This session has not been translated into your language yet, so it is shown in English.

Accountability, Compassion, and Reconciliation

1. READ

   Philemon, Colossians 1:1-14; 3:1-25; 4:1-9, 12, 13, 17

2. CONNECT

   10min
   As a young man, Paul was the star student of the foremost Old Testament scholar of his day and became infamous for his extreme measures to keep the Jewish faith pure. But after meeting Jesus face to face, Paul had a fuller picture of the God he thought he knew so well. This changed how Paul understood the way God wants his people to relate to each other. “Compassionate and gracious” are the first words God uses to describe himself in Exodus 34:6 (NIV). He goes on to say that he is slow to anger, abounding in faithful love, and forgives all kinds of sin and rebellion. Similar to how our bodies need flexible skin and inflexible bones, these “soft” characteristics are complemented by God’s justice (“he does not leave the guilty unpunished,” v.7) and by his willingness to let the weight of consequences have an effect on people’s lives. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, we see a model of what it looks like to live out all of these characteristics in the messiness of our relationships with other believers.

3. Reflection

   Grace, compassion, patience, love, faithfulness, forgiveness, justice, willingness to apply consequences — which of these characteristics does your work or daily life require of you?

4. WATCH

   20min

5. DISCUSS

   15min
   1. What stands out to you from the video and your second reading of the book of Philemon?
   2. How does Paul hold Philemon accountable by offering him words of encouragement?
   3. Which of God’s characteristics, as described by him in Exodus 34:6, 7 (gracious and compassionate; slow to anger; abounding in covenant love and faithfulness; forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin; not clearing the guilty; applying consequences), do you see Paul living out in his relationship with Philemon and Onesimus?
   4. Which of God’s characteristics do you see Paul asking others to live out?

6. APPLY

   15min
   1. This lesson describes three specific applications of the letter to Philemon: accountability through challenge and support, compassion expressed in kindness and in advocacy, and true reconciliation between fellow believers. Describe a time when you have experienced the positive effects of one of these.
   2. Read and meditate on Ephesians 5:1-21. Ask God to reveal to you where you and others in the body of Christ are reflecting God's character and where you need to be awakened.

7. CHALLENGE

   1. With whom do you have such transparent and regular communication that they will know where and when you need accountability and encouragement?
   2. When was the last time someone told you something that was difficult to hear? How did you respond?
   3. Onesimus and Philemon had to assume responsibility in order to restore their relationship. Is there any responsibility you need to assume in order to bring reconciliation to a fractured relationship?

   Finish with a time of prayer.