Off the Shelf Sunday School--Philemon

Background

This letter from Paul was written around 60AD during Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome.?It is a brief and personal letter that contains an appeal for mercy and restoration. The name of the escaped slave, Onesimus, means profitable or useful. It is ironic that this slave failed to live up to his name, because he ran away.?This letter illustrates the gospel in that Paul wants to reconcile Onesimus to Philemon, by paying for any wrongs or loss suffered by the failure of the slave to serve his master.?

Introduction (1:1-3)

Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)

1.?????Paul begins his appeal in a humble way, rather than by claiming his authority as an apostle. Why do you think he does this???

2.?????Even though Paul was literally a prisoner in Rome, he considers himself even more so a prisoner of Jesus. In what sense are born-again Christians, prisoners or slaves of Jesus??(1 Cor 6:19-20)

3.?????This letter is addressed to Philemon and the Christians who met in his home. Rich and poor, male and female, slave and master—all were one in Christ and equal members of his family. Social distinctions would reappear when they left Philemon’s home. Have you experienced the wonder of Christian fellowship and the love of Christ that appears in intimate gatherings of his people? If not, I recommend you find a small group of born-again believers.

4.?????The peace we have with God comes from the grace that we share through faith in Jesus Christ. Our unity and identity in Christ far exceeds any social, racial, ethnic or other distinctions that the world offers. (1 Jn 3:1-3)