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Halloween Alternative or Fall Festival Ideas

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Whooo Are You? I’m Loved by God You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26

This event outline provides ideas for a one or two-hour event based on the theme Whooo Are You? I’m Loved by God. It’s perfect as a faith-encouragement opportunity or an outreach event for children ages 3 to 11 years old. It can also be adapted for your Sunday school classes or as a special event for your church’s Bible club. Since it is a Fall Event, you might even consider using it in conjunction with a Trunk or Treat or any kind of harvest party.  The event includes a Bible lesson, snack and craft ideas, and games. Choose the activities you wish to use, taking into account the size of your group, the children’s ages and interests, their background knowledge, their skill levels, and the time available to you. May God bless you as you share Jesus with the children in your care!  

 

As Children Arrive  Position group leaders throughout your welcome area and urge them to greet families warmly as they arrive. Arrange children in groups with four to six children per group. Aim for an even balance of younger and older children in each group. That way, experienced children can help the little ones. Assign one or two adult leaders to stay with each group throughout the event. 

Group leaders can prepare a goodie bag (Item #WAY18TS12) for each child by writing the child’s name on the bag with a permanent marker. Encourage the children to use the bags to gather items from each of the event activities.

Group leaders can also give each child a Whooo Are You? I’m Loved by God Activity Card with Stickers (Item #WAY18JAK). Encourage the children to work on the activity card while they wait for others to arrive.

After everyone arrives, it’s time to begin the small-group activities. Get everyone’s attention and explain that the groups will be moving from one activity to the next. Let them know that you will give a signal (ringing a bell, sounding a whistle, or playing “traveling music”) every ten to twenty minutes to indicate that it’s time to rotate. 

 

Bible TimeBefore you begin: Position four poster-size sheets of paper in front of where the children will be seated. At the top of each sheet, write: “Whooo Are You?” As the children and leaders walk in, ask all of them to write their names on each of the four posters. After each person signs his or her name, provide a glow stick for each child to use later in the lesson.

Who are you? If someone asked you that question, what would you say? How would you describe yourself? (Either discuss these questions in small groups or give students pencils and paper to write down three or four things to describe themselves. Have older students or leaders help children who are too young to write. As you come back together as a large group, have a few children share items from their list.)

How do other people know who you are? Do they know who you are because of what you look like? Is it because of your hobbies? Or, do they define you by your name or by your family? (Allow children to respond.)

Did you know that the Bible has a lot to say about who you are? Listen: “You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26). That’s right—God is your heavenly Father and you are his children! He created you and he loves you! No matter what you wrote down on your list or how you think about yourself, you need to hear what God thinks about you because what God says is always true.

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Sometimes other people give messages about you that aren’t true. Your classmates or friends might say things to make you feel bad about who you are. There might even be things about yourself that you don’t like. But, in the middle of all those bad things you think and hear, God has some really good things to say to you. What God says is always loving and always true. Let’s look in the Bible and read together.

First, let’s look up Psalm 139:13–16. (Have someone read the passage to the group.) What does that say? (Allow children to respond.) God created you. (Under the head-ing of “Whooo Are You?” on the first poster write: Created by God.) How do you feel about things you have made? Things like pictures, sandcastles, brick towers, a birthday cake—anything you have made? (Allow children to respond.) When you make something, it is special to you, right? You care about it and you don’t want anything to ruin it. God feels that way about you. He created you—you are his child and he loves you. Let’s say it together: “I was created by God.”

Okay, let’s look up the next one, 1 John 1:9. Have someone read the passage to the group. What does that say? (Allow children to respond.) God forgives you. Under the heading of “Whooo Are You?” on the second poster write: Forgiven by God. You and I are sinners. We all do things that are wrong every day. That sin separates us from God. But because of God’s great love for you, he sent Jesus to die in your place. When Jesus died on the cross, he took your sins away and now you are forgiven. The Bible says that when you confess your sins to God, he forgives you and makes you clean. Let’s say it together: “I am forgiven by God.”

Now let’s look up Romans 8:35–39. (Have someone read the passage to the group.) What does that say? (Allow children to respond.) God loves you. (Under the heading of “Whooo Are You?” on the third poster write: Loved by God.) God loves you so much and nothing will ever get in the way of his love for you. Like we heard before, God wasn’t going to let sin get in the way. He loves you so much that he sent Jesus to die on the cross for you! Nothing you say or do or don’t do will ever take his love away. The Bible says that nothing can separate you from God’s love! Say this one with me: “I am loved by God.”

