Every Boy's Dream

60810 BEST OF INTENTIONS

by Dan McGowan

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Synopsis:
A couple has borrowed money from their son's savings account, without telling him, but fully intending to repay it. Other financial needs short-circuited their plans, and now their son is planning to spend his money.

Time:
2-3 minutes

Characters:
DAD— a father in his mid-30s
MOM— his wife, of similar age
JOSH— their junior-high-aged son

Props:
Bank book

Lighting:
General stage

Sound:
Three cordless mikes

As the scene opens, dad is sitting in the den as mom enters carrying a small bank book. She seems concerned.

Mom:
Hey, I was just balancing the checkbook, and it just hit me — did we ever pay back Josh's bank account for that $200 we borrowed?

Dad:
No, we never did.

Mom:
I thought we were going to pay that back out of your bonus.

Dad:
We were, but then we had to get new brakes on your car.

Mom:
Oh, that's right. (teeth clenched — "ooh" sound) I really don't like borrowing from Josh's account, especially without telling him.

Dad:
Don't worry about it. It's not like he's gonna miss the money for a few more days. And if I figured it right, we'll be getting almost $2000 back this year from taxes. We can pay Josh back with THAT ? maybe even put in a few extra dollars ? ya know, "interest." (makes quote mark in air with fingers)

Josh enters, filled with excitement.

Josh:
Hey, guess what!

Dad:
What?

Josh:
Remember I only needed 20 more dollars for my bike, and ....

Mom:
And ....

Josh:
And so I got it! Bike trail, here I come! (makes handlebar steering gestures with his hands)

Mom:
Well, that's great. When were you gonna get it?

Josh:
Uh, like now!

Mom and Dad look at each other. Then they both look at Josh.

                                                                                  Lights Out.

Performance and photocopying rights:
Your purchase of this script grants your church unlimited use of these sketches within your programs and worship services. You may photocopy the script for each cast member in your church. Scripts and performance rights are not transferable between churches and cannot be resold. You may not use the sketches for any commercial or fundraising purpose, and usage rights do not extend to video, radio, television or film.

Copyright © 2002 Drama Ministry

                                           RESOURCES FOR SCRIPT 60810
                                               BEST OF INTENTIONS

MAIN POINT
Lots of us make promises to other people, fully intending to keep them. We do the same with religious vows and commitments to God. But sometimes, in the press of daily living, we don't follow through on our promise or postpone making good on them. In those cases, we can hurt others, lose their trust or even betray our faith. This sketch dramatizes how easy it is not to deliver on a promise made with the best of intentions. Good intentions without faithful completion is a bad practice both in human relationships and with God.

CHARACTERIZATION
Dad is a father in his mid-30s. He's laid-back and a bit lackadaisical when it comes to dutiful follow-through.

Mom, his wife, is more conscientious and organized.

Josh, their son, is junior-high aged. He is energetic and outgoing.

DIRECTOR'S NOTES
1.Because this sketch is quite short, the audience does not have much time to identify with the action. So be sure to cast a Mom and Dad who will play their parts well. Even more than in a longer sketch, the facial expressions and realism in line delivery need to be consistent with what the lines are saying.

2) When Josh enters, he should basically "explode" into the room, almost stepping on the previous line. He is so excited that he doesn't wait to be acknowledged before he starts speaking. Dad and Mom both answer him enthusiastically.

RELATED SCRIPTURES
There are a lot of examples of religious vow-making in the Bible. Some to consider include Jacob's vow in Genesis 28:20-22, Hannah's vow in 1 Samuel 1:11, the nazarite vow in Numbers 6, general rules about vows to God in Numbers 30. For an example of a foolish vow, see Judges 11:30-40. For Christian family life, see Colossians 3:18-4:1. Regarding financial debt, see Romans 13:7 and Matthew 18:23-35. For caring for borrowed property, see Exodus 22:1-15.

RELATED THEMES
Besides promise-keeping, this sketch can also be used for discussing family finances, respecting the property of others and family relationships.

                                         MUSIC LINKS FOR SCRIPT 60810
                                          The Best of Intentions

Performance Songs

"Rubber Meets the Road"
(promise keeping; integrity)
As performed by Steven Curtis Chapman,
from the album Signs of Life on Sparrow Records.
Musical Style: upbeat; pop; country; rock

"There Is a Line"
(promise-keeping)
As performed by Susan Ashton,
from the album Susan Ashton on Sparrow Records.
Musical Style: medium; adult contemporary

"The Highest Honor"
(promise-keeping)
As performed by Chris Eaton,
from the album What Kind of Love on Alliance Music Records.
Musical Style: ballad; adult contemporary; inspirational

"Unimportant Things"
(finances; materialism)
As performed by Paul Smith,
from the album Extra Measure on Intersound Entertainment Records.
Musical Style: ballad; adult contemporary; inspirational

Choruses

"Show Me Your Ways"
(promise-keeping)
R. Fragar, from the Integrity Music album
and songsheet, Shout to the Lord.
Musical Style: medium

"Everything I Am"
(promise-keeping)
S. Dyer; J. Horness, from the songbook,
Praise, Hymns and Choruses: Expanded 4th edition —
"Green Book" — Maranatha!
Musical Style: upbeat; celebrative

"Seek First"
(finances)
A. Grant; W. King, from the album and songbook,
Songs From The Loft.
Musical Style: upbeat

Hymns

"O Jesus, I Have Promised"‡
(promise-keeping) J. E. Bode; A. H. Mann.
Musical Style: medium

"I Have Decided to Follow Jesus"‡
(promise-keeping) author unknown.
Musical Style: mellow; reflective

"Take My Life and Let It Be"‡
(promise-keeping) Havergal; Malan.
Musical Style: mellow

"We Give Thee but Thine Own"‡
(finances) W.W. How; Mason and Webb.
Musical Style: medium

Chorus and Hymn Resources (unless otherwise designated)
* from the songbook, Praise Chorus Book - Maranatha!
Ý from the songbook, Come and Worship - Integrity
‡ from The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration - Word

Performance and photocopying rights:
Your purchase of this script grants your church unlimited use of these sketches within your programs and worship services. You may photocopy the script for each cast member in your church. Scripts and performance rights are not transferable between churches and cannot be resold. You may not use the sketches for any commercial or fundraising purpose, and usage rights do not extend to video, radio, television or film.

Copyright © 2002 by by Tom Bennardo