Philemon

Transformation and Reconciliation
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Series Overview

Evangelism Resource:

Designed for youth club settings, where you’re looking to spark interest in Jesus and explore the gospel together. This series includes an interactive talk and group discussion outline, along with games, crafts, discussion starters, and Going Further activities for diving in deeper.

Session 1:

Transformed and Reconciled

Paul writes to Philemon sharing the encouraging news that Onesimus, a former slave who committed a crime against the church, has been transformed by the gospel. He challenges Philemon to reconcile with Onesimus and welcome him into the church community. See that Jesus brings transformation and reconciliation. He offers forgiveness, relationship, and Christian community, however far we’ve run or whatever we’ve done.

Sessions
1.
Transformed & Reconciled
Philemon
Series Elements

Use these to link your sessions into a coherent series, reinforce teaching, and communicate effectively.

To support your session in Philemon and help parents engage with the themes at home, here is one short message to send out in the days following your session.

Philemon Session

Summary: Last session, we looked at a short letter from Paul to a man named Philemon. Paul shares some amazing news: a man named Onesimus, who had messed up in the past, had been completely transformed by Jesus. Paul challenges the church to welcome him back, not with judgment, but as family.

Recap Question: What surprising words does Paul use to describe Onesimus after he was transformed by Jesus?

Discussion Question: Christianity offers us forgiveness, transformation, a welcome into God’s family and His church. If someone really believed that, how might it affect the way they think, feel, or live?

Use a Sunday Service as an opportunity to share what was discussed in your Philemon session and further apply it together as a whole church family.

Instructions:

  1. Introduce the Book of Philemon:
    • Briefly explain that the youth group recently studied this short letter from Paul.
    • Set the scene: Paul writes from prison to a church leader named Philemon, asking him to do something radical.
  2. Introduce two key themes: Transformation and Reconciliation.
    • Transformation:
      • Explain who Onesimus was – a slave who stole from the church and fled.
      • Share how Paul now describes him: no longer useless, but now a son and useful in Christ (v10-11).
      • Highlight how Jesus still transforms people today.
    • Reconciliation:
      • Read verses 15-16.
      • Explain Paul’s challenge: to welcome Onesimus back not as a slave, but as a brother.
      • Reflect on how radical and countercultural that would have been, and still is today.
  3. Share a personal story:
    • Mention how you encouraged the young people to reflect on their experience of church.
    • Briefly repeat how the church family has encouraged you or made a difference in your life.
  4. Invite a time of sharing:
    • Ask everyone to turn to those around them and briefly discuss:
      1. Transformation: When have you experienced change like Onesimus? What did it feel like?
      2. Reconciliation: When were you welcomed into our church family? Share a story of encouragement.
  5. Final request:
    • Ask them to pray for their young people – that they would experience this same transformation and belonging through Jesus.
    • Invite them to continue being welcoming and encouraging to the young people, seeking to build them up in Christ.
Downloads
Further Reading
Colossians & Philemon For You

Mark Meynell

Empowering young people to flourish in Jesus through equipping leaders with creative Biblical resources. Let’s get you started in 3 easy steps.

Choose a series

Verdant offers three types of series to fit your setting:
  1. Evangelism: Designed for youth club settings, where you’re looking to spark interest in Jesus and explore the gospel together. Each series includes an interactive talk and group discussion outlines, along with games, crafts, discussion starters, and Going Further activities for diving in deeper.
  2. Discipleship: Ideal for small groups or Sunday school, with Bible study outlines that encourage conversation. Each session includes smaller games, illustrations, discussion starters, and Going Further activities to extend discussion and build on application.
  3. Mentoring: Tailored for one-to-one discipleship, with Bible study outlines that support personal growth and accountability. These guides include discussion based starters and Going Further activities that dig into specific topics from the study.

Plan the Series

Before diving into each session, the series homepage provides a quick summary of each session, along with helpful elements to keep your series flowing seamlessly. You’ll find activities or projects that span the length of the series, ideas for keeping parents involved and informed, and practical ways to apply what’s being taught. The series homepage also provides series downloads and links to additional external resources.

Build the Session

Create a custom session for your youth group using our range of ‘Intros & Starters,’ ’Teaching Outlines,’ and ‘Going Further’ activities.

Each option is graded as Simple , Intermediate , or Advanced , so you can easily tailor the session to suit your group’s needs

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