A Goal for God and Gideon

© Alan and Micah Dougall, 1998

Scene 1: Play the Game

Gideon is out playing football on the near training ground with his friends. It had recently been his birthday, so he brings along his new ball.

He and his three friends begin to play a match, and Gideon makes the teams. After about five minutes, some other boys come along wanting to join in.

"Oih! Pass us the ball mate," one of them says.

At first, Gideon decides not to, and carries on running down the field.

"I said pass us the ball!" The boy begins to get angry. "If ya' don't, I'll come over there and make ya'."

Gideon then sees that he didn't have much choice, so he passes them the ball. He regrets it though. As soon as it had reaches them, they run off with it, laughing as they go.

Gideon sits down on a nearby bench.

"It's not fair! He says, It's not fair!"

Scene 2: Watch out for Mother!

Gideon is at home watching TV, flicking through the channels until he stopped at some unsavoury programme.

"Wow! This looks good," he says to himself. "I do hope Mum doesn't come home."

A few moments later, his Mum comes home and enters the room. Gideon is still mesmerised with the TV programme, when his mother unleashes her anger.

"What are you doing up at this late hour and watching TV?" she shouts. "Get up to bed! You haven't even done your homework or finished washing the dishes. For that you are grounded in your room for two days."

"Oh mum! It's the weekend," he pleads. "But my friends need me to play football tomorrow."

"Well, that's tough! You ought to have thought about that before watching naughty TV programmes," she retorts.

"Why oh why is it so unfair?" he moans to himself. "I can't seem to succeed at anything. Now my friends won't trust me because I've let them down again."

Scene 3: Stuck in a Rut

On the next day, Gideon is stuck in his room. He is playing his gameboy.

"This is no fun anymore," he quips, as he pulls out the earplugs and discards the toy.

He picks up his Gideon's International Bible and starts to read it:

Will the Lord reject forever?

Will He never show His favour again?

Has His unfailing love vanished forever?

Has His promise failed for all time?

Aside to the audience: "How depressing! I guess David felt the same at times."

He continues reading:

Has God forgotten to be merciful?

Has he in anger withheld His compassion?

Aside to the audience: "Why do I get on the wrong side of everyone - even God? I must do something about this mess I'm in."

In his anger, he smashes the TV remote control on the floor.

"I’ve had enough," he resigns.

He pauses before surrendering, "I guess I ought to ask God to forgive me."

He gently lays down the bible and kneels on the floor.

"Please God forgive me," he cries, "and help me to be strong and not give in to doing the wrong thing."

Scene 4: Turning Around

Just then, the bell rings. Two of his Christian friends want Gideon to come and play football.

Gideon cannot come out but his friends are allowed in.

Gideon unfolds his discovery. He tells them about the story of Gideon he has been reading in the bible

"The reason for my failure is not going God's way," he declares.

The three decide that enough is enough and they need to make a difference in the school. Though not picked for the school football team, they decide that they will set up a Christian team and challenge the others.

Scene 5: Preparing for Victory

They try to round up all the Christians but no one wants to face the others.

"I’ve got it! It's not about football or doing anything else," Gideon reveals. "It's about following God and succeeding at what He wants us to do."

The four Christians decide that what God wants and what the school needs is a music team.

Scene 6: Blowing their Trumpet

After much preparation, they are ready to perform.

"Well we’re ready," Gideon announces. "Let’s give God the victory!"

As one, the four turn around together and head towards their instruments and play:

Be bold, be strong!

For the Lord thy God is with thee... 

Players

Bullies: Duncan, Edmund, Jenny

Gideon: Jeremy (keyboard)

Gideon's Mother: Jessica

Friends: Richard (drums), Micah (clarinet), Philip (saxophone)

TV characters: Danielle (newscaster), Barney (sports correspondent), Edmond & Lydia (intimate)

Other Christians: Church congregation