This is the last one. Let’s look up Matthew 5:14–16. (Have someone read the passage to the group.) What does that say? (Allow children to respond.) You are the light of the world. (Under the heading of “Whooo Are You?” on the fourth poster write: Sent by God.)

Let’s take a break to review. (Point to each poster as you review.) “I am created by God.” “I am loved by God.” You are a sinner, but because of what Jesus did for you, you can say, “I am forgiven by God.”

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All of that is very good news! It is good news for you, but the exciting thing is that it is good news for everyone! You and I get to share the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness with others. That is why he tells us to let our light shine.

Everyone pick up your glow sticks now. Jesus is the true light and he gives light to everyone. (Turn down the lights in the room and snap your glow stick to make it light up.) When you believe in what Jesus did for you on the cross, he gives you the Holy Spirit to live inside of you. When the Holy Spirit lives inside of you, Jesus’ love and light shine through you in everything you say and do. He wants you to share his light with others. How can you do that? (Allow children to respond.) Yes, you tell others about Jesus. You are kind to them. You help them when they need it. You tell them what Jesus has done for you and what he can do for them. Say this last one with me: “I am sent by God.” Let’s all let our light shine for Jesus! (Help children snap their glow sticks.)

So whooo are you? Let’s say them all again one more time. “I am created by God.” “I am forgiven by God.” “I am loved by God.” “I am sent by God.”  Let’s pray: Dear God, thank you for making me, forgiving me, loving me, and sending me. No matter what other people say about me, help me always to remember the truth of what you say about me. Help me to see myself as your loved and forgiven child. Help me to share the good news of your love and forgiveness with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Snack Time Use the Whooo Are You? Plastic Tumbler (Item #WAY18PT) to serve juice, milk, or water.

Create “owl snacks” using one of the following ideas:

1. Using half of a four-section graham cracker sheet, create an owl face. Place two banana slices (circles) at the top for eyes. In the middle of each eye, put a dab of peanut butter with one raisin or chocolate chip in the middle. Under the eyes, use a small triangle of cheese or a candy corn piece for the nose.

2. Using half of a four-section graham cracker sheet, make owl s’mores. Use two melted marshmallows for the eyes with a chocolate chip in the middle of each eye. Use a candy corn piece for the nose.

3. Bake chocolate cupcakes and frost them with chocolate frosting. Pull apart chocolate

sandwich cookies and place two cookie halves (frosted side up) next to one another on top of the cupcake to make the eyes. Stick brown chocolate candies into the cookie frosting to make the pupils. Stick an orange chocolate candy into the cupcake frosting to make the nose.

4. To create a healthier owl snack, spread peanut butter over a round rice cake, cracker, or piece of bread. Use two banana slices for eyes and blueberries for the pupils. Use a small triangle piece of carrot for the nose and strawberry slices for the wings.

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CraftsHere are some possibilities for craft time. Choose the craft that best fits your situation and the children at your event. “Whooo Are You? I’m Loved by God” Activity Kit with Mirror What You’ll Need • One activity kit for each child (Item #WAY18AK) • A permanent marker What You’ll DoAssemble the craft according to the instructions on the package. As the children finish, use a permanent marker to help them write their names on the back of the mirror.

When the group is finished, say: See that person in the mirror there? That is YOU! You are God’s very special creation, his very own child. Remember what we learned during Bible time? Let’s say those four things again: I am created by God. I am forgiven by God. I am loved by God. I am sent by God. Encourage the children to put the mirror somewhere they will see it often so they’ll be able to remember how special they are to God.

“All about Me” PosterWhat You’ll Need • Copies of the “All about Me” poster (see pages at the end), one for each child • Crayons • Markers • Glue • Scissors • Old magazines

What You’ll DoHand out one poster to each child. Have leaders and older children help younger students with writing. Children can write or draw to fill out their poster. They may even wish to cut pictures from magazines to add to their poster.

As children work, say: God made each one of you different from everyone else. God is very creative and there is no one exactly like you. God made you and he loves you just the way you are! Let’s thank God for what he’s done. Say it after me: “Thank you, God!”

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Prepare a Pair; Then Make a MatchIf you plan to play the life-size memory game, as described in Games and Fun, now is the time for the children to create their matching owls or pumpkins.

