A CHILDREN’S BIBLE LESSON
Walking in the Light Choosing God’s Way Why our church does not celebrate Halloween
Listen • Learn • Talk • Create 01 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT
OUR GOALS
Today’s learning adventure
01
02
03
Understand
Choose
Create
What does it mean to
How can we choose
Make a “Throne of
put God first?
what honors God?
My Heart” reminder.
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A PERSONAL STORY
The year things changed
At first… “When I was little, I loved the costumes and candy.”
Then one day… My mother said, “We are not celebrating Halloween anymore.” How might the little girl have felt?
03 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT
A PERSONAL STORY
From disappointment to understanding It was hard at first. I felt sad and disappointed.
Learning brought understanding. As I studied the Bible, I understood my family’s choice and later taught my children. Can learning help us understand a rule?
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KEY WORD • IDOLATRY
What is idolatry?
Putting something ahead of God An object, a person, or a tradition can become more important to us than God.
A heart-check question “Am I choosing this instead of obeying God?”
What should have first place in our hearts?
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READ THE BIBLE • EXODUS 20:3–5
God comes first “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” — Exodus 20:3 (KJV)
Exodus 20:4–5 also teaches us not to make images to bow down to or serve.
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READ THE BIBLE • 1 JOHN 1:5
God is light
“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5 (KJV)
What do light, life, and goodness help us picture? 07 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT
OUR FAITH & OUR CHOICES
Why we choose differently
Our family’s conviction We do not take part in Halloween because we want our choices to honor God.
The lesson’s concern Themes of death, fear, and spirits do not match what we want to celebrate. We can explain our choice with kindness.
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HISTORY WINDOW
A look at older traditions
Ancient Celtic traditions Halloween’s background is linked with Samhain, a seasonal festival in Britain and Ireland.
A change of season The harvest ended and the colder, darker part of the year began. A tradition’s age does not decide our faith.
09 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT
HISTORY WINDOW
Beliefs are not the same as facts What some people believed Stories told of spirits coming near the living at this time of year.
Customs in the lesson Bonfires, food offerings, and disguises were linked with those beliefs. These were beliefs—not proof of ghosts.
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HISTORY WINDOW
How the name developed
ALL SAINTS’ DAY
ALL HALLOWS’ EVE
HALLOWEEN
Also called All Hallows’
The evening before
A shortened form of
Observed on November 1
All Saints’ Day
“All Hallows’ Eve”
The lesson also mentions All Souls’ Day on November 2. 11 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT
BUILD YOUR VOCABULARY
Two words to know
Martyr
Folktale
Someone who suffers or dies rather than give up their faith or beliefs.
A traditional story passed from one generation to another, often by spoken word.
Think: Is every old or popular tradition right for our family? 12 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT
PURITY & WORSHIP
Choosing what honors God
Pure means… Clean, holy, and set apart for God.
Our church's practice We choose the biblical Feast Days that we believe God calls us to keep. God is the only One we worship.
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READ THE BIBLE • 2 CORINTHIANS 6:17
Set apart for God “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord…” 2 Corinthians 6:17 (KJV, excerpt)
Choose faithfulness—even when your choice is different. 14 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT
READ THE BIBLE • 1 THESSALONIANS 5:21–22
Test it. Keep the good. “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22 (KJV)
Ask: Does this choice help me honor God?
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LET’S PRACTICE A KIND RESPONSE
What could you say? A friend asks, “Why don’t you celebrate?” “My church chooses not to celebrate Halloween because of our faith.”
Speak gently. Be respectful. Stay faithful.
HANDS-ON ACTIVITY
The “Throne of My Heart” You will need: • White construction paper
• Colored markers • Safety scissors • A throne picture—or draw one! Ask an adult for help with cutting. 17 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT
CREATE • DISCUSS • REMEMBER
Make your heart reminder 1
Draw a large heart.
2
Draw or glue a throne inside. GOD
3
Write “GOD” on the throne.
4
Outside the heart, write things that must not take God’s place. God has first place.
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QUICK CHECK
What did we learn? 1. What is idolatry? Putting something or someone ahead of God.
2. What does “pure” mean? Clean, holy, and set apart for God.
3. How can we answer a friend? With kindness, respect, and honesty.
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OUR TAKE-HOME REMINDER
Keep God first. Walk in the light. Choose what honors Him. Speak with kindness. Let your heart belong to God. Optional prayer: “God, help us choose Your way.” 20 / WALKING IN THE LIGHT