At our Youth Group Pumpkin and Pizza Night Aaron talked about how carving jack-o-lanterns can represent what God has done for us
I thought he did a great job and wanted to share it with you!
Pumpkins:
just as pumpkins are like each other, so we (before believing in Jesus) are like the sinful world (Romans 3:23)
(Pumpkin Patch 2011)
Carving the Pumpkin:
Step 1 - cut the top off and take out the slimy insides -
God initiates and does all the work in removing our sins and redeeming us with Christ's blood on the cross (Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:8-9)
(the girls had some goopy pumpkin guts!)
Step 2 - carve a face or picture in the pumpkin -
God gives us a new heart, a new identity in Christ (Ezekial 36:26, 2 Corinthians 5:17)
(They made a Thomas the Tank Engine pumpkin as the example)
Step 3 - put a candle in the jack-o-lantern -
God fills us with His Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14)
(there were some creative carvers!)
Step 4 - light the candle for all to see! -
God wants us to shine His love to those around us (Matthew 5:14-16)
(We all had fun getting messy with our pumpkins and reflecting on what God has done!)
We were really encouraged by the turn-out...and we think everyone had fun!
Please be praying for us and the youth as we begin leading, loving on, and laughing with them!
