The Way to Peace By Sharon Riddle ©2003 Olive Leaf Publications

Bible story teacher: Tonight our fruit of the spirit is peace. That’s something everybody wants to have. But as Beth is about to find out, there are a lot of different ways people try to get peace, but they all boil down to two ways: God’s way and the other way.

Beth: Where is everybody? Hello out there? I’m ready to grow some peace.

Demon: Did you say peace? (comes out like a peace child) I’ve been helping people get peace forever? Anybody ready for a sit in? (Holds up peace sign) or a demonstration? (Holds up sign that says “PROMOTE BARBIES, NOT WAR”)

Beth: I don’t think I need that stuff. I’m just a kid, remember? I just need to learn to get along with my sister.

Demon: I’ve got a great suggestion. It has helped some pretty successful people over the years… Clint Eastwood, Arnold Swartznegger, Hitler… One way to have peace is to be a bully and get your way. If anybody messes with you, just beat them up or EXTERMINATE them. (Blows on imaginary gun) MAKE MY DAY.

Beth: I can tell you right now that’s not going to work. Whenever I hit my sister I lose TV and have to do chores. I’m only 11, but I already know that’s never going to give me peace.

Demon: OK, OK, I’ve got some other methods that I’ve been using over the centuries. This one is great. Sit down and do you feet like this and hold your hands out like this and hum. (Demonstrates Yoga position.)

Beth: I’ve seen people doing this on TV. What’s it called?

Demon: Meditation, Yoga, getting a good carma… I’ve called it lots of things.

Beth: So how does it help give me peace?

Demon: Well you think peaceful thoughts and you look peaceful and pretty soon you feel peaceful.

Beth: I feel stupid. Who or what am I talking to when I do this? Who gives me the peace when I do this?

Demon: That’s the beauty of it all. It’s me.

Beth: Do people really fall for this? I mean grownups? Demon: All the time. (Sinister laugh)

Beth: There’s got to be a better way to peace than this.

Demon: Well, if you’re looking for something more “conventional”, how about my Boy Scout plan?

Beth: A Boy Scout plan for peace?

Demon: Always be prepared. If you are very smart and very disciplined and you make a lot of money, then you will always be prepared for anything… like when the stock market crashes— you have a diversified portfolio and you’re covered so you have PEACE. And if you have a handy, dandy earthquake kit and there’s an earthquake—you have enough food and water to live for days, so you have PEACE. And if you get a good education and the job market hits a slump…

Beth: Wait a minute. Could you ever be prepared enough for anything you might face? I don’t think so. I wonder what that REAL gardener might have to say about peace? Where is He anyway? I could really use His advice, but He’s no where to be seen. Ah, wait a minute. It looks like He’s left me a note. (Goes over to Bible and reads cover.) When in doubt what I think, read this. OK, I need to know how to have peace. Let’s just see what God says about that.

God from behind garden backdrop: Don’t worry about anything. Instead, talk to me about everything. If you do this you will experience my peace which is WONDERFUL.

Beth: So, I should talk to you about everything and ask you for your help and I will get…

God: PERFECT PEACE. You won’t have to worry about anything. I have EVERYTHING under control.

Demon: It’ll never work.

Beth: Oh yeah, you’re the expert. You’ve got people meditating on their belly buttons. I may only be eleven, but even I know that’s dumb. I need help with my sister. She irritates me all the time.

God: Bear with her and forgive her, just like I forgave you.

Beth: So, when she hurts me or makes me mad, I should remember all the millions of times I’ve done something mean or hurtful and You’ve forgiven me, and it will help me to be understanding and forgive her. And we’ll have peace?

God: I know all there is to know about having peace. I am the God of peace. If you read my Word and do what I say… you will have the PEACE THAT PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING. Demon: So you didn’t fall for my PEACE PLANS, huh? Too smart to fall for my tricks? That’s OK. There’s a world full of people out there who will. You know I think my main problem is Him and His book. If I could just get rid of them… (demonic laugh)

Bible story teacher: The way to peace is all in here…(Wrap it up with God’s Word.)