How to Use Halloween as a Night of Witnessing

How to Use Halloween as a Night of Witnessing

(Mat 5:14-16 KJV)
Ye are the light of the world.
A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
{15} 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.
{16} Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works,
and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Dear Friends in Christ,
For many years, and when our kids were growing up, we distributed "Chick Tracts" from the ministry of Jack Chick http://www.chick.com/seasonal/halloween/ at Halloween by doing exactly what one of the suggestions below said, we would drop a little cartoon Gospel tract into the trick or treater's bag along with a piece of candy. As they grew older, our kids preferred to not go out "trick or treating", but instead to stay home and hand out the tracts themselves.
And it is true, many of the trick-or-treaters would walk away from our house reading their tracts as they went to the next house, even stopping on the sidewalk for quite a while as they read instead of gathering candy. Only as we get our rewards in heaven will we adequately understand the impact of this simple act of evangelism.
If you are not familiar with Chick Tracts, they are very direct and concise, and really "tell it like it is", sometimes to the shock of some adults that read them. But to kids, they are irresistaible. We kept a stack of them around the house from a sample package we obtained, and the kids would just sit around on their beds for hours and read them. They often told us how much they appreciated them.
Anyway, as Halloween approaches, we can use this opportunity to reclaim some ground from Satan, who is trying to get our kids interested in the demonic and occult practices in many ways, including the seemingly innocent observance of Halloween. As the time of the end is quickly approaching, and even as more people than ever are searching a little more deeply into life because of the events of September 11, let's take this opportunity to do the Lord's work that is given to us. Check out the Chick Tract website, and give your neighborhood kids a "treat" that will last into eternity.
In Christ.......brother bob.....<><
Prov 11:30 (KJV)
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
and he that winneth souls is wise.
PS: Go to this website to see a sample of the Illustrated Bible Tract,
"The Little Ghost" from Chick Tracts
http://www.chick.com/seasonal/halloween/
From the Chick Web Site...
http://www.chick.com/seasonal/halloween/
Here are a few unique ways you can use Chick tracts this Halloween
1) When Trick-or-Treaters parade to your door this Halloween, drop a couple of Chick tracts in their bag, along with some candy. Or, to really get them excited, stock a tray with several different Chick tracts. (See <http://www.chick.com/seasonal/halloween/tractsuggestions.asp> )When children arrive, place the tray in front of them and let them pick any two tracts. (Be sure to give them candy too.) Kids love receiving unique gifts, like cartoon tracts. And they love picking the ones they want. Your home could be their favorite stop of the night. With Chick tracts, you can witness to every child who comes to your door. Plus, they'll take the tracts home, where their parents will read them too!
"..a trick or treater (about 12 years old) got his candy and the tract I dropped into his bag. He came back later and asked if we had any more tracts - his dad wanted to read them." CA
A Christian told us about the first time he used Chick tracts on Halloween:
"I placed 100 THE PRESENT beside my Halloween candy, just before the first child arrived. I decided, 'No, better not' ...when a burst of faith entered my heart... not to fear the consequences. The kids loved them. It was a thrill. Chick tracts really do get read."
2) A Chick tract user wrote us with this idea: "On Halloween a team from my church hit the streets armed with Chick tracts and their Bibles. As we walked the streets we hollered to the kids "Free comic books," and they swarmed around us. In all, we passed out over 2,000 tracts."
