Practicing the Process: Philemon

Today, we are going to practice the inductive Bible study method on the book of Philemon again. By doing so, you will discover that there is more that can be learned from this short letter! In God’s Word, there is always more to see, more to understand, and more to apply. This is why we can study it over a whole lifetime and still not exhaust its treasures. God may speak to us differently through the same passage, depending on what he knows we need at that time.

Context

Today’s video, “What happened to Onesimus?” uses historical evidence to explain what happened after Onesimus returned to Philemon.

Observation

When you read through the letter to Philemon today, look for the contrasts that Paul makes throughout. Contrasts may be explicitly indicated through the use of “but,” “yet,” or “instead.” Or they may be implied from context. Here are some we observed:

• Paul says he is bold enough to command Philemon to do the right thing, but he prefers to appeal on the basis of love (v9-10).
• Onesimus is described as being formerly “useless,” but is now “useful” both to Paul and Philemon (v11).
• Onesimus is returning to Philemon not as a slave, but as a dear brother (v16).
• Onesimus is dear to Paul, but even dearer to Philemon, both as a fellow man and brother in the Lord (v16).

Interpretation

Think about the things Philemon is learning from Paul’s use of contrasts. What do the contrasts reveal to him about Paul and how Paul disciples? About Onesimus and his significance? About the gospel and its power? What would Philemon’s response to these contrasts reveal about him?

Today’s video reported historical evidence that Philemon did indeed forgive Onesimus. What impact did that forgiveness have on the life of Onesimus? How do you think Philemon’s forgiveness impacted the Body of Christ as a whole?

Application

The gospel informs how we disciple people to do the right thing, how we view people’s worth, and, as a result, how we treat them.

Can you think of someone you’ve written off as “useless”? Ask God for his perspective of this person. What comes to mind first? How can you affirm the truth God shared with you about this person in a practical way?