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Paul and Power Dynamics

1. READ

   Philemon, 2 Corinthians 1:3-11; 4:1-18

2. CONNECT

   10min
   It’s easy to overlook Paul’s letter to his friend Philemon. The whole book is only 25 verses long, and it brings up the debate about what Paul and the Bible say about slavery. But this letter gives us the chance to get up close and personal with Paul and observe how he lived out the lofty truths he wrote about in his other letters in a complex interpersonal situation.

3. Reflection

   1. Who is the most famous person you have ever met?
   2. What stood out to you about them when you were actually in their presence?

4. WATCH

   20min

5. DISCUSS

   15min
   1. What stands out to you from the video and your reading of the book of Philemon?
   2. Drawing from both the video and your reading of Philemon:
      1. Describe Philemon and Paul’s relationship with him.
      2. Describe Paul’s relationship with Onesimus.
   3. What does Paul hope to accomplish through his letter?

6. APPLY

   15min
   1. Describe Paul's posture as he advocates for Onesimus.
   2. Read and summarize Galatians 3:26-29.
      1. How do you see Paul living out this teaching in the book of Philemon?
      2. How does he encourage others to do the same?
   3. In the Thirdmill video Paul’s Prison Epistles - Lesson 4: “Paul and Philemon,” Dr. Steve Blakemore observes:

   When he writes to Philemon, Paul is endeavoring to persuade Philemon to think about Onesimus in a different way. He doesn’t simply command Philemon to release Onesimus, even though Paul assumes that he would have that kind of spiritual authority, but instead … he is calling upon Philemon to look at Onesimus as his brother in Jesus Christ, his true spiritual equal in Jesus Christ, because that’s the way Paul can see this new creation that God had established, this manifestation of God’s new reign through his Messiah and Savior in the world. And so, he is endeavoring to help Philemon mentally or spiritually walk into a brand-new reality and begin to relate to Onesimus and others in a way that reflects the reality that God has established for our lives when we are in Jesus Christ.

   1. What can you do to live out this perspective of the relationship between fellow Christians?

   4. Read and summarize Ephesians 6:5-9:
      1. How do you see Paul living out this teaching in the book of Philemon?
      2. How does he encourage others to do the same?
   5. What habits can you incorporate into your life to relate to others in your workplace to be a good example of life lived God’s way?

7. CHALLENGE

   “Refresh my Heart in Christ” (v. 20). The apostle Paul has a reputation as a strong person. He had one of the greatest, most influential minds in history, and he endured physical, mental, and spiritual challenges that would have undone most people (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). Throughout Paul’s letters, we see that the source of his strength was not himself, but God’s sustaining grace, often expressed through the prayers and refreshment of other believers. As Paul writes to Philemon, “For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you” (v. 7).

   1. Who has given you joy and comfort? How?
   2. Who do you know who needs to be refreshed? Pray for them now. Ask God to show you how you can refresh them this week.