It's a Wonderful Life
Helping a New Generation Enter a New Land
It;s a Wonderful Life
Purpose: To demonstrate how the important role of Senders is in completing the Great Commission.
Roles:
Angel 1 (small part) George (big part)
Joseph (small part) Clarence (big part)
Young couple (no speaking)
Joe Hobbs (no speaking)
Couple with suitcases (no speaking)
Scene 1:
(Angel 1) and Joseph with flashlights behind a dark background with holes in it to simulate the
beginning of the movie.
Angel 1: You called me, Joseph?
Joseph: Yes, we have a little problem down on earth with a man named George Sender.
Angel 1: Oh, George Sender is a fine, upstanding man. What could possibly be the problem
with him?
Joseph: George has been running the race well up until now, but he seems to have lost his
drive; he=s become despondent. Can you spare anyone at the moment to help him out?
Angel 1: Well, let me see; according to my records it looks like Clarence is up again.
Joseph: Clarence, huh? He really is a disaster looking for a place to happen (pause for
laughter). Well it can=t be helped. Please summon him and tell him that I=d like a word with him.
Angel 1: Certainly sir.
(Another light appears from the left side of the background and joins the others.)
Clarence: (out of breath) You sent for me, sir?
Joseph: Yes, Clarence, there is a man down on earth who needs our help. His name is
George Sender, and he has become very depressed lately. We need to help him understand his worth.
Clarence: Certainly sir, I=d love to help. But, uh, sir ...
Joseph: Yes, what is it?
Clarence: About last time...
Joseph: Oh, never mind about that, but please be more careful this time.
Clarence: Yes Sir.
Joseph: Now report to the library, you=ve got a lot of work to do. You need to understand
everything about George Sender and the culture in the place where he lives.
Clarence: Uh, where=s that?
Joseph: Southern California; you are familiar with the dialect of English spoken there, aren't you?
Clarence: (In Valley speak) Yeah, dude, no problem.
Joseph: (clears throat) Yes, well, perhaps while you're at the library you can brush up on that. Now run along.
Clarence: Oh, and sir ...
Joseph: Yes, what is it now?
Clarence: If I should, uh, well, if I should complete this mission successfully; do you think that I might earn my wings?
Joseph: Yes! Now get out of here!
Scene 2:
George sitting on a park bench looking depressed. Clarence enters stage left wearing a ridiculous
beach outfit.
Clarence: Hey, George Sender, dude! What's up!
George: Oh Nothin= Mu.... Say, how did you know my name? I've never seen you before.
(turning his head away) I'd remember you.
Clarence: I'm Clarence, your guardian angel. I've been sent to help you.
George: My guardian angel, huh? That figures. I might have known I'd have a guardian angel like you. Say, if you're from some cult, I really don't have time, and I don't want to buy any flowers. Just leave me alone.
Clarence: And I know a lot more about you than just your name, George. For instance, I know that you are a very important person at _________________ (church). You are much more important than you imagine.
George: Oh sure, I'm an important person. Look at me, I've got VIP written all over me. Oh, I get it! Did Wendy England send you? I bet you're trying to get me to work in the nursery.
Clarence: No, really George, I've been sent to help you. If you would only tell me your troubles.
George: You want to help me ... Oh... Ok, maybe you'll get bored and go away. But don't forget, you asked for it. Until lately I thought I had a pretty good life. I have a good job and a great wife and kids. I guess you could also say that I'm pretty active at church too ‑‑ but you said you knew that already. Anyway, I=m part of a couple of prayer groups at church; I witness to my neighbors when I get the chance, and the wife and I have been doing what we can to support the missionaries we have overseas.
Clarence: Well, George, it sounds to me like you're a rich man.
George: Rich, are you kidding? After all we're doing, we only keep just enough to live on. Sam Potter, my neighbor, now there's a rich man. Just yesterday he comes and tells me about his big promotion. He drives a big fancy sports car and just remodeled his house. I can't even afford an upgrade.
Clarence: But George, you know, even if Sam Potter doesn't, that a man's wealth isn't wrapped up in all those things, but in how he touches the lives of others. You've dedicated
your life to taking the blessings God has given you and passing them on to others. You have earned for yourself the richest title God bestows on any man. You, my friend, are God's Stewart.
