religion

Bible Passage: 1 Cor 4. Also 1 Cor 7.17-24

This sketch is a parody of what people believe you need to do to be a Christian. It parodies people putting 'religion' in place of the truth of believing in and following Jesus Christ. The final part is optional..!

There are 2 drunkards with bottle of 'red wine' (i.e. Ribena). They stagger in and realise they're in church. They therefore produce a 'Bible' - in our case this was a children's 'learn to read' book (any amusing book title will do).

They then move on to other religious things - such as having communion (sipping the wine from the bottle.) This idea is constantly replayed - 'More communion?' 'Yes. I love communion.' (as they drink more and more wine).

The next thing is baptism - with one throwing a glass of water over the other. Then they 'kneel' to pray - i.e. they sink onto their knees because they're drunk.

Finally they talk about something that only males must do 'to be a Christian.' They pick up a knife (hinting towards circumcision)! The sketch ends. This may be risky (we didn't exactly tell the leadership team about this sketch!) so it's up to you if you include this part!

The point

Is that there are many things people did in the Bible in the name of religion (especially the Pharisees). There is a brilliant bit in Matthew 23.1-36 where Jesus lays into the Pharisees and their hypocrisy saying that they obey the rules but do not have love in their hearts.

Today in our churches and our own lives we still have religious rules (adding things to the Bible and to what the Holy Spirit calls us to do) no matter what our denomination. James 1.27 says religion that God accepts as pure and without fault is caring for orphans and widows and keeping yourself free from the evil influence of the world.

This is also a good chance to re-affirm why we meet together (Heb 10.25), why we share communion (1 Cor 11.17-34) and baptism (Mt 3.13-17, Acts 2.38-39, Eph 4.4-6).