A Walk Through The Pumpkin Patch - Updated November 18th - Restored August 22nd, 2014

A Walk Through The Pumpkin Patch

Susan Nikitenko October 22nd, 2012

 Introductory Lesson

tween to teen

 Pumpkin Patch Decorated Room

This morning we are going to be taking a walk through the pumpkin patch.  We will start our walk with the reading of this poem called "If Life Were A Pumpkin Patch".   (Read The Poem)  In the bible, Jesus tells us we are the light of the world,

 In Matthew 5:16, Jesus says,  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

When we take this walk through the pumpkin patch, I want you to remember.  God wants us to walk in the Spirit.  The bible teaches us what walking in the Spirit is and what it looks like.  The first pumpkin we will be talking about  in our pumpkin patch is love.  According to the bible one of the greatest qualities that should sprout up in our lives as Christians is love.  If we love God the way we should we would choose to do the things that please Him.  When we love God we will love others right.  Love makes our other fruit grow bigger and stronger.  Without the right foundation (motives)then our patch would be fruitless.  God wants our motives to be Godly love.

 The next pumpkin we see in our patch is faith.  The bible teaches us that without faith it is impossible to please God.  Faith is the opposite of fear because fear brings torment.  With love as our foundation we can grow strong in our faith and be very courageous.  Faith is what causes us to obey God.  Faith, is being a doer of the Word.  Faith is being faithful in both in attitude and action, even when things become very hard.

Now as we step on through the pumpkin patch we will find the pumpkin called hope. Sometimes in life we go through very difficult things. This is when we could very easily become discouraged. Hope is very important in our Christian walk. Hope is grasping tight to the promises of God's Word. God has given us many promises throughout His Word to keep us strong in hope. One promise for example would be. "He will never leave me nor forsake me." We must be hiding God's Word in our hearts so when tough times come - we will recall His promises and be able to continue with hope. Hope walks hand in hand with faith.

The next pumpkin we come to along the patch is goodness.  Goodness could be going the extra mile, being polite or courteous, being a person of integrity, honesty, dependability, being an outstanding citizen and on we go.  God wants us to be the best person we can be.  When we walk close to God we learn to be good people.  Jesus was good and we need to walk in His steps along the path.

As we stroll along the pumpkin patch we will find joy in our Christian walk, when we  love God, love others and live by faith.  It's the  time we spend with God in prayer, singing Godly songs, reading His Holy Word and serving others,  that causes joy to light our hearts. 

Now along the pumpkin patch we will have choices to make. Now if we were to stumble across a different kind of pumpkin like selfishness.  This pumpkin is not one that belongs in the Walking In The Spirit pile.  This would go in the walking In the flesh pile.   So we will need to take notice of our choice and make the right decisions by asking ourselves  does this choice please God.

Now we come to this pumpkin called longsuffering, if you get through this lesson without complaining.  Then you have exorcized longsuffering.  Longsuffering is continuing in good choices in spite of conditions that have caused you to suffer.  Another word for longsuffering is patience. 

In our pumpkin patch as we go, We see the pumpkin called peace.  God wants us to be peaceful on the inside.  When we do not have peace we are not thinking clearly on God's greatness.  God allows His children to overcome great obstacles.  Our life and protection is in His hands.  When we are following His way, He has us under His protection.  Everything has a purpose even in difficult times.  In John 16:33, Jesus says, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

As we go to the next pumpkin in our path we will find meekness.  Meekness is having a spirit of humility. We should not think of ourselves as better than another person.  God doesn't want us being people with a prideful attitude.  James 4:6 Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.  If we want God's blessing we cannot be prideful in our Christian walk.

As you can see we have many choices in our pumpkin patch but - We are going to continue on to the pumpkin called gentleness.  Gentleness is treating others with dignity and worth.  God tells us to tell the truth in love.  He instructs us to be forgiving, kind and tenderhearted one to another.  Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Now onto the last pumpkin of our choice.  The pumpkin called temperance.  Another word for temperance is self control.  God wants us to be controlled in many areas of our lives.  He wants us to have a balanced life in our choices. He doesn't want us out of control in our choices or behavior.  Sometimes we want to sin.  This is when you must show self control.  We can gain strength through reading of the Word, prayer, good friends, loving God more and knowing there are consequences if we make the wrong choice.  God corrects us through circumstances.   We need to be fearful of doing wrong.   Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Psalms 111:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom:

We all are trusting God to become stronger in these areas of our lives.  God is very patient and kind. He is busy working on us, in His love, to become everything He wants us to be. 

