Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
“I prefer to beg you by appealing to love” (FILEM. 9).
1. What responsibility do we all have?
Although Jehovah makes peace among his servants possible, each of us has the responsibility to maintain and protect it. That peace is a priceless treasure, because it helps us to imagine what life will be like in Paradise.
THE PLEA
2. Briefly tell the story of Philemon and Onesimus (Philemon 8, 9, 17).
Philemon was a Christian in the Colossae congregation, known for his love and faith. He had a slave named Onesimus, who was not yet a Christian. One day, Onesimus ran away to Rome, possibly after stealing some money from Philemon. There he became a Christian and a close friend of the apostle Paul. However, since Roman law required him to return to his master, Paul sent him back to Philemon.
3. What might Paul have wondered when he sent Onesimus back? (See also the image.)
When sending Onesimus back, Paul may have wondered: “What will Philemon do when Onesimus returns? Will he exercise his legal right and impose a severe punishment? How will the congregation react? Will there be any controversy between the other slaves and their masters?”
Since Paul was aware that the situation could endanger the peace of the congregation, he wrote a letter to Philemon and sent it through Tychicus.
ILLUSTRATION
Philemon reads aloud Paul's letter in front of a group that includes Onesimus and Tychicus (see paragraph 3).
WHAT WE LEARN FROM PAUL
4, 5. How can elders contribute to a peaceful atmosphere in the congregation?
Elders contribute to a peaceful atmosphere when they treat their brothers and sisters as friends. They act as loving shepherds, not as if they were masters of God's sheep.
Furthermore, they dedicate time to the brothers and sisters, listen to them, value them, and help them whenever they need it. By treating them as friends, they imitate Paul's example and set a good example for everyone to strive to promote peace.
6. Why is it important to praise others?
It's important to praise others because, from time to time, many of us feel insecure. Perhaps we worry about our appearance, what others think of us, or the possibility of losing a service privilege we value highly.
It's normal to feel insecure at times. However, these feelings can overwhelm us, make us irritable, defensive, or lead to a competitive attitude. Receiving praise is a good remedy, as it helps us feel loved and valued.
7. Why should we be careful about what we say about others? (Philemon 10-12).
We must be careful about what we say about our siblings, because our words influence how others see and treat them. If we speak well of them, others are more likely to treat them well too.
Speaking ill of our siblings can lead to others treating them badly. To speak well of them, we must first have a positive opinion of them. To achieve this, we must focus on their qualities.
8. What will help us to think and speak well of our siblings? (See also the pictures.)
Just like Paul, who always thanked Jehovah for Philemon's excellent qualities and did the same with many other Christians, we should strive to focus on the virtues of our brothers.
Paul often thanked Jehovah for having good friends. If we make it a habit to think well of our brothers and sisters and to ask Jehovah in prayer to bless them, we will naturally speak well of them.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. Paul writes a letter with his hand in chains. 2. In a Kingdom Hall, an older brother congratulates a younger brother in front of others.
Like Paul, let us have a positive opinion of our brothers and speak well of them (see paragraph 8).
9. Why is it so striking that Paul spoke kindly to Philemon?
It's striking that Paul spoke to Philemon with kindness despite his own problems. Many of us have experienced losing patience with others due to stress or exhaustion. However, Paul treated Philemon with affection and kindness.
If we consider Paul's circumstances when he wrote to Philemon, we see that he did not allow those traumatic experiences to influence the way he addressed him, but instead wrote him a loving and kind letter.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM ONÉSIMO
10. What does the example of Onesimus teach us?
The example of Onesimus teaches us what we must do to repair a friendship. He did something that is often easier said than done: he acknowledged his mistake and made an effort to make peace.
Onesimus was willing to give up his freedom and accept other possible consequences. Like him, we must strive to make peace with our brothers.
11. If we have offended someone, how can we make peace? (See also the pictures.)
If we have offended someone, we can make amends by taking the initiative. Although this may be difficult, it is entirely worthwhile, as we can regain the friendship. Asking for forgiveness requires humility, but it is often the quickest way to make peace.