"I must thank you for saving me. In 1969 I was 10 years old and quite reluctant to go to church to worship God (I would rather stay home and watch cartoons on TV). My spiritual life would turn around on October 31, 1969. On that day, during the evening I went out Trick-or-Treating (My Halloween costume was an Astronaut). After the night was over I emptied my bag of the "goodies" I acquired, when I noticed a pamphlet entitled "Somebody Goofed" which somebody had inserted in my bag. As I read it I began to realize the consequences of not accepting Jesus Christ as my Savior. THANK YOU! I'm indebted to you and that unknown Christian for saving me."
3) On Halloween, many churches have activities for their youth inside the church. Meanwhile, hundreds, sometimes thousands of unsaved neighborhood kids pass by these buildings looking for treats. Turn the devil's holiday into a huge soul winning event by setting up a table in front of your church and stocking it with several different Chick tracts (plus some candy). Let Trick-or-Treaters grab as many different tracts as they want. One church did this and reports exciting results:
"None of the Trick-or-Treaters could resist the cartoon tracts, and we reached more neighborhood kids with the gospel in that one night than we had reached all year."
4) A Christian shared what her church does each Halloween. "Our church has an annual 'Trick-or-Treat' night. We go out in groups of two or three, knock on doors and say, 'Trick-or-Tract.' When people answer, instead of requesting a treat, we offer them a combination of tracts, bundled in rubber bands. This will be our third year, and so far it has been wonderfully received. It's also a great opportunity to get people of all different ages in our church involved in evangelism. It's helped bring people out of their shells, and drawn us closer to one another."
5) A school bus driver discovered a great way to use Halloween to spread the gospel. She passed out bags containing candy and Chick tracts to the students on her bus. She reports, "I noticed that they were reading the tracts. A couple times I had discussions with the teenagers about the tracts. This gave me the opportunity to share Bible scriptures, stories and to witness."
6) Instead of the usual haunted house, a small church in Georgia set up a series of rooms containing dramatic portrayals of real life situations. One shows a bloody car accident, another displayed the horrors of abortion. A sordid drug scene was included along with a ghastly satanic ritual. The last room contained a scorching walk through hell. At the end, trick-or-treaters were given a gospel tract on the way out.
7) Watch for community activities that attract large crowds. One town in Kansas has a week-long, city-wide celebration called Neewollah (Halloween spelled backwards). It included a parade and carnival, a queen contest and musicals. All of these activities attract a lot of people, allowing soul winners to quickly get the gospel into many hands. The pastor reported, "The tracts were readily accepted and very few people refused them. We stamped our church name on the back and our members passed out 1800 tracts."
8) At Halloween, an Ohio church added Chick Halloween tracts to the information packet which they leave at each home. A church member commented, "We know especially that with the Chick tracts they are going to get read. If they throw the packet away, they will still have the church information on the back of the tract."
9) Many churches buy a supply of Chick tracts and hand them out to their members to drop into Trick-or-Treat bags on Halloween. One church in New York had great success distributing 2,000 Trick-or-Treat bags which included a Chick tract and some candy. Another pastor spent some time teaching his church about the history of Halloween. He then provided Chick tracts for the families to distribute when the night came. "Many people are surprised when they learn the actual meaning of Halloween," he said.
10) One church was asked by a local food bank to supply literature that would go into food boxes. The church gave them a supply of Chick tracts.
Here are seven benefits of giving out Chick tracts on Halloween:
Get the gospel to everyone in your neighborhood.
Reach people you couldn't reach any other time of year.
It's easy! Just drop Chick tracts into Trick-or-Treat bags.
It's convenient! You don't even have to leave your home.
It's fun! Kids love them. Many will even thank you for the unique gift.
It will train your own kids to use this witnessing opportunity.
You'll rejoice at turning a pagan holiday into a witnessing time.