Today as we examine our lives let's ask God to help us walk in His Spirit. When we trust Christ as Saviour his Spirit comes and abides with us on the inside. He is the comforter promised by God to all those that believe and trust Him. God instructs us not to grieve the Holy Spirit inside of us. When we obey the pulling of our fleshly nature we grieve the heart of God. If you have never trusted Christ for salvation you can trust Him today. He died for you and arose. Just as when you trust Him you will be made alive and the Spirit of Christ will abide with you always. God is not willing that any should perish but all would come to repentance.  

Pray

Lord Jesus, we come to you and ask you to teach us to walk in your Spirit.  (teacher :continue with your own heartfelt prayer )

Below Is The Lesson Bulletin Board.  I Just Used A Piece Of Burlap Fabric Because I Could Not Use A Real Bulletin Board.  I Was Very Careful Not To Make Extra Holes In The Wall. I Used Staight Pins To
Pin The Fruit Signs ( In The Second Picture ) 
To The Pumpkins Onto The Burlap Background. 
I Pinned Them One At A Time As I Talked About Each Fruit Represented.

----------------------
Game - good seed - rotten seed

Play This Game Like Zonk  But Without The Board.

If You Get A Rotten Seed You Loose All Your Points For That Play

Highest Points Win  -

You Can Divide Into Teams Or Play Individually.

If Life Were A Pumpkin Patch Poem

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

The Spiritual Monster Mash Theme - New Ideas

This Is A Wonderful Idea The Lord Gave Me This Morning To Go With The Halloween Poem I Wrote - The Spiritual Monster Mash.  Check Out My Other Fall Poem Ideas For Fall.

Resisting Sin

The Spiritual Monster Mash

 Lord, give me feet, gospel feet.

That smash the monsters in life;

A spiritual monster mash;

Mashing envy, mashing strife.

I'll  mash and smash out anger;

I'll defeat the giant foe.

As long as you go with me, Lord;

I'll mash them as I go.

The spiritual monster mash;

With my shield and sword in hand.

And my big, big gospel feet;

O, Lord, Give me grace to stand.

I'll do the mash!
The spiritual monster mash.
I'll do the mash!
I'll have a sin stompin', splash.

I'll have to eat properly;

                    Eat lots of wheaty Holy Meat.   (The Word)

Drink lots of prayer power aid;

While working out my mashing feet.

I'll mash out discontentment;

And mash out the prideful thought.

All you ugly monsters run!

You don't want to get caught.

I will mash and I will smash you;

With my big, big mashing feet.

With Jesus as my muscle;

I've got all you monsters beat!

The spiritual, monster mash;

Stomp, stomp, mash, bash, crash!

I'll put those monsters to an end:

Doing  the spiritual..... monster mash;

I'll do the mash!
The spiritual monster mash.
I'll do the mash!
I'll have a sin stompin', splash.

~ Susan Y Nikitenko  ~   

October  23rd, 2011

All Rights Reserved

 James 4:7 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Poem Poster Here:
    Game Suggestion

Monster Mash Game

Craft / Game Objective:  To teach us to resist sin

 Blow up quite a few balloons.

Draw a monster on each balloon.

Write out the sins represented.

Select two teams.

Set a timer.  2 or 3 minutes

See who can stomp and pop the most monster balloons.

http://www.juliabettencourt.com/printables/ssheets/monstershandout.pdf

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.

A Pumpkin With A Purpose - Updated November 18th, 2012 - Restored August 22nd, 2014

  Tell This Story With Your Own Personality

A Pumpkin With A Purpose

Susan Y Nikitenko

October 10th, 2012
tween to teen or adult

The farmer's children went out to the field to find just the right pumpkin for carving.  They found one slightly too big to carry so they rolled it, pushed it, banged it a couple times and even got stuck into a hole once.  They managed to free the pumpkin from the hole and continued on their mission.  The eldest went to get their riding mower with its cart, which was in the barn.  He then returned to give their pumpkin a ride the rest of the way home.  On the way the mower  hit a bump and the pumpkin rolled off the cart and down the hill.  The three children all ran down the hill to roll it back up the hill and they loaded it back onto the cart.  Then finally they made it to the front door of their home and brought it inside to prepare the pumpkin for carving.  They went into the house  laughing and out of breath.  They were filled with excitement as they told their mother what a great time they had getting the pumpkin to the house.

