Theme:       The metaphors in “The Vine And The Branches” can make it difficult to understand. This monologue with offstage voice clears up misconceptions.

 

Bible Reference:      John 15:1-17

 

Cast:         Gina for monologue, written as a female, could be adjusted to male
Offstage Voice of God (VOG) (male voice good control to emotions)

 

Set, Sound, Costumes:       standard

 

Time:        6

 

Sample of script:

 

actor comes onstage, thinking, takes a few steps, sighs, bows head, deep breath, looks upward

 

Gina:        Heavenly Father I . .  .
(pauses, shakes head, deep breath, looks upward)
Heavenly Father I just want to . . .
(pauses, frustrated)
What’s the use, Heavenly Father . . .  I just can’t . . .

 

VOG:       Can’t what child?

 

Gina, shock:  Who . . . what . . . Little brother, if that’s you messing around I will . .

 

VOG:       In case you forgot your little brother Stan is away at camp.

 

Gina:        Oh yeh, I  . . . .  Wait, but then who are you?
(looks around)
Where are you?

 

VOG:       As I recall you were praying to me . . . your heavenly Father.
And I could tell you were sincere so I answered.

 

Gina, shock:  You can do that?

 

VOG:       Have been doing it since the beginning of time. Don’t believe me, check my book.

 

Gina:        Wow, that’s . . .  amazing!

 

VOG:       I heard you singing that in church on Sunday.

 

Gina:        I sang “Amazing God” . . . . You heard me, like . . you were there?

 

VOG:       I am always with you, even at times when you maybe wish I wasn’t.

 

Gina:        You are talking about Wednesday morning when I . . .

 

VOG:       We will deal with Wednesday morning when the time is right. . .  Right now you wanted to talk to me. . .  So shoot!

 

Gina:        Well, thing is, there are times when I feel disconnected.

 

VOG:       I have noticed that too. . .  But what are you doing about it?

 

Gina:        I have been trying! . . . If you are watching you would know how much time I spend reading the Bible, looking for answers.

 

VOG:       I am and I do. But mine is a big book, gazillion topics, you need to look in the right places.

 

Gina:        And you have some suggestions?

 

VOG:       I do matter of fact. . .  But let’s start with just one. . .  John recorded my words very well, found in Chapter 15.

 

Gina:        The Vine and the Branches, I read that.

 

VOG:       Skimmed might be the better word. . . . .

 

Gina:        Well some of your parables are really hard to figure out!

 

VOG:       I look at this more as using metaphors than parables, but whatever, we can discuss that another time. . .  Right now the subject at hand is the vine and the branches.

 

Gina:        Guess I can’t get over the talk about the fruitless branches going into the fire.

 

VOG:       Well, whether in plant husbandry or in life, non-productive members will take away sap, energy, from the vine. . . . And that is never good.
Seems strange to me how people focus more on the non-productive branch rather than on the productive branches.
In order to be productive the branch must  . . . abide . . . that means must stay connected, to the vine . . . constantly and unrestricted, to live and to bear fruit.
Go cut a leafy branch from a vine. . .  Soon leaves will wither and die since their sap, their source of sustenance and life is gone.

 

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