Class Notes November 13, 2007

Hello All!

This week I want to first thank Brian Barber for the summary of Colossians last week. What a great view into the who, what, when, why, and how of this book we have been studying. This week we continue in Paul’s writings with his writing to Philemon. This book, for some reason, is not a frequently studied book. We will be studying Philemon in the ‘normal’ fashion through Thanksgiving and Christmas. As I mentioned the last couple of weeks in class we will be starting an updated version of Experiencing God on January 6, 2008. Here is the rest of the schedule for 2007:

November 18 – Overview of Philemon (Books for Experiencing God will be distributed)
November 25 – Philemon 1-3
December 2 – Philemon 4-7
December 9 – Special Presentation of ‘The Truth Project’ by Kevin Glunt
December 16 – Philemon 8-13
December 23 – Philemon 14-22
December 30 – Philemon 22-25 and a group prayer
January 6, 2008 – Overview of the Experiencing God study and 1st lesson

Ok – so on to Philemon:

Philemon is a letter written by the apostle Paul to a Christian slave owner who lived in the Lycus Valley of Asia Minor. In it the apostle asks that the converted runaway slave, Onesimus, be received back into the household without punishment. We will be studying how the Lord asks each of us to receive others and our love towards them through this beautiful letter.

We will review authorship, Date and Place of origin, occasion and purpose, and an outline of Philemon in class this week.

Read the entire book as a letter once through and discuss with your spouse what you would do or what hear from Paul if you were Philemon. Don’t take significant energy in deciphering. Read it casually as if you received it from your best friend.

Write your answer:


Read Galations 3:28 –

What does it mean to be ‘one in Christ’? Discuss this practically – day to day actions and thoughts – with your spouse


I look forward to this short study. I think you will find that 2 Timothy 3 is correct in the ability for scripture – ALL scripture to show us how our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ can speak to us. The tie to the letter of Philemon and the cross will be come distinct and apparent over the next few weeks.

Andrew