Being a light in the darkness means piercing what is wrong and bringing in what is right. This can be hard for children to learn, but is an important part of our Christian faith. Read more to find out how you can start equipping your children to stand firm while shining bright!
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The Cultural Tension We All Feel
Halloween can be complicated. It’s everywhere, on everyone’s front lawn, in every store and in your face at every turn. The excitement of candy, dressing up and decorating is a great disguise for the deeper darkness that the holiday inspires.
That being said, the darkness doesn’t go away on November 1. We can’t put our guard down just because the decorations are packed away for another year. Teaching our children about Halloween, navigating cultural expectations while staying rooted in biblical truth means teaching them about living like Jesus every day.
It’s teaching discernment, not just dos and don’ts. So let’s dive into how to do that!
Light in the Darkness: Halloween as a Teaching Opportunity
Jesus overcame death. And we are told time and time again in the Bible that we aren’t to engage in worldly activities that draw us away from Him. Halloween isn’t an isolated issue, we see it represented in cultural settings all the time.
Media that glorifies death and violence. Friends who make choices contrary to biblical values. Social pressure to participate in things that don’t honour God. And the overall fascination the world has with darkness, fear and the occult.
The good news is, we can teach our children to navigate Halloween and darkness with wisdom, grace and conviction. We can equip them for a lifetime of cultural engagement as followers of Jesus.
Biblical Framework: In the World, Not Of It
We are not called to separate ourselves from the world. In fact, it is the opposite. See the passage from John 17:14-18:
“I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”
Jesus’ prayer wasn’t that we would be removed from the darkness, but that we could stand in it, with our light from God. He prayed for strength, truth and discernment for those He sent into the world.
This is the same prayer and teaching we should be giving our children.
Teach Discernment, Not Just Rules
We want our children to discern right from wrong; not stick with a set of rules that is “black and white.” Evil and good aren’t always a simple this way or that option. It’s grey and murky, so children need to have faith and understanding in order to know what to do.
Start by teaching them about discernment in media. The things they read, watch and how they communicate has a huge impact on their hearts and minds.
And it doesn’t have to be a “watch this, not this” situation. Sometimes it’s a “let’s watch this together and then let’s talk about what we saw.”
Teaching children they can’t do or watch things “because I said so,” creates curiosity and rebellion. It’s better to say, “let’s watch this together and decide if it’s biblical.” Or “I know what is in this movie/book/tv show and this is what the Bible has to say about it.”
Because there aren’t going to be flashing images on every movie or situation warning your children that there is inappropriate or unbiblical content coming at them.
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
Teach your children what to look out for and how to confront it! Whether it’s by speaking God’s truth (with kindness) or to walk away from it.
Questions to Ask Together:
- “Does this honor God?”
- “What would Jesus say if you was sitting with you?”
- “Does this celebrate things God calls us to reject (death, fear, evil)?”
- “Would this make Jesus smile or grieve?”
- “How does this affect my heart and mind?”
- “Can I participate in a way that shows my faith?”
I like to remind my children that in the end it is between them and God. I may not know what happened, but God does. He knows if they are telling the truth and did the right thing. When we shine our light, we are saying that we are going to live for Jesus, even if it isn’t easy.
For more on how to teach your children about navigating media, read my blog post Media Literacy from a Christian Perspective.
Be the Light
Talk about how God gives your children His armor to protect them in every situation. Then discuss how they can navigate situations, to be the light in the darkness.
Being a light in a dark place can be scary, the dark is scary! But when we remember that we aren’t alone, that God is lighting our lamp and filling us with strength, it gives us the courage to do what He asks of us.
Have conversations with your children about times when they may need God’s armor, to be courageous and bring their light into the dark place.
Things like:
- Redirecting games or activities that are getting out of hand
- Refusing to engage in gossip about someone
- Voicing opinion or belief in a kind but firm way
- Inviting someone to play
- Sharing toys
- Looking for ways to be helpful
- Using their gifts to serve and glorify God
- Seeking God’s guidance in situation (pray!)
These are all small ways that light can be brought into darkness. We don’t know what other people are facing, where they have come from or how they are feeling. God’s light isn’t meant to hurt them, but to help them. We want to offer God’s love, forgiveness and grace to everyone!
Be the light in the darkness!
Light in the Darkness
We don’t want our children to fight or argue, to make waves or cause headaches amongst their peers or teachers. And yet, in the same breath, we want them to be salt and light.
Light is piercing when it first exposes the darkness. It can seem blinding, because it has been so dark. And sometimes that’s what people need. A sudden reminder that the darkness they have been living in is wrong.
Your children don’t have to blind someone with their light, it doesn’t have to be a flashy event or sermon, but instead it’s using their light in the small moments of the day. Stranding firm in their faith, refusing to waver and sharing God’s love can be enough to pierce the darkness someone is living in.
Pray that your children would wear God’s armor and carry His light. Pray that they would have discernment and God’s strength in every situation. Pray that they can be the light in the darkness, so that the blind may see Jesus!
Whew this is a deep topic, especially after Halloween, for more reading, check out these posts:
The Costume You Don’t Take Off: The Armor of God
Media Literacy from a Christian Perspective
Sacred Supper Tables: Conversations for Your Family’s Meals
And if you’re ready to dive in to start teaching your children about making healthy choices, grab my PDF of worksheets to teach Bible verses to your children to help them discern right from wrong in media – Available HERE
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