Time Lab VBS 2018 Daily Skits
Setting: Inside a science lab (“Time Lab”). You can use the drama set described in the Assembly Guide or the scene setters. 
Characters
Professor McGruden – crazy but brilliant scientist
Tina – college-aged student; Christian; summer internship with Professor McGruden; carries a Bible with her everywhere she goes. 
Logan – college-aged student; summer internship with Professor McGruden

Day 1
Props: Tools, 1960s costume accessories
Costumes: Professor McGruden in a lab coat. Tina and Logan in normal street clothes. 
Professor McGruden is inside the lab, humming loudly while working on the time machine as Tina and Logan enter.
Tina: Good morning, professor!
(Professor McGruden continues humming and working. Tina and Logan look at each other.)
Tina: Professor?
(Professor McGruden still doesn’t hear them.)
Logan: (Picks up something to throw at Professor McGruden) Yo! Professor M!
Professor McGruden: Ah! Have you been waiting long? (Tina and Logan look at each other before shaking their heads.) I finally got the hyperflux balanced and calibrated. Then I decided on snow shoes and chicken. (Looks puzzled) Or was it snow shoes on chickens? 
Logan: We’re going to be spending our summer putting snow shoes on chickens? Ah, man!
Professor McGruden: No, no. Chicken for dinner. The snow shoes are for the time machine, of course. 
Tina: Umm, Professor. Your time machine doesn’t have any feet. 
Professor McGruden: Well of course not. Technically they aren’t shoes, but I had to be sure my machine wouldn’t sink if it landed in the snow. 
Logan: Makes sense.
Tina: So, what can we help with today, Professor?
(Professor McGruden begins putting on 1960s accessories.)
Professor McGruden: Well today, we will be traveling back in time, to a time before me. 
Tina: A time before you? 
Logan: The 60s? Groovy!
Tina: Why do you want to visit the 60s professor?
Professor McGruden: Don’t you want to see what the world was like before you existed?
Logan: Doesn’t everybody?! (Begins putting on 1960s accessories.)
Tina: Not everyone. There’s never been a time when Jesus didn’t exist, so technically he couldn’t visit the world before he existed. 
Professor McGruden: What an excellent paradoxical point, Tina! Someone’s been paying attention in class. 
Logan: Huh?
Professor McGruden: What Tina means is that Jesus has always been. There has never been a time when he didn’t exist.
Tina: He never had a beginning.
Logan: I know I don’t have an A in my history class, but I’m pretty sure he has a beginning. We celebrate his birth every year. It’s called Christmas. 
Tina: Yes, that is when Jesus came to earth and was born as a baby, but he existed in heaven before that. He is eternal—no beginning and no ending. 
Logan: Ok, I get it now. Since he didn’t have a beginning, there’s never been a time without him. Groovy! 
Tina: In fact, Jesus created time itself! In the book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, we read that God created the heavens and the earth in the beginning. That’s talking about when Jesus created time and all things.  
Professor McGruden: Well then, to the time machine! Let’s burn those snowshoes! 
Logan: I think you mean “burn some rubber,” professor.
(As characters walk off stage to enter time machine)
Professor McGruden: But I put snowshoes on the machine, not rubber . . . .

Day 2
Props: Broom
Costumes: Professor McGruden in a lab coat. Tina and Logan in normal street clothes. 
Logan is frantically sweeping and tidying up a very messy lab. As Tina enters, Logan runs into her almost knocking her down. 
Tina: Whoa, where’s the fire, Logan?
Logan: What? (searching) There’s a fire? Not again! Where?
Tina: There’s not a fire, I mean why are you rushing . . . . Wait, what do you mean again? Did you start a fire? I thought I smelled smoke!
Logan: I may have started a small fire when I knocked over a few jars.
Tina: Logan!
Logan: I cleaned it up! It was an accident. I was in a hurry.
Tina: A hurry to do what?
Logan: I promised Professor McGruden that I would have the lab cleaned up before he got in today. And well . . . I forgot. And he’s supposed to be here in two minutes. 
