Family Faith and Fun on Friday: The Pumpkin Gospel

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For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 
-Hebrews 4:12
 
 

Welcome to Family Faith and Fun Fridays! As the week winds down and I anticipate more family time over the weekend, I often ask God for one good idea that will enable me to bring the Word to life and bring our family together. Usually, the activity overflows out of something the Lord has been teaching me through His Word during the week. I’d like to invite you to join me and my family in the adventure. Sometimes I’ll post things we’ve tried; other times I’ll post an idea in the works. If you’ve got thoughts to add or suggestions on how to adapt or improve the activity, please don’t hesitate to comment. ENJOY!

 
The Pumpkin Gospel

 

When my firstborn was just two years old, I heard Jim Weidemann, “The Family Night Guy,” speaking on the radio about a clever way to teach your children the gospel as you carve a pumpkin together. We tried it out that year on the front step of our little rental house and we’ve told the tale every year since with a bright orange pumpkin and a Bible.  If you’ve never used a jack-o-lantern to celebrate Jesus, why not try it this weekend? Then plant your new creation on the front step and let it shine for all to see!


Author Gina Conroy, founder of Writer Interrupted, posted the The Pumpkin Gospel a few years ago in such an easy-to-follow format, that I decided to let her words guide you through the fun. I hope you can bring the Word to life with your own pumpkin as we wrap up this beautiful month of October.


Theme: We become a new creation when Jesus comes into our hearts.

Supplies: Pumpkin, large bowl, newspapers, sharp knife, spoon, candle, matches, Bible
Activity: Cut an opening in the top of the pumpkin and have your kids pull out the seeds and scrape the inside of the pumpkin while you read Matthew 23:25-28 and Revelation 3:20
Ask: How is the stuff we pulled out of the pumpkin like sin in our hearts? (They’re both yucky, sticky…)
How is the way we cleaned out our pumpkin like the way Jesus cleans us out when we confess our sins?(Jesus scoops the yucky stuff out, etc)
Draw a happy face on your pumpkin, then carve it out. When your pumpkin has a happy face read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 2:10
Ask: How have we made this pumpkin a “new creation”?

How do we become new creations when Jesus comes into our hearts?

Share: When Jesus comes into our hearts, we become new creations, just as our pumpkin has become a new creation. Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Read aloud: Matthew 5:14-16. Then light a candle and place it inside the pumpkin. Turn off the room lights and have everyone stand or sit so they can see the light coming through the pumpkin’s face.
Discuss how God wants our light to shine before others. Read 2 Cor. 4:6
Ask: How is the way the candle light comes through the pumpkin like the way God wants our light to shine?
This can be a wonderful way to glorify God on this day and olders kids can help read scripture while the younger ones will have fun learning the Gospel in a way that will stick with them forever.
Alicia

One Comment

  1. Can you believe we still haven’t painted or carved our pumpkins! We are running out of time…I hope today is the day for some messy painting fun!
    The light of Christ shines BRIGHTLY through each and every member of your family!

    Reply

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