The Pumpkin Who Learned to Shine Preschool Bible Lesson

🎃 The Pumpkin Who Learned to Shine

A toddler Bible lesson about letting God’s light shine through us

📖 Bible Theme:

God’s light can shine through me.

✨ Bible Verse (Toddler-Friendly):

“Let your light shine.” – Matthew 5:16

⭐ Main Point to Repeat:

“I can shine God’s light!”

📚 Toddler Story:

In a big pumpkin patch sat a little pumpkin named Sally.
She was round and orange, just like the other pumpkins,
but Sally felt… plain.

“I don’t have stripes like that pumpkin,” Sally sighed.
“I don’t have spots like that pumpkin.
I don’t glow at all! I’m just… ordinary.”

Day after day, Sally watched the other pumpkins.
Some had tall stems. Some had bumpy sides.
Some were very big, and some were tiny and cute.
But Sally thought, “There’s nothing special about me.”

One morning, the Gardener came walking through the patch.
He looked at each pumpkin carefully.
When he reached Sally, he smiled.
“This one,” he said gently. “Sally is just right.”

The Gardener picked her up, carried her home,
and placed her on the table.
Sally was nervous. “Why did he choose me?” she wondered.

The Gardener scooped her out, cleaned her up,
and then — he placed a tiny glowing light inside her.

When the sun went down and the stars came out,
Sally began to shine!
Her warm light glowed through the night.
The other pumpkins gathered around and said,
“Wow, Sally! You shine so bright!”

Sally beamed. “I didn’t know God put a light inside me!” she said.
“I don’t need stripes or spots or anything else —
God’s light makes me special!”

From that day on, Sally was never worried about being plain again.
She knew that when she let God’s light shine,
everyone could see the love of God glowing through her.

🎲 Activity – Glow & Shine Game

Turn off the lights (or dim them). Give each child a glow stick or flashlight.
Say together: “I can shine God’s light!”
Let kids wave their light around the room like happy pumpkins glowing.

Pumpkin Lantern Bible Craft for ChurchHouseCollectionStore.com

🎨 Craft – Pumpkin Lantern Craft

Orange construction paper pumpkin cutout
Tissue paper squares glued on the inside (like stained glass)
Tape to a window so the light shines through
Write on it: “I can shine for God!”

🖍️ Coloring Page

A smiling pumpkin with a little glow inside, sitting in a patch with the other pumpkins.
Caption: “Let your light shine – Matthew 5:16.” Download the free PDF coloring page right here: CLICK HERE

Pumpkin Glow Cups Snack Idea for Preschool Bible Sunday School Lesson Oranges or Peach slices in orange jello with whipped cream

🍎 Snack – Pumpkin Glow Cups

Clear cups filled with orange fruit (mandarin oranges or peach slices) and orange jello.
Top with whipped cream “light” on top. Draw pumpkin faces on the cup.

Shine For God Song

by Church House Collection Store

All Rights Reserved ©

In the pumpkin patch at night,
God gives me His shining light.
I don’t hide it, I won’t stay small,
I’ll shine my light for God and all.

Shine, shine, shine for God,
Shine, shine, shine for God,
I will glow both day and night,
Shining with God’s holy light.

The Gardener knows the one He chose,
Gives me light and helps me grow.
I don’t worry, I won’t compare,
God gave his light so I could share.

Shine, shine, shine for God,
Shine, shine, shine for God,
I will glow both day and night,
Shining with God’s holy light.

When it’s dark, I’m not afraid,
God’s own light in me is made.
I will love and I will care,
Shining God’s light everywhere.

Shine, shine, shine for God,
Shine, shine, shine for God,
I will glow both day and night,
Shining with God’s holy light.

🎵 The Pumpkin Who Learned To Shine Song (to the tune of “This Little Light of Mine”):

Sally the pumpkin shines,
God's light is gonna shine.
Sally the pumpkin shines,
God's light is gonna shine.
This little pumpkin shines,
Shining far and wide,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!

✍️ Poem:

A pumpkin in the patch, so small and round,
God put His light inside — see how it’s found!
I’ll shine for Him both day and night,
Glowing with God’s perfect light.

❓ Let’s Talk About It:

Who put the light inside the pumpkin? (The Gardener/God)
Who puts His light inside us? (God)
What can we do with God’s light? (Shine it!)

🙏 Closing Prayer (Repeat After Me):

Dear God,
Thank You for putting Your light in me.
Help me shine bright with Your love.
I want to show others Your goodness.
Amen.

📬 Optional Take-Home Note for Parents:

Today we learned about Sally the Pumpkin, who learned to shine God’s light. Encourage your child to say, “I can shine God’s light!” whenever they show kindness, love, or joy this week.

🌟 Adaptive Learning – How Everyone Can Join In

📚 Story Time

Use a large pumpkin prop or picture to show while telling the story.
For nonverbal kids: provide cards with pictures of “pumpkin,” “light,” and “God” so they can point when mentioned.
Pass around a small plastic pumpkin with a light inside to help children see and feel the “shining” moment.

🎲 Activity – Glow & Shine Game

If children cannot hold glow sticks or flashlights, attach them to wristbands, headbands, or wheelchairs so they can still “shine.”
A helper can wave the glow stick while the child presses a button that says, “Shine for God!”
Kids who need calm can simply watch the lights dance while softly repeating the phrase.

🎨 Craft – Pumpkin Lantern Craft

Pre-cut pumpkins and tissue paper squares so children only need to glue.
Use larger tissue paper pieces for easier handling.
For children who cannot glue, let them point or choose colors while a helper attaches the tissue paper.
Stickers or Velcro-backed tissue squares can make the activity accessible for limited mobility.

🖍️ Coloring Page

Provide bold markers or thick crayons with adaptive grips.
If a child cannot color, they can pick colors for a buddy to use, or press a sound button with color names (“orange,” “yellow,” “red”).

🍎 Snack – Pumpkin Glow Cups

Offer choices of orange fruit (mandarin oranges, peaches, or cantaloupe).
Use picture cards so children can choose their snack by pointing.
For kids with texture sensitivities, offer an alternative snack while still talking about “shining for God.”

🎵 Song & Poem

Record the phrase “Shine for God!” on a button for nonverbal children to press during the chorus.
Use rhythm shakers, jingle bells, or hand motions for kids who need movement to engage.
For children who need quiet, they can smile, clap softly, or nod along during the music.

🎭 Pretend Play (Optional)

Children can pretend to be pumpkins in the patch.
If a child cannot move into character, they can be the “Gardener” who says, “Shine your light!” while others glow.

💛 Special Inclusion Note

Even if a child cannot cut, glue, or move like others, they can still participate through choices, smiles, sounds, or signals. Every child can celebrate God’s truth:
“I can shine God’s light!”