Pumpkin Patch Gospel

Every year I use a pumpkin to illustrate how through Christ we can become a new person and shine his light through our lives.

Kids seem to grasp a concept more when you use an object. Every year around Halloween we get a real pumpkin. As you cut the pumpkin open and pull the "yucky" pulp out, tell how this is a picture of how God takes us and cleanses us from all our sin - casting them as far as the east is from the west (Psalms 103:12).
The carving of the eyes, nose, and  face, represents how God makes us a new creation.

Then as you put the light into the pumpkin, remind them that Christ comes into our lives as a light and can shine through us into a dark world. Encourage them through the month of October to remember this Christian object lesson and the light of Christ every time they see a carved pumpkin and how we as Christians should be letting His light shine through our lives.

You can use these verses while you are cutting and carving your pumpkin!

John 8:12 "When Jesus spoke again 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."

2 Corinthians 4:6 "For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

I was told that this is a good book to read as you are carving your pumpkin. It is filled with scripture through out the book, and it's a great way to illustrate the change Jesus makes in our lives. I will be going to look for this to read to my children during our weekly family devotion.







Here is a great alternative to Halloween I found and thought you might enjoy!


Use bible verses to create a fun and exciting treasure hunt! The bible talks alot about "treasure".
 Just a few Scriptures that mention treasure are as follows:

Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Matthew 13:44 ""The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field."

2 Corinthians 4:7 "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

1 Timothy 6:19 "In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life."

Everyone loves to find the treasure! Following are some ideas of how to take the fun of a treasure hunt and teach a wonderful Bible lesson as well.

If you are looking for an alternative to Trick or Treating this Halloween here is a fun treasure hunt for them not only to find candy treats, but biblical treats as well.

Give them one clue to begin. You can use ryming clues, here are several already made up ;  Scripture clues  are also  fun. The first clue led to the second, the second to the third, and so on. The final clue led them to "the treasure" - a load of candy along with several "treasure Scriptures."

 Kids will love it and certainly never felt "left out" when it comes to having fun and getting treats. You can take a day the Lord has made and rejoice in it while also celebrating the light of His life.

Scriputre clues can be written out or for a Bible drill activity, just give them the reference and have them look the Bible verses up.

Sample Scripture clues:

* Matthew 6:19: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

["Keys" - leave next clue either where you keep your car keys or on the piano keys if you have one.]

* Matthew 7:8 "For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

["Door" - leave the next clue on the front door.]

* Psalm 69:2: "I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me."

["Sink" - leave the next clue in the kitchen sink]

* 1 Kings 17:9: ""Give me your son," Elijah replied. He took him from her arms, carried him to the upper room where he was staying, and laid him on his bed."

["Bed" - leave the next clue under a bed]

These are just a few of the many possibilities!