week of 5/26

Unit 33 Session 3

A RECONCILING GOSPEL

PHILEMON; 2 CORINTHIANS 5

 

Paul pleaded for Philemon to be reconciled with Onesimus, modeling the reconciliation Christ has extended to us.

As we've studied how the church has grown in caring for each other, despite their differences, we see that Christ is the reconciling factor. The passage today will focus on how God reconciled us to Christ and calls us now to the ministry of reconciliation. In a world with so much brokenness, so many ex-friends, and so many wounded hearts, we have a call from God to get our hands dirty (not sinful) bringing people together for the sake of Christ's kingdom. Anybody can be part of what pulls this world apart, but every Christian is called to be part of God's grace in putting it back together.

Points to consider:

✞   Reconciliation is born out of love.

     * What can we learn about 

        confronting conflict from 

        Paul's method?

     * Why is reconciliation between 

        believers important for the 

        Lord's ministry to grow?

✞   Reconciliation is achieved through Christ.

     * Though we treat everyone with 

        love and respect, how is the 

        special bond we have with 

        other believers displayed?

     * How does the ministry of 

        reconciliation play itself 

        out inside the church?

✞   Reconciliation is realized by God's grace.

     * What are some examples of 

        how we can help believers or 

        ourselves be reconciled 

        with others?

     * How does knowing Christ paid 

        our debt help us see the 

        importance of reconciliation?