Skeleton illustration with the words “O Death, Where Is Your Victory?” representing teaching, discipling children about hope in Jesus, and faith during Halloween.

Grace Over Grave: Discipling Children Through Halloween

ByKristina Gaddy

If you’re driving around town this time of year, you’ve probably noticed it — skeletons hanging from porches, ghosts floating in trees, and graveyards popping up on front lawns. It is officially “Spooky Season.” Maybe you feel a twinge of fear or discomfort, or maybe you just want to turn your head and avoid it all.

For my family, where we live, it’s pretty much unavoidable. There are silly “skellies” everywhere — ghosts, ghouls, and things meant to bring fright and fear… or just fun for some.

My son will often point things out and say, “That’s spooky!” or “I don’t like that.” For me, I actually love seeing the creativity of our neighbors. Some of them make new scenes every day, and honestly, I’m here for it. It adds a bit of whimsy to what’s otherwise meant to be a scary scene.

I’m not going to go into the history of this big holiday or tell you whether you should or shouldn’t celebrate. That’s a conversation for another post — and I’ll share some helpful discernment resources then.

But for now, I want to share how we’ve been navigating this season as followers of Jesus — and what it’s looked like to disciple our kids through it.

Learning Through the “Spooky”

A few things I’ve learned along the way:

  1. Kids ask really good questions.
  2. Answering hard questions is discipleship — for them and for me.
  3. It often comes with a big, humble slice of pie.

As Christians, we talk about death more than most people. It’s central to our story — from the Fall in the Garden to the cross, and then the resurrection. You can’t tell the good news of Jesus without naming the reality of death He overcame.

Maybe my comfort with the topic comes from my upbringing — a pastor’s kid, an ICU nurse’s kid, with a dad who now works at a funeral home. Maybe it’s the losses I’ve experienced personally. Either way, death has never been abstract to me — and I’ve written about it a lot over the years.

So when my kids and I see skeletons this time of year, I see two things at once:

  1. From the world’s perspective — fear of death, fear of the unknown, just making fun.
  2. From the believer’s perspective — the finality of hope in Christ.

Death has no sting. Death has no victory.

Yes, there’s still something unsettling about the unknown, but we don’t stay there. We take that fear and submit it to the truth of God’s Word. And that exchange — from fear to faith — fills me with joy.

Something to Hold Onto

So maybe the next time you’re driving through your neighborhood and feel uneasy about all the “death” on display, pause before you look away. Take it to the Lord. Let it remind you of His victory.

For some, it’s just fun.
For others, it’s an invitation to remember what’s true.
Either way, the story doesn’t end in the grave.

Death doesn’t get the final word.
Jesus does.

Verses to Reflect On

  • “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” — 1 Corinthians 15:55
  • “He will swallow up death forever.” — Isaiah 25:8
  • “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.” — 1 Thessalonians 4:14
  • “Fear not, for I am with you.” — Isaiah 41:10

I know not everyone will see this the same way, and that’s okay. My hope in sharing this is simple: death has no victory, because Jesus brings life, hope, and love that cannot be taken away. Whatever reminders of mortality you encounter—scary, solemn, or silly—may they point you toward the One who gives lasting hope and the promise of life beyond the grave. If you’re curious about this hope for yourself, I invite you to explore it—Jesus meets us in the ordinary, the unexpected, and even the things that make us pause.

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