George: The word is Steward, and I'm not so sure I buy that line anymore. What good am I really doing anyway? I spend my time teaching at home fellowship and discipling others and what good has it done? Just last month I organized people to send care packages to our missionaries. Did you know that not one of them has ever written me even a postcard? What does my work mean to them, or anyone? ... No one notices the work I do. Oh, why should they? Only people with exciting ministries get acknowledged. So, why should I even bother? I ask you, uh, what did you say your name was again?
Clarence: Clarence.
George: I ask you, Clarence, how in the world can you say that I am an important person. I think everyone would be better off if I had never been born!
Clarence: Never been born! Oh George, really that's... Wait a minute... OK, you have your wish. You've never been born. Let's just see how lives are different now that you've never been born.
Scene 3:
Young couple walks in stage left. They sit down and begin studying books. The husband becomes increasingly agitated and finally throws the book down. His wife comes over to comfort him but he pushes her away.
George: Say, what's going on here? Those are the Driscolls. They're in Japan studying language.
Clarence: Yes, and right now they are struggling with language learning, going through culture shock and are very homesick and discouraged. What they need is an encouraging letter from home. Look, she's going to the mailbox now.
George: Well, they should have gotten that care package today or even yesterday.
Clarence: Yes, George, but you're forgetting, you don't exist.
(The woman opens the mailbox and a puff of dust comes out. She looks at her husband and shakes her head no. He looks more discouraged and buries his head in his hands. Freeze.)
George: Wait just one minute, fella. I've written them a dozen times in the last year. I even sent them a care package last Christmas. That mailbox hasn't been used in months!
Clarence: You weren't there to write those letters, George, because you don't exist. Now look over here.
(Stage right, a young man staggers in, head low with a bottle in his hand and leans against the
wall.)
George: Say, that's Joe Hobbs. What's he doing here? He's supposed to be in Japan. And
what's wrong with him, he looks drunk.
Clarence: That's because he is drunk, George, and he never made it to Japan.
George: Nonsense, he's been there planting churches for four years. Why, just last month he baptized 25 new believers. I helped get him there. We used to pray together every week for the Japanese. I've discipled him since his first year in college. You never saw such an on fire Christian young man. This can't be him.
Clarence: It is him. Joe turned his back on Christ when he was in college. You weren't there to disciple him.
George: Then that means...
Clarence: All the people in Japan whom he would have baptized have still never heard the gospel. Now look over here.
(Stage Left: A couple enters with suit cases. They are saying tearful good‑byes to unseen friends.)
George: Hey, that=s the Woolls. Why are they upset? It isn=t time for their furlough yet, is it?
Clarence: This is no furlough for them, George, they are leaving the field for good. They can't stay because their support has fallen off too far.
George: Well, I know that I couldn=t provide all their support, but I thought others from the church were helping also. What about all those at church who are praying for them? Doesn't that help?
Clarence: All of that could have helped a great deal, George, but you weren=t there to encourage the others at your church to pray for and give to missionaries. You'd be surprised
how important a good example can be.
George: Well that doesn't seem right. There are people who may never hear the gospel if they leave.
Clarence: Yes, their work is very important George, but missionaries can't make it to the field and stay there without faithful senders.
George: Look, I don't know who you are, but I don't like this crazy stunt you're pulling, see? You just put things back the way they were. Those people out there need me. I'm an important part of their ministry!
("Hark the Herald Angels Sing" begins playing in the background.)
Clarence: George, just listen to yourself! Do you hear what you're saying? You just said that you were an important person; a VIP, if you please. And you're right, George. A sender's life touches many different lives, even people who don't speak the same language; people who he will never meet until we're all together with the Lord.
George: (Turns and shakes Clarence's hand) Thank you, Clarence, for showing me that my efforts really do count. I think I can hang in there for a long time to come. You know, this may sound kind of dated, but I need to say it anyhow. Clarence, this is a wonderful life.
(Both walk off stage right. After applause, a small bell rings off stage.)
The End
Used by permission. Larry Walker/ACMC, 1637 E. Valley Parkway, Suite 145, Escondido, CA 92027. (619) 746‑4285. 1/98
