Here’s a simple readers’ theatre version of Philippians 2:1-13, one of the suggested scripture readings for September 25, 2011 (Proper 21A, Ordinary 26A). It’s taken from the NIV translation, and set for four voices.
For another approach to the reading of this text (in the NRSV), see also Dramatic Reading: Philippians 2: 1-11.
Readers’ Theatre
(Philippians 2: 1-13)
One: Therefore,
if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ,
Two: if any comfort from his love,
Three: if any common sharing in the Spirit,
Four: if any tenderness and compassion,
One: then make my joy complete by being like-minded,
having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Two: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.
Three: Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
not looking to your own interests
but each of you to the interests of the others.
Four: In your relationships with one another,
have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God
did not consider equality with God
something to be used to his own advantage;
One: rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
Two: And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Three: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
and gave him the name that is above every name,
Four: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
One: and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
to the glory of God the Father.
Two: Therefore, my dear friends,
as you have always obeyed—
not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—
continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,
Three: for it is God who works in you to will and to act
in order to fulfill his good purpose.
For more worship resources related to this text, or other texts for September 25, 2011 (the fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost), click on Proper 21A in the list of “Labels” at the lower right side of the page.
For other readers’ theatre settings of scripture, click on Readers’ theatre in the list of “Labels” at the right.
