This drama is really emphasising
that WE need to be responsible for actively seeking to grow in our relationships
- I.E. a small group. In this case, Rich (annoying as he might be! :),
has chosen not to get involved in a small group even though he has been
at the church for 2 years. It's about personal accountability for both
growing in godliness and building the kind of relationships that make a
huge difference in our lives.

(Note: A good friend pointed
something out to me. Mike appears to not have enough time for Rich and
his wackiness. I've re-written Mike a bit since that is obviously not the
intent. - Thanks Ricci!)

Cast:

Rich: A Christian who has
yet to get involved in small groups

Mike: A Christian in a small
group.

Sandy: A woman in the church.

Props:

2 chairs

Setting:

Morning church service

(LIGHTS UP CENTER STAGE
on Rich as he sits in the congregation, morning program in hand. Mike comes
walking by and passes in front of Rich...)

Rich:     
Matt? Matt? Hey Matt!

Mike:    (He
stops and looks back and smiles) Oh, hey Rich. It's Mike, remember? Mike.

Rich:    
Matt, Mike, - What's the difference? Come on, sit down. 

Mike:   Well, I
was kinda heading over to sit with my...

Rich:    
(pulls Mike down) Have a seat, Matt. Take a load off!

Mike:     
(Mike is going to correct him on the name again but chuckles in resignation)
Oh, okay Rich.

Rich:    
Great, great! Okay, alright. Man, this is going to be great! Do you know
what Randy is preaching on today?

Mike:     
That's Ray. Ray Stark.

Rich:     
Randy, Ray. What's the difference?

Mike:      
Well, actually, he's talking about the importance of small gr...

Rich:     
Hey, it's great to sit together isn't it? I mean, if it wasn't for me,
you probably would be sitting alone. Am I right?

Mike:      
Well, not really Rich. I mean, no offense or anything but I would probably
be sitting with the guys from my small group. Why don't we both go sit
wi...

Rich:    
A small group? Oh you mean one of those 4 hour meeting where you read the
book of Hezekiah or something and people heal you with snakes and stuff
right?

Mike:      
Er, no... not really. I mean, we do study the Bible and talk about how it's
relevant to our lives...

Rich:    
And it doesn't last 4 hours?

Mike:    Uh,
no.

Rich:    
And they're aren't any snakes?

Mike:    Sorry.

Rich:    
Well what fun is that? Okay, well, Bible study is fine but what about these
guys, Matt? What have those guys every done for you that ol' Rich hasn't?

Mike:      
Well, for one thing, they build me up and encourage me. And they know me.
I mean, if they see something in my life that is out of whack, they speak
the truth to me in a really cool way. They really care.

Rich:    
Yeah, maybe they care now but what happens when times get tough? Tell me
that!

Mike:      
Well, take the other day for example. Remember that big storm? Well, when
the basement flooded at 2am, they were the first ones there, helping me
drain it.

Rich:     
Ewww. That doesn't sound like fun, Matt.

Mike:     
No, it wasn't but you know what? It was pretty cool. I mean, as we were
ripping up the carpeting, we were kinda joking around and it was a relief
to know that I had these guys in my life.

Rich:     
Yeah, well. I might join one one day when I get settled in here.

Mike:     
Let me ask you a question, Rich. How long have you been going to Northside?

Rich:     
Oh, I don't know what day is today, Sunday? (Starts counting on his fingers).
2 years.

Mike:    
(incredulous) What? 2 years and you're not in a small group? 

Rich:     
Hey, I don't need one. I mean, I know lots of people who I can talk to!

Mike:      
Oh yeah, like who?

Rich:    
Uh... you?

Mike:      
Me? You don't even know my name! What's my name, Rich?

Rich:    
Er.. Matt?... Marty?.... er... hold on, it's coming to me. 

Mike:    See
ya, Rich. I've got to go.

Rich:    
(shouts after him) Monte? Manny? (talking to self) Hmmm, maybe it's not
an M. Maybe it's more like an T as in Tom or Tim or...

(Sandy walks by in front
of him)

Rich:      
Hey, Susan! Hey what's going on?

Sandy:    
Um, it's Sandy.

Rich:      
Susan, Sandy. What's the difference? Hey ,do you want to sit with me Susan? 

(She starts to walk faster
and turns into more of a jog. Rich starts chasing her)

Rich:     
Hey, where you going? Have a seat. Come on, take a load off, etc...

 (LIGHTS OUT)

END

(c) 2000 Dave Marsh