Jesus-O’-Lantern
During this time of year, you can teach children about Jesus with a Christian alternative
to the Halloween Jack-O-Lantern.
A pumpkin is round and shiny on the outside. It’s skin is hard and tough. It almost looks
perfect. Sometimes we think we are perfect too. (READ ALOUD ISAIAH 66:2)
The slimy stuff inside the pumpkin is kind of gross. It reminds me of our sin. Sin is all
the wrong things we do, that we need to ask God to forgive us for. When we ask God
to forgive all the wrong things we’ve said, done, or thought, He forgives us. (READ
ALOUD ISAIAH 43:25)
As we scrap all the gross stringy stuff out, the pumpkin is cleaned out. Jesus cleans
our hearts, too, when we confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness. (READ ALOUD
PSALM 103:12)
Now that the pumpkin is all cleaned out we can begin to carve our designs. Let’s carve
a design that will remind us of God (a heart, cross, or fish). As we carve, the pumpkin
transforms into something new. We change too when God works in our lives. (READ
ALOUD 2CORINTHIANS 3:18)
Finally we can put the candle inside the pumpkin. When we light the candle, what
happens? (READ ALOUD 2CORINTHIANS 4:6)
When we have Jesus in our lives, it’s like having His candle inside us. We shine the
light of Jesus so others can see and know Him. (READ ALOUD MATTHEW 5:16 AND
JOHN 12:46)
Prayer- “Jesus, please help us to shine your light to others, and remind us to ask for
your forgiveness when we do something that is wrong. We want to be forgiven and to
live with you forever in heaven. In Jesus name, Amen.”
Permission granted by Teachable Heart Ministries to photocopy for church use only,
not for profit or resale. Written by N.H. Beaman.
Teachable Heart Children's Ministry Articles