Halloween has become so popular and commercialized over the years that the church really can’t justify sweeping it under the carpet.
Yes, it is true that the Bible teaches us to “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11).
But does switching off all the lights of our homes and hiding from trick-or-treaters make us light and salt of the world?
Jesus has sent us into the world to be His witnesses, to be in the world but not of the world. It is possible for us to celebrate Halloween and still stay true to our calling as Jesus’ disciples and disciple makers.
We don’t have to dress up as zombies and witches or decorate with skeletons and cauldrons.
Instead, we can use this opportunity to share the gospel in some creative ways.
Creative Halloween Ideas for Sharing the Gospel
1. Reverse Trick Or Treat
Instead of waiting for trick-or-treaters to come knocking, do the opposite!
Equip families in your ministry with appropriate Halloween-themed gospel tracts (here’s one idea). Commission them to visit their neighbors with these gospel tracts and Halloween treats.
Get to know the neighbors and invite them to church!
This works especially well if you’re planning to host one of the events I mention below.
2. Barbecue Rest Stop
Host a barbecue at your church (or encourage members to host in their neighborhoods).
Keep the barbecue simple with finger food like sausages, marshmallows and s’mores, so you’ll be free to mingle with your guests. Supplement with other ready-cooked Halloween-themed treats and beverages.
Prepare lots more tables and chairs than your invited guests can possibly occupy. Welcome trick-or-treaters to stay and join your party or to come back after they are done with their trick or treating!
Give out candies in this little pumpkin-shaped Halloween Tract that contains the gospel message.
3. Wells of Living Water
Get out in the neighborhoods surrounding your church.
Identify strategic locations where many trick-or-treaters or partygoers will likely be passing by. Or ask families in your ministry where the most popular trick-or-treating spots are in their neighborhoods.
At each of these locations, set up a small inflatable pool dressed to look like a well. Stock up with specially tagged bottled water or juices. Fill the inflatable pool with water and ice to keep the drinks nice and cold.
Offer these drinks to passers-by.
The tags for the water bottles should contain the verse John 4:13-14:
“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’”
You can print these tags on paper and laminate them before tying to the drinks. Or print on plastic sheets or transparencies to replace the original plastic wrapper around the bottled water.
Be sure to include your church’s name, address, service times, and website.
Share the gospel with whoever is curious enough to stop and listen. You can use one of these Gospel Tracts to capture and hold the attention of your audience without distracting them from the gospel message.
4. Game Night
Some may prefer to celebrate All Saints’ Day (or Eve of All Saints’ Day) instead of Halloween. You can host a game night at church or several members’ homes.
Play a game of charades with these specially designed Bible Occupation Charades Cards that you can download here.
Keep your doors open and have some church members at the door or front porch to welcome trick-or-treaters to come in for some refreshments and join in the fun!
At the end of the game, explain that all the occupations in the Bible Occupation Cards can be found in the Bible.
Just like us, the saints in the Bible came from all walks of life and worked in various occupations. And just like them, we, too, can become saints.
All Christians are saints—holy and set apart for the Lord—not by our own merits, but by the grace of God and by our faith in Jesus.
Take the opportunity to present the gospel and invite your guests to become saints!
5. Halloween Amazing Race
Organize a Halloween-Themed Amazing Race that starts and ends at your church, but with members and friends going out to round up neighbors in-between.
What if We’re Failing Kids at Faith Formation? (And How Not To)
What if We’re Failing Kids at Faith Formation? (And How Not To)
