Next Sunday's Passages for the Lesson and Thoughts - Ephesians 4:17-32; Philemon1

This Sunday concludes our theme of "Unlocking our Best Relationships"

This Sunday we will be look at 2 books in the New Testament. Ephesians's and the the oft overlooked but powerful little book Philemon.

As you read Ephesians and Philemon below, Consider these thoughts and questions. (The actual passages are referenced below the questions and thoughts)

From our passages in Ephesians:

1. What is the old self?
2. How do you put on the new self?
3. How have you seen dishonesty ruin a relationship?
4. How literally do you take, “don’t let the sun go down on your anger”?
5. What does it mean to grieve the Spirit of God? How do we grieve God?

The Philemon story is a story of forgiveness. As you review the passages, think about these questions and thoughts:

1. How do you think Philemon felt as he read this letter for the first time?
2. Would it have been wrong of Paul not to send Onesimus back?
3. Did Paul have to do this?
4. This is a lesson in forgiveness. How do we forgive when it is difficult to forgive?
5. What are some common misconceptions about forgiveness?
6. His forgiveness a gift?
7. Biblically speaking....Who is forgiveness for, the person giving the forgiveness or receiving?
8. Is there true forgiveness without considering the biblical aspect of forgiveness or is the world's view of forgiveness the same as God's view of forgiveness?

Our Passage for the Week. (note there are a few more verses than the ss quarterly's lesson points)


Ephesians 4:17-32

(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Living the New Life

17 Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their thoughts. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because of the hardness of their hearts. 19 They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity with a desire for more and more.

20 But that is not how you learned about the Messiah, 21 assuming you heard Him and were taught by Him, because the truth is in Jesus: 22 you took off your former way of life, the old man that is corrupted by deceitful desires; 23 you are being renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24 you put on the new man, the one created according to God's [likeness] in righteousness and purity of the truth.

25 Since you put away lying, Speak the truth, each one to his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin. Don't let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and don't give the Devil an opportunity. 28 The thief must no longer steal. Instead, he must do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 29 No rotten talk should come from your mouth, but only what is good for the building up of someone in need, in order to give grace to those who hear. 30 And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit, who sealed you for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. 32 And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

Philemon 1

(Holman Christian Standard Bible)

Greeting

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy, our brother:

To Philemon, our dear friend and co-worker, 2 to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church that meets in your house.

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philemon's Love and Faith

4 I always thank my God when I mention you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints. 6 [I pray] that your participation in the faith may become effective through knowing every good thing that is in us for [the glory of] Christ. 7 For I have great joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, brother.

An Appeal for Onesimus

8 For this reason, although I have great boldness in Christ to command you to do what is right, 9 I appeal, instead, on the basis of love. I, Paul, as an elderly man and now also as a prisoner of Christ Jesus, 10 appeal to you for my child, whom I fathered while in chains—Onesimus. 11 Once he was useless to you, but now he is useful to both you and me. 12 I am sending him—a part of myself —back to you. 13 I wanted to keep him with me, so that in my imprisonment for the gospel he might serve me in your place. 14 But I didn't want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will. 15 For perhaps this is why he was separated [from you] for a brief time, so that you might get him back permanently, 16 no longer as a slave, but more than a slave—as a dearly loved brother. This is especially so to me, but even more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18 And if he has wronged you in any way, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, may I have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Since I am confident of your obedience, I am writing to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I hope that through your prayers I will be restored to you.

Final Greetings

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, and so do 24 Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my co-workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.