Halloween Devotional: What’s So Bad About Ouija Boards and Magic?

This free Halloween devotional will help your preteens think more deeply about Halloween and supernatural forces.

Halloween is around the corner, and that can stir up some thoughts about the supernatural. Things that may seem like innocent fun to preteens, such as horoscopes or Ouija boards, may open the door to spiritual forces that lead kids away from Jesus. Preteens live in a world where the occult has slid into general culture, so it’s important to talk about “innocent” games that are actually rooted in not-so-innocent spirituality.

Use this free Halloween devotional to help your preteens think more deeply about fortunetellers and other dark forces. Your preteens may shrug their shoulders, wondering why it’s a big deal. And you may be tempted to deliver a finger-wagging lecture about what they’re doing.

Resist the temptation. Instead, help kids discover God’s truth with this Halloween devotional. Listen, probe, and have kids test their assumptions against what the Bible says about a topic—that’s when you’ll see hearts open and life change happen.

Halloween Devotional

You’ll need:

• Bible
• index cards
• markers
• trash can

Recruit a willing reader to read aloud Deuteronomy 18:10-12 as other kids follow along.

Ask:

• Given what you read, would you say God is a fan of fortunetelling and magic—or not?

Allow several responses.

Say: So we discovered that God doesn’t want his people—including us—poking around Ouija boards, fortunetelling, and magic. He hates it.

But…why? What’s wrong with this stuff? Why does God get so upset? Let’s explore a few Bible passages and see if we can find some insight there.

Retrieve the index cards and trash can. Turn the trash can over and place an open Bible on it. Give each preteen three cards and one marker. Ask preteens to form a circle around the trash can. Bringing your own three cards and marker, join your kids in the circle. Explain the open Bible represents God. The cards represent worries, concerns, or questions we have about the future. Ask preteens to use markers to write one concern or worry on each of their three cards.

Say: Maybe you’re worried about whether your parents will stay together or divorce. Or whether you’ll pass all your classes. Or whether the planet will survive. Write one worry or concern you have about your future on each card.

Pause as kids write on their cards, and then resume.

Say: I’ll read three passages from the Bible that talk about what to do with our worries and concerns about the future. We’ll talk about each one before moving on.

Passage 1

Say: Hold one of your cards over your heart as you listen to this first passage: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Ask:

• A question for us as a whole group: What does this passage say to do with our concerns about the future?

Allow several responses. Probe a bit; ask how it looks and sounds to trust God. Do the same with all three questions you’ll ask.

Say: God calls on us to trust him with our futures and to seek his will. When it comes to our futures, God has it covered.

Invite kids to join you in placing the cards you’ve held over your hearts on the Bible, and then to return to the circle.

Passage 2

Ask preteens to hold their second cards up to their temples as they listen to you read aloud this passage:

Say: “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:27, 33-34).

Ask:

• What does this passage say to do with our worries about the future?

Accept several responses.

Say: Jesus urges his listeners to not worry about the future in this passage. Why? Because worry doesn’t help them. What does help is wholeheartedly seeking God and living in a way that pleases him. When it comes to our futures, God has it covered.

Invite kids to join you in placing the cards you’ve held to your temples on the Bible, and then to return to the circle.

Passage 3

Ask kids to hold their third cards between the palms of their hands as they listen to you read aloud this passage:

Say: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28).

Ask:

• What does this passage say about our worries, concerns, and questions about the future?

Accept several responses.

Say: God promises to take care of our futures if we’ll keep our eyes on him and rely on him. But when we turn to fortunetellers or magic to figure out what’s coming, we’re trusting something—or someone—other than God. God helps you make good choices, and here’s one: Trust your future to God!

Halloween Devotional Terms

This lesson, or things it might encourage preteens to talk about, might include terms you’re not familiar with or not completely clear on. Here are some definitions of topics that may come up around Halloween.

• Ouija Board: A board printed with letters, numbers, and other signs used at a séance to consult with the dead.
• Tarot Cards: A deck of (usually) 78 cards employed to gather insight and guidance from yourself and other forces.
• Fortunetelling: Attempting to reveal upcoming events using astrology, charms, palm reading, crystal balls, and other techniques.
• Magic: Trying to influence upcoming events through the use of spells and marshaling spiritual forces.

This devotional comes from a lesson of BE BOLD preteen curriculum called What’s So Bad About Ouija Boards, Magic, and Fortunetellers? Learn more about BE BOLD here!

For more great Halloween ideas, check out these 13 ideas to shine Jesus’ light. Or use one of these 25 ideas to redeem Halloween and make it a ministry opportunity.