Big Idea: We can forgive and welcome others into God's family just as Jesus has done for us.

Bible Passage: Philemon 1:8-22

This week the kids learnt that Paul sent another letter from prison. He wrote to his friend Philemon. While in prison, Paul had become friends with a man called Onesimus. Onesimus had been a servant to Philemon, but had run away. After meeting Paul in Rome, Onesimus because a Christian, and Paul encouraged Onesimus to go home to Philemon and put things right between them, as Jesus would have us have peace with our brothers and sisters.

Paul writes a letter encouraging Philemon to forgive Onesimus, and to welcome him, not as a slave, but as a 'brother' in Christ. He tells Philemon that if Onesimus owes him any money, that Paul will pay his debt. We talked about how Paul asked this of his friend he loved him and knew Philemon was a Christian, and so wanted him to be like Jesus.

Jesus forgives our sin, even though we don't deserve it, has paid our debt that we could not pay, and Jesus welcomes us into God's family as brothers and sisters too. Those who wish to follow Jesus should do this for others. 

We talked about how it is hard to be like Jesus. It is tough to forgive others, especically those who hurt us. It is hard to love those who are unkind, and it is difficult to welcome difficult people. But we can trust that though it is difficult, it is worth it. Jesus died for us, and He loves us, and this is what spurs us on to love even when it is hard work.

Family Activity

At family dinner, have one person serve everyone as if they are a servant. Talk about the difference in how you treat servants and those who are family. Read John 15:15 together, and thank Jesus for making it so that we can be in God's family as brothers and sisters, not as slaves.