Philemon
Paul often wrote about slaves and slave owners.
He explained how Christian slaves and their owners had to behave towards each other.
Slaves had to work as if they were working for Jesus.
Owners had to remember that their slaves were their brothers and treat them with respect.
Many centuries later, Christians realized that slavery was wrong and put a stop to it.
Today there are still many countries where slavery exists.
Children are bought and sold! They are forced to work as slaves.
We must do what we can to stop this!
verse 14
Paul doesn’t want Philemon to take Onesimus back because he feels that he must.
Paul wants Philemon to do it because he wants to.
Sometimes we do things for other people because we must and sometimes because we want to.
Talky wonders if you know the difference between the two.
Talk with some friends about this.
Discuss why it may be important to do something even though we don’t want to do it.
verse 17
Philemon may still be angry with his runaway slave.
But Paul still asks him to forgive Onesimus.
And Paul feels certain that Philemon will do this for him because they are friends.
Find reasons why Paul and Philemon were such good friends in verses 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9.
Joinme suggests talking with your group about being friends.
Talk about the reasons why Paul and Philemon were good friends.
Then name three things all of you think help make good friendships.
Is your list similar to Paul’s?
Then ask yourself whether your friends can see those things in you.
