Restoration

What begins as a simple polish job on a beloved vintage car spirals into a humorous and eye-opening discovery about rust, repair, and the right way to restore something of value. One character tries patching over the damage with quick fixes, while another offers advice. But it’s not until a third arrives with news of “the Father”—an expert restorer—that real hope is found.

Restoration · Renewal · Transformation · Making New
(Based on the principle of inner renewal found in verses like 2 Corinthians 4:16 and Romans 12:2.)

Cast:
3 actors (any age, any gender)

Runtime:
Approximately 3.5 - 4 minutes

Staging & Props:

• Central focus is an imaginary car (mimed by actors) or be creative
• No physical set or props required
• No costumes, lighting, or sound effects needed
• Ideal for small stages, classrooms, or worship services

Perfect for:

• Youth groups
• Sermon illustrations
• VBS and camp devotionals
• Services focused on spiritual renewal or transformation

Sample Script

Scene: An imaginary car is placed center stage. All action is mimed around it. No props or set pieces are needed (you can be creative with props). Actors wear regular clothing.

1:
Hey old car! ‘Bout time I take you out for a drive. Down the street—everyone’ll drool, seein’ me in this flashy aut-o-mo-bile! First class all the way, me!
(Notices an imaginary speck of dust. Takes out a hanky, spits in it, and begins polishing a spot with exaggerated care.)
This will never do! A dust stain on the old flivver!
(Polishes harder)
What gives here? Dirt isn’t coming off! Guess I’ll have to bring out the big guns!
(Polishes much harder)
I can’t believe it! Still not coming off!

(2 enters.)

2:
Hey, 1! Polishing up old Betty, huh? This truly is a classic car! I bet there’s not three in the state like this—’43 Studebaker with original engine and transmission. I don’t blame you for taking such good care of her—she’s worth a mint!

1 (distracted):
I can’t figure it out. I’ve polished and polished, but that spot won’t come off!
(Pauses, then notices 2)
Errr, sorry—hi, 2, what’d you say? I’m just so concerned. I can’t seem to get rid of this spot, no matter how much I polish!

2:
Let’s take a look.
(Leans in, "scratches" imaginary spot with fingernail)
Here’s your problem—it’s a rust spot.

1:
Bite your tongue! Betty is a classic. Betty does not have—
(lowers voice)
I shudder to even say the word—rust.

2:
Well… in spite of that, this is rust. See? I can flick it off with my fingernail.
(Mimes scraping and shows a hole)
Now there’s a little hole—right through the metal.

1:
What have you done?! You made a hole in Betty’s fender! You just put that rust spot there! Can’t very well have a hole in Betty’s fender!

2:
Get real. You can’t put the rust back in! What you need is restoration.

1:
Restore? And why would I restore? Betty was perfectly fine until you came along and dug this hole!

Want to see how the story unfolds? DramaShare members get this complete script— and access to our entire library—free! Not a member? You can still grab this individual script and bring it to life.