Ten Tips to Share Jesus on Halloween
Image by Jenny Stainback
Halloween is a fun holiday for children and adults to dress in costumes, carve pumpkins, trick-or-treat for candy, and attend parties. Many Christians and nonbelievers participate in these activities for enjoyment without any intention of celebrating evil. Unfortunately, some use the holiday to honor death, horror, and the dark supernatural. Occult activity, crime, and vandalism are higher on Halloween night.
Because of the evil associated with Halloween, some Christians boycott the holiday. While it’s important not to honor evil, boycotting it is a missed opportunity to share Jesus with others. How often do nonbelievers knock on your door with an open invitation to give them something? Embrace Halloween as a unique chance to further the Kingdom of God.
There are nonbelievers trick-or-treating who need to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ. The seed you plant in a child’s treat bag can grow into eternal salvation for the child and their parents.
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
—Romans 10:14–15 (NLT)
During trick-or-treat hours, be a messenger of good news by following these ten tips to share Jesus on Halloween:
Use Christian-themed treat bags and/or treats such as candy with Scripture on the wrappers, bookmarks, bracelets, cards, pencils, or crosses. Amazon, Oriental Trading Company, and Walmart, among other retailers, offer a good selection online.
Attach a Scripture verse around each treat or in an individual treat bag with candy. Galatians 5:22–23, John 3:16, Luke 19:10, Romans 10:13, or Proverbs 3:5 are suggested verses.
Along with candy, include gospel tracts on how to receive salvation. You can find affordable bulk options among the same retailers listed in Tip #1. You can also search free printable Halloween gospel tracts online or ask your church if they offer them.
Give It’s Cool To Be A Christian discipleship cards with colored crosses from Oriental Trading Company or your favorite retailer. Email me directly to order discipleship cards. I also have crosses available.
Focus on the Family offers printable Adventures in Odyssey cards to share at Halloween. You can also search other Christian organizations for printable Halloween handouts.
Drop a prayer of blessing, written or typed, on a decorative note in their treat bag.
Carve a cross, “Jesus Loves You,” or Scripture in your pumpkin.
Invite neighbors or friends to your church’s trunk-or-treat.
Decorate your car, home, or yard with a Christian-themed message. The online retailers mentioned above provide fun options.
Play Christian music for the trick-or-treaters. You could also offer hot chocolate and/or homemade snacks to the trick-or-treaters and their families. Make your home the place to be!
These tips are not only great to reach nonbelievers. Christian trick-or-treaters and their parents will appreciate receiving Christian-themed treats, and this can spark a desire for discipleship in their hearts.
Did you know Christianity is part of the history of trick-or-treating and Halloween’s name? The medieval Christian practice of “souling” was an early version of trick-or-treating in the Middle Ages. Poor people would offer prayers over dead relatives of the wealthy in exchange for drink, food, and soul cakes. It was believed that each soul cake eaten would release a soul from Purgatory, opening its way to Heaven.
The name “Halloween” is derived from All Hallows’ Eve, also known as All Saints’ Eve and All Souls’ Eve. It was the beginning of “Allhallowtide” to observe the remembrance of the dead, including saints (hallows) and martyrs who had faithfully passed away. This holiday was an attempt by the early Catholic Church to replace the pagan festival called “Samhain” with a Christian observance. Samhain originated by the Celts of Europe over 2,000 years ago to celebrate the end of harvest and beginning of winter and to honor the dead. The Celts believed spirits of the dead would come back to visit during this time. Wearing animal heads and skins, they would burn crops and sacrifice animals.
In the current day and time, celebrating evil and the dark supernatural is a focus for many on Halloween. As Christians, it’s important to keep our participation in Halloween innocent and according to God’s will. The Bible speaks against worshiping demons or any false gods.
No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. —1 Corinthians 10:20 (ESV)
We are in a spiritual battle, and the enemy wins if we stay quiet when evil is being honored. There are nonbelievers knocking on your door with an open bag or plastic pumpkin. Drop in the best treat they’ll ever receive—a message that can lead them to eternal salvation through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. —2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)
Which of these tips do you want to use to share Jesus on Halloween? Also, please comment below if you have additional tips or suggestions.
Have a Happy Hallowed…ween!
By: Jenny Stainback
Image from Canva