The Origin of Halloween
author unknown
Halloween, also known as the witches’ new year, originated among the ancient Druid priests from Britain and France. It commemorated the end of summer and the beginning of the Celtic year. The celebration was considered the highest festival of the year called Samhain (sah-ween). It was named after Saman, the god of the dead.
The Druids not only believed that the dead came back to mingle among the living on this night, but that demons, witches and hobgoblins were also released in droves to harass and oppress the living. The Celts also believed that the sinful souls of those who had died during the year had been transferred to the bodies of animals. Through gifts and sacrifices their sins were atoned for and their souls were set free. Samon judged the souls and decreed whether they would continue as a human or an animal.
Bonfires, animal and human sacrifices and ritualistic offerings to the dead were common during this Feast of Samhain. It was believed that human blood opened up the gates of the dead and released the spirits for the night. To protect themselves, many Druids would dress up as devils, witches and ghouls and would even involve themselves in demonic activities to ward off an attack.
In a bold evangelistic move designed to demonstrate that only the power of Jesus Christ could protect men and women from the fiery darts of Satan, the early church moved a festive celebration of their own called "All Saints Day" from the month of May to November 1st. They renamed it "All Hallows’ Eve", from which we get the name Halloween. The evening before November 1 (October 31) was set aside as a HOLY EVENING in remembrance of those who had suffered martyrdom for their belief and faithfulness to Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, this Holy Evening has become anything but holy. There has been little or no effort on the part of the "church" (us) to renew the original purpose for which this day was intended. On the contrary, many churches and Christians today are compromising their faith on Halloween just so their children don’t feel left out of the festivities. I believe we have allowed things in our homes and churches that are an abomination to God.
TRICK OR TREAT - This modern custom of going door to door begging for candy while masked and dressed in costumes goes back to the pagan New Year’s Feast. It was thought as long as the living set out bowls of fruit and other treats for the demons, witches and ghosts to partake of, then they might leave that home untouched. When your child goes door to door yelling "trick or treat" he is re-enacting that ancient superstition.
JACK-O-LANTERN - in America it’s a pumpkin but in Europe it was usually a turnip that had the fact of a demonic spirit carved in it. The smiling face was symbolic of the mocking spirit that laughed at the fate of it’s victims. Candle-lit Jack-O-Lantern or skull’s heads also symbolized that the occupants of that house were sympathetic to the evil spirits and would hope to receive mercy and favor.
We can ill-afford to sit around any longer and remain ignorant about Halloween. Our children need to be taught that there is nothing cute in pretending to be a friend of the enemy for a few hours. It only took one apple for Adam and Eve to be deceived. Who are we to think that going to strangers houses or a haunted house or a school Halloween party is any less appealing to a young mind.
If I had a child in grade school, you can bet they’d miss school the last day of October. Why! Ask any school administrator which holiday receives the most money, time, energy and bulletin boards and I guarantee it won’t be Christmas, Easter or Martin Luther King Day. Halloween wins hands down. For those who think that’s a coincidence, think again. Hitler wasn’t the only one who knew that those who have the youth have the future.
At this point many will argue, "Come on. It’s just Halloween, I’m not worshipping anyone. It’s just harmless fun." Is it? Our children are already growing up in such a contradictory society, do we have to add to it? Can’t we at least give them the stability of worshipping the one true God, only?
The popular teen magazine "Sassy", printed an article last year entitled "Witchcraft is a Religion", subtitled "And a very cool one at that" (March 1992). The author praised witchcraft for it’s environmentalist and self-esteem building features. She explained why Halloween was important to witches and some of the meaning of the evening. The magazine article concluded by quoting a witch named Laurie: "Witchcraft is a connectedness to everything, so you can center yourself and feel as if you can control some of your environment a little more. I think teenagers today need their own power."
I also agree that teenagers today need more power, but it sure isn’t the power she’s talking about. It’s the power of the Holy Spirit that enables a young person to stand up and boldly and unashamedly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That starts when parents care enough to not just let anyone deceive or give candy to their babies.
Bible-believing Christians cringe and shudder at the thought of Satan worship and occult rites. But, how many of these same people will dress their children as witches, ghosts, skeletons or devils and send them out to "trick-or-treat"? How many smile approvingly at the church or Sunday School and youth organizations that have Halloween parties and sponsor "haunted house" activities?
Can any Christian give any scriptural - or even logical- reason for participating in, or approving of, that which is unmistakably associated with paganism, devil-worship and witchcraft?
Deuteronomy 18: 10--13 explicitly forbids Christians to have anything to do with witchcraft, spiritism or the demonic. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 tells us to abstain from all appearance of evil.
You may say, "I don’t let my child dress as demonic characters, only Biblical ones. Our church has a ‘Harvest Party’ and my kids go to it instead of going out to ‘Trick or Treat’. So, we’re not taking part in the demonic Halloween stuff." Well, this may be true. But, we are told in God’s Word that we are not to love the things of this world. (1 John 2:15) (James 4:4) Though we are in it, we are not to be part of it. How is it that different to have a "Harvest Party" with costume or to have a "Halloween Party" with costume. This is still copying after the world.
I have seen small children, even babies, dressed for Halloween. You can’t say that the children are the ones who want this. They don’t even know what it is. It is the parents who are teaching them about these things. Deuteronomy 6 tells us what we are to teach our children, and it has nothing to do with demonism or demonic "Holy days."
Finally, let me just say that this is not a time to simply curse the darkness. It’s also a time to turn on the "Light". Teach your children that Satan isn’t some character running around in red tights with horns and a pitchfork. They need to know that he is very real and his goal is to steal, kill and destroy. Reassure them, however, that "you are of God, little children, and have overcome them (evil spirits) because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
Bible verses to ponder

