Kidz Topic ... EVANGELISM (Halloween)

This is a new segment of my blog where I will be sharing a variety of thoughts, scripture verses, and “sparkle” ideas just for kids. Feel free to pass them on to your children, grandchildren, or any other young people that God has put in your life.

KIDZ ☮ PEACE...  Over the next three weeks our Kidz Peace topics will be about E V A N G E L I S M.   Evangelism means talking about our beliefs with others who do not share those same beliefs. In other words, spreading Christianity.

A few more days and it will be Halloween. When I think of Halloween, I think of carving pumpkins with crazy faces, then putting a candle inside to watch them glow.

In Exodus 34:29-35, we can read the story of how Moses spent 40 days and 40 nights on Mt. Sinai with the Lord. During that time, Moses wrote down the 10 commandments. When he came down the mountain after meeting with God, his face was glowing. Like Moses, we have no light of our own. But , because we have accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior, we have been filled with His light, and the more time we spend with God, the brighter our light becomes.

John 8:12 tells us that when Jesus spoke to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” What an important message – one that needs to be shared with others. We have been called to reflect God’s light to the world – to share the incredible message that God sent His Son to die for our sins (Romans 5:8).

1. Did you know that being a CHRISTIAN is like being a PUMPKIN?

God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes off the dirt you may have gotten from the other pumpkins. Then he cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, greed, etc. Then He carves a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see. (- passed on from one of God's pumpkins to another!)

Evangelism Idea: Why not put a copy of this poem with each treat you pass out this Halloween. Spread the Good News of Christ!

2. How to carve a Christian Pumpkin:

I am a Jack O' Lantern my light will shine so bright,
for I am a Christian pumpkin my symbols tell what's right.

My nose is like the cross on which our Savior died,
to set us free from sin we need no longer hide.

My mouth is like a fish the whole wide world to show,
that Christians live in this house and love their Savior so!

The story starts at Christmas my eyes are like the star,
that shone on Baby Jesus and wise men saw from far.

My color it is orange just like the big bright sun,
that rose on Easter Day along with Gods' own Son.

And so on Halloween let's set our pumpkins out,
and tell the trick-or-treaters what Gods’ love is all about!

Evangelism Idea: Why not carve some Christian pumpkins, then make a card telling the story of a Christian Pumpkin, and give them to some of your neighbors. Your neighborhood may reflect the only sign of Christ someone see’s this Halloween.

3. What does God’s Word tell us? When we go to God in prayer and read our Bible we can find words that instruct us on shining our light as a witness to others. Check out these verses: Matthew 5:14, 2 Corinthians 4:6, Ephesians 5:8, Matthew 5:16, 2 Corinthians 3:18.

4. Do you know what an acronym is? It is when you take letters and use them to represent a saying. If I asked you what the letters W W J D meant, you would probably know that it meant – What Would Jesus Do. Here’s another one, what do the letters G L O W mean? They stand for God’s Love Overpowers the World. Or, what about S H I N E  - Share His Incredible News Everywhere.

Kidz Thought for the Week:   Hold on, man. We don't go anywhere with "scary," "spooky," "haunted," or "forbidden" in the title. - from Scooby-Doo

Keeping you in my prayers. 'til next week ... whether you G L O W or S H I N E, have a safe and fun-filled Halloween ... it’s a great time for Evangelism.

God's Peace, Donna

A Great Time to SHINE

"The light of the righteous shines brightly,
but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out."
- Proverbs 13:9

We’ve been talking about October and all the activities it has to offer, and this week is no exception. With autumn in full swing – cooler temperatures, leaves changing colors and falling to the ground, and pumpkins everywhere you look, I am reminded of carving jack-o-lanterns, bobbing for apples, watching the Peanuts gang as they prepared for Halloween, attending costume parties, visiting haunted houses, and going trick-or treating.  Innocent fun – or is it?

Many Christians treat Halloween as a time devoted to handing out goodies, and dressing up in costumes with no threat to their spiritual well-being. The celebration of Halloween itself has no Christian spiritual or religious significance (and should not be confused with celebrating the lives of faithful Christian saints on All Saints Day, November 1). Other Christians have concerns that Halloween celebrates paganism and other activities that compromise their beliefs.

I recently read an article entitled What does the Bible say about Halloween? The article stated, “The dilemma over Halloween may fall under the category of a Romans 14 issue.” What the writer was referring to is that there are matters that lack clear and specific direction from the Bible. Sometimes our decisions must be based on our own convictions. Romans 14:5 says, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind.” We should never judge others, because someday each of us will have to give an account of our own actions to God.

According to the article, when we answer the question ... Should we be involved in the celebration of Halloween, there are 3 things we need to consider first:

1) Let your heart and your conscience before God alone tell you what is right and wrong on matters that are not clear in the Bible. Do you have freedom in Christ and a clear conscience before the Lord to do whatever is in question? Or, does the area weaken your Christian walk?

2) Don't pass judgment on your brother or sister if they have freedom that you don't have in an area (Romans 14:10-12).

3) If you are strong in an area and have freedom in Christ in that area, never let your freedom cause someone else to stumble (Romans 14:13, 1 Corinthians 10:32).

When my children were young, they looked forward to dressing up in their costumes. We would enjoy an evening walking around the neighborhood, gathering yummy treats, visiting with neighbors, and having a fun time creating family memories. It really was a time of innocent fun!

It’s not Friday, but we’re gonna “sparkle” anyway ... Many Christians see Halloween as an opportunity to witness for Christ. It’s a great time to S H I N E (Share His Incredible News Everywhere). Local churches have gotten involved in providing safe alternatives to the usual trick or treat activities. Some of those alternatives include: fall harvest festivals, youth group pumpkin patch fundraiser, neighborhood block party, family hayride and pumpkin carving, or an evangelism outreach such as Trunk or Treat in the church parking lot – it’s just like a neighborhood tailgating party. Check out churches in your community to see what activities might be planned.

Another activity (started by a Pennsylvania minister and his wife) has become a common sight during Halloween - it is Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF. Started as a local event in a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood in 1950, the program involves trick-or-treaters taking small boxes door to door so they can collect small-change donations from the houses they visit. It is estimated that children have collected more than $118 million for UNICEF since the program started. Kids and adults alike are making a different in the lives of other kids around the world.

You can order your collections boxes by phone at 1-800-FOR-KIDS, or pick up UNICEF collection boxes at Crocs stores nationwide from September 22 through October 31, while supplies last. To find a participating Crocs store location near you check out:  http://youth.unicefusa.org/trickortreat/participate/

No matter what choice we make in regards to celebrating or not celebrating Halloween, it is important that we not hide in the face of evil. We will have peace with our decision if we remember that God wants us to boldly celebrate good over evil and His ultimate triumph over Satan, each and every day as we continue our spiritual journey.

Be sure to check back on Wednesday when our discussion on Halloween Evangelism will continue with some great outreach ideas for kidz!

God’s Peace, Donna Weaver

Pumpkin Prayer ... Dear Jesus, as I carve my pumpkin help me pray this prayer: Open my mind so I can learn about you (cut the top off pumpkin). Take all of my sin and forgive my wrongs (clean out the insides). Open my eyes to your love (cut out eyes). I'm sorry for turning my nose up at times (cut out nose). Open my mouth to tell others about you (cut out mouth). And let your light shine in my heart always (light candle inside pumpkin). In Jesus' name ... Amen.



REFERENCE: Fairchild, Mary (n.d.). What Does the Bible Say About Halloween? Retrieved October 19, 2011 from http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/i/biblehalloween.htm