Should I Participate in Halloween Celebrations?
CONVERSATIONS:
Keeping in mind that Halloween can be an opportunity to engage your kids and others about God, what topics of conversation can naturally rise out of this tradition? ____________________________________________________
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Have you prepared for such an opportunity? What are some Scripture passages you can talk about with your children to address these topics? Look up some of these.
Just to start off your research, here are a few verses that might be helpful: * Conversations on fear and spirits and the power of Christ: 1 John 4, esp. verse 4; Philippians 2:10 * Conversations on death and salvation: Ecclesiastes 7:2, Hebrews 9:27-28, Romans 6:23
What are some takeaways you have from reading these verses that might be helpful in your conversations with your children? ____________________________________________________
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As you get ready to engage your children and others on these topics, get spiritually prepared. Spend time with God and confess your own questions and concerns to Him and ask the Lord to guide you as you read His Word. Pray for yourself and the opportunities the Lord sends your way to engage your children and others at this time. Be available to converse with your children and others about some questions they might have because of Halloween.
How can you ensure a sound mind and a healthy spirit for your children?
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In addition to what you wrote above, you can also advise your children about what they feed their minds and hearts in the shows they watch, the books they read, etc and how these might feed fear and unhealthy fascinations in their hearts. Help shape healthful and helpful interests that can fortify body, mind, and spirit.
Help them get to know God and His love and power. Share how they can be part of His family. Teach them God's promises and how to rely on them. Teach them about the authority of Christ over all. Teach and show them how to pray, and pray with them.
Halloween need not be an uneasy occasion for our families when we know how to use even this time as an opportunity to strengthen our children's understanding of God and the confidence we can have in His love and in His power over fear, death, and spirits.
God bless you as you engage your children and others at this time.
Let's pray: We praise You, Heavenly Father, for Your love and power! Thank You for the assurance that when we are in Christ, we need not fear death nor spirits. Thank You for Your love that redeems us from this fear. Help us as we engage our children and help them build their confidence in You. May they grow strong and healthy in their spirit. Give us also the sensitivity to Your Spirit to know who and when to engage others whom You want to redeem from the hold of fear and death. In Jesus' name. Amen.
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