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Materials
1. A pumpkin (instructions
for preparing it are below)
2. A candle or flashlight to
go inside the pumpkin
3. Lighter or matches if you
are using a candle
4. A large knife (not sharp,
it is for effect).
5. Some mud or clay dirt
6. A damp cloth
7. A cloth large enough to
cover the pumpkin
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3. Making sure to keep the
cuttings on one side of the
pumpkin only, cut a design into
the pumpkin. You can use a
traditional jack-o-lantern or
some other design. Carving
‘JESUS’ into the pumpkin or
carving a candle is effective. Be
careful not to carry the design
to the sides or back of the
pumpkin as you do not want to
show the cuts at the beginning
of the lesson.
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Just before the session
1. Set the pumpkin in front of
you so that the carved part is
toward your body. You do not
want the audience to see that
it has been carved.
2. If the seeds were
refrigerated, return them to
the pumpkin.
3. Put the top on the pumpkin
matching it as good as possible
so that the cut is not too
obvious.
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4. Smear a little clay or mud
on the front of the pumpkin
so that the audience can
easily see it.
5. Set the other supplies
(knife, light, damp cloth)
where you can reach them.
6. Cover the pumpkin with a
cloth so that it is not visible
from any side when your
group comes in.
7. PRAY
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The Lesson
Sometimes people ask what it is
like being a Christian.
I’d like to tell you that it is all fun
and easy.
But I’m a Christian.
I’m supposed to tell the whole
truth.
And here it is.
It is fun to be a Christian
because I am God’s child and
God loves me. And it is never
too hard for me because God
helps me.
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But sometimes it is pretty hard
to be a Christian.
(Lift the cloth off of the
pumpkin)
I think I can use this pumpkin to
help explain.
We all start out like pumpkins.
We’re out in the garden along
with all the others.
God is always walking through
that garden asking if any of us
what to belong to Him.
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When we say ‘yes’ to God, he picks
us up out of the garden.
(Use damp cloth to clean the dirt
off the pumpkin.)
And he gently washes away the
dirt.
That feels really, really nice.
(Pick up the knife)
But there is more to be done.
You see, dirt was not the only thing
we brought with us from the
garden.
(Pretend to cut around the top of
the pumpkin)
Some of what we brought back
requires surgery and that can hurt.
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(Lift off the top.)
While we were out there in
the garden, some things grew
inside us.
(Take out a few seeds and hold
them out to be seen.)
Sometimes the others were
not fair to us.
(Take out more of the seeds)
We became angry and the
seed of bitterness started to
grow inside.
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(Continue to take out seeds as
you talk)
Sometimes others let us down or
hurt our feelings.
We began to feel sorry for
ourselves.
And the seeds of rejection
started to grow.
We try to get even with those
who hurt us.
The seeds of unforgiveness and
violence begin to grow inside.
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(Remove the last of the seeds)
Yes, all of this cleaning up hurts a
bit.
But if we won’t let God clean all of
this out, it gets infected.
And then we really have problems.
Christians who won’t let God clean
out all the junk from the pumpkin
patch are really miserable.
They have spiritual infections and
they can spread them to others.
(Wipe the inside with the cloth)
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(Pretend to make a few cuts
with the knife on your side of
the pumpkin)
I’m learning to hold really still
and let God take care of
anything that needs cleaning!
Sure it hurts sometimes.
Put the light inside the
pumpkin and light it
And sometimes I wonder what
God is trying to do!
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(Turn the pumpkin around for the
group to see)
Then God reminds me that He has
a wonderful plan for my life.
He wants the beauty of Jesus to
shine through me so others can
see the way to Jesus.
That’s what we are, you know.
We are not really better than
those poor pumpkins who are still
in the garden.
We are just a whole lot better off
because Jesus has taken us out of
the darkness and into His
wonderful light.
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(Lights off)
Jesus said, “You are the light of
the world.
A city on a hill can’t be hidden.
Also, people do not light a lamp
and put it under a bowl.
Instead, they put it on its stand.
Then it gives light to everyone in
the house.
In the same way, let your light
shine in front of others.
Then they will see the good
things you do.
And they will praise your Father
who is in heaven.*
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Please pray with me.
Father God, thank You for asking
us to be Your children.
Father, we want to be more like
Jesus.
We want others to see Your light
shining in our lives.
Help us to open our hearts to
You.
Take away all our bad attitudes.
Give us Your light and love
inside.
We’re asking this in Jesus’
Name. Amen
19. Holiday Collection
Games and Activities in Celebration
of common Holidays.
Creative Holiday Ideas has over 300 pages of
ideas to help you plan your next New Year’s
Day, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s
Day, Halloween or Fall Festival, and
Thanksgiving event. If you’ve ever wondered
what you’re going to do for all these holidays
and how you’re going to do it, this resource is
for you.
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