Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way
Read Philemon 1
HEAD
Today, we are reading the entire book of Philemon! It is another letter from Paul, and this time, it is to his friend, Philemon. Philemon was a Christian and also a slave owner. Back during this time, some men had slaves. Slaves were men who did work for their slave owners, and they were not allowed to leave their slave owners. Philemon had a slave named Onesimus, but he ran away from Philemon. This probably made Philemon pretty angry. Paul writes to Philemon to tell him that Onesimus became a Christian and was now a follower of Jesus. Paul explains that Onesimus has changed the way he lives and acts, and he encourages Philemon to allow Onesimus to return. But not only that, he asks Philemon to accept Onesimus back not as a servant, but as a brother!
HEART
Sin creates separation not only between God and us, but it creates separation between other people and us. Sin divides us, makes us not treat each other equally, makes us fight, and makes us try to control others. But Jesus died to restore our separation from God. As followers of Jesus, we have been forgiven, so we should also forgive others. Just as Paul encouraged Philemon to love and forgive Onesimus, God wants us to love and forgive those in our lives as well.
HANDS
Paul wrote letters and used messengers to deliver them to his friends. Today, we have a much easier time getting messages and info to friends. Think of two fun ways you can get a message to a friend and use those ways to invite two people to church with you.
Prayer: God, thank You for Your forgiveness and love that You offer to me. Help me to live out the gospel and offer that forgiveness to others in my life. I love you, Jesus. Amen.