The RunawayVzorec

Where We're Going (Context of Philemon 1)

While Paul’s letter to Philemon may be brief, it stands as one of the most powerful and concise examples of God’s grace in Scripture. Years earlier, Philemon, a wealthy and prominent member of society, became a Christian through Paul’s ministry and later helped lead the Colossian church. Now imprisoned for spreading the message of Jesus, Paul was approached by Onesimus, a runaway slave who had fled from Philemon. This letter contains Paul’s words to Philemon, urging him to forgive and embrace Onesimus.

Onesimus' struggle is much like ours. We chose to run away from our true Master, only to become enslaved by sin. Jesus, rather than running from our plight, willingly humbled Himself by coming into the world to pursue us while we were on the run.

In The Runaway Bible study, we will take a closer look at the book of Philemon and explore four ways Jesus responds to runaways:

Day 1) He Receives Them As Family (Philemon 1-10)

Day 2) He Renews Them With Purpose (Philemon 11-13)

Day 3) He Represents Them In Trials (Philemon 14-17)

Day 4) He Releases Them Through Repayment (Philemon 18-25)

Prayerfully, as we walk through this small letter together, we will gain a deeper understanding of God’s indescribable love for those who have chosen to run away from Him—including us!

Day 1) He Receives Them As Family

Three Facts About God’s Family

1) It’s Miraculous

Paul opens his letter by calling himself a “prisoner for Christ,” which is remarkable when you consider his journey. He went from passionately persecuting Christians to having his life transformed through an encounter with Jesus. Being adopted into God’s family is truly supernatural. We’re born dead in our sins but brought to life through the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. This is not simply a casual decision to choose a different path; it’s a transformation that alters the trajectory of eternity.

2) It’s Messy

The relationship triangle between Paul, Onesimus, and Philemon is messy—just like many of the dynamics in God’s family, the church. We’re not perfect. Despite our efforts, we still sin and make mistakes. Jesus chose to enter our messy world, and His finished work on the cross brings clarity and hope in the midst of confusion.

3) It’s Missional

God’s family is warm, marked by His love and embrace, but it is also dedicated to the purpose for which we were created. The moment we place our faith in Jesus, we are called to share Him with the world. Rather than doing this alone, it’s essential that we link arms with our brothers and sisters in Christ, trusting God to strengthen us every step of the way.

Big Idea

God's family, the Church, is made up of broken people who have chosen to place their faith in Jesus. We are adopted through His miraculous work of crucifixion and resurrection, which restored humanity to a purpose-filled relationship with the Father. Though messy and imperfect, the Church is called to reflect God's love, share the Gospel and invite others into His family.

Let’s Think About This:

Question 1) How does understanding our adoption into God's family through Jesus' sacrifice change the way we view our relationship with God and with others?

Question 2) If applicable, what are some of the "messy" aspects of being part of God's family that you’ve experienced, and how can we better reflect God’s love in these moments?

Question 3) What are some practical ways we can actively live out the missional aspect of being a member of God’s family?