“Who Touched Me?”	aee
	Accessible EasyEnglish

 

An EasyEnglish Drama Unit (Accessible Easy English) on
Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:41-48

www.easyenglish.bible

Frances Jones

About this unit

This unit, “Who Touched Me?” has five parts.

1. Background

2. English word study

          A teaching unit on new vocabulary

3. A reading play

4. A speaking play

5. Word list

 

1. Background

 

In Jesus’s time it was said that blood was life. But blood from a sick person was not life, it was bad blood. Persons who touched that bad blood were unclean. They were unclean even if they did not mean to touch the blood. They were unclean if they did not know they touched the blood. They were unclean even if they did not remember touching the blood.

No one came close to any unclean person. No one wanted to touch them. No one wanted to touch an unclean person’s clothes or stool or bed. If they did, they were made unclean, too. Unclean people had to live alone.

Unclean people did not go to the temple to worship. They did not go any place. Unclean persons had to wash. They had to make sin offerings at the temple. Not until the temple priests said they were clean, did they go to be with other people.

The woman in this play was afraid. She did not want to say she was bleeding. Not only that, in Jesus’s time a woman did not talk to a man that was not her husband. A woman never, never talked to a priest or a teacher. If she did, it was a sin. People yelled at her and hit her with stones.

The bleeding woman in the play was healed. But it was not touching Jesus’s clothes that healed her. She went to Jesus. That is what healed her.

References:

Internet: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge; Study Guide to Luke, Guzik; Matthew Henry Commentaries.

Books: The Daily Study Bible Series, The Gospel of Mark, Barkley in The Daily Study Bible; The Face is Familiar, Westfall.

Bible: NRSV.

2. English word study

 

Teaching new vocabulary

 

 

blood (blŭd)  bleeding (blēd ing)

When you cut your hand, what happens?
You begin bleeding.
You see something red.
It is blood.

In Jesus’s time blood was a sign for life.

 

Bleeding was a sign that life was going away.

 

Staying Well

 

          Can you stay well if you do not live in a house? Can you stay well if you are going from place to place all the time? Can you stay well if you live in dust?

          Thousands of years ago people in the Bible lived like that. They went from place to place, so their animals had something to eat. There was dust. Sometimes there was not much water. They lived outdoors. But those Bible people had rules that helped them stay well.

Here are some of the rules:

1.       They ate animals, fish and birds that did not make them sick.

2.       They washed their dishes.

3.       They washed their hands and their clothes.

4.       When they killed an animal, they did not eat the blood.

5.       They made sick people stay away from other people.

6.       They made a bleeding woman stay away for seven days.

7.       The priest said when a sick person was well.

Words that sound alike         The ick family:

sick    lick     wick   Mick   slick   chick

pick    tick     stick   Nick   thick   trick

Mick played a slick trick on Nick.
He picked up Nick’s sticks.

Words with an ē sound

1.       bleed (blēd) to have blood run out

2.       year (yēr) 365 days, 12 months

3.       feel (fēl) to know and understand, to touch

4.       peace (pēs) to feel that things are all right, no fights

5.       please (plēz) an asking word, a begging word

6.       clean (clēn) washed

7.       read (rēd) to understand written words

 

Read these sentences:

1.       Dad said, “When I come home from work, I want peace!”

 

2.       Mum said, “Please put on clean clothes.”

 

3.       Brother said, “I am 12 years old this year.”

 

4.       Grandmother said, “I feel as if I am 100 years old this year.”

 

5.       The girl said, “I hurt my arm but it did not bleed.”

 

6.       The beggar said, “Please give me something to eat.”

 

7.       The husband said, “I will clean the floor for you.”

 

8.       The sick woman said, “I do not feel well.”

 

9.       The priest said, “You are not sick. You are clean.”

 

Words that say not   The sound ŭn can mean not

The bird was not like any other bird.

The bird was unlike any other bird.

 

The sound was not heard.

The sound was unheard.

 

The cup was not clean.

The cup was unclean.

 

A cover was not on the cup

The cup was uncovered.

 

The bed was not made.

The bed was unmade.

