Free Bible lesson for kids · Letters to the Churches
Philemon and Onesimus
Onesimus had gone away from his master Philemon, then met Paul and became a Christian. Paul sent him home with a letter asking Philemon to welcome him as a brother.
- Bible passage
- Philemon 1–25
- Big idea
- Jesus helps us forgive and make things right.
- Memory verse
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Colossians 3:13 (KJV)- Ages
- Preschool to preteen (3 to 12), with tips for each age
- Time
- About 45 minutes
- Included, free
- Animated story film, coloring page, class sheet, teacher guide, