Chains
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'And Ye Shall Know the Truth, and the Truth Shall Make You Free.' St. John 8: 32
The essence of this play is captured in the preceding passage and forms the very foundation upon which this testimony is built….PSALM 107: 10-17, “Some lived in darkness and gloom, in prison, bound with chains, Because they rebelled against God's word, scorned the counsel of the Most High, Who humbled their hearts through hardship; they stumbled with no one to help. In their distress they cried to the LORD, who saved them in their peril, Led them forth from darkness and gloom and broke their chains asunder. Let them thank the LORD for such kindness, such wondrous deeds for mere mortals. For he broke down the gates of bronze and snapped the bars of iron.”
There is much that can be said about this play, but the bottom line is...'Chains' is my own testimony after years of struggling with habitual sin. I tried everything I could to break free from these chains until eventually, when I was at my lowest stage wanting desperately to give up, Jesus set me free. Did you get that? JESUS SET ME FREE!
As I look back I realize that He was the only one who could. 'If the Son Therefore Shall Make You Free, Ye Shall be Free Indeed.' St. John 8:36
Chains delivers a powerful and relevant message to the entire Christian Community...especially now as surveys have shown that many Christians are still addicted to habitual sin. Let us present this message to them so they will see that there is hope; and they will learn that True Freedom has a name...His name is Jesus.
Length: 45 MinutesCast: 6 males, 2 females.
Audience: Teens & Adults
Genre: Contemporary Drama
Sample Scene
SCENE 1
LIGHTS UP
David is chained to a chair at CS. Each chain carries a label and there are two
Chains in all at this point, labelled Pornography and Sexual Impurity.
Debra and Joseph enters.
DEBRA: See, Joseph…look at him.
DAVID: Mom…
DEBRA: I told you this would happen…I told you.
JOSEPH: Calm down, dear.
DEBRA: Our son has brought judgment down on this house. How can you tell me to be calm?
JOSEPH: He just needs a little help.
DAVID: I’m fine.
DEBRA: Fine…look at you, all wrapped up in those chains. Which part of you is fine?
DAVID: I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself.
DEBRA: Okay, okay. Fine.
Debra leaves.
Joseph looks at his son with a little more passion.
JOSEPH: When he gets here…just talk to him. Okay. Please.
DAVID: When who gets here?
JOSEPH: Just talk to him.
Joseph exits.
David starts to wrestle with the chains trying to get free…but he is unable to
Break them. He continues to wrestle…pausing only to catch his breathe.
DAVID: If only I can free my hands…I know I will be able to get myself free. I know I can do this. (continues to struggle) I got my self into this mess, I can get myself out. God helps those who help themselves…(continues to struggle) I refuse to be bound by these chains….
Pastor James enters and stands a little way off watching David struggle with
The chains.
David turns his head to see him standing there.
DAVID: What are you doing here?
PASTOR JAMES: I heard you needed a little…help.
DAVID: I’m fine, sir and you shouldn’t go chasing every rumour you hear.
PASTOR JAMES: Well, I have good reason to.
DAVID: You do?
PASTOR JAMES: Your attendance has dropped significantly over these past months. I’m worried about you.
DAVID: I have been a little…tied up.
PASTOR JAMES: I see what you mean.
DAVID: But I’m fine. This is my fight and I intend to win.
PASTOR JAMES: I see…you’re strong enough to overcome those chains on your own.
DAVID: Yes I am.
PASTOR JAMES: And you don’t need any help.
DAVID: No I don’t.
PASTOR JAMES: I see.
DAVID: Save your sarcasm for the weak and feeble. I can take care of myself and I sure don’t need anyone’s pity.
PASTOR JAMES: Alright…Okay. (pause) I’ll be praying for you.
DAVID: You do that, sir.
Pastor remains for a beat, then exits.
CHAINMASTER appears offstage carrying a few more chains labelled ‘PRIDE’
‘LIAR’ and ‘INGRATITUDE’
He proceeds to wrap these chains around David.
David struggle against these chains, but he knows it is hopeless. He hangs his
Head.
DAVID: I’ll never be free.
CHAINMASTER finds another chain ‘DOUBT’ and add this to the lot.
CHAINMASTER waits…David remains silent. Chainmaster exits.
Enter Marco. He has some CD’s in his hand.