 

3. A Reading Play

“Who Touched Me?”

by Frances Jones

 

Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:41-48

 

 

CHARACTERS

Miriam

Deborah

Jesus

The Sick Woman

Jairus

Two or three people in a crowd

 

SETTING

Street

 

PROPS

Cup

Stool for the sick woman to sit on

 

 

Stage directions are on the actor’s right and left.

 

CURTAINS OPEN

 

The Sick Woman is sitting on a stool at stage right, waiting for Jesus to come. Her head is in her hands. Miriam comes from stage left and starts calling her son. Deborah comes to Miriam from stage right. She looks at the Sick Woman, but she does not say anything.

 

SCENE ONE

 

Miriam:  John! John! Oh, good morning, Deborah, have you seen John? I sent him to my brother’s house with a message. He has not come home yet. Have you seen him?

 

Deborah:  Yes, John said to tell you he was going to the temple with your brother.  [Deborah looks back at the Sick Woman.]  Miriam, is that the woman that lives close to the Temple Gate? The sick woman?

 

Miriam:  [Looks at the Sick Woman]  Yes, I think it is. I wonder why she is sitting there? It is so hot this morning. She looks hot and tired, does she not?

 

Deborah:  I heard that she has bleeding.  [She looks at Miriam in a knowing way.]  You know, not just at some times, but each day, all day!

 

Miriam:  Oh, that is too bad. I am sorry for her, but why is she sitting here on this street? She cannot be here. She must go back to her house if she is bleeding.

 

Deborah:  I will ask her why she is here.  [Deborah starts to go to the woman.]

 

Miriam:  [Puts her hand on Deborah’s arm]  Oh, no, Deborah, do not go. No one can get close to her or talk to her if she is bleeding. She cannot be with people. She must go home.

 

Deborah:  Look at her with her head down. I think she is praying.  [She walks to the woman.]

 

[The Sick Woman looks up.]

 

Deborah:  Good morning. I am Deborah. I live in the house over there. Are you sick? Can I get something for you? Water? You must be hot sitting here in the sun.

 

The Sick Woman:  [Puts up her hands]  Stop. Do not come close to me. I am sick. I am unclean.

 

Deborah:  If you are unclean why are you here in the street? Why are you not at home? I can see that you are very tired. Why are you here?

 

Miriam:  [She comes closer, but not as close as Deborah.]  Are you the sick woman that lives by the Temple Gate?

 

The Sick Woman:  [Head down]  Yes, I am that woman.

 

Deborah:  What is it that makes you unclean?

 

Sick Woman:  [Puts her hands up to tell Deborah to stay away]  Stay back. I will tell you, but I beg you, do not make me go away.

 

Deborah:  Wait, I will be back in just a minute.  [She hurries off stage left, and comes right back. She has a cup of water.]  It is so hot, I got some water for you. Maybe it will make you feel better.

 

Miriam:  Deborah, you cannot! You will have to throw the cup away.

 

Deborah:  [She waves her hand at Miriam.]  Silence, Miriam, she has to have water. It is hot out here.  [She talks to the Sick Woman.]  I do not know your name, but take the water. Take the cup, too.

 

Sick Woman:  Thank you.  [She takes the water and looks up at Deborah and Miriam.]  I have been sick with bleeding for 12 years. I went to doctors, many doctors. I listened to them and did what they said.  [She closes her eyes.]  Some of the doctors hurt me very much. Not one of them made me well. I gave all I had to doctors. Today I have nothing.

 

Deborah:  Oh, you poor woman.

 

Miriam:  Are you here to beg, then?

 

The Sick Woman:  No, I am not a beggar. I am here to see Jesus. I want him to heal me.

 

Miriam:  You cannot think you will talk to Jesus! He is a teacher! He will be unclean if you talk to him. You cannot get close to him at all! If you touch him or talk to him, he will be unclean.

 

The Sick Woman:  I will do anything to be healed. I will not talk to Jesus or ask him anything. I know I will be healed if I just touch his clothes. I will just touch the fringe on his clothes, that’s all.