This pumpkin had a very important purpose.  They washed the pumpkin and gathered the tools they needed to carve it.  They cut the bottom off  and dug out all the yucky stuff on the inside.  Then they  carefully stenciled the pattern on the face of the pumpkin.  They cut the shapes out very carefully.  Then they placed an electric candle into the bottom.  They turned the lights off to look at their work.  This was to be a very special pumpkin and it was.  Three lovely flowers and the words JESUS LOVES YOU!  shined beautifully.   It would be a light for Jesus during the Fall season.  What a blessing.

In the pumpkin patch of life we need to learn endurance.  The pumpkin had to endure some hardship to get where it needed to be.  Sometimes God allows us to go through some difficult times in order to teach us to be long suffering.  Life is not always easy, but if you are God's child.  He has a purpose for you.   If God knows every sparrow that falls to the ground.  Then He certainly is involved in the details of your life. 

One of the verses  in God's Word that has always kept me trusting God is Romans 8:28.  God has a purpose and if we believe we will endure in this hope.  God has a greater purpose.  Each one of us have a purpose.  God is getting us to where we need to be.  God is stenciling out His plan.  He's taking out all the ugly stuff and He's filling us up full of His light.  .  He is using the tools necessary to fulfill His purpose for us.  Then He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.

He loves you so much and He wants you to be His child.  He wants to be your Father in heaven.  He has a purpose for you.  You can find that purpose by trusting Christ for salvation.   ( Invitation to salvation).

For the telling of this story object lesson: Prepare a pumpkin with three flowers and the words " Jesus Love You" on the front of a pumpkin with a light. You will show only the back during the beginning of the story and turn it around at the appropriate time for the class - or when you say - He sets us out into a dark world to shine for Him.

Invitation:

As you can see there are three flowers on our pumpkin,  each one stands for something very special.   This first flower represents grace.  God through His grace has provided a way for salvation.  We could never live good enough to make it to heaven on our own good works.  The bible teaches that if we have broken even one of the commandments we are guilty of all.  The bible also teaches us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

The second flower represents faith.  Faith is belief in action.  God loved us and had mercy on us.  He sent us a Savior even though we did not deserve one.  Jesus paid our sin debt.  Because the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal  life through Christ alone.  (Not of works lest any man should boast).

The third flower represents confessing.  When we understand that we are sinners and see our need for salvation.  We would be willing to admit we are sinful and have a desire to become a child of God.   God's desire is that we become part of His family.  The family of God.  He wants to be your father and you His child.  If we confess our sins He's faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness .  Jesus died for you personally.  He paid your sin debt.  In victory He arose from the dead, Just as you will be made alive in your heart.  Living your life to please our Father and no longer live to please yourself. 

In humility He wants you to pray, prayer does not save you, but it is evidence of a life humbled before God with a real desire and a real belief in what God has provided for you.  Accepting Christ through Faith and taking Him at His Word. You are forgiven.  There is now no more condemnation - (no more guilt or shame) you are justified - and declared innocent in His sight.
Your debt was paid through Christ Jesus our Lord.  

This Is His Gift To You.  

Verses:

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

 Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 Ephesians  2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Ephesians  2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans  3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans  3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Ro mans 8:1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link To This Blog. Thank-You.

Object Lessons and Crafts Using Pumpkins - Video - Restored August 22nd, 2014

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  publicdomainpictures   Treasures This Is So Good!
christianpreschoolprintables Make A Paper Pumpkin http://www.christiancrafters.com/pumpkin.html http://scripturelady.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/10-Little-Pumpkins-Pocket-Poem.pdf


Christian Halloween Pumpkin Carving Devotion | An NC Mom Blog | Real Life

http://www.creativeyouthideas.com/resources/object-lessons/pumpkin-prayer/

http://www.maryricehopkins.com/devotions/pumpkin_patch.htm

http://butterflypoemawards.blogspot.com/2012/10/when-somethin-chompin-in-pumpkin-patch.html

http://starpoempickjuly.blogspot.com/2012/08/if-life-were-pumpkin-patch-theme.html

https://sites.google.com/site/d659project/family-time-moments/pumpkin-object-lessons-5-9-year-olds

    freekidscrafts.com

Poetry On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries. This Includes Personal Evangelism And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All Rights Reserved

