Here is a  lesson plan which does a good job explaining how God works on us, using, of all things, a pumpkin!

I’ve rewrote this lesson plan from it’s original, to simplify it for younger children and to include many of the common salvation verses. The original can be found here http://www.annieshomepage.com/halloweenlesson.html

Feel free to copy and paste this into word and print it out – or you can print it directly from here.

 For this lesson, you will need one pumpkin, a large bowl, and a knife.

Start by talking with the children about pumpkins :This is just a pumpkin.  A plain,old pumpkin.  It is like all the other pumpkins.  It is orange, round, and has seeds inside. 

 Who here wants to carve a pumpkin? 

 Did you know we are like pumpkins?  God is the carver, and we are the pumpkins.  God wants to take all the nastiness (sin) out of us.  Do you know, there is one who wants to take our sin away? 

 Revelations 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

 Does anyone know who that verse is talking about?  Who can take our sin away? (allow the children to answer God) 

Acts 16:31 …”Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”

 We all need Jesus to come into our hearts. 

 Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”

 What does God say about sin?  What does God say about accepting Jesus into our hearts? 

 Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 Ask the children for examples of sin.

 Do you know there is only one way you can get to Heaven?   John 3:5 “Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” 

 And only one person who can get you there?

 John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

Start carving the pumpkin’s eyes.  We are going to make this pumpkin into something complety different than it was before, just like God does for us.  While carving, describe some of the ugliness that God takes away from us. 

When we allow Jesus into our hearts, we become a new creature.

 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

 Put a candle in the pumpkin and light it.  God wants us all to let our light shine, so that others can see we are Christians.  How can we let our light shine? (by telling others about Jesus)

Matthew 5:14- 16 “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Sing “This little light of mine” with the children.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Hide it under a bushel? No!
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine
Shine all over

[name of town]

I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine til Jesus comes,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine
Let it shine,
Let it shine,
Let it shine.

And of course, have a closing prayer.  Ask if any of the children would like to know more about welcoming Jesus into their hearts.  Pray for and with the children.

Blessings,

Hope