 

Miriam:  [Lifts her head to listen]  Listen! He is coming. I hear the people with him.  [To the sick woman]  You must go! I hear Jesus coming into this street. You must go!

 

[Jairus runs in from stage right as Jesus and the crowd come from stage left. They come together at stage centre, right.]

 

Jairus:  Jesus! Teacher!  [Jairus kneels and puts his head to the floor.]  Oh, teacher, my little girl, my little girl! She is just 12 years old! Please come and heal her, Jesus. I know you can heal her. Please, I have no other children. Please, teacher.

 

[Jesus puts his hand out to Jairus. The sick woman slowly stands up.]

 

Miriam:  No! Wait. You must not.

 

Jairus:  Please come, Jesus. My little girl is very, very sick. Please come.

 

[The sick woman goes behind Jesus. She touches the fringe on the back of his clothes. Jesus looks up. The Sick Woman backs away.]

 

The Sick Woman:  [Her eyes are big. She puts her hand to her face.]  I am not bleeding! I am well. Jesus healed me!

 

Jesus:  Who touched me?

 

People in the crowd:  What are you saying, teacher? We all touched you.

 

Jesus:  No, someone touched me. Power went out from me. Who touched me?

 

[People in the crowd look at each other. Deborah and Miriam look at the Sick Woman.]

 

The Sick Woman:  [Comes to Jesus. She is afraid. She kneels and puts her arms over her head. Then she looks up.]  Teacher, I touched the fringe on the back of your clothes. I have been sick with bleeding for 12 years, but you healed me the second I touched you. I am healed.

 

Jesus:  [Puts his hand out to her]  Take heart, your faith has made you well. Be healed and go in peace.

 

[Jesus and the crowd go off stage right. Deborah and Miriam go with them. Jairus goes ahead. The Sick Woman kneels and looks at Jesus as he goes.]

 

CURTAINS CLOSE

 

4. A Speaking Play

 

English speakers do not say each word clearly. They run words together. These words are contractions. This speaking play has contractions in it. That’s so it will sound right when speaking English.

 

 

“Who Touched Me?”

by Frances Jones

 

Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:41-48

 

 

CHARACTERS

Miriam

Deborah

Jesus

The Sick Woman

Jairus

Two or three people in a crowd

 

SETTING

Street

 

PROPS

Cup

Stool for the sick woman to sit on

 

 

Stage directions are on the actor’s right and left.

 

CURTAINS OPEN

 

The Sick Woman is sitting on a stool at stage right, waiting for Jesus to come. Her head is in her hands. Miriam comes from stage left and starts calling her son. Deborah comes to Miriam from stage right. She looks at the Sick Woman, but she does not say anything.

 

SCENE ONE

 

Miriam:  John! John! Oh, good morning, Deborah, have you seen John? I sent him to my brother’s house with a message. He hasn’t come home yet. Have you seen him?

 

Deborah:  Yes, John said to tell you he was going to the temple with your brother.  [Deborah looks back at the Sick Woman.]  Miriam, is that the woman that lives close to the Temple Gate? The sick woman?

 

Miriam:  [Looks at the Sick Woman]  Yes, I think it is. I wonder why she’s sitting there? It’s so hot this morning. She looks hot and tired, doesn’t she?

 

Deborah:  I heard that she has bleeding.  [She looks at Miriam in a knowing way.]  You know, not just at some times, but each day, all day!

 

Miriam:  Oh, that is too bad. I’m sorry for her, but why is she sitting here on this street? She can’t be here. She must go back to her house if she’s bleeding.

 

Deborah:  I’ll ask her why she is here.  [Deborah starts to go to the woman.]

 

Miriam:  [Puts her hand on Deborah’s arm]  Oh, no, Deborah, don’t go. No one can get close to her or talk to her if she’s bleeding. She can’t be with people. She must go home.

 

Deborah:  Look at her with her head down. I think she’s praying.  [She walks to the woman.]

 

[The Sick Woman looks up.]

 

Deborah:  Good morning. I’m Deborah. I live in the house over there. Are you sick? Can I get something for you? Water? You must be hot sitting here in the sun.

 

The Sick Woman:  [Puts up her hands]  Stop. Don’t come close to me. I’m sick. I’m unclean.