When Somethin's Chompin' In The Pumpkin Patch

When Somethin's Chompin' In The Pumpkin Patch

Tween To Teen
It Can Be Adjusted For Smaller Children

This year I started out the Fall season by buying three large pumpkins and two small ones. In the evening hours some kind of animal, perhaps a raccoon, skunk or It could have been a deer. Anyway, the creature decided He would have pumpkin for dinner. One day I noticed large chomps were missing from one of my pumpkins. Then the next day more chomps. This creature just keeps chomping away and chomping away. Pretty soon my pumpkin will be gone. I don't know who the guilty party is but the evidence it very clear. Something has been chomping and it shows.
In our pumpkin patch of life hopefully we have love, the bible calls this charity. Love is the expression of all the qualities mentioned in the scripture concerning the fruit of the Spirit. Jesus teaches us in Luke 10:27 - that the two greatest commandments are - love the Lord your God with all your heart and to love your neighbor as thyself. To live out these two commandments would take care of all the rest. If we have love we will be kind. If we have love we will be patient. If we have love we will show self control, If we have love we will be gentle. If we have love we will walk by faith, we would do good, we would be joyful, we would be meek (humble). Jesus says in His Word if you love me keep my commandments.
The Bible says, He that loveth not loveth not God for God is love. In our pumpkin patch of life, let our life be filled with expressions of love - first pleasing to God and then pleasing to others. Walking daily in the things of the Word.
In life we have temptation and we have problems, so sometimes we struggle with the dreary dark chewed up pumpkin of bitterness. Satan would love to chomp away at our love until one day we find ourselves walking in the flesh and not in the Spirit. Chomp chomp, with worry, Chomp, chomp with fear, chomp chomp with anger, chomp chomp with drear. Chomp chomp with envy, chomp chomp with pride, chomp chomp with greed and trouble inside. But we must not let the nawing of Satan steal our fruit. We have prayer and the promises God has given to keep us strong. Walking by faith in all that God has commanded and has promised.
God teaches us how to love by teaching us what love is not, In 1 Corinthians 13. ( Read the whole chapter with explanation.) I don't know about you but I need a lot more work on my love, so, I'm constantly talking to God, asking him to help me love others the way He wants me to. I do love people, but sometimes to show love is very difficult, especially to someone that has hurt me, my family or someone I love. When I'm faced with this kind of struggle. I think about Jesus on the cross, He was brutally hurt and widely rejected. he forgave His very enemies while He was being persecuted by them. Through prayer and reading His Word we develop the strength to choose the right things even through our most trying times.
Jesus died for you and me that day on Calvary. He willingly laid down His life for us. Jesus took our sin upon himself. He knows you personally and everything you've ever done even in secret. Still yet, He loves you, but God hates sin. All our good deeds are as filthy rags to God. We are saved by grace through faith alone. When we trust Christ giving our lives to Him. He comes to dwell in our heart. Then His righteousness should shine forth in our good works. Living and walking in His Spirit with a fruit filled life.
And just as Christ arose from the dead, you will be made alive in Christ, a new creature with a new goal.
A goal to love and serve our heavenly Father. In this pumpkin patch of life.
Even when there is a whole lot of chompin' goin' on.

Susan Y Nikitenko

October 5th, 2012

Lesson Article

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way. All Other Purposes Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link To This Blog. Thank-You.

Beddow Farms

Just A Down Home Kind Of Place

This farm has been around for 45 years. 

 After 45 years Ralph Beddow and his family are still picking pumpkins.

Ralph Beddow said, "I'm proud of the fact that our prices are still some of the best around."

His two sons and daughter inlaws along with his eleven grandchildren,  help him and his wife gather the harvest of pumpkins. 

The Beddow family also grows and sells flowers starting in the Spring. 

Then again, they gather a harvest of Christmas trees.

Stop in and say hello to Ralph and buy some pumpkins.  I'm sure it will make his day.

4379 Greenwich Rd.

Norton, Ohio

Just Outside of Wadsworth

By the way when I visited Beddow Farms - I bought one large pumpkin, two corn stalks and two zucchini. 

Poetry And Other Materials On This Site Can Be Freely Used For Christian Bible Centered Non-Profit Ministries And must Remain Unchanged In Any Way.The borders, headers and frames, you may use freely add information as needed. All Other Purposes For Change Are With Permission Only. You May Make Requests At "treasurebox18@yahoo.com" All my poems with stories are both real and fictional designed to illustrate a biblical truth. All Rights Reserved. Please Include Site Name And Link Back To This Blog. Thank-You.