“Mr. Kline’s Want Ads”

A flashy booth suddenly pops up at church youth night like it belongs at a carnival, not a sanctuary: “MR. KLINE’S WANT ADS!” Complete with bright signs, bold promises, and a salesman smile that never blinks, Mr. Kline announces he can provide everything teens want with zero effort. Popularity without kindness, easy money without work, instant confidence without healing, “followers” without character, even a premium package called “Easy Victory—No Effort Required.” Teens swarm the booth, laughing and hyped, treating it like a game at first—until they start signing papers and handing over “small” things Mr. Kline calls harmless: time, integrity, honesty, patience, and obedience. The deals sound too good to be true, but the booth is loud, shiny, and convincing, and the line keeps growing.

One by one, the ads “deliver”… and it’s hilariously disappointing. The popularity option turns into being “known” for the wrong reasons. The easy money comes with stress, emptiness, and consequences nobody read in the fine print. Instant confidence shows up as arrogance that cracks the moment someone disagrees. “Easy victory” becomes a mess of shortcuts that backfire, leaving teens frustrated, embarrassed, and more stuck than before. Meanwhile, sitting nearby—plain, quiet, and almost ignored, is a small sign that simply reads: “THE BETTER,  WAY.” Nobody notices it until a quiet teen finally pauses, asks questions, and realizes the flashy promises are draining them instead of building them. In the end, Mr. Kline drops the sales act and admits what he’s been selling all along: quick fixes don’t last, and shortcuts always cost more than they advertise. God’s way may not be loud or instant, but it’s steady, honest, and life-giving,and when the group finally turns toward that “better way,” they discover real change is worth more than any easy deal.

Theme

God’s way isn’t always exciting at first, but it lasts, builds character, and brings real joy.

Characters 

(7-10 actors)

• Narrator – guides the story and adds comedic commentary

• Mr. Kline – energetic salesman with a booth full of “want ads”

• Tessa – confident teen, likes attention

• Jayden – funny teen, always chasing shortcuts

• Mia – anxious teen, wants instant confidence

• Rico – competitive teen, wants easy victories

• Lily – driven teen, wants scholarships and success without stress

• Noah – quiet teen who observes before speaking

• (Optional) Dana – Mr. Kline’s “assistant,” stamps papers and adds comedic reactions

• (Optional) Pastor/Leader – appears briefly at the end (or can be offstage voice)

When

A church youth night, right before games or announcements.

Props & Costumes

• Folding table or booth with a bright sign: “MR. KLINE’S WANT ADS”

• Stack of colorful papers labeled: “POPULARITY,” “EASY MONEY,” “INSTANT CONFIDENCE,” “EASY VICTORY,” “SCHOLARSHIP—NO WORK”

• A stamp and ink pad (or pretend)

• A small, plain sign on the side: “THE BETTER WAY” (simple, unflashy)

• Clipboards/pens

• Optional: confetti popper (or fake confetti), sunglasses, a foam trophy, a tiny “participation ribbon,” a piggy bank with a few coins

Why

Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good…”
God teaches that real growth takes time, but the harvest is worth it when we don’t give up.

How

Set the booth on one side of the stage. Make the “Better Way” sign easy to miss at first (smaller, less colorful). Teens enter from the other side like they just spotted something amazing.

Time

10 minutes