Tina: Logan, I don’t think you are going to be able to get this cleaned up in the next two minutes. 
Logan: I know, I know. I hate that I broke my promise.
Tina: We should always be a promise keeper, like Jesus was. 
Logan: What do you mean?
Tina: Jesus always keeps his promises! When God promised Abraham that he would have a son, even though Abraham was old, Abraham had a son. And when God promised he would be with Moses as he freed the Israelites, he was with him. No matter what God promised, it happened. He is a promise keeper! And since Jesus is God, Jesus is a promise keeper!
(Professor McGruden walks on stage.)
Logan: I wish I were better at that.
Professor McGruden: At what? Hula hooping? I keep telling you— practice, practice, practice. 
Logan: No, I rock at hula hooping. Tina was telling me how Jesus is a promise keeper. No matter what, he keeps his promises. And I’m not the best at keeping my promises. 
Professor McGruden: (Looks around disappointedly at the lab) You mean like the promise you made to me to have the lab cleaned up?
Logan: Yeah. I’m sorry, professor. 
Professor McGruden: Thank you, Logan. Tina is right, you know. It’s important to keep our promises, and there is no better example at that than Jesus. 
Tina: The Bible is full of examples of Jesus keeping His promises: Noah, Moses, Abraham, Solomon . . . .  Throughout the Old Testament, we read about appearances of the Son of God, who is Jesus, to various people. He made promises to them and kept them! He also made promises about the time when he would come to earth as a human. And he kept those, too.
Professor McGruden: Jesus’ birth is actually the fulfilment of God’s promise to send a Savior to offer us forgiveness for our sins. Way back in the beginning, when God created Adam and Eve, he told them what they could eat and said that the punishment for disobeying would be death. Adam and Eve disobeyed, but God, in his mercy, promised that he would one day send someone to save them from their sins. (Read Genesis 3:15.) And four thousand years later, Jesus came to earth to fulfill that promise! 
Logan: Wow. Well I am making a new promise today. I promise I will be a better promise keeper!
Professor McGruden: A worthy promise to keep!
Logan: And I promise to finish cleaning the lab too! (Begins cleaning)
Tina: I’ll help! You know Logan, my room is really messy, too . . . . 
(Characters walk off stage)

Day 3
Props: Toga Costume
Costumes: Professor McGruden in a lab coat. Tina and Logan in normal street clothes. 
Professor McGruden is struggling, perhaps even falling down, trying to put on a Roman toga as Logan and Tina enter. 
Tina: Do you need some help Professor?
Professor McGruden: (Noticing Tina and Logan for the first time) Ah, Tina. Logan. Yes, I would appreciate it if you would give me a hand. I seem to be tangled up. 
(Tina begins untangling the toga from Professor McGruden and helps him put it on the right way.) 
Logan: Going to a costume party, Professor M.?
Professor McGruden: Of course not. Why would you think I was going to a costume party?
Logan: Ummm . . . because you are wearing a toga?
Professor McGruden: Ah. Yes, I can see how you would think I was going to a costume party then. But alas, no. 
Tina: Then why are you wearing a toga, Professor?
Logan: You’re going to be an extra in a movie?
Professor McGruden: No, no. My clothes needed to blend in. I have decided to travel back in time to witness the greatest event in human history!
Logan: Why would you wear a toga to travel to the day I was born?
Tina: Ha, ha, very funny, Logan. But the greatest event in human history is definitely not the day you were born. 
Logan: The day the Twinkie® was created? Oh, or the first hamburger? Or the creation of donuts!
Tina: Why do I get the feeling you haven’t had lunch yet?
Professor McGruden: No, it has nothing to do with food. Though a donut-Twinkie®-burger does sound delicious! Think Roman.
Tina: Does this event have a holiday honoring it?
Professor McGruden: It does!
Logan: Roman numeral day?
Tina: Really, Logan. Roman numeral day?