What You’ll Need • Several owl and pumpkin printouts (see pages at the end)—each child will need two matching printouts • Paper plates—two for each child • Crayons • Markers • Glue • Paper scraps, glitter, stickers, buttons, pom-poms, and other colorful decorations • Scissors

What You’ll DoGive each child two plates and allow each child to pick two owls or two pumpkins. Help the children cut out and glue the owls or pumpkins to the plates, one on the front of each plate. Instruct the children to write their names on the front of each plate. Then, encourage the children to decorate the two owls or two pumpkins so they look exactly alike.

If you plan to play the memory game, you will need extra plates. You can create these in advance or ask the adult leaders to design a few matching pumpkins or owls.

Games and Fun  Choose the game(s) below that will work best for your setting and the children attending your event. Before each game, the leader should explain the instructions.

Life-Size Memory GameCollect the owl and pumpkin plates that participants made during craft time. You may need to add more plates. Depending on the size of your group, you may want to make more than one game so that children get more chances to play. Use 15–20 pairs for each group of 4–6 children.

Mix up the plates and lay them face down on the floor in rows. Have each child turn over two plates, one at a time. If the plates match, that child gets to keep those plates and try again. The game is over when all the plates are gone. The child with the most matches wins! When you’re finished play-ing, make sure to return the plates to the children who created them.

After children finish say: Sometimes it is hard to remember where the matching plate is, even if you have just seen it. Did you know that God has a perfect memory? He knows everything and remembers everything. But, because of what Jesus did on the cross for you, God chooses not to remember your sins! When you pray and ask him to forgive your sins, God no longer remembers them. (Read Isaiah 43:25.) Let’s thank God for that. Say it with me, “Thank you, God!”

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Mystery SoundsWhat You’ll Need • A recording of mystery sounds or several items that can make sounds • Paper • Pencils

After passing out paper and pencils to students say: Did you know that owls can see very well at night and have excellent hearing? God made them to be awake at night when everyone else is asleep. Who else is awake all night? (Allow children to respond.) That’s right. God never sleeps. God is always watching over his children. He is always listening to you. He cares about you so much that he is with you all the time! He is always available to help you when you need it.

Let’s practice our listening. I have some mystery sounds and I want you to listen very carefully. After each sound, write down what you think made the noise. (Older children and leaders will have to help the younger ones write their answers.) We’ll check our answers at the end.

After playing each sound, give students time to write their answers. When everyone is finished go back through the sounds and reveal the answers.

If you want to send a prize home after the game, consider the Whooo Are You? I’m Loved by God Zipper Pull (Item #WAY18ZP).

Scavenger Hunt

In the weeks leading up to your event, ask church members to bring in items for your local homeless shelter or food bank. You might also ask children and families to bring items the day of your event.

Before the event begins or while children are at other stations, deliver items to certain rooms or hide them around your facility. If you’re using this event as part of your Trunk or Treat, you may wish to put the items in the cars.

Divide the children into small teams and give each team a list of items (based on what you have received) to find. For example: 3 cans of soup, 1 package of toilet paper, 2 boxes of macaroni and cheese, 1 box of cereal.

Before you begin, say: Earlier, we learned that we are created by God, forgiven by God, loved by God, and sent by God. One of the things we are sent to do is to help others. It’s a great way to let our lights shine for Jesus and to show people who we are! There are some families in our area that don’t always have enough to eat or enough money to buy the things they need like paper towels and diapers.

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Because they need our help, we are going to gather items that they need. Each of your teams has a list of items to collect. You will have (say the time limit) to gather as many items on your list as you can. Give teams rules about where they can go. Remind teams to use “walking feet” and to be respectful of younger team members.

When the teams return with their items, thank them for participating and finish by praying: Dear God, thank you for blessing us with so many wonderful things. Thank you for sending us and giving us the opportunity to help others. Please be with those families who do not always have what they need. Please help these items to be a blessing to them. Please help us to be generous and thoughtful in all that we say and do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Large-Group WorshipAs groups complete their last activity, have them return to the central meeting area where you began. Review the four messages from the Bible lesson. Have children say it with you: I am created by God. I am forgiven by God. I am loved by God. I am sent by God.

Close your event by having a leader read the Whooo Are You: I’m Loved by God Kids Ministry Message. You can download this in CTA’s Resource & Idea Center at www.CTAinc.com/

If you haven’t already given goodie bags to the children (Item #WAY18TS12), hand them out now.  Children may put any completed projects, prizes, and informational papers inside the bag to take home.

After the event and cleanup, gather all the volunteers. Pray together for the children who attended and for their families. Ask that the Holy Spirit would lead all the children to know how much God loves them and understand his love for them in the gift of Jesus’ death and resurrection.

© 2018 CTA, Inc. www.CTAinc.com. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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