This is a guest post by Pastor Darrell Stetler.
Engaging children in church events often requires creativity. One effective method I've found is using candy to share Bible stories and teach important lessons from Scripture. Here's a fun way to use candy to preach the Gospel, making your message both memorable and sweet.

If it’s done well, you’re not only keeping attention in your lesson, but filling future times of eating that candy with brand new, Gospel-centered meaning!
1. Bit-O-Honey - The Bible
Scripture: Psalm 119:103 - “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

Start with Bit-O-Honey candy to remind everyone of the sweetness of God's Word. This verse from Psalms beautifully ties in the idea that the Bible’s teachings are as delightful as honey.

2. Milky Way – Creation
Scripture: Genesis 1:1, 6 - “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth….He made the stars also."

Use Milky Way bars to talk about the creation of the universe. The stars in the candy’s name help illustrate God’s magnificent creation, emphasizing that He made everything, including the stars.

3. Caramel Apple Sucker or Gummy Fruit Snacks – Adam and Eve’s Sin
Scripture: Genesis 3:6 - "Eve took the fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband, and he ate.”

Caramel Apple Suckers or gummy fruit snacks can represent the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. This helps teach about the original sin and the fall of humanity.

4. Bubble Gum (Round) – God’s Everlasting Love
Scripture: John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

Bubble gum, especially round ones, symbolizes how God’s love goes on and on. His promise of a Savior is an unending circle of love.

5. Animal Crackers / Skittles / Animal Fruit Snacks – Noah’s Ark
Scripture: Genesis 6

Animal Crackers or Skittles can be used to represent the animals on Noah's Ark. Share how Noah’s faith and obedience saved his family and the animals, reminding us of God’s faithfulness.

6. Snickers or Laffy Taffy – Abraham and Sarah
Scripture: Genesis 18:12 - “So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, ‘After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?’”

Snickers or Laffy Taffy candy can represent the laughter of Sarah when she heard God’s promise of a son. Despite her disbelief, God fulfilled His promise through Isaac, an ancestor of Jesus.

7. Hershey Kisses – Isaac and Rebekah
Scripture: Genesis 24:67 - “Then Isaac brought her into the tent of Sarah his mother and took Rebekah, and she became his wife, and he loved her.”

Hershey Kisses are perfect to illustrate the love story of Isaac and Rebekah, showing the beauty of God's plans and love.

8. Skittles (Many Colors) – Joseph and His Coat of Many Colors
Scripture: Genesis 37-46

Skittles, with their many colors, can represent Joseph’s coat of many colors. Use this story to talk about God’s providence and Joseph’s journey from slavery to becoming a ruler in Egypt.

9. Crunch Bar – Joshua and the Battle of Jericho
Scripture: Joshua 6:6-20

Crunch Bars can signify the crumbling walls of Jericho, showcasing God’s power and the importance of faith and obedience.


10. Baby Ruth – The Story of Ruth
Scripture: Book of Ruth

Baby Ruth bars can be used to talk about Ruth’s dedication to following God and her role in the lineage of Jesus, emphasizing loyalty and God’s provision.

11. JawBreaker – Samson
Scripture: Judges 15:15 - “And he found a fresh jawbone of a donkey, and put out his hand and took it, and with it he struck 1,000 men.”

JawBreakers illustrate Samson’s incredible strength given by God, and his victory using the jawbone of a donkey.

12. Whoppers – David and Goliath
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17

Whoppers candy can represent the giant Goliath, and the story can teach about God’s power working through young David, and how Jesus can rescue us like David rescued the children of Israel who were afraid!

13. Smarties – Solomon
Scripture: 1 Kings 4:29-34

Smarties candy is perfect to represent Solomon’s wisdom, which he asked from God to be a good king.

14. Dum Dum Sucker – Jonah
Scripture: Jonah 1-4

Dum Dum Suckers can be used to describe Jonah’s initial foolishness in running from God and the lessons learned about obedience and God’s mercy.

15. Kit Kat – Daniel in the Lion's Den
Scripture: Daniel 6

Kit Kats can symbolize the breaking of Daniel's chains and his miraculous survival in the lion’s den, showcasing God’s protection.

16. Fireballs (Three Pieces) – Three Hebrew Boys
Scripture: Daniel 3

Fireballs represent Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were thrown into the fiery furnace but were protected by God.

17. Lifesaver – The Nativity and the Cross
Scripture: Matthew 1:21 - “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

Lifesavers can illustrate Jesus' birth and His role as our Savior, sent to save humanity from sin.

18. Now & Later’s – Salvation and Heaven
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:2 - “For he says, ‘In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.’ Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Now & Later’s candy can represent the immediacy of salvation and the promise of eternal life in heaven if we follow Jesus.
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This approach makes each candy a teaching tool, turning something fun into a meaningful Gospel lesson. 

One way our church does this: Trunk or Treat

Our church uses this basic format (though with some changes to make it more Gospel-narrative friendly), to frame our annual Trunk or Treat for the last 13 years. You can find more planning tips and ideas for church trunk or treat here.
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Whether it's for a children's sermon, a Sunday school lesson, or a family devotional, using candy to preach the Gospel can leave a lasting impression!

Let’s invest in creatively teaching the Gospel to the next generation!
About the Author - 
Darrell Stetler II creates discipleship training for pastors, and discipleship pathways for new Christians. He is the creator of the Gospel Trunk or Treat, an outreach trunk or treat for churches. He has served as Pastor at a Bible Methodist Church in Oklahoma City for 21 years, and is raising 7 children to love Jesus. 
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