Overcomer

Produced by Stephen Kendrick and written by the Alex Kendrick and Stephen Kendrick

The Plot

Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison after he loses his basketball team and is challenged by the school’s Principal, Olivia, to coach a new sport he doesn’t know or like. As John questions his own worth, he dares to help the least likely runner take on the biggest race of the year. Filled with a powerful mix of faith, humour and heart, this inspirational story will have you on the edge of your seat.

Review Questions

Does the plot glorify God? Yes, as it states that faith is part of the story.

Does the film content glorify God through His Word: Use of Bible verses and adhere to His commandments?

• Scene where the Principal says, “When you place your faith in Jesus, you are a brand new creation.” This is a reference from 2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become new.”

• Hannah, a student was given as exercise to do. Read Ephesians 1 & 2 and write down everything she is in Christ.

• Reference to Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think towards you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

• At the end of the film: Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God - 1 John 5:5

In terms of the commandments

Promotes God as the only God

• Coach John tells a patient that he will pray for him

• Coach John tells a patient to pray about a situation concerning his daughter

• The Principal’s conversation to Hanna about God being the perfect Father.

• The Principal and Hannah’s joint prayer

• The patient’s prayer to God for help in his difficult situation

• Hannah’s grandmother’s prayer in her difficult situation, to ask God for His strength to forgive

• Hannah’s witness to John in front of the drama group about her identity

• Hannah’s witness to a small group about God the Creator and how that realization affected her life

Promotes being free from idols or refrain from promoting idols

• The patient’s confession about a season with with drugs and women, before his repentance and giving his heart to the Lord

• Coach John had his career as an idol, as the changes to his job description made him think his world was falling apart.

Honours parents or refrains from promoting dishonour of parents?

• Coach john’s sons had confidence in their parents because of their model of faith

• Hannah’s word of honour for her father, by the grace of God

Speak against theft or refrain from promoting theft?

• There was stealing in the film and this was shown in the light of sin.

Speak against lies or refrain from promoting lies?

• There was lying in the film and this was shown in the light of sin.

What Christian standards does the film convey?

Scripture alone

• Hannah is directed to scripture by her Principal

• Several other characters reference scripture

Salvation through Christ alone (does not promote good works)

• John is asked who he is and we see him o through a process in determining what really comes first in his life and what his self worth is attached to.

• Thomas, the patient in hospital reflected on how we think we are good, but we are not, by ourselves - we need Christ. He was broken and God allowed the brokenness to get his attention. He said he gave God his heart, because that was the only thing he had left.

• The Principal’s conversation to Hannah about God as the perfect Father and Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. She spoke of faith being rooted in belief, and belief being a choice.

State of the Dead

• The Pastor at the funeral of the patient reads from John 11:25 Jesus says: “ I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me though he may die, he shall live.” The Pastor goes on to say that the patient was now in the presence of God. However, John 11:25 refers to the resurrection and the resurrection only happens when Jesus returns. People who die before Jesus returns do not go straight to heaven. The Bible says Jesus collects the dead and living, who believe in Him when he returns.

  • 1 Corinthians 15 - talks about all aspects of the resurrection, including what happens to us when we die and when Christ come back.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 - gives details of the second coming of the Lord and the resurrection of the dead who believed in Christ.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12 - gives details of the second coming of the Lord

  • Revelation 20 - gives details of the second coming of the Christ and the resurrection.

  • Daniel 12:2 - refers to the resurrection. “Those that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to everlasting contempt.”

Biblical marriage

• John’s wife tells him she is praying for him right in the middle of their challenges.

• John and his wife pray together about decisions they have to make in a difficult situation.

• John and his wife pray to God for forgiveness and advice in their difficult situation

• John and his wife’s prayed filled life is a model of a biblical marriage to their children

Husband as the head in his home and the local church

• We see Coach John’s journey as the spiritual leader of his home

Recognition of the value of life and blessing in children

• The patient’s realization of the blessing of children and his will to make things right with his own child

Recognition of the body as the temple of God

• The patient’s realization of how he mistreated his body through drugs and promiscuous behaviour.

Does the film give glory and honour and thanks to God?

• We see John’sfamily saying grace before their meal

• The patient’s thanks to God for His grace

• Hannah’s thanks to the Lord for her redemption and victory

• John and his wife’s thanks to the Lord for answering their prayers

• God is given the glory for redemption and the change of man’s heart

• Hannah’s witness to a group of teens about her true identity and who she has to thank for that - God.

Did the film encourage my faith? Yes, it is a powerful reminder of the redemption God gives us through Jesus Christ

What actions did I do, as a result of seeing the film?

Reflection on my own redemption, identity and self worth. I declared this through baptism in May 2017, praise the Lord.

Would I change anything about the film?

The Pastor’s statement about the patient being in the presence of God. It is not biblical. The Bible clearly states that we do not go straight to heaven when we die. We go to heaven when Jesus returns.

SUMMARY

Overcomer is a powerful film about redemption, our identity as children of God and our self worth through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is also a powerful reminder that we go to God by our own free will and that we may think we have a whole life time to make that choice, but tomorrow is promised to no one. So today is the time to go to the Lord and ask forgiveness for sins and His strength to walk according to His Word.

Thank you for reading this review. Until next time - peace be with you.

Resource Information

Film Source: iTunes

NB! The links I reference for my films is the source I used, but it is not an endorsement of the entire film streaming company. I am sure this particular film can be found on various digital streaming companies.

Question or comment: info@renewedfaithmedia.com

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Source for film thumbnail: www.kendrickbrothers.com