Halloween is a great time of year to deal with common issues about fear and spookiness. Even if we didn’t have Jason and Freddy movies, kids would still have to deal with those natural fears that come with growing up. Remember fearing what’s under the bed or in the closet? Add our modern culture’s love for gore and horror and you can multiply those childish fears times a hundred (at least)! Help kids learn how to command those fears to leave. Empower them with lessons based on these fear-banishing scriptures.
Scriptures for Conquering Fear
For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7
Object Lesson Idea – Break out the David and Goliath props because they make a great example of overcoming fear. Arm kids with the Word of God! Explain that God’s Spirit will make us brave in times of trouble. God never makes us afraid — He grants us power over the enemy, endless amounts of love and He helps us to be disciplined.
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?“
Hebrews 13:6
Children’s Message Idea – Kids face fearful situations all the time. Sometimes at school on the playground and sometimes, sadly at home. Teach kids that we are eternal beings, we will live forever! Explain that when people threaten us, they can only harm our bodies. No one can take our souls, those belong to God.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NIV
Learning Activity Idea – Draw a big heart on a dry erase board. Write some fearful things and not so fearful things inside the heart. Write FEAR, SCARE, SPOOKY and PEACE, LOVE and GRACE. Read the verse with kids and use the eraser to remove the words, one at a time, that don’t belong. Show kids they can kick those scary things out of their hearts.
Bible Verses on Fearing the Lord
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
Luke 1:50 NIV
Children’s Devotional Theme – Now is the perfect time to instruct kids on fearing the Lord. Fearing the Lord involves having a respect and awe for God as we go about daily our lives. When we do that, we can receive His promised mercy.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:16-17 NIV
Scripture Application – What a powerful story! Kids should know that although they can’t see God’s forces at work, they are there! There are more of us who love God than those who are against Him!
More Teaching Ideas for Halloween
- The Pumpkin Prayer Activity
- Some churches host fall festivals, some hold trunk-or-treats
- Don’t miss our free printable “Do Not Fear” coloring pages for Halloween. We also have Halloween Sunday School lessons to help children put their faith in God when the world gets scary.
- Read more Bible verses about overcoming doubt
Verses Quoted Against Halloween
Leviticus 19:31 – Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I [am] the LORD your God.
Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
1 Chronicles 10:13 – So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, [even] against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking [counsel] of [one that had] a familiar spirit, to enquire [of it];
Ephesians 5:11 – And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove [them].
Ephesians 4:27 – Neither give place to the devil.
1 Corinthians 10:21 – Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.
1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Deuteronomy 18:9 – When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
1 John 5:19 – [And] we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness
Does your church debate about Halloween?
In some congregations, the topic of Halloween is controversial. It’s considered the least biblical holiday and often anti-christian. That’s why I’ve included the Bible verses about that are sometimes used to say Christians should not be participating in anything that has elements of paganism or the occult.
Some Christians don’t like any mention of Halloween — and they will make sure you know it.
Christians love to argue about Halloween. I can’t solve that dispute here on the blog, but I want to challenge both sides to look at these issues with Gospel-focused eyes.
What is this holiday really about?
Yes, it has a weird history (so did I before Jesus). Yes, it’s mostly about buying stuff (like everything in America). But for most ordinary people it’s just a silly holiday where kids have fun and we satirize things that normally make us uncomfortable. American culture doesn’t have any real answer for death or demonic forces. So, Halloween is just one attempt to cope with those fears.
Kids see all this and start asking big questions. What happens when people die? What is my deepest fear? Are evil spirits real? What can keep me safe?
Only the Gospel can answer these questions. Jesus alone has defeated death, fear, and the devil himself. Read this verse from Hebrews 2:14-15 carefully:
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he (Jesus) himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.
Did you catch all that? Satan has death & fear as his tools to enslave people, but Jesus overcame them both. He has broken the powers of evil and now lives as our champion. Bottom line, Jesus is not afraid of Halloween.
But it gets even better. 2 Timothy 1:10 says Jesus “abolished death” through the Gospel. If you’re a child of God, then death has been made un-true. Ultimately it can’t hurt you anymore. Death is nothing to be feared. In the long run, it’s about as scary as a carved pumpkin.
Halloween is a Door for Gospel Truth
I completely respect Christians who opt-out of the celebrations, but please don’t think Jesus is hiding under his throne. The reality of his Kingdom answers the deepest questions raised by this holiday. As his people, we must be ready to speak that truth instead of complaining about jack-o-lanterns.
This is an awesome opportunity to share about God’s love. Just like Paul used pagan idols to teach about the Creator, we must use every opportunity to speak God’s truth into the confusion of our culture.
I don’t think Halloween is completely harmless, but most of what happens is playful. We’re not talking about devil worship, most families are just dressing up the kids like superheros and getting some candy from grandma. What seems most dangerous is keeping silent when people need answers.
I don’t want to play the Pharisee. Instead of judging all those people, let’s be ready to offer them real hope. Just tell them the truth: Death is a pushover when Jesus gets involved. Evil spirits have always run from his name. Faith in His promises can overcome any fear.
Thank you Mimi Bullock, we appreciate your great contributions to the children ministry. The Lord will reward you.