Restricting Restrictions

(Available in English y español)
What happens when God's dream for His people clashes with their desire to do things their way? In this witty and thoughtful 10-minute skit inspired by Jeremiah 31:31-34, a group of townspeople wrestles with divine rules, quirky misunderstandings, and one prophet's mission to bring God's message. With hilarious one-liners, colorful characters like Donnie and Mayor Ezra Lekted, and a meaningful message about God's heart, Restricting Restrictions helps audiences see God's laws not as burdens—but as blessings.

Perfect for youth groups, worship services, or any setting that blends humor with biblical insight.

Cast: 8 m or f

• • 8 (plus any number of extras, all except Jeremiah can be m or f)
• Mayor Ezra Lekted
• Jeremiah
• Elsa
• Terry
• Robin
• Donnie
• Max
• Cindy

Bible Reference: Jeremiah 31:31-34

Set: standard

Sound: wireless mics if available

Song: none

Lighting: standard

SFX: none

Props: none

Costumes: standard

Special Instructions: none

Time: 10

Sample script:

All actors except Mayor and Jeremiah are on stage, standing around, talking.

Elsa:
Look, it’s easy enough for Jeremiah to talk, it’s fine for Jeremiah to talk about we should do this and do that . . . I mean, facts are facts.

Terry:
Ya, and we shouldn’t do this and shouldn’t do that . . .

Robin:
I am with you Terry and Elsa . . statements like that are great but, where the rubber hits the road . . well it’s a different kettle of fish!

Donnie:
Wow! . . There’s fish on the road! . . . Wow! . . I gotta go get me some of those fish . . . Me bein’ scared of water and all, makes it tough to go fishin’ for sure. . . Hope they haven’t all been run over by car tires before I get there!

(All others look disbelieving at Donnie.)

Robin:
Those are sayings, Donnie.

Donnie:
Sayings?

Robin:
Ya, sayings. . . “Rubber hits the road” . . . “Kettle of fish” . .

Donnie:
You mean there’s no fish on the road?

Max:
No fish on the road at all, Donnie.

Donnie:
Bummer! . . I thought this was gonna be my big break.

Cindy:
Not happenin’ Donnie.

Donnie:
Well, guess it’s back to the old drawing board then.

Terry (excited):
Wow, Donnie, you mean you have a drawing board with fish on it?

Donnie (dejected):
It’s another sayin’, Terry.

Terry:
Lot of that going around lately, seems like.

Elsa:
Will you guys give it a rest, you rattlin’ on about sayings, meanwhile Jeremiah will be back soon from his meeting with Gord. Likely he will have more “Do this” . . “Don’t do that.” . . instructions.

(Mayor comes on stage, listens.)

Max:
How come it’s always Jeremiah that gets to go talk to Gord? I mean I could likely go talk to Gord, I mean . .

Mayor:
What you talkin’ about boy? . . What’s this about you go talk to Gord?

Max:
Well, see . . Mayor Lekted . . I could likely . . if I wanted to . . not saying I want to . . I mean . . Gord’s got all these rules and regulations.

Mayor:
I never heard of anything so downright silly! . . I . . Mayor Ezra Lekted . . I am in charge around here and . . you know very well the young Prophet boy . . what’s his name? . .

Elsa:
Jeremiah.

Mayor:
Right you are, Elsa. Young Jeremiah Prophet, he’s the one assigned to talking with Gord on behalf of all of us . . he is in charge of that just as I am in charge of . . well . . mayoring.

Robin:
But Mr. Mayor, why is that, I mean . .

Mayor:
See here young person, . . what’s your name again?

Robin:
Robin.

Mayor:
Ahh yes, Robin. . . know your dad and mom real well, I do, they have voted for me for years. . . But see, rules and structure are important, and Gord knows that. So he set things up that young Mr. Prophet would be in charge of communications between himself and the rest of us.

Robin (unconvinced):

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