 

Deborah:  If you’re unclean why are you here in the street? Why aren’t you at home? I can see that you are very tired. Why are you here?

 

Miriam:  [She comes closer, but not as close as Deborah.]  Are you the sick woman that lives by the Temple Gate?

 

The Sick Woman:  [Head down]  Yes, I’m that woman.

 

Deborah:  What is it that makes you unclean?

 

Sick Woman:  [Puts her hands up to tell Deborah to stay away]  Stay back. I’ll tell you, but I beg you, don’t make me go away.

 

Deborah:  Wait, I’ll be back in just a minute.  [She hurries off stage left, and comes right back. She has a cup of water.]  It’s so hot, I got some water for you. Maybe it will make you feel better.

 

Miriam:  Deborah, you can’t! You’ll have to throw the cup away.

 

Deborah:  [She waves her hand at Miriam.]  Silence, Miriam, she has to have water. It’s hot out here.  [She talks to the Sick Woman.]  I don’t know your name, but take the water. Take the cup, too.

 

Sick Woman:  Thank you.  [She takes the water and looks up at Deborah and Miriam.]  I‘ve been sick with bleeding for 12 years. I went to doctors, many doctors. I listened to them and did what they said.  [She closes her eyes.]  Some of the doctors hurt me very much. Not one of them made me well. I gave all I had to doctors. Today I have nothing.

 

Deborah:  Oh, you poor woman.

 

Miriam:  Are you here to beg, then?

 

The Sick Woman:  No, I’m not a beggar. I’m here to see Jesus. I want him to heal me.

 

Miriam:  You can’t think you’ll talk to Jesus! He’s a teacher! He’ll be unclean if you talk to him. You can’t get close to him at all! If you touch him or talk to him, he’ll be unclean.

 

The Sick Woman:  I‘ll do anything to be healed. I won’t talk to Jesus or ask him anything. I know I’ll be healed if I just touch his clothes. I will just touch the fringe on his clothes, that’s all.

 

Miriam:  [Lifts her head to listen]  Listen! He’s coming. I hear the people with him.  [To the sick woman]  You must go! I hear Jesus coming into this street. You must go!

 

[Jairus runs in from stage right as Jesus and the crowd come from stage left. They come together at stage centre, right.]

 

Jairus:  Jesus! Teacher!  [Jairus kneels and puts his head to the floor.]  Oh, teacher, my little girl, my little girl! She is just 12 years old! Please come and heal her, Jesus. I know you can heal her. Please, I have no other children. Please, teacher.

 

[Jesus puts his hand out to Jairus. The sick woman slowly stands up.]

 

Miriam:  No! Wait. You must not.

 

Jairus:  Please come, Jesus. My little girl is very, very sick. Please come.

 

[The sick woman goes behind Jesus. She touches the fringe on the back of his clothes. Jesus looks up. The Sick Woman backs away.]

 

The Sick Woman:  [Her eyes are big. She puts her hand to her face.]  I’m not bleeding! I’m well! Jesus healed me!

 

Jesus:  Who touched me?

 

People in the crowd:  What are you saying, teacher? We all touched you.

 

Jesus:  No, someone touched me. Power went out from me. Who touched me?

 

[People in the crowd look at each other. Deborah and Miriam look at the Sick Woman.]

 

The Sick Woman:  [Comes to Jesus. She is afraid. She kneels and puts her arms over her head. Then she looks up.]  Teacher, I touched the fringe on the back of your clothes. I’ve been sick with bleeding for 12 years, but you healed me the second I touched you. I am healed.

 

Jesus:  [Puts his hand out to her]  Take heart, your faith has made you well. Be healed and go in peace.

 

[Jesus and the crowd go off stage right. Deborah and Miriam go with them. Jairus goes ahead. The sick woman kneels and looks at Jesus as he goes.]

 

CURTAINS CLOSE

5. Word List

A list of words in the speaking play

 

 

© 1997-2007, Wycliffe Associates (UK)

This publication is written in Accessible EasyEnglish.

March 2007

Visit our website: www.easyenglish.bible