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
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Philemon Summary
Author: The author of the Book of Philemon was the Apostle Paul (Philemon 1:1).Date of Writing: The Book of Philemon was written in approximately 60 A.D.Purpose of Writing: The letter to Philemon is the shortest of all Paul's writings and deals with the practice of slavery. The letter suggest that Paul was in prison at the time of the writing. Philemon was a slave-owner who also hosted a church in his home. During the time of Paul's ministry in Ephesus, Philemon had likely journeyed to the city, heard Paul's preaching and became a Christian. The slave Onesimus robbed his master, Philemon, and ran away, made his way to Rome and to Paul. Onesimus was still the property of Philemon and Paul wrote to smooth the way for his return to his master. Onesimus had become a Christian and Paul wanted Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother in Christ and not merely as a slave.Key Verses: Philemon verse 6, "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."Philemon verse 16, "no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord."Philemon verse 18, "If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me."Brief Summary: Paul had warned slave-owners that they had a responsibility towards their slaves and showed slaves as responsible moral beings who were to fear God. In Philemon, Paul did not condemn slavery but he presented Onesimus as a Christian brother instead of a slave. When an owner can refer to a slave as a brother, the slave has reached a position in which the legal title of slave is meaningless. The early church did not attack slavery directly but it laid the foundation for a new relationship between owner and slave. Paul attempted to unite both Philemon and Onesimus with Christian love so that emancipation would become necessary. After exposure to the light of the gospel the institution of slavery could only die.Practical Application: Employers, political leaders, corporation executives and parents can follow the spirit of Paul's teaching by treating Christian employees, co-workers and family members as members of Christ's Body. Christians in modern society must not view helpers as stepping stones to help them achieve their ambitions but as Christian brothers and sisters who must receive gracious treatment. In addition, all Christian leaders must recognize that God holds them accountable for the treatment of those who work for them, whether the helpers are Christians or not. They must eventually answer to God for their actions (Colossians 4:1).
Monday, November 26, 2007
Sanctuary Clean Up - Remainder of 2007
Please note the following that are signed up to clean the sanctuary. If you are unable to do this please let me know. Thanks again for your service!
11/25 - Hampleman
12/2 - Flaming
12/9 - Nicholls
12/16 - Smiths
12/23 - Lakins
12/30 - Ridings
Andrew
11/25 - Hampleman
12/2 - Flaming
12/9 - Nicholls
12/16 - Smiths
12/23 - Lakins
12/30 - Ridings
Andrew
Class Directory
The class directory is an important item for the class in that we can use the emails and phone numbers to update prayer requests, current issues and occasions (like new babies!), and ensure church or other information gets to you as timely as possible.
The class directory needs updating! Please contact the Hamplemans if you were unable to update in the last couple of classes at church. We want to make sure notes, prayer requests, and other information gets to you.
We won't spam you! :)
Andrew
The class directory needs updating! Please contact the Hamplemans if you were unable to update in the last couple of classes at church. We want to make sure notes, prayer requests, and other information gets to you.
We won't spam you! :)
Andrew
Class Notes November 25, 2007
Hello! Philemon is not the only person this book is addressed to. We will cover through vs 7 this Sunday including the following:
Who is Paul addressing in vs 1-3? (Who is this TO)
What is Paul thanking this person/group for? What fruits and encouragement does Paul have?
What does Paul do when he thanks God?
Who is it that Paul is thanking and where our actions should stem from in v 1-7? (Who should we thank and our Love stem FROM?)
Andrew
Who is Paul addressing in vs 1-3? (Who is this TO)
What is Paul thanking this person/group for? What fruits and encouragement does Paul have?
What does Paul do when he thanks God?
Who is it that Paul is thanking and where our actions should stem from in v 1-7? (Who should we thank and our Love stem FROM?)
Andrew
Don't Forget!
Christmas Party is December 15, 2007
This will be held at the Nicholl's house. Additional details forthcoming including an evite.
Andrew
This will be held at the Nicholl's house. Additional details forthcoming including an evite.
Andrew
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
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
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