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PHILEMON I. BACKGROUND
1. Author
- Paul and Timothy, but primarily Paul, the apostle; see verses 1 & 9 2. Date
- A.D. 60-63, near the end of Paul's ministry 3. Setting
- While in prison, Paul converted Onesimus, Philemon's slave, so now Paul is
sending Onesimus back to Philemon, who works for the Lord in
Colossae. (Colossians 4:9) II. PURPOSE OF
THE BOOK
1. Key
Verses: 10, 11, 17 2. Purpose: Paul seeks to get Philemon to recognize
Onesimus, his previously useless slave, as useful to himself and to Paul now. 1) By sending Onesimus back to minister to Paul: 12-13 2) By receiving Onesimus as more than a slave, but now as a beloved
brother: 16 3. God
made Onesimus a new creation, so Philemon needs to treat him like he has
treated the rest of the saints (although Onesimus' job does not need to
change); 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 6:9; Colossians 4:1; Philemon
15-16 III. APPLICATIONS - LESSONS
1. Thank
God and pray for the saints: 4-5 2. Refresh
the hearts of the saints: 7,20 3. Ways
we can help brethren to do what is proper: 1) We can order them to do: 8 2) We can appeal to them through love: 9 4. Appealing
to our brethren for proper action allows: 1) Goodness and love to be shown by the one appealing: 9 2) Goodness and love to be shown by the one appealed to: 9, 5, 16 5. Challenge
Christians based on their previous Christians walk: see verses 14-20 PHILEMON
QUESTIONS
1. Match the person with his attribute
(character) __________ 1) Prisoner a. Paul __________ 2) Refresher b. Onesimus __________ 3) Useless c. Philemon __________ 4) Useful __________ 5) Slave __________ 6) Converted by Paul __________ 7) Aged __________ 8) Fellow-worker 2. True or False _____ 1) Onesimus was a runaway slave _____ 2) Philemon and Onesimus are brothers _____ 3) The church met in Philemon's house _____ 4) Paul liked to use his apostolic authority _____ 5) Brethren will try to do more than they are asked 3. Was Paul trying to manipulate Philemon? Did he manipulate Philemon? 4. How is a person's heart refreshed? 5. Define these words in their context: 1) REFRESH: (Philemon 7, 20) 2) APPEAL: (Philemon 9) 3) ACCEPT:
(Philemon 17) 6. Did Philemon have to free Onesimus because he
became a brother in Christ? Why or
why not? 7. How might this issue come up in India? How will you deal with it? |