GOSPEL CLOWN SKITS
"FREEDOM FROM SIN"
The clown enters dragging a ball and chain like those worn by prisoners, and looking
very sad. The clown explains that he or she has been doing bad things, and has
become a prisoner to sin. "But don't worry, I've just ordered a new ESCAPE KIT."
Someone enters carrying a package, announcing it came by mail for the clown. The
clown opens the package and pulls out several items, one at a time; and tries to rid itself
of the weight of sin. The following items could be used:
1. A hack saw is produced and the clown stars to cut at the chain. But alas, the
hack saw blade breaks.
2. A large mallet is produced and the clown lays the chain over the table and
hammer it off. The clown swings the hammer, however, the handle becomes limp
and useless.
3. The clown pulls out a pistol, closes its eyes and tries to shoot off the chain. The
pistol is a water gun and when nothing happens to the chain, the clown looks
down the barrel and pulls the trigger, squirting itself in the eye. Irritated, the clown
then turns the pistol briefly on the audience.
4. An extra large fire cracker is produced and lit. It can either be equipped with a
fuse that will sputter and go out, or may "explode" to expose a silk saying
"BANG!".
Discouraged, the clowns starts to leave when it notices another item in the box. A
Bible is produced and as it is opened, a key falls out. The clown reads 1 John
1:9, tries the key, and finds that it opens the lock, freeing him (or her).
At this point a teacher can take over, explaining that there's only one way to be
free from sin. The clown exits as the plan of salvation is presented. (I personally
feel that a clown should only ILLUSTRATE the lesson, but that someone other
than a clown should actually TEACH the lesson and give the invitation.)
The props used in this skit is very easy to make. The ball and chain can be made
from a large styrofoam ball painted black, to which is attached a short length of
light weight chain. Use a small paddle lock to secure it. (For a more durable ball
and chain, attach chain to an old TETHER BALL (painted black).
To make the gimmicked hack saw, simply epoxy or tape the top brace in place.
Break the blade in the middle and then tape it back with transparent tape. Put the
blade back on the holder. It will look normal until pressure is applied to the blade
to break the tape, and the blade will fall in pieces.
The comedy mallet is made by removing the wooden handle from a large-head,
rubber hammer. After removing the handle, replace with an 18" length of rubber
garden hose. When you hold the mallet by the handle, the weight of the head will
cause the rubber hose to bend downward.
The gun is an ordinary water gun. Fake fire crackers can be purchased in many
novelty shops, or you may simply make one out of an empty paper towel tube,
covered with red paper or paints.
NOTE: The following Gospel clown routines were written by RALPH DEWEY.
"LIE NO MORE"
(For this skit you will need a "lie detector" machine similar to the one for which
we have provided instructions. Each time Joey (the clown) tells a lie, he pushed
the button on the left, causing the red light to buzzer to come on. Of course he
will look very surprised each time this happens. when the truth is told, he should
push the button on the right, causing the green light to come on.)
(Entering) Hi kids! Ol' Joey has just invented a lie detector. Would you like for me
to show you how it works? When I tell the truth, the green light comes on. But
when I tell a lie, The red one comes on. (Press button on right, causing the green
light to come on.) See, I was telling the truth.
Let's try it out some more. Did you know that I am the funniest clown in the
world? (Red light and buzzer come on. Joey looks very surprised.) I AM TOO the
funniest clown! (red light comes on again.) Something must be wrong. Let's try
something else.) THE CHILDREN LOOK NICE TODAY. (Green light comes on.)
JOEY is VERY handsome. (Red light) Joey is handsome! (Red light again.) Joey
is SORT of handsome? (Red light comes on as Joey looks exasperated.) Joey is
nice looking for a clown? (The green light comes on and Joey looks relieved.)
You know, I got up this morning and ate my breakfast. I ate EVERYTHING on my
plate. (Red light) Then I got dressed, and I brushed my teeth real good.(Red
light) Then I washed my face and BEHIND MY EARS. (Red light) I made my bed
nice and neat. (Red light) Then I came straight to church, without stopping to play
along the way. (Red light, Joey pauses to think.)
You know, GOD is a lot like this lie detector. He knows every time we don't tell
the truth. (Green light comes on.) Every time we tell a lie, it is a sin. (Green light)
God doesn't like for us to sin. (Green light) But I guess a little tiny, itsy-bitsy,
small white lie now and then is okay. (Repeatedly turn red light on and off so it
blinks and buzzes.) Okay, even a little "white lie" is bad. (green light) I've learned
my lesson. I'm going to try to ALWAYS tell the truth. How about YOU, kids?
The lie detector is cheap and easy to make. It can be housed in a shoe box, or a
small wooden box can be made. The necessary parts for the electrical effects
can be purchased from an electronics shop.
"GETTING TO HEAVEN"
For this skit the clown needs a large box like the one used in the "Freedom from Sin"
skit. On the box is printed: HOW TO GET TO HEAVEN. The clown produces several
items, one at a time, in futile efforts to reach Heaven. Some ideas you may use are:
1. A pogo stick is produced and the clown tries to jump higher and higher to reach
Heaven, then finally falls off it.
2. A pair of shoes with large springs on the bottom is produced in attempts to reach
Heaven. (Tie metal slinkeys to your shoes.)
3. A pair of wings is pulled out and the clown tries to fly but simply falls down every
time he flaps his "wings".
4. A ladder is produced and the clown tries repeatedly to climb up, only to fall down
time after time.
5. Clown produces a large rocket and straps this on his back. The fuse is lit, the
rocket sputters and smokes, to no vail.
Finally the clown produces a Bible, and discusses that the ONLY way to get to
Heaven is through Jesus. Then the Clown exits so a straight man can further
explain salvation.
"STEAL NO MORE"
The clown enters holding a coat, and explains that he has just found it laying
around. Sure it doesn't belong to HIM, but he is curious what is in it. Maybe there
is something valuable.
Several funny items are produced, such as a rubber chicken, a rubber egg or
possibly even a REAL EGG (which the clown accidentally breaks), a frog, sling
shot, etc. Then the clown finds a small NEW TESTAMENT. "Sure the Bible tells
us not to steal," he tells the kids; but who cares. I'm just curious." The clown now
reaches into the pocket again, grimaces, and withdraws his hand to reveal a
mouse trap snapped across his finger. "Be sure your sin will find you out. I think
I've learned my lesson."
Perhaps at this time the "straight man" can arrive and scold the clown, and tell a
Bible story with reference to stealing.
"FIGHT NO MORE"
The clown enters with a pair of boxing gloves, and talking about how tough he is
and how much he like to fight. He is carrying a wrapped box that says "LEARN
TO BOX". He continue to brag about his fighting abilities as he begins tearing the
paper off the box and opening it. When the box opens, a boxing glove on a
spring (a jack-in-the-box type effect)' pops out and knocks the clown down.
"Maybe fighting isn't such a good idea, after all."
FOOTNOTE:
Of course the Gospel clown should not over look the variety of ways he or she
can use their skills, JUST TO BE FUNNY. Clowns can add a lot to any party,
VBS, or other program; just by being present and being funny. Not every gag or
skit need have a Gospel application. Try to have a mixture of fun and
entertainment, and a time of learning and more serious performance.