Restoration At All Cost (The Proper Forgiveness Towards a Believer)

The Hook: Think of Those Who You Have Forgiven

Diagnosis : We live in a time were people who have changed their lives are victims of there past mistakes. The changed individual could have probably done some good, but because of their past mistakes they are made out to be awful individuals.

The Church: Are we different from society? Scripture calls us to be, one of the benefits of not living under law, but living under grace is the ability to show God in any and all situations. We show that with love at all cost.

Your Assignment: Before we get deep into the assignment, I want you to think of people that you know that have given there life to Christ. However, before they became saved they offend you to the point that you want nothing to do with them. (2). Think of someone that you have forgiven in the body of Christ that you have forgiven, but you only deal with them as far as it pertains to (church business). (3). Think of someone that is not a believer that you have not forgiven, but they won’t think about giving there live to God. So you don’t attempt to have a relationship with them

Challenge: I want you to list these individuals in three categories. 1. Recently Saved, 2.Seasoned and Saved, and 3. Not think of Salvation. List each person in there proper group. And as we go through this study of Philemon relate back to these individuals and how has this study shaped your view.

The Book: A Challenge issued to the Man of Faith

Study: Book of Philemon

Theme: The Power of Gospel transforms lives, and being in the body of Christ should impact relationships. In Christ a new Identity viewpoint is promote ( no longer as a salve, but more than a slave, as a brother in the body of Christ)

Background: Philemon was a rich patron that owned slaves or owned a slave, and he lived in the city of Colossae. Not sure when Philemon heard the gospel and it took his heart, but some studies shows it could have been during Paul’s time in Ephesus. Philemon and his wife Apphia hospitality is shown because they have opened up there home to host the church. Now Onesimus is a slave that is owned my Philemon, and not only has he seem to do something stupid, in which seems to be criminal; but he has also ran away from his master Philemon. On his journey he meets Paul who introduces him to the gospel. Onesimus, who was once useless, and now found to be a benefit. As you read this letter you will see Paul faces a challenge, in which he must promote proper forgiveness.

Correlation Passage New Testament: Luke 15:11-32

Correlation Passage Old Testament: Gen 50 15-21

What similarities do we see between all 3 books or passages of scripture.

Evaluation: What is the importance of a shared identity in Christ.

What is the importance of your grouping to the body of Christ (grouping = Philemon as the master, and Onesimus as the slave) why would this dynamic to still have relevance, and how does it help edify the body.

After reading Philemon and exploring our 2 correlation verses rate the egregiousness of each offense, and then take the people that you listed back in the opening and put them under the correct rating as it matches the offense that you listed. Are you able to respond as the offended did in each scenario? If not why? If so why? Also if not what is hindering you

Look: How Do We Apply what we learned:

Forgiveness and Restoration is not easy, and it is even harder to look at someone and a new light. So we will take Paul’s approach and we will write a letter, pray and a Psalm.

Each group will pray for strengthen to forgive, but also for the ability to see this person in a new light if they are saved. However, if they are not saved having the ability to seem them as a potential candidate for the transformation by the Holy Spirit.

Each student will write a prayer that expresses not just the fault of the individual, but also you fault of resentment, previous treatment, distance, and other sin that has come to mind when think about this person. The prayer will consist of asking god to forgive you, and to open your heart up to restoration.

Each student will write a Psalm that will be used for there own personal edification. However, this Psalm will be the student expressing the truth of not appreciating differences and the danger of not appreciating a persons experiences, background, position, ethnicity, value, purpose and potential.

Lastly, once all these things are done then each student must write a letter to those people that they listed. That letter must have a sincere tone of forgiveness, it is not a issue to bring up the offense, but don’t use it as a moment to bulldozer the individual. Allow what you learn to guide you through your letter and explain why this is important. And when the time is right invite that person out for a quick lunch with someone there that you trust.

Took: What Will We Take With Us ( Our Commitment)

Each student will receive a new journal in the mail designed for there prayer and psalm. Each psalm and prayer will be put on our website as inspiration; student can choose weather it is public or anonymous. These groups are life groups, in which forgiveness and restoration wont be easy for most people. So each group will continue to meet bi-weekly to help one another along.