Don’t like Halloween but don’t know how to respond? Do you turn the lights off and pretend you’re not home? Or give treats and then feel guilty? Check out some of these great family alternatives… and share the love of Jesus. Or steer away from ‘that date’ completely and do something for your children the day BEFORE or AFTER.
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WARNING: HALLOWEEN INVITATION TO THE OCCULT?
Dr Chuck Missler “The celebration of the pagan festival of Halloween is now a multi-billion dollar merchandiser’s market. Fifty percent of Americans will decorate for Halloween (compared to over 80% for Christmas). It is now the third most popular party activity, after the Superbowl and New Year’s Eve. This is always a difficult time for Christians, especially those with children. It is also a dangerous time for some, since many of the seemingly “harmless” involvements associated with Halloween can also be “entries” for the occult, and can prove very tragic for the unwary. There is only one true God (Isaiah 44:6, 44:8: 46:9). Thus, only one true religion. Scripture declares “all gods of the nations are idols” (Psalm 96:5). All false religion and idolatry is by definition involved in demon worship — whether or not the participants recognize it (Acts 26:18). Hence Paul’s concern. The spiritual power and reality behind idols involves demons (I Corinthians 10:20, Psalm 106:37). The Bible tells us to shun occultic practices. This series will help you understand the pagan background to the modern Halloween traditions practised today.”
A reader’s comment on Dr Missler’s site: After listening to your study on halloween, and being a former pagan high priestess of 10 yrs, then coming to know Christ in 1999, I have to say that the study was very accurate! Please do all you can to keep warning others about this dangerous time of the year.
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GOING OUT… SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS!
- PLEASE: Go with your children and stay close to them at all times! Not only for their safety, but it builds family memories.
- Dress your children as beautiful angels, or as one of their favourite Bible characters, or in one of these Biblically inspired costumes who knock on doors and GIVE something—like a small card with Bible verse and a heart chocolate. FREE Bible wallet cards, FREE Bible bookmarks, FREE Bible verse cards or something from an Armour of God theme would be perfect for this. Imagine people’s shock when there are kids at their door wanting to give. :)
- Start a harvest festival, or a ‘light of the world’ festival in your neighbourhood. Turn it into something for the glory of God.
- Host a ‘Light Party’ (Scriptureunion) a great way of reaching out to your community with the good news of Jesus. Scripture Union’s Light Party Pack is 36 pages of ideas for games, crafts and ways to talk with children and young people about the good news of Jesus; free printable (you just need to register to download it).
- Do something fun with your own family. Go for that picnic at the park or the beach, and enjoy the time with your own family. Watch a family movie together and enjoy your own treats. And of course, it’s also a fun time to dress up as angels or as your favourite Bible characters. Take some fun family photos to share with your sponsored child.
- For the more adventurous, rather than promoting evil and death during Halloween, take your family or a group to visit the Stargazer Planetarium at the Creation Museum in Kentucky USA. See the planetarium show, Aliens: Fact or Fiction? in the Stargazer Planetarium, also referred to as Area 51½—but watch out—this area is highly classified and is under ‘alien’ control. Be amazed with displays of vividly realistic images upon a 30-foot-diameter dome, allowing stargazers to travel anywhere in the universe, looking for answers, and meet some new friends who have lots of questions: Are we alone in the universe? Does life exist on other planets? Did your neighbor really see a UFO? Are there answers in the Bible? Enjoy learning from scientists and astronomers who affirm young-earth creation and explain the truth about ‘aliens’ and that what we see in the night sky confirms God’s Word in Genesis.
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STAYING IN… SHARE THE LOVE OF JESUS!
Share more than candy with the kids who knock on your door. Give them a small paper gift with a Bible verse, a heart chocolate and one of your biggest smiles. Share the love of Jesus. Here are some suggestions:
- FREE Bible verse card | FREE Bible colouring page | FREE Bible bookmark | FREE Bible wallet card; free printable
- FREE Armour of God colouring page, puzzle page or bookmark; free printable
- God chose you – FREE Scripture Doodle (max7) with Bible verse from Ephesians 1:4. Let them know that the God of the whole universe knows them personally, cares very much about them and wants a relationship with them. It says, ‘Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose YOU to be His very own.’ Wow! One of my favourites. What a fabulous verse to let them know how special they are to God. And if you check my ‘Before you were born, God knew you’ post, you will find more paper gifts to go with it; free printable
- Share tracts or stickers with a Gospel message (happyhomefairy) – candy that is good for you. Display a Gospel Pumpkin. Or try one of these alternative Halloween ideas; free printable.
- Here’s some ideas for your family from Answers In Genesis: Dress up your family in ‘Armour of God’ costumes; decorate your house, doorstep or classroom with a fun Armour of God theme. Children will love their FREE armour of God poster; FREE armour of God colouring pages (scroll down), creature cards (for purchase), bookmarks, etc. Some are free printable, others are for purchase. Grab enough so you can give a Treat and a Tract for any kids that come to your door. Check out their Treat & Tract – Halloween section for ideas. While you are there, you may like to check out their kid’s section (lots of great free printable ideas). They cater for all ages (preschool to adults). Answers in Genesis (AIG) is an apologetics ministry in the USA which concentrates on reinforcing the authority of Scripture. They are also the ministry team behind the award winning Creation Museum and Ark Encounter tourist theme parks in Kentucky, USA.
- Share more than candy… Share the love of Jesus.
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Please note: As our sponsored children often come from areas which practise black magic, halloween items are NOT acceptable or endorsed. An Armour of God theme would be a fabulous and fun alternative for our children.
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