In this small letter, Paul writes to a slave owner imploring him to be reconciled with his runway

slave because in the Lord Jesus Christ they are both brothers. Keep this context in mind as you

discuss these questions.

1. What are some examples of broken relationships in our society?

2. What are the causes of these broken relationships? (Be specific. Don't just say "sin." What sins?)

3. What fruits of the Spirit are the opposite of these sins (e.g. patience is the opposite of impatience)?

4. What keeps people from repenting, forgiving, and reconciling? Are these good reasons?

5. How seriously does God take forgiveness and reconciliation? What has he done to reconcile us to Himself? What does this mean for our own understand of reconciliation?

6. Whom should you forgive? With whom can you be reconciled? With whom can you not be reconciled?

7. What does Paul applaud Philemon for? What does he applaud Onesimus for? How are these good things about these two men possible?

8. What is Paul's request of Philemon? On what basis does Paul make this request?