Act 2: Peer Pressure

Characters: Mother and early middle-school-age daughter.

Mother: What do you mean different?

Daughter: Well, since I got to middle school, all my friends started cussing and fighting and smoking. Some of them even brag about sex. And they make fun of me because I don't do those things.

Mother: All of your friends?

Daughter: Well, all my friends except Judy, and I want more than just one friend. Besides, I see Judy at church all the time, and I never see my other friends except at school. I just want to be like them, Mom.

Mother: If all your school friends decided to jump off the school building roof, would you jump, too?

Daughter: Aw, mom, you know I wouldn't do that. But I still want to be like them. I'm tired of being different.

Mother: Honey, you're a Christian and Christians are supposed to be different from the world. Do you really want to do the bad things your friends are doing? Do you think Jesus would want you to do those kind of things?

Daughter: No, mom, I guess Jesus wouldn't like that. But how else can I have friends?

Mother: Honey, kids who do those things aren't really your friends. It's better to have one good Christian friend like Judy than a whole world full of the wrong kind of so-called friends. And honey, you can't have those kind of friends if you want to stay friends with Jesus. You don't want to lose Jesus as a friend, do you?

Daughter: No, mom. I remember when I broke the aquarium and I was scared to tell you I did it for three days. I felt so bad inside until I finally told you. And even though I had to do extra chores for two weeks, it was worth it. I felt so much better inside after I told the truth. And I know Jesus was my friend again after that.

Mother: This is the same kind of choice, honey. Do you want to have those kind of friends and feel bad inside, or do you want to keep Jesus as your friend?

Daughter: Well, I guess I'd rather have Jesus, mom. Thanks for helping me understand.

Act III: Drugs