Eli was five years old, and today felt like a big day. He stretched his arms, yawned, and
hurried into the kitchen where Mom and Dad were making breakfast.
“Good morning, Eli!” Mom said. “Ready for another day to be an overcomer?”
Eli smiled. “Yes! But… what does that mean again?”
Dad sat beside him. “Remember, an overcomer is someone who stays close to Jesus
and chooses what is right—even when it’s hard.”
Mom nodded. “And when we make a wrong choice—what the Bible calls sin—we can
tell Jesus, say we’re sorry, and He forgives us and helps us do better.”
Dad added, “Sin is anything that goes against what God wants for us. But Jesus came
to save us from sin because He loves us so much.”
Eli loved hearing this in the morning. It made him feel brave.
Mom opened her Bible. “Here’s your memory verse for today: ‘I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me.’ (Philippians 4:13, NKJV). That means Jesus gives
you power to overcome.”
Eli repeated his memory verse after Mom.
Trouble at Kindergarten
Later that morning, Eli walked into his kindergarten room. Everything seemed fine until
he saw it—his favorite blue crayon, from his own crayon box, sitting on the table…
broken.
“Hey! Who broke my crayon?” Eli said loudly.
His friend Jonah shuffled his feet. “I was coloring and… I didn’t mean to.”
Eli felt his face get hot. He wanted to yell, “You ruined it!” He wanted to grab the
crayons back and stomp away. He even thought about pushing Jonah.
Then he remembered.
Mom’s words. Dad’s words. The memory verse, “I can do all things through Christ…”
“Overcomers stay close to Jesus… choose what is right… Jesus helps me be strong.”
Eli took a deep breath.
Inside his head he whispered, “Jesus, please help me be strong. Help me do the right
thing.”
Slowly, the hot feeling cooled down. He unclenched his fists and turned towards Jonah.
“It’s okay, Jonah,” Eli said. “I forgive you.”
Jonah’s face brightened. “Really?”
Eli nodded, “Yeah, we can still color together”, as he handed him another crayon.
Right then, Eli felt something warm—like sunlight inside his heart. He knew Jesus was
helping him. He knew he had overcome. He began to hum.
Talking About It at Home
That afternoon, Mom picked Eli up.
“How did it go today?” she asked.
Eli looked out the window at the white fluffy clouds against the blue sky. “Mom! I got
mad cause Eli broke my crayon, but I remembered what you and Dad said. I asked
Jesus to help me, and he did! I forgave Jonah. I used my sword!”
Mom smiled, “Jesus helped you be an overcomer.”
Dad joined them at dinner. He listened as Eli told him about his day.
“Eli, that’s exactly what the Bible teaches. When we admit our wrong feelings, ask
Jesus for forgiveness, and choose his way, he fills us with peace.”
“That’s the Holy Spirit at work,” Mom added, “who helps us grow strong on the
inside—strong enough to choose kindness, patience, and love.”
Eli felt happy inside—not because he was perfect, but because Jesus was with him.
Bedtime Conversation
When it was time for bed, Dad prayed with him:
“Dear Father in heaven, thank you for forgiving us. Thank you for helping Eli overcome
today. Help him trust you every day. Help him to learn to use your sword every day. In
Jesus name, Amen.”
Eli whispered, “Jesus, thank you for helping me be strong.”
Dad tucked him in. “See? You are learning to live like a real overcomer—one day at a
time.”
Eli closed his eyes, ready for rest, ready for tomorrow.
After all, tomorrow would be another day to walk with Jesus…
another day to overcome.
When Home Isn’t Like Eli’s (for teachers to read to students)
Some homes have moms and dads like Eli’s. These parents are helping their children
grown close to Jesus. Other homes do not. If your home is not like Eli’s you may
wonder if you can still be an overcomer?
Yes! Jesus said he is close to the broken hearted. He can help moms and dads too.
God’s promises are for you even if everyone around you doesn’t seem to be listening to
Gods’ voice.
Here is a memory verse from our sword just for you.
“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
Grownups need our prayers too. Pray for your family, your brothers or sisters and the
grownups in your life. Ask Jesus to help them to become overcomers too.
If you ever feel like you are in danger or are being hurt by a grownup, tell an adult you
trust at school or church. There are people that can help you.