Class Notes/Questions - December 9, 2007

Hello!

I trust that all have had a meaningful and restful week. Please pray for those on the prayer list. I know meals and other service is being poured out so I praise the Lord for each of you. Please continue to 'run the race'. This is a body of believers looking to act and movtivated to follow our Lord's 2nd command to 'love our neighbor as ourself'. Be encouraged and pray for God's comfort, guidance, and healing on these issues.

Philemon 8-13 is what we will be reviewing this Sunday. Please take a moment if you haven't already and read the entire book of Philemon. 25 verses shouldn't take too long but we want to be in context when we review this week.

Please read verse 1-7 and reflect on what Paul is discussing. What main points and conclusions would you gather if this was directed at you specifically?

Read vs 8 -

What would be the orders that Paul would give if he was 'being bold'?

Read vs 9 -

What does an appeal on the basis of love change attitudes or what does it make you think of? If your husband/wife, family member, boss, friend, or whomever said 'I could tell you to do this next thing but I appeal to you in love' what would be different or what would change in your mind?

What does it mean to be a 'Prisoner of Christ' as Paul says he is?

Read vs 10 -

Who is Paul appealing to YOU about (pretend you are Philemon)? What happened to Onesimus? What do you think it means to 'became my son while I was in chains'?

Read vs 11 -

When Onesimus was with you (again pretend you are Philemon) why would Paul say he was 'useless'? Why is he now useful to both you and to Paul? What is the change? Is the change internal, external?

Read vs 12 -

What is Paul going to do with Onesimus? How does he see Onesimus compared to himself? What is the relationship between Paul and Onesiumus?

Read vs 13 -

What would Paul have selfishly liked to do? What else stands out in vs 13?

Read vs 8-13 again but this time not so literally. Are there any truths here about what we are slaves to and how useful we are to the cause of Christ? We will discuss that this Sunday in the lesson.

Take care!

Andrew