Letters From PaulSample

PREPARE

Take a moment to quiet your heart as you set aside today’s distractions.

Ask God to prepare you to read and receive his holy Word.

READ: Philemon 1:4–7

Dear Friend,

Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God. For I hear of your love for all of God’s people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ. Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God’s people.

Blessings,

Paul

REFLECT

Paul was in prison when he wrote this letter to Philemon, a Roman citizen and influential church leader from Colossae. Like many people in his time, Philemon owned slaves, including one man named Onesimus. Onesimus had run away from Philemon after a serious conflict with his master. Shortly after running away, Onesimus met Paul and professed faith in Jesus Christ. He also became a valuable assistant to Paul in his ministry, which prompted Paul to write to Philemon and make a bold request: forgive Onesimus, receive him as a brother in the Lord, and stop treating him as a slave so that he could continue to help building the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Have you ever needed to mediate a conflict between people? How does God’s Word inform the way you do this?

We can aspire to many of the traits Paul sees in Philemon, including his love for all of God’s people and his strong faith. Consider the friends, church members, and spiritual mentors God has placed in your life. What admirable traits do they possess? How do these traits speak of Jesus’s influence in their hearts and lives?

PRAY

Paul tells Philemon, “Every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God.” In your time of prayer today, give thanks to God for the faithful believers in your own life. Focus especially on the way they bless your life and encourage your faith. Ask God to help you and these faithful friends to all grow more like Christ.