A peek inside this post: Dust off the cobwebs in your heart and embrace the light and love of God with this Halloween devotional! You’ll find scripture, activities, and guided prayers to make the season meaningful.
Welcome to our Halloween devotional series! As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, this season often brings a mix of excitement and whimsy.
While costumes and candy are fun, it’s also a perfect time to focus on the light and love of God.
These Halloween devotions are designed to help your family navigate the Halloween season with faith, courage, and kindness, turning what can be a time of fear and spookiness into an opportunity to grow closer to each other, your neighbors, and God.
Join us as we explore how to be lights in the darkness, embrace God’s guidance, and share His love with others during this festive season.
No trick, just a treat: Don’t miss the Halloween Devotions Printable PDF that we created for your convenience!
Who are these Halloween themed devotions for?
Before we get into the actual devotional, you may be wondering what age group it’s written for.
This devotional is best suited for:
- families with children or grandchildren
- Sunday schools
- youth groups
- outreach
To accommodate the wide range of children that may be participating, our hope is to write devotionals that ANY age can get something out of by not talking down to teenagers while also not speaking too maturely for younger children.
We try to offer additional resources to help reinforce the lesson if parts of the devotional might be a little complex for young minds.
Discussion questions are meant to be simple, and the depth of discussion will vary based on age and maturity. As a general rule, we err on the side of not making the content sound like it’s written for preschoolers, but hope that it’s short and sweet enough for preschoolers to participate!
Ok, now let’s get into Trick or Truth: a Halloween devotional…
5-Day Devotion for Halloween
Day 1 | No Fear
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
Halloween often brings with it a bunch of creepy decorations, ghostly costumes, and spooky stories meant to send chills down our spines.
While it’s fun to dress up and partake in festive activities, it’s important to remember that, as Christians, we are called to live in the light of God’s love, not in the shadow of fear.
2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us that God has NOT given us a spirit of fear, but instead, a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.
This verse can guide us through the Halloween season, helping us to focus on His strength and love, rather than on manufactured fear.
First, let’s talk about power. In a season where many things are designed to scare, we can stand firm knowing that God’s power is greater than anything we might face.
His power is not just for overcoming fear but also for living boldly as His children. When we face frightening situations, whether real or imagined, we can remember that God’s power is with us.
Secondly, God has given us a spirit of love. Halloween can sometimes be a time when pranks and mischief are common, but we can use this time to focus on acts of kindness and love.
By showing love, we reflect the heart of God to those around us.
The third part of the verse speaks of a sound mind. With the excitement and sometimes chaos of Halloween, it’s essential to remain grounded in God’s truth.
A sound mind helps us to discern what is good and wholesome. It’s a reminder to choose activities and costumes that honor God and reflect our faith.
As we celebrate with fun activities and treats, let 2 Timothy 1:7 be a guiding light, transforming a season often associated with fear into one filled with faith, love, and wisdom.
DISCUSSION
- What are some things that make you feel scared?
- How can remembering God’s power help you when you are afraid?
- What are some ways we can enjoy this fun and festive season that align with our values and faith?
ACTIVITY
Get a pumpkin and use a Sharpie to write down ways you’ve seen God’s power, love, and wisdom in your lives. Over the next week, continue to add to your pumpkin as you notice or remember other examples.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for giving us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Help us to choose wisely as we partake in festivities, and to remember your strength and love whenever we feel afraid.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2 | TREAT your neighbors
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2
Halloween is a unique time when our neighborhoods come alive! We probably see people out and about that we haven’t seen since last Halloween, usually in the form of trick-or-treaters.
Instead of seeing them as interruptions, what if we treated this season as an opportunity to extend God’s love through simple acts of kindness? Offering a warm smile, a friendly greeting, and generous treats can reflect the heart of Christ to our community.
These kind acts, though small, can have a big impact, showing that we care about the well-being and comfort of those who visit our home. Our thoughtfulness can help others feel valued and loved.
Hebrews 13:2 says that we might entertain angels without knowing it. Whether our neighbors are literal angels or not, God often brings blessings and opportunities for growth through our interactions with others.
As we open our doors and hearts this Halloween, we might find ourselves enriched by new friendships, strengthened community bonds, and deeper family connections.
Let this Halloween be a time when we shine the light of Christ through generous and loving hospitality, making the day not just fun, but also meaningful.
DISCUSSION
Can you name a time when a neighbor or someone in your community treated you with kindness or hospitality? What was that like? How did it make you feel?
ACTIVITY
Brainstorm some ideas that you can show hospitality to your neighbors this Halloween season, or use some of our ideas below. (Our printable Halloween devotion has done-for-you printables that go along with these ideas!)
- Brew some Kinship: Welcome neighbors to come over for a warm cup of deliciousness. Offer cider, cocoa, and coffee and a seat around a cozy fire.
- See the Overlooked: Invite an elderly neighbor to pass out candy with you on your front porch.
- Host a Hallowiener: Set up a station in your front yard to hand out grilled hot dogs as your neighbors trick-or-treat. Families will probably appreciate some food with substance on this treat-filled night. You could do it simple by having foil-wrapped hot dogs ready to go in a crockpot, or you could do it a little bigger by offering a side of chili and a place to sit and rest for a spell.
- Give Godly Goodies: Attach a favorite bible verse or encouraging word to the treats you hand out. (Including non-food treats are a great way to include our friends with food sensitivities and allergies.)
- Carve out time for Connection: Summon the neighbors for pumpkin carving in your driveway or on your patio. Ask everybody to bring their own pumpkins, carving tools, and a snack to share.
