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Brothers in Christ

Bible Passage: Philemon

Kids Church: July 18, 2021

Volume 12: All Things New. Unit 35: Finishing Strong. Session 3 of 5

Leading Parent, please read below for an overview of today's lesson (drop down) ----->>

Brothers in Christ

Paul was a prisoner under house arrest in Rome when a man named Onesimus (oh NESS ih muhs) came to visit him. Onesimus was a slave who had run away from a wealthy man named Philemon. As it turned out, Paul was a friend of Philemon. So when Paul told Onesimus the good news about Jesus and Onesimus believed, Paul desired forgiveness and reconciliation between Onesimus and Philemon—now brothers in Christ.

So Paul wrote a letter and told Onesimus to take it to Philemon. The Book of Philemon is the letter written by Paul to Philemon. Though Onesimus had become dear to him and Paul wanted Onesimus to stay with him in Rome, Paul sent him back to Philemon with his letter.

In the letter, Paul urged Philemon to forgive Onesimus and treat him as a fellow brother in Christ. Paul even offered to pay Onesimus’s debt for him. Though Paul could have used his authority as an apostle of Christ to force Philemon to do what he wanted, Paul instead appealed to him as a friend and a fellow believer. He urged Philemon to treat Onesimus as if he were Paul himself—with love and kindness.

Paul offered to pay Onesimus’s debt to make peace between him and Philemon. In this way, Paul acted like Jesus, who makes peace between God and humanity. Jesus took the punishment we deserve for our sin, paying our debt so that we can be forgiven and welcomed into God’s family as brothers and sisters of Jesus. (See Heb. 2:11.)

Paul’s letter serves as a reminder to us that everyone is equal before Jesus. People from completely different backgrounds—like Paul, a former Jewish leader; Onesimus, a runaway slave; and Philemon, a Gentile slavemaster—are brought together by the gospel under the lordship of Jesus Christ. In light of God’s love for us, we can be loving, kind, and forgiving to our brothers and sisters in Christ for the glory of God.

Opening Prayer for Kids Church Worship

Dad (or Mom) lead your family

(You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well)

Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, love, mercy, etc.
Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to save us from our sins.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, forgiveness, etc.
Thank You God for sacrificing Your Son Jesus on the Cross to take our just punishment of death. Thank You Jesus for Your obedience to the Father and suffer the pain and death on the Cross. Thank You for the victory over death by raising Jesus from the grave on the third day! Because He is risen, the children of God shall inherit eternal life. Thank You God!
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
God, we are here to worship, adore, and exalt You. Speak and teach us through Your Word. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Pledges - recite out loud together

Right hand to your heart

Bible raised high in the air

Praise & Worship singing to God together

Let's dwell on the holiness of God and His expectation of us, too.

Leader - Ask the Big Picture Question

Everyone reply with the Big Picture Answer

Leader Say • For our new unit the next few weeks, we are going to think about our big picture question: What will happen for all Christians in the future? The answer is, One day, all Christians will see Jesus in His glory and live with Him forever. Amazing!

Believers will see Jesus in His glory. That means we will see His greatness and understand Him in ways we don’t now. And believers will live with Him forever! Keep our big picture question and answer in mind when you listen to today’s Bible story.

Everyone memorize the Scripture verses CSB version

NIV

Leader Say: When Paul told Onesimus about Jesus, Onesimus believed in Jesus. This is what God wants for everyone—to believe in Jesus! [See John 6:29.] From the time you first believe in Jesus until the day that Jesus returns, God will grow you to know Jesus more and more. One day we will know Him perfectly when we see Him face-to-face. Let’s sing our key passage song to help us remember these words.

Let's all sing “I Am Sure of This" (Philippians 1:6).

Everyone sing the Scripture song CSB version

Everyone open your Bible and read aloud Romans 15:7.

Leader Say: God is honored when believers show love and forgiveness to one another. Let’s sing and praise God for welcoming us in to His family as brothers and sisters through His Son, Jesus.

Let’s sing together “All Hail the Power.”

Praise & Prayer Time

Invite kids to pray items below:

Share praises from this past week of what God did in your lives.
Confess and repent of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Ask God to forgive us, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us in self-control.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Praise God for an awesome first year of the JT Missionary Camp!! Even though we had to end earlier because of a COVID positive test case, the 3 days were intense, but wonderful and spiritually deepened campers and youth crew leaders alike. We continue to praise God!!
Jesus, Your Word is true and trustworthy. We can study it and learn about loving one another through Your example and through Paul’s letter to Philemon. Help us to treat others the way You have treated us—as brothers and sisters. In the Name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Bible Lesson Time

Leader - Read the main story point below

Watch the Bible Story video

Christ Connection: Paul offered to pay Onesimus’ debt to make peace between him and Philemon. In this way, Paul acted like Jesus, who makes peace between God and man. Jesus took the punishment we deserve for our sin. He paid our debt so that we can be forgiven and welcomed by God.

