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Campus Crusade for Christ

Halloween Ideas for You

 

There are plenty of ideas on how to use Halloween to build relational bridges with non-believers or to communicate the message of Christ.

Here are a few suggestions for before, during or after the fall event.

Before Halloween

• Pray

Walk and pray throughout your neighborhood. Who are your neighbors and why has God placed you among them? What would God have you to do Halloween night? 

• Involve Your Family
Challenge them to think with you how best to bring the light of Christ into the season. Display 2 pumpkins on your front porch: Carve a face on one. Carve a second pumpkin in the form of a cross as a silent, yet visible display of your family's commitment to Christ.

• Talk about the darker elements
Teach your children of its dangers (e.g., the occult) and help them understand why not all believers are of one opinion on what is the appropriate way to approach Halloween. If a fellow believer is unable in good conscience to participate or embrace a Halloween activity, it is right not to pass judgment (Romans 14:3).

• Plan and Order
Define your objective. You can either build relational bridges with your neighbors or exercise a more straightforward approach and include with your treat a resource that contains the Gospel, like The Good News Comic Book.

Note: If providing a tract, be extra-generous with your treat. You might even consider taping any material resources to a full-size chocolate bar. It is not the time to be frugal and it is likely that many may come to your door that you do not yet know.

• Host a pre-Halloween, student-led outreach 
Costume Theme Party and Contest
Leaders of student-led movements like Cru High School have encouraged students to dress up and attend a meeting where a special speaker then communicates the Gospel (light) in contrast to Halloween's darker elements.

• Use a Wave Questionnaire
Cru's high-school coaching center provides student-leaders a wave questionnaire – a brief, 5-question survey that students can use with their peers leading up to Halloween that helps conversationally guide peers toward an invitation to hear and receive the message of Christ.

On Halloween Day

• Distribute resources with plentiful amounts of candy 

• Trick or treat with a non-believer
If you have children of approximately the same age and a level of comfort with a non-Christian neighbor, see if you can trick-or-treat together. Use the time to get to know your neighbor.

• Stage a Trunk or Treat
Rally Christians in your neighborhood to make the evening festive. Light up your homes – open the trunks of cars – and in "college football, tailgater fashion," serve up hot dogs or stage a game for children in your driveways or on your front lawns. Food, fun and small gift bags will invite people to stay longer and enhance chances for you to relationally connect. This idea brings the church "harvest party" into your neighborhood.

• Show a Video
Move your television to your front porch and show a child-friendly video (e.g., "VeggieTales: Where's God When I am S-Scared?"). Refrain from large-screen showings in your yard that could infringe on copyright.

• Gather names
Keep a notebook out-of-sight, but within arm's reach, to write the names of those you meet. This will help you remember new acquaintances and provide a list of people for whom to pray.

After the Event

• Pray
Walk your neighborhood and pray for the "Top 5" or "Top 10" people that you would most like to talk to about your Christian faith.

• Debrief with your family
If your children have been part of the activities, review how you have used Halloween to help them better understand what you have done. Use it as a chance to teach about the value of relationships: the desire for all to have a relationship with the Lord, the part your family has played, and the value of getting to know others better as a great place to start.

• Think Seasonal
Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming. Discern who you might invite to a holiday dessert – an informal gathering where someone might share their faith story or present the Gospel.