He That Overcometh

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1915

He That Overcometh

Lesson for the Children — No. 1

“He That Overcometh”

MEMORY TEXT: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” Rev. 3:21.

Talk about the week of prayer for a few moments, and tell how it should be different to us from other weeks. Ask the children what they would most like to have the Lord give them. Permit them to name some of the things they desire, and then quote one or two of the promises given to those who seek the Lord with all the heart.

Give opportunity in all the meetings for the children to pray. On this first occasion let all ask that this week may be a great blessing to all, and that they may be helped in getting ready to meet Jesus.

We all wish to overcome sin. Some try to do so by punishing themselves and doing penance. Others think they must overcome in their own strength.

You have read the story of how the walls of Jericho fell. If you should go out today to a tall building with heavy brick walls, and blow a horn and shout, you would not expect it to fall down. But the strong, high walls of Jericho fell. Why?—The people were obeying God. They believed what he said would be done, and they were willing to do their part. Their faith and obedience gave them the victory.

So when we have sins as hard to overcome as were the walls of Jericho to throw down, there are two things for us to do: First, we should believe what God says; second, we must obey what God says. Believing will enable us to obey.

Read this text: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. The Lord says if we confess he will forgive. Do you believe that? Think what you have done that you ought to confess. “But I don’t like to confess,” you say. Do you want forgiveness enough to do something hard? Will you obey what God says?

A little girl went to children’s meetings, where she was taught what she should do to be a Christian. She knew that she had been a naughty girl, and had done many things to grieve Jesus. She wanted him to forgive her. She knew he had promised to forgive if she would confess her sins, so she told him how sorry she was because she had done wrong, and she mentioned things she had done and said. She believed she was forgiven, because Jesus had promised to forgive.

Then the Saviour helped her to remember that she ought to confess to others as well as to him. She went to her mamma, and threw her arms around her, saying, “O mamma, I have been so cross to you sometimes, and did not want to do what you said! I know you have felt grieved because I was such a bad girl. Will you forgive me?” The mother kissed her and told her that she herself had not always done as she should, that she forgave all, and that from that time they would try to help each other live as Jesus did.

Then the little girl remembered that she had not always done right at school, so she confessed to her teachers, and asked them and others to forgive her. She went away alone very often to talk with Jesus, to tell him that she loved him, and of what she had done to make everything right. She knew that he heard her pray, and she asked him to help her in many ways. She began to ask him for things that she wanted very much, and he sent them to her, and her prayers were answered. The strong walls of sin were broken down, and victory came because she believed and obeyed God.

We are all prisoners of Satan, but we need not remain his captives. Illustrate by the pilgrims in Doubting Castle, and how they obtained their liberty by using the key of promise.

Show a photograph of a child. Read from “The Desire of Ages,” in the chapter “Go Teach All Nations,” these words: “Christ is sitting for his portrait in every disciple. . . . In every one Christ’s long-suffering love, his holiness, meekness, mercy, and truth, are to be manifested to the world.” Jesus wishes to see a photograph of his life in ours. When people look at our life they should see Jesus. We may reflect his image.

Show how Jesus overcame sin by perfect trust in God’s word and earnest prayer. Even so may we overcome.

Give time in this meeting for all to pray for victory over their sins, to confess their wrongs, and to bear testimony. This should be a time of thorough heart work for both leaders and children.