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19. Dive Deeper: Overcome Evil with Good (Romans 12:21)
- Collected Joys
- Dec 8
- 4 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
About our Dive Deeper Series
Welcome! This post accompanies our newest book, Memory Verses in Action —created to help kids not only memorize Scripture but also live it out in daily life.
Each post of our Dive Deeper series includes extra resources for every verse in the book—featuring activities, songs, teaching videos, and reflection questions to help kids understand and apply God’s Word.
To learn more about the book and explore all the available resources, click here.
Dive Deeper: Romans 12:21
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” — Romans 12:21 (NIV)
Romans 12:21 teaches kids that when something wrong happens—someone is unkind, unfair, or hurtful—they don’t have to respond the same way. Instead of letting anger or frustration take over, they can choose what is good, kind, and right. God calls us to make choices that honor Him, even in hard moments. When we answer wrong with good, we show God’s love and strength at work in us.
Activity Idea: Good Wins Object Lesson
A visual way to show how good overpowers wrong.
What You Need:
A bowl of water
Pepper
Dish soap
What to Do:
Sprinkle pepper across the surface of the water. Explain: “These specks are like unkind or hurtful actions.”
Have your child touch the water—nothing happens.
Place a drop of dish soap on your child’s fingertip and touch the water again. The pepper instantly moves away.
Explain: “The soap is like choosing good. It pushes away the wrong."
Connection:
Good has power. When we choose what is right, kind, and loving, we push back against wrong.
Additional Discussion Topics and Questions
It can be helpful to break this verse down into four big truths:
Wrong Doesn’t Have to Win: Sometimes people are unkind or unfair, but we don’t have to respond the same way. Evil doesn’t have to take over our hearts or our choices.
God Calls Us to Choose Good: Instead of reacting with anger, meanness, or revenge, God wants us to respond with kindness, patience, forgiveness, and love. Good is powerful.
Good Has the Power to Change Situations: When we choose good—even when it’s hard—God uses those actions to bring peace, healing, and hope into tough moments.
Additional discussion questions:
What does it mean to “overcome evil with good”? (Responding to wrong with kindness, patience, forgiveness, or love instead of anger or meanness.)
How can kindness stop an argument or fight? (Kindness calms emotions, helps people feel understood, and can turn a hard moment into a peaceful one.)
What are some ways you can choose good instead of bad? (Forgive quickly, walk away peacefully, use gentle words, help someone, share, tell the truth.)
What is God’s idea of winning? (Choosing what is right—goodness, kindness, forgiveness—rather than trying to “get even.” Good wins when it shows God’s love.)
Why is it sometimes hard to choose good when someone is unkind? (We feel hurt, angry, or want to respond the same way.)
What could you do the next time someone says something unkind? (Pause, take a breath, choose a gentle or kind response, ask God for help.)
How did Jesus respond to people who hurt Him? (With love, forgiveness, and patience—He is our example.)
How can doing good show God’s love to others? (Good choices reflect Jesus’ heart and show a different way to live.)
What is one good choice you can practice today? (Encourage your child to pick something simple and specific.)
🎶 Song / Video
Check out this fun video that helps kids memorize Romans 12:21:
🌟 Closing Thought
Romans 12:21 reminds us that we don’t have to let unkindness or wrong choices win. With God’s help, we can choose what is good—even when it’s hard. Every time your child responds with kindness, forgiveness, or patience, they shine God’s love and show that good is stronger than evil.
✨ Next Dive Deeper:
Psalm 119:11 – Hiding God’s Word in Your Heart
In our next Dive Deeper lesson, we’ll explore what it means to treasure God’s Word and keep it in our hearts. Kids will learn how memorizing Scripture helps them make wise choices, stay strong in their faith, and remember God’s truth wherever they go.
Click below to begin the next lesson, or visit our Dive Deeper page to explore all the resources that go along with Memory Verses in Action.
Our Favorite Kids’ Bibles & Devotionals
Looking for more ways to help your child grow in God’s Word? Here are a few of our favorite Bibles, devotionals, and faith-building books for kids! These are wonderful tools to use alongside the Memory Verses in Action series and to encourage everyday conversations about faith at home.
Please note: This section contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we personally use and love!
This is one of our top recommendations! All the verses in Memory Verses in Action come from the NIV translation (except for Philippians 4:13), so kids can easily find and follow each passage in this Bible. It’s filled with colorful illustrations, fun facts, and “Live It!” features that help kids apply God’s Word to daily life. This is a great Bible for elementary-aged readers!
In addition to the standard version, check out this adorable personalized edition. Add your child’s name to make their Bible extra special!
➡️ Explore More Faith Resources
Please visit the links below to see all of our recommended resources:
Thank you for joining us!
Find more resources for Memory Verses in Action below.
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