Apply the Bible Lesson

Guide kids to open their Bibles to the book of Philemon. Explain that God planned for Paul to see Caesar. Explain that Philemon is a book in the part of the Bible called Paul’s Letters, which is in the New Testament. Point out that Philemon has only one chapter.

Choose a volunteer to read aloud verses 15-16.

Leader Say • When Paul was with Onesimus, Paul was a prisoner in Rome. Paul sent this letter with Onesimus to Philemon, who lived in Colossae. Paul encouraged Philemon to treat Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

Did you know Paul also sent another letter with Onesimus? The other letter was written to the church at Colossae. We can find it in our Bibles: the Book of Colossians!

Ask the following questions. Lead your family to discuss:

(Take your time to ask, let the kids to ponder and answer the following questions)

1. Why do you think Paul offered to pay any debt Onesimus may have owed? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Let kids share their thoughts. Remind them that Paul acted like Jesus, who makes peace between God and humanity. Jesus took the punishment we deserve for our sin, paying our debt so that we can be forgiven and welcomed into God’s family as brothers and sisters of Jesus.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Heb. 2:11.)

2. Why should we be loving, kind, and forgiving to others—especially to other Christians? (drop down for answer) ----->>

In light of God’s love for us, we can be loving, kind, and forgiving to our brothers and sisters in Christ for the glory of God.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Eph. 4:32.)

3. When someone becomes a believer, how should we treat that person—regardless of his or her past? (drop down for answer) ----->>

Lead kids to recognize that when someone becomes a believer, he or she should be welcomed into the family of God—regardless of his or her past. Point out how God treats us, regardless of our past. When we trust in Jesus, we have full acceptance from God.

(Option: Choose a volunteer to read Gal. 3:28.)

Application: Questions from Kids

Leader Say: As you watch this video, think about what a spiritual family is.

After the video discuss how they think members of a spiritual family should treat one another.

Sing the Song of Response below

A Missions Moment 3

Leader: Remember the Santiagos who serve Jesus in Puerto Rico? Jorge Santiago planned to start a new church, but after Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, he knew he needed to find ways to minister to the people’s needs while sharing the gospel. He treated others as brothers and sisters in Christ. Let’s see what he did.

Watch the missions video.

After the video ask kids to pray for the Santiagos and the people of Puerto Rico.

A Missions Moment 2

This is Jackie Chen, 2nd of 2 missionaries under the care of the Children Ministry.

Jackie's been in Taiwan with CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship) since 2019 sharing the Gospel to the children of Taiwan, and teaching adults how to do it.

You can read Jackie's latest newsletter that I have by clicking the picture above.

Jackie's Prayer Requests

• Praise the Lord, I will come back home next year! For a break of about 6 months, but as of now I am not sure of the exact time.

• Please pray for my relationship with the local workers. I need to be setting the example of following the rules.

• Please pray for me, sometimes I still get angry with the local workers here, because of culture difference and attitude toward sins. They are not perfect just like me. I need to love them just like Jesus loves me. I really need it at the moment.

• Please pray for the expansion of our ministry, thank the Lord that He is growing the ministry, but the local office needs more workers as well as finances to hire more workers to share the Gospel

• Thank you for the continued prayer for my future wife. I think I have someone on my mind. I pray a lot for her already. I haven’t start pursuing her yet. She doesn’t know anything at this stage. We will see what the Lord will do. I want to be patient and wait for the Lord's direction.

Closing Prayer - Leader

Praise and thanksgiving to God that the Holy Spirit helps us to listen and obey God.
Thank you, our Heavenly Father for our earthly fathers and mothers.
Protection from COVID-19 throughout the summer especially for people who are traveling.
For those who are sick or looking for a new job.
For our family, our church, our nation our leaders to repent, to honor and to follow God.
For missionary Jackie Chen in Taiwan with CEF reaching kids teaching adults.

Enjoy a full 30-minute mini-movie family night!

Get out the popcorns and chips!!

A Missions Moment 1

Leader: Missionaries are willing to do hard things to share the gospel. The missionary we are going to hear about today had to do some very hard things, like show people how Jesus had changed his life, when he went back to his homeland of Puerto Rico.

Watch the missions video.

After the video ask kids how Jorge’s (HOR-hayz) life changed when he met Jesus.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

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