Keep On Shining

Purpose

This puppet play was developed for our older children to perform as a ministry to the younger children. Props and specialty puppets such as the flashlight are made by the children. You could easily perform this one with homemade sock puppets. This is a very simple play intended to help young children understand Jesus' teachings on light. Encourage the children who are performing the play to have fun with it.

Characters

Any type puppet can be used in this play. The children and teacher may be played by animal puppets. Satan can be a puppet with a cloke covering it.

Flash A large bright flashlight with human type features added. It must be easy for the puppeteer to turn the light on.
Jack Child in the Sunday School class
Mike Child in the Sunday School class
Mary Child in the Sunday School class
Mrs. Jones The Sunday School Teacher
Satan

The Satan character should not induce nightmares in sensitive children. Avoid showing him as a funny guy. He's the enemy! Think about using a puppet in a "cat burgler" type suit to show that Satan is a sneak and a thief.
Other Puppets If you have more children than there are parts, organize them into a chorus to pop up and sing along.

Suggested Props

If there are any things that you have trouble getting, look over the play to see how you could change it to work with the things you have on hand.

Action Drama opens with Mrs. Jones teaching the children and the flashlight.
Mrs. Jones So, class, we should always keep our lights shining for Jesus. Now, let's sing our song before we go.
All



This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Mrs. Jones Very good! Now I've got to hurry out. I'll see you next week.
Action Mrs. Jones leaves.
Mike I'm going to let my light shine.
Mary Me too. I'm going to do more for Jesus.
Flash Well, I didn't understand. What was she talking about?
Jack You are a flashlight. You should know all about light. What's wrong with you anyway?
Flash I don't know. I just did not understand.
Mary

Don't be mean, Jack. Flash didn't understand because we just sang part of the song. Let's sing the whole song and show him what it means.
Mike Good idea. Flash, you can be the light. Turn yourself on and we'll get started.
Flash Turn myself on? What are you talking about?
Jack Here, let me help, where's your on/off switch?
Flash Right over here. Go ahead. Try it. Nothing will happen. It never does.
Action Children try turning Flash on but do not actually turn on the flashlight at this time. After trying, the children look inside of Flash.
Mary Here's the problem, Flash does not have any batteries.
Action Mike and Jack bring up a battery (or picture) and pretend to drop it into Flash. Children again flip on the switch and the light comes on.
Jack Good boy, Flash. Now you are shining!
Mary Flash needed batteries to shine just like we need Jesus in our hearts before we can shine for him.
Mike That's right. Now that old Flash is shining, let's sing the song.
Jack Flash, you get in the middle because you are the light. Everybody ready? One, two, three, sing!
All



This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Flash Wait! Hold it! I don't understand. Is this song really about me?
Mike It's really about every Christian. It reminds us that we should show Jesus' love to everyone.
All



Hide it under a bushel? NO!
I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? NO!
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Action While the children are singing, several puppets place the bag over Flash's head.
Flash Hold it! What's going on? I can't see you anymore! I don't like this!
Mary It's ok, Flash. We're taking it off.
Jack You can't shine with a bag over your head. We need to tell other people about Jesus' love. That's how we shine for Him.
All



Won't let Satan blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine
Won't let Satan blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Action

As children sing, the Satan puppet tries to put out the flashlight. If you have a small clip style fan he can use that. Otherwise, just let him blow on the light. The children try to protect the light from Satan.
Flash Who was that guy and why was he blowing spit all over me?
Mike When we try to shine for Jesus, Satan tries his best to stop us.
Mary That's right. Satan tries to get us to do bad things so others won't be able to see the light of God in us.
Flash Well, I don't like Satan and I don't want him coming around me.
All Me too! That's right!
All



(Insert name of place on the lines below)
Shine all over ______
I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over _____
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Action Whle the children sing, they "point" flash around the room showing off his light.
All



Let it shine till Jesus comes
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine till Jesus comes
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
Mary We let our lights shine for Jesus when we do good things.
Mike And when we tell others about Jesus' love.
Flash Now I understand. Can we sing it again?
Jack Good idea. This time, everybody sing!
All This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Hide it under a bushel? NO!
I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? NO!
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Won't let Satan blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine
Won't let Satan blow it out
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Shine all over Cherry Grove
I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over Cherry Grove
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Let it shine till Jesus comes
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine till Jesus comes
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine



All Don't forget! Let your light shine for Jesus.
Action Puppets wave goodbye and disappear





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