Deu 18:9-14 (KJV)
When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee,
thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.
{10} There shall not be found among you any one that
maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,
or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
{11} Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits,
or a wizard, or a necromancer.
{12} For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD:
and because of these abominations
the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

{13} Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God.
{14} For these nations, which thou shalt possess,
hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners:
but as for thee, the LORD thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.

1 Th 5:21-23 (KJV)
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
{22} Abstain from all appearance of evil.
{23} And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly;
and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
{16} For all that is in the world,
the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.
{17} And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof:
but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

James 4:4 (KJV)
Ye adulterers and adulteresses,
know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?
whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Deu 6:5-9 (KJV)
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
{6} And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
{7} And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children,
and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house,
and when thou walkest by the way,
and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
{8} And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand,
and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.
{9} And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

Deu 6:13-16a (KJV)
Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name.
{14} Ye shall not go after other gods,
of the gods of the people which are round about you;
{15} (For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you)
lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee,
and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.
{16} Ye shall not tempt the LORD your God...

John 8:12 KJV
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,
I am the light of the world:
he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness,
but shall have the light of life.

Ezek 44:23 KJV
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane,
and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean

Deut 18:10 KJV
There shall not be found among you
any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire,
or that useth divination, or an observer of times,
or an enchanter, or a witch.

Deut 18:11 KJV
Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits,
or a wizard,
or a necromancer (=one who claims to talk to the dead)

Gal 5:19-21 KJV
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these;
Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
{20} Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
{21} Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like:
of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Deut 18:12 KJV
For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD:
and because of these abominations
the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Lev 20:6 KJV
And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits,
and after wizards, to go a whoring after them,
I will even set my face against that soul,
and will cut him off from among his people.
Eph 5:11 KJV
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them.
Lev 20:7 KJV
Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy:
for I am the LORD your God.
1Cor 10:19-20 KJV
What say I then? that the idol is any thing,
or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
{20} But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice,
they sacrifice to devils, and not to God:
and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Cor 10:21 KJV
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils:
ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table,
and of the table of devils.
Rom 12:2 KJV
And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God.
1Thess 5:21-22 KJV
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
{22} Abstain from all appearance of evil.
For further study, Check out these archives of past devotionals:
(Note: the devotionals may be under the headings of "discussions" "files" or "pages" )
http://www.groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive-part-2?msg=new&lnk=gcis&hl=en
http://www.groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive/web?hl=en
http://www.groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive/web
http://www.groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-archives-part-3/
http://www.groups.google.com/group/ixtheus-devotionals-archive-4
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