We must be willing to listen to the other person and try to understand how they feel. Let's acknowledge our mistake and not justify ourselves or blame other people or circumstances, as this could diminish the value of our apology, prolong the problem, or even worsen the situation.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. Onesimus. 2. Two brothers are sitting in a park, and one is sincerely apologizing to the other.
Like Onesimus, let us be humble and promote peace (see paragraph 11).
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM PHILEMON
12. Why was Paul convinced that Philemon would forgive Onesimus?
Paul was convinced that Philemon would forgive Onesimus because he knew Philemon possessed qualities that would motivate him to do so. His example teaches us the importance of maintaining peace when someone offends us.
13. Why is showing love essential to maintaining peace? (Colossians 3:14).
Showing love is essential for maintaining peace, because love is the quality that most contributes to peace and unity. The more we love our brothers and sisters, the easier it will be for us to forgive them and treat them with kindness. As Paul said in his letter to the Colossians, love is “a perfect bond of unity.”
Philemon loved his brothers, and the whole congregation knew he was known for his love. He would undoubtedly need to demonstrate this quality to forgive Onesimus.
14. How do we know that Philemon was hospitable?
We know that Philemon was hospitable because he offered his house for the congregation to hold their meetings there.
Another example of his hospitality is that Paul asked him to prepare a place for him to stay.
15. Why will we love our brothers and sisters more if we are hospitable? (See also the pictures).
If we are hospitable, we will love our brothers and sisters more, because it will allow us to get to know them better. By spending time with those who are not part of our inner circle, and even with those with whom we don't seem to have much in common, we realize that Jehovah's people are very diverse, and that is what makes them truly beautiful.
By being hospitable, we will have the opportunity to learn about their story, how they learned the truth, and what trials they have endured. We will also understand why Jehovah has brought them to be part of his family. In this way, we will come to love and respect them even more.
Hospitality helps us to love our brothers and sisters more, to always think the best of them, and to forgive them when they make mistakes.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. Philemon with Paul's letter. 2. At a social gathering, the brothers from the previous images are smiling and chatting with other brothers.
Like Philemon, let us be hospitable to contribute to the unity of the congregation (see paragraph 15).
16. What might Philemon have done to apply the words of Colossians 3:13?
It is possible that, when the words of Colossians 3:13 were read, Philemon remembered Onesimus and, if he still harbored resentment towards him, knew exactly what he had to do: continue to put up with him and forgive him generously.
17. What does Paul's advice "Keep putting up with one another" mean?
Paul's advice "Keep putting up with one another" means that we should be patient with our brothers and treat them with kindness, even when they irritate or offend us.
The apostle Paul highlighted the excellent example Jehovah sets for us. He is reasonable in what he expects of his servants. He is well aware of our weaknesses, but he prefers to focus on our strengths. Therefore, he continues to show us loyal love and mercy.
The apostle Paul highlighted the excellent example Jehovah sets for us. He is reasonable in what he expects of his servants. He is well aware of our weaknesses, but he prefers to focus on our strengths. Therefore, he continues to show us loyal love and mercy.
18. What do each of us want to do?
We want to find ways every day to foster peace in the congregation. To do this, we must continue to treat our brothers and sisters with kindness and speak well of them. In this way, we will be doing our part to create an atmosphere of peace in the congregation.
If we offend someone, let us ask for forgiveness and make peace. Furthermore, let us cultivate a deep love for our brothers and sisters, a love that allows us to forgive them generously.
WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THE FOLLOWING BIBLICAL CHARACTERS?
The apostle Paul
We learn that how we treat others can help maintain peace in the congregation. We should see our brothers and sisters as equals and remember the friendship that unites us. Paul gave Philemon a good example of how to treat Onesimus, and he also gave it to all of us, especially those who are congregation elders.
Onesimus
The example of Onesimus teaches us what we must do to repair our friendship when we offend a brother or sister: acknowledge our mistake and make an effort to reconcile. Although this is often easier said than done, we must strive to make peace with our brothers and sisters.
Philemon
Philemon teaches us to maintain peace when someone offends us. He had qualities that motivated him to forgive, but the most important was love. Philemon loved his brothers and sisters, and he also had a quality that strengthened that love: hospitality. If we are as hospitable as he was, we too will come to love our brothers and sisters more.
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