Professor McGruden: That is my favorite of the lesser known Roman holidays, but no. I am, of course, referring to Jesus’ death on the cross and his resurrection three days later!
Logan: Why would you want to travel back in time to watch Jesus die? Isn’t that kind of sad?
Tina: Jesus’ death was sad. But the reason for his death makes it the greatest event ever!
Professor McGruden: I mentioned before that our first parents, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God’s command. That’s called sin. And since we are all descendants of Adam and Eve, each one of us—you and me—sins. We all disobey God’s commands. The punishment for sin is death, and when we die we are separated from God in a terrible place forever. That’s the bad news, Logan. Thankfully, God sent his Son, Jesus, to earth because of his great love for the world. (Read John 3:16.) He offers eternal life with him in heaven to everyone who repents of their sin and believes in Jesus. That’s the good news, Logan!
Tina: It is the greatest gift that has ever been given!
Logan: How is Jesus’ death on the cross a gift?
Tina: Jesus lived a sinless life. He always obeyed God. When our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned, God killed at least one animal to provide coverings for their sin. After that time, people offered animals as a sacrifice for sin. Four thousand years after Adam and Eve sinned, Jesus came to be the ultimate, best sacrifice. When he died, he took the punishment for our sin. He didn’t deserve to die because he nothing wrong. He did it because he loves us. The even better news is that Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God had accepted his sacrifice! Now, anyone who repents of their sin and believes in Jesus can have their sins forgiven and are given the gift of eternal life!
Professor McGruden: Because of his great love for his people, we can become a child of God!
Logan: So that’s why his death and resurrection are such important events!
Professor McGruden: The greatest!
Logan: But I still don’t get why you’re wearing the toga?
Tina: Jesus died over 2,000 years ago. Professor McGruden’s toga is more culturally and historically accurate than our jeans and T-shirt. 
Professor McGruden: Exactly!
Logan: Hey, if we get some togas, can we go with you?
Professor McGruden: Absolutely!
Logan: Do we have time to get lunch first? All that talk of donut-Twinkie®-burgers made me super hungry.
(Characters exit stage)

Day 4
Props: Suitcase, boxes of “things,” rubber chicken
Costumes: Professor McGruden in a lab coat. Tina and Logan in normal street clothes. 
Professor McGruden is in his lab packing various items into his suitcase. The sillier the items, the better.
Professor McGruden: (Digging through boxes, occasionally throwing out wrong items during his search) Where is it? I could have sworn I put it in this box after I used it last time. (Tosses out rubber chicken) Why would I need a rubber chicken? On second thought . . . (retrieves rubber chicken and packs it in suitcase) . . . I’ll pack it just in case. You never know when you might need a rubber chicken. (Returns to rummaging through boxes, mutters to self.)
(Logan and Tina enter the lab chatting.)
Professor McGruden: Ah, Logan, Tina. Have either of you seen my jet pack?
Logan: You have a jet pack? 
Professor McGruden: Doesn’t everyone?
Logan: Cool!
Tina: What do you need a jet pack for? 
Logan: And what’s with the suitcase?
Professor McGruden: I am preparing for my trip. Tomorrow, I will be going back to the future!
Tina: Back to the future? You’ve been there before?
Professor McGruden: Oh yes! The first time I traveled to the future, I was not prepared. I took one look around and came right back home. I needed to pack!
(Logan looks in the suitcase and pulls out the rubber chicken.)
Logan: You think you’ll need a rubber chicken in the future?
Professor McGruden: Perhaps. What if there is a rubber chicken throwing competition? I might need it!
Tina: It looks like you are definitely going to be prepared for your trip to the future!
Professor McGruden: I am prepared for my future, too!
Logan: Are you talking retirement, Professor M? Got some money saved up so you can quit teaching us college kids and move to the beach, huh?
Professor McGruden: Think even more to the future.
Tina: An eternal future, maybe?
Professor McGruden: Exactly! As a child of God, I know that Jesus has heaven all ready and waiting for me! 
Logan: What do you mean he has heaven ready for you?
