Theme:
Hallowe’en
Title:
“Fears, Phobias, and Fun? ”
Target Group:
Mainly Church Background
Age:
11-14
Aim:
To consider: What are some of the things that people have phobias about; what the
facts are about Hallowe’en and what should our response be.
Equipment:
Inflatable hammer or water pistol, Simpsons – Heaven and Hell video, TV and video
player, “Hallowe’en quiz” sheets, paper and pens, “Hallowe’en – The Facts” sheets,
“Hallowe’en – What’s the BIG deal” sheets, Bibles
Bible base:
Deuteronomy 18:10-12, Leviticus 19:31, Galatians 5:19,20
Word association game: (10 mins)
(Word association is a game when the volunteers take it in turns saying words linked/associated to the
last one spoken. eg, frog, tadpole, baby, etc). Play with two volunteers kneeling down facing each other.
When they fail to answer or take longer than 3 seconds to answer they get hit on the head with an
inflatable hammer or another equally fun forfeit like a water pistol!). (Available at most cheap and tacky
shops in town!) Use any words to start with but make the last two Fear and Halloween.
Link in the words used that they said where associated to ‘Fear’ and ‘Hallowe’en’. What are these saying
about Hallowe’en?
Video clip (6 mins)
Use a clip from the Simpson’s ‘Heaven and Hell’ video (one of the “Tree house of horror IV” episodes is
best, particularly the last one of the 3 stories in that episode where they shout ‘Happy Halloween!’ at the
end)
The video clip gives us a funny look at horror and fear and at the end says Happy Hallowe’en! Ask the
question ‘What is this saying that Hallowe’en is all about?’ (Evil? Pain? Fear? Ghosts? Horror? Worry?)
Hallowe’en quiz / Hallowe’en facts sheet (10 mins)
Play the quiz by reading out each question and asking for answers. Award trick or treat sweets for prizes
that they have to take out of the bag and taste with their eyes closed. (e.g. amongst the nice sweets are
garlic sweets or Victory V’s). After the game, quickly run through some of the information from the
“Hallowe’en – The Facts” sheet as appropriate.
We think we know what we are celebrating but do we really know? Is it just a bit of fun?
What does the bible say? (10 mins)
Read in groups/group or out loud; Deuteronomy 18:10 -12, Leviticus 19:31, and Galatians 5:19, 20.
The Bible warns us VERY strongly against getting involved in the occult and that evil is real and harmful. It
also says that we need to walk in God’s light or by walking in the darkness we will surely stumble and fall.
Saying all this however we are still attracted by new and adventurous things. Does this mean though that just
because we are curious and it seems new and exciting that we should do it? We need to know and understand
what we are getting into. There are many warnings about getting involved in the occult, which we need to
take notice of. After all we don’t all understand electricity but we know we shouldn’t play with electric
cables! It’s a bit like being in the shallow end of a swimming pool, and before we know where we are, we can
be out of our depth and can’t get out.
Hallowe’en quotes (3 mins)
Show/read out quotes from Doctors and Psychiatrists (“Hallowe’en - What’s the BIG deal” sheet)
It’s not only Christians, but even the medical profession can see a problem with Hallowe’en and its links
to the Occult
Road Signs game (7 mins)
Split them into groups of about 3 or 4 members. Give each group a piece of flip chart paper and a pen.
Ask them to draw as many road signs as they can in 3 minutes.
Link: when we see signs on the road they warn us of dangers or tell us what we should do. We have
a choice - obey the warning signs or not.
Sum up (4 mins)
We’ve seen many sign posts to the dangers of the occult and how the occult is linked into Hallowe’en.
When we see signs on the road they warn us of dangers or tell us what we should do. We have a choice obey the warning signs or not. The Occult and Hallowe’en has just as many signposts warning of the
dangers of getting involved. Before we trick or treat this year let’s remember what Hallowe’en is really all
about. There’s enough evil in this world already, do we really want to celebrate it? Mention that many
churches nowadays provide an alternative to Hallowe’en often called Light Parties. Maybe we could get
along to one of these and celebrate good instead of evil.
End with Colossians 2:14,5 – Jesus can drive out fear and Christians have real hope because Jesus,
through his cross, has defeated all the powers and forces of evil. Christians believe that Jesus is love and
in the Bible it also says that perfect love cast out fear. Pray to finish if appropriate.
Prayer (3 mins)
End with a short time of prayer, thanking God for his power and asking for his protection.
© Scripture Union 2003
www.scriptureunion.org.uk/re-source