Our Ever-Changing Community

Scripture – Philemon 8-14: ⁸Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, ⁹yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus—¹⁰I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. ¹¹Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. ¹²I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. ¹³I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. ¹⁴But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) The first century church had some very interesting dynamics. Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon. During his time spent with Paul, Onesimus became a Christian. So Paul is sending him back to Philemon. Only now, things are different. How did Onesimus and Philemon see each other after this? Paul is careful here not to tell Philemon what he ought to do. I wonder what happened.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) We have our own interesting dynamics in the church today. In fact, we have a wide range of people who would come together nowhere else but in the church. Yet somehow God makes it all work. I’ll remember that this week. God has called each of us to a place in His community. I will honor everyone in the church.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Thank you, Lord, for the community you continue to create in Bethel. Help us all keep open to you as we deal with ever-changing dynamics and relationships.

An Invitation – If you’re interested in a face to face discussion about what we’ve been discovering in the Mini-Journal, a small group will be meeting this Sunday morning, 9:45 – 10:30am, at the Southgate Fun and Fitness Center (on Northline near I-75). Look for them around one of the tables in the Café area.