MARCO: I brought you some more juicy CD’s, man. These ought to get your adrenaline pumping in the right direction, know what I mean.
He holds the CD’s out to David, but soon realizes David is unable to reach for
Them.
MARCO: Okay…I’ll put these over here for yah.
He puts the CD’s among other CD’s and magazines on a nearby table.
MARCO: You really should do something about those chains, man.
DAVID: You make it sound so easy.
MARCO: It is. I mean, look at me…I’m in control. I rule sin…I don’t let sin rule me.
DAVID: Whatever you say.
MARCO: You need to stop hearing and listen man. I’ve been there, done that…know what I mean.
DAVID: I told you before, you cannot get rid of something by going deeper into it.
MARCO: Psk! Tell that to the hand, man. (pause) Hear me out…once you find that perfect girl, that perfect picture, that perfect moment…your mind will be satisfied and just let go. Then you will be free.
DAVID: I have been searching for that perfect moment…but it doesn’t exist. Look at me now. I’m worst off than before. I can’t even move because of these chains. My ministry is dying because of these chains. Do you understand?
MARCO: Hey, I can only show you the door. You have to decide if you want to open it or not.
Although, we have not actually presented the play yet, we are still in rehearsals, we plan to do so in early August. I expect this to be one of the most powerful plays ever because we have already seen a might move a God in the rehearsals !! Confessions from the actors, deliverance, chains broken right there in the rehearsal ! I can hardly wait to see how God will move during the actual play. To God be the Glory and I pray that he continues to anoint you, Cleveland, with more soul searching, bondage breaking scripts that minister to the lost, because there are those who would never step foot in the church for a Sunday service...but they might come out to check out a play !
Maria S.
We (Fellowship SDA Church Drama Group in Tallahassee FL) love your plays. They are powerful, poignant, and needed. We have done "Chains" at our own church and at the South Eastern Conference of SDA Camp Meeting Youth afternoon program. Both times the play was received well by the audience. Looking out one could see tears in peoples eyes as they thought of the chains in their lives of which they wanted God to free them. We added a silent scene between scene 1 and scene 2 which showed how the character got in the chains and se it to Ty Tribbett's "You Can Change" and we added a sign language song at the end (our church has a sign language group) - Free by Kirk Franklin the first time and the second time we used Conquerors by Kirk Franklin and had the main character do an appeal.
Teayann Tinsley
I just wanted to let you know that I thought the play "Chains" was an awesome play. I was looking for something for my teens at church to do on a fifth Sunday. And this was perfect. I love the meaning behind it. God has truly anointed you in this ministry. I will continue to pray for you as God will continue to bless you to find words that will reach His people.
Shantelle Williams
I am a pastor for Unity In Jesus Church in Hawaii. And I believe by leading of the Holy Spirit I came upon your play on the internet. The mission statement for our non profit organization is Isaiah 61:1. So this play definitely expresses this. I praise God for giving you this awesome talent.
Beverly Rivero
I just read your play. It's a great play. I was looking for something our matrons could do to tell a story to the young and old and saw your play. Our matrons would love to act this out at our convention this May 2006.
Earnestine Crowell
Our youth are very excited about the play and I'm confident they will do an outstanding job. What's even more remarkable is that one of our youth who normally doesn't like participating in much volunteered to play David. That was a big surprise and we are excited to see him in action. Myself along with the director of our educational department would like to thank you for allowing us to use your play, but most of all we want to encourage you to keep using your gift and helping others to get the word of God through your plays.
D Brooks
God lead me to your site (3/14/2006), flipping through different sites looking for creative ideas for Easter. I am the Children and Youth Director of the Washington Temple C.M.E. Church in Shreveport, LA. The play 'Chains' is the type of material I have been looking for (contemporary and relational to all ages, especially the youth). Please allow God to continue to use you in a creative way to bless the Body of Christ.
Phyllis Williams
I read your script entitled 'Chains' which I found very challenging and true to life. This is something many of us struggle with and I feel this production can and has brought about deliverance. God richly bless you as you continue in this ministry.
Patrick Spence
I was looking for a play for our kids to do. Between my sister and myself we have 11 grandchildren who we are working hard to keep grounded in the Word. When I went to your web-site you offered a free play. When I downloaded the play "chains", it did something special for me reading this play. You see my son's name is Marco and I will just say-- you do not know how close this touched home for me.. May God richly bless you.
Judy