Tina: Well, after Jesus’ resurrection, before he returned to heaven, he said he was going there to prepare a place for his people. 
Logan: Prepare it for his people?
Professor McGruden: Jesus himself tells us in his Word that he is in heaven preparing a place for all those who have received the gift of eternal life. Read John 14:2.
Logan: That’s pretty cool. But how much preparing do clouds need?
Tina: Clouds? Heaven is an actual place not a bunch of fluffy clouds! There are rooms and streets and trees and all sorts of things. Not clouds. It’s likely we’ll be able to explore mountains and swim in the sea and walk through the woods! And since it will be a perfect place, we won’t need to be afraid of anything! 
Logan: Oh.
Professor McGruden: And the best part is that Jesus is there waiting for us! We will get to see him and spend time with him and worship him forever!
Logan: Well how do we get there, then? Time travel?
Professor McGruden: No, we can’t get there in a time machine. 
Tina: And we can’t there by being a good person.
Professor McGruden: The only way to get to heaven is through Jesus Christ. His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead made it possible for us to go to heaven. 
Logan: I remember. You told me how his death took the punishment for our sin. And how he rose from the dead to show that God had accepted his sacrifice. Anyone who repents of their sin and believes in him can be forgiven and receive eternal life. That’s heaven, right?
Tina: Yeah! And heaven is going to be even more amazing than anything we can imagine!
Professor McGruden: And Jesus is there preparing it for his children! 
Logan: No suitcase or rubber chicken needed!
(Characters laugh as they exit stage.)
Day 5
Props: Bible, papers
Costumes: Professor McGruden in a lab coat. Tina and Logan in normal street clothes. 
Logan is sitting in the lab by himself, nervously waiting. Professor McGruden enters reading through papers and does not see Logan sitting in the lab. 
Logan: Umm . . . professor . . . .
Professor McGruden: (startled) AAAAHHH! Don’t sneak up on a man like that!
Logan: Sorry, professor. I was wondering if you had a minute. I wanted to talk to you about something. 
Professor McGruden: I’m glad you brought it up, Logan. I completely agree, but where would we put the swimming pool at? The time machine is too small for a swimming pool and a tennis court. 
Logan: (Interrupting) Um, no Professor. It’s not about the time machine. I wanted to talk to you about all of the stuff you and Tina have been talking about.  
Professor McGruden: Go on. 
Logan: Well, you and Tina have been talking a lot about Jesus lately.
Professor McGruden: Well, that’s because he is a very important part of our lives.
Logan: Well, all of the stuff that I’ve learned about him, how he came to die on the cross for to pay for sin, how we can have eternal life with him, how much he loves his people . . . It’s made me want to make him an important part of my life, too.
Professor McGruden: That is excellent, Logan! 
Logan: Yeah. I told God I was sorry for my sins and that I believe in Jesus and what he did for me on the cross. I’ve started reading my Bible, too. I still have a lot to learn, though. 
Professor McGruden: I still have a lot to learn, too. But, one thing that I have learned is that no matter what happens, Jesus is Lord. He will always be in charge. 
Logan: What do you mean?
Professor McGruden: (Pulls Bible out of lab coat pocket) I read a verse this morning that I’d like to share with you. (Read Philippians 2:10–11.) Jesus is Lord. That part always comforts me.
Logan: How so?
Professor McGruden: Knowing that Jesus was in charge before he created the earth and that he will remain in charge all throughout eternity. He’s the one calling the shots! He has had a plan in place from before he even created! 
(Tina enters stage, hearing the end of their conversation.)
Tina: Who’s calling the shots? Not Logan, right?
Logan: Definitely not. Jesus is. 
Tina: Well, yeah.
Professor McGruden: I think Logan is trying to tell you that Jesus is in charge of him personally.
Tina: Really?
Logan: Yep! (grinning) Since I am now a child of God, it looks like you are gonna be stuck with me for the future—for all eternity!
(Characters are excited and hug before exiting stage.)