Acts 1-12 drama
The story of Acts 1-12 in words and actions.
On your marks
Tell the story of Acts chapters 1 to 12 by reading the script and matching the actions to the words in bold.
Go!
- The great commission: Go into all the world and share the good news with everyone everywhere.
Point forward; make ever larger circles with finger, then arm; open hands and offer a gift around, then point to everyone rapidly.
- So they pray, they wait, they read psalms and they choose a new apostle.
Place hands in prayer position; twiddle thumbs; open palms like a book; do eeny-meeny-miny-mo with a finger.
- God sends his Holy Spirit with wind, with flames, and with words of praise.
Do wind actions; move hands like flames; all call out a praise word.
- Peter explains that this is that, so change your mind about Jesus.
Point all around and to an imaginary book; circle hands either side of your head and point to wrists (sign language for 'Jesus').
- And the church is born.
Nurse a baby.
- By the beautiful gate, a lame man is healed - walking and leaping and praising God.
All smile; walk, leap and lift hands high.
- Peter explains: it's all about Jesus, so change your mind about Jesus.
Circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists.
- And the church grows.
Indicate a growing toddler.
- The Sadducees get annoyed and tell Peter and John to stop.
Angry faces; turn one palm up as a stop sign.
- Peter explains: it's all about Jesus, so change your mind about Jesus.
Circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists.
- And the church grows even more.
Indicate a growing child.
- The Sadducees become jealous and plot to get rid of Peter and John.
Point two fingers at the eyes with stabbing motion; wring hands together.
- Gamaliel gives wise advice.
Stroke chin wisely.
- Peter and John are bold. Peter explains: it's all about Jesus, so change your mind about Jesus.
Look bold; circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists.
- And the church grows even more.
Indicate a growing teenager.
- Seven new Christian leaders are appointed. Stephen preaches a lot!
Count seven on your fingers; put on an imaginary crown (the meaning of Stephen's name).
- Stephen explains: it's all about Jesus, who is greater than the temple, so change your mind about Jesus.
Put on the crown again; make a triangular temple shape with both arms; circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists.
- The Sadducees are out-argued and outraged. They stone Stephen.
Mime total horror and then the throwing of stones.
- The church scatters but grows even more.
Indicate a growing older teenager.
- Samaritans in the north become Christians.
Hold your nose to show disgust at these outcasts.
- A treasurer from Ethiopia becomes a Christian.
Count money with affectation!
- Even a Pharisee named Saul becomes a Christian in Damascus.
Cover eyes and then uncover them with amazement.
- And the church grows even more.
Indicate a young adult.
- People by the seaside become Christians and get healed.
Look amazed as you move all your limbs.
- Even a Roman soldier called Cornelius becomes a Christian.
Salute.
- His whole family get blessed.
All cheer.
- It's all about Jesus. God wants everyone to become part of his new family through Jesus. So change your mind about Jesus.
Point to wrists; all hold hands in groups; circle hands either side of your head; point to wrists again.
- Foreigners in Syria become Christians and Barnabas and Saul go to pastor them.
Look puzzled (whatever next?!)
- The church just can't stop growing.
Indicate lots of people growing, to the left and to the right.
- Herod puts his foot down; James is killed; Peter is arrested.
Stamp one foot; look sad; put together wrists as if handcuffed.
- The church prays and an angel rescues Peter.
Hands in prayer position, then turn them into angel wings.
- And the church just keeps on growing!
Indicate lots of people growing everywhere.