Kids love candy wherever they are – and so do many adults. Churches can use this affinity for sugary treats in many ways within their ministries. Candy can be used for lessons, for giveaways, for prizes, and many other possibilities.
Lessons
Some fun lessons can be taught with candy or reinforced with the used of candy. Many things can be made using the themes about the sweetness of God and His laws.
Psalm 119:103: “How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”
- Cotton candy can be used with the story of the wise man and the foolish man, as an example of how the foundation of the foolish man’s house was not strong enough to hold up the house in the rain.
- Gum and how quickly it loses its flavor is perfect for an object lesson about the short-termed happiness that earthly things can bring and that Jesus is the only source of true, lasting joy.
- Mints, which are often used to mask bad breath, can be used to remind children that sin can be hidden from people, but that God can forgive it and remove it from them.
- Sour candy can be a good way to show kids that some things are not what we expect. The candy looks sweet but has a surprising sour taste. The lesson can be made that sometimes something in life looks good but it is not God’s plan and so it can seem sour. The story of the Israelites rushing in when God said to wait is an example of this sort of situation.
Psalm 1:1-2: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”
- Candy bars come in many types and most people have a preferred bar. People generally do not get upset with others because they have a different flavor preference. This is a way to teach children to treat others properly even when there is a disagreement.
- Hard candy can teach patience (enjoying it by sucking on it rather than chewing it). The story of Jacob waiting for his wife Rachel goes well with this lesson.
- Jawbreakers can be used to teach about the unchanging God whose unbreakable will brooks no argument. The story of Jonah illustrates this concept.
- Jelly beans have a variety of colors, which is an example of how God makes everyone different but should all work together while following Him.
- Taffy, which is stretchy, can show how life’s challenges can turn people into the kind of person God desires. This is an especially effective lesson if the candy is stretched by the children.
Psalm 139:23: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
- Tootsie Pops have long been advertised that nobody knows how many licks to get to the center, so they are a fun way to teach children that God knows how to get to the center (heart) of people.
John 13:34: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”
- Gummy bears can represent a warm and fuzzy bear hug – a tangible way to show love to another person. A discussion of ways to share God’s love would go well with this lesson, including things like meeting needs and listening.
- Lemonheads have a sour part inside, then more sweet. Sometimes when people’s feelings get hurt, a relationship can turn sour. Emphasize the need for a forgiving spirit, to turn the sour back into sweet.
- Skittles or M&Ms are all different on the outside, but all the same on the inside. These are a good way to teach that it does not matter what others look like on the outside because all people the same inside and they should all be treated with God’s love.
Resources
A variety of candy for churches is available, including candy that is specifically shaped or colored to represent spiritual things and candy that is wrapped with religious pictures or text on the wrappers.
Bible Verse Buttermints
Bright colors and Bible verses make these mints (packed about 108 per bag) a fun addition to a church candy dish or in a Sunday School Easter basket.
Candy Cane Meaning
40 individually wrapped candy canes are printed with the story of how the candy cane represents Jesus.
Candy Cross Bracelets
These candies strung on a stretchy bracelet are adorned with a candy cross pendant. These will go well in an Easter basket or for a Sunday School gift. 12 pieces come in each bag and the bracelets are individually packaged.
Cross Shaped Swirl Suckers
Twelve lollipops per box have swirled fruit flavors throughout the cross shape.
Faith Pops
Over six ounces of candy comes in each bag (about 15 pops). Fruit flavored lollipops are individually wrapped and have faith-based text on the outside.
Fruit of the Spirit Jar
50 packets of colorful fruity snacks have a list of the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22 printed on the outside and about 5 snacks in each packet. There are five flavors, but packets may not have five different flavors as they are filled randomly.
God So Loved Me Tin
Ten individually wrapped chocolates fill this pretty pink tin. Each chocolate inside has a verse about God’s love and a sweet note that “God so loved me that He gave me you.”
Heart Pop and Bookmark Sets
This display box contains 12 sets, each of which includes a heart shaped, cherry flavored lollipop and a colorful bookmark with John 3:16 on it. These are great to give away for Valentine’s Day.
Jesus, Sweetest Name I Know Tin
This Christmas-themed tin holds about 21 pieces of soft peppermint candy. The pieces are individually wrapped and each has one of a variety of Scripture verses printed on it.
Strawberry and Cream Tub
This tub holds about 225 individually wrapped candies flavored strawberries and cream and printed with one of 99 different verses from the Bible.
Sugar Free Candy Tins
Peppermint: Scripture Candy Sugar Free, Peppermint Tin ( 9 count )
Wintergreen: Scripture Candy, Sugar Free Wintergreen Tin ( 9 count )
Cinnamon: Scripture Candy, Sugar Free Cinnamon Tin ( 9 count )
These tins come packaged nine to a box, and each tin is embossed with the Christian fish symbol, and the mints inside are also shaped like fish. They are sweetened with sorbitol instead of sugar.
Tangy Tarts
These sweet tart candies are wrapped in tubes with one of over 170 different Scripture verses printed on the outside. A whole pound of treats come in the bag (about 25 rolls).
Testamints
140 mints are packaged individually, each with a Bible verse printed on the wrapper. These are excellent for a desk bowl or as small prizes for Sunday School.