- Ding Dong Delivery: Take some treats or a care package to a child who wasn’t able to trick-or-treat.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder to show hospitality to strangers. Help us to open our hearts and homes with kindness and love, especially during this Halloween season.
Give us courage to be inviting when we feel self-conscious or awkward, viewing each interaction as a blessing and an opportunity to share Your love and grace.
May our actions reflect your goodness, and may we always remember to see Jesus in the faces of everyone we encounter.
Amen.
Day 3 | Take off your mask
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
1 Samuel 16:7
Halloween is a time when people wear masks and costumes, pretending to be someone or something else for a night of fun.
While it’s enjoyable to dress up and adopt different characters for a night, it’s true that in our daily lives, we sometimes wear invisible masks. These masks might hide our true feelings, fears, or even the parts of ourselves we think others might not accept.
In 1 Samuel 16:7, we are reminded that people might judge based on outward appearances. Some of our outward appearance is just how we naturally look, but these outward appearances are also parts of an image we’ve carefully selected to show. For example, pretending to like something our friends like just to fit in, or hiding our faith from others.
Thankfully, our Heavenly Father sees beyond these masks. He looks straight into our hearts and loves us for who we truly are. He invites us to take off these masks and come to Him as we are.
This Halloween season, let’s reflect on the ways we might be hiding behind masks in our lives. Are there areas where we feel we need to pretend? Are there parts of our true selves that we are afraid to show?
DISCUSSION
- What are some “masks” we might wear in our daily lives?
- How does it feel to know that God sees and loves the real you, beyond any masks?
ACTIVITIY
Use a mask printout. (Our printable Halloween devotion includes this for you!) On one side, write or draw things that you might hide from others. On the other side, write or draw what God sees in your heart—your true self, beloved and accepted by Him.
Read the poem, “The Mask”, (included in our printable Halloween devotion) and then share your masks with each other if you feel comfortable.
Talk about how freeing it is to be known and loved by God.
*For younger children: If this is a little too metaphorical for younger minds, allow the children to color/design a mask and you can discuss together things about them that they shouldn’t be afraid to show others.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank you for seeing beyond our masks and loving us for who we truly are. Help us to trust in Your love and to be open and honest with you and with others.
Teach us to value how you made us and who you made us to be. Help us to repent when we are sinful and live as Your beloved children.
Amen.
Day 4 | Ditch the spooky ghost and embrace the Holy Spirit
If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 14:15-17
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.
Romans 8:26
Halloween often brings images of spooky ghosts and silly spirits, but as Christians, God promises to give us a true, helpful Spirit, —the Holy Spirit—who dwells within us.
In the bible, Jesus refers to the Holy Spirit as our Advocate and Helper, guiding us in truth and helping us to live out our faith.
We are told in John that the world cannot accept the Holy Spirit, because the world doesn’t know God. What a sad life that must be, to not know God and to live apart from Him.
How blessed are we that we do know God and that he’s sent His Holy Spirit to live inside each of us!
And He doesn’t only live inside of us. Romans tells us that the Spirit helps us when we are weak, and even fills in the blanks for us when we’re not sure what to pray for! He actually groans on our behalf!
The Holy Spirit is not a ghostly figure to be feared but a comforting presence and helper in our lives.
These verses teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit: guiding us, helping us in our weaknesses, transforming us, and reminding us of God’s truth.
Let’s rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and presence during this Halloween season and beyond.
DISCUSSION
- In what ways have you seen the Holy Spirit transform you or others?
- How does it make you feel knowing the Holy Spirit prays for you?
ACTIVITY
Take a prayer walk around your neighborhood. Pray for your friends, neighbors, and strangers in your community. Use Romans 8:26 as a guide, asking the Holy Spirit to intercede for those who might feel afraid or lonely during this season, who may need comfort for issues you know nothing about.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for the promise that the Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and intercedes for us in prayer.
As we navigate the Halloween season, help us to rely on Your Spirit’s guidance and find peace in knowing that You hear our prayers. Strengthen us with Your presence and use us for your glory.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 5 | Shine a Light
I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.
John 12:46
You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
Light plays an important role in the darkness and even specifically on Halloween. Have you noticed?
In the crisp air when the days are shorter, streetlights are activated earlier, houses might be decorated with orange and purple lights, jack-o-lanterns are lit up from within by candles, glowsticks and flashlights are held for fun and improved visibility, and a turned-on porch light is a signal to trick-or-treaters that yes, there’s candy here!
In John 12:46, Jesus declares Himself as the light of the world, bringing hope and salvation to all who believe in Him.
Similarly, in Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus calls His followers to be lights in the world, shining brightly with acts of kindness and love that bring glory to God.
This Halloween season, let’s reflect on how we can live out these scriptures and be a light in our communities.
DISCUSSION
- How does knowing Jesus as the light of the world bring hope and reassurance to our lives?
- Can you think of a time when Jesus’ light guided you through a challenging situation?
ACTIVITY
Eat a meal by candlelight and take turns calling out the light you see in each other. Give specific examples of good things you’ve noticed about one another. Speak truth about the good you know is inside and see displayed on the outside.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus as the light of the world. Help us to walk in His light and reflect His love to those around us, especially during this Halloween season.
May our lives shine brightly with acts of kindness and grace that bring glory to you. Guide us to be bold witnesses of your love and truth in all that we do.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Wrapping Up these Devotions for Halloween
Thanks for checking out our Halloween devotional series! We hope it has been a helpful resource to you and your family.
Have a safe and happy Halloween, and don’t forget to snag the printable version of this devotion below!
Trick or Truth Halloween Devotions: Printable PDF
For your convenience, we’ve compiled this devo into a charming PDF that’s easy to print or use on your phone, tablet, or computer.
>>> Grab it here.
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