth more than my job. I
have made up my mind. I must do what I can for you. So don’t try to stop me. And don’t tell
anybody where I have gone, especially not your brothers.
Downstairs
Mrs Jairus Here you are, Jairus. Off to that synagogue already. Not staying to help. I have a very sick
daughter and all you think about is your work. You can’t even stay to help me get the boys off
to school. And that David needs a firm hand or else who knows where he will end up. Go on
then, off you go. Leave me to it. What do you care.
Jairus If you’d let me get a word in edgeways I’ll tell you what I have decided. I am going to see the
man Jesus everybody is talking about. I’m going to plead with him to come and see Rebecca.
He can heal her.
Mr’s Jairus Now I’ve heard it all. Jairus the well respected man of the synagogue off to meet an upstart, a
carpenter’s son from Nazareth. What will he do? Repair the broken leg on the chair in
Rebecca’s bedroom, I suppose. I’ve been going on to you about that for months.
You know you will lose your job. Then how will we pay the bills? Sometimes I don’t know what
gets into your head Jairus. You don’t think things through.
Jairus leaves. Later the boys come down to breakfast sit at the table
David I’m so hungry.
Mrs Jairus You’re always hungry, David. If you ate more slowly you might get more from your food. Always
in a rush to eat but not to go to school.
David Why do we have to go to school to learn stuffy old stories and memorise Bible verses. What
use is that?
Joshua Oh do stop moaning David. Just eat your breakfast and keep quiet for once. I’m trying to say
my lesson for today in my head – we have a test.
David Where’s Rebecca?
Mrs Jairus In bed she is not very well.
David She is always ill and has days off. Why can’t I have a day off.You sure she is not just making it up.
Mrs. Jairus Cross with David. David John. That’s a cruel thing to say.You should be ashamed.Your sister is
very ill.You’d better eat the rest of the breakfast in silence and get off to school. Or your
father will know it. And you know what his punishment can be like…
In the street on the way to school.
Ezekiel Hello David, how are you today? Looking forward to studying Moses’ book Leviticus, this
morning, then?
David Huh, you tease.
Joshua I’m going on, I don’t want to be late
David Rush, rush, rush, what’s there to rush there for?
Ezekiel Did you hear? Jesus has come to Likmud? You know, the miracle worker.
David That’s the next door town. That’s only an hour away. Let’s go and see.
Ezekiel What about school?
David Who needs all those old stories and rules when we can go and hear some modern teaching.
Come on let’s go
Ezekiel I’m not sure. We’ll get told off.
David C’mon, we’ll pretend to be sick.
Likmud. Crowds surround Jesus. As the boys arrive they see Jairus coming up the road.
David Quick, it’s my Dad. Hide behind the wall there, I mustn’t be seen. He’ll be furious if he catches
us.
Pause
I wonder what he’s doing here.
Jairus Pushes through the crowd as they part, seeing who it is.
Jesus, my little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be
healed.
Ezekiel (whispers) Is that your sister? He said dying.
David Rebecca! Dying!
Ezekiel We should pray. What does The Scrioture say, “I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.”
(Psalm 17:6)
David Oh God in heaven may this Jesus heal my sister.
Ezekiel Amen
David We’d better go home, I know a short cut. We’ll get there before my father and Jesus.
Ezekiel Quick, run.
The servant of Jairus arrives and speaks to Jairus
Servant Sir, I’m sorry, your daughter is dead.You need not bother the teacher any more.
Jesus Don’t be afraid just believe.
Peter, James and John come with me and Jairus. The rest of you stay here.
They depart for Jairus’ house.
David and Ezekiel arrive at Jairus’ house where there is a crowd outside wailing and crying.
David (To crowd) What’s happening?
Neighbour Oh David, your sister Rebecca has died. She has gone to heaven.
David Wails. Jesus Peter, James and John and Jairus and servant arrive.
Jesus Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.
The crowd laugh and jeer.
After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him,
and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her,
Talitha koum!” “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”
Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around.
She comes out to the crowd. Gasps, cries of astonishment and praise to God.
Joshua now arrives, back from school
Joshua What’s happening? David, where were you today, you weren’t at school?
David Rebecca died, but our father went to get Jesus to come and now she is alive again! It’s a
miracle.
End with all in a praise song and dancing e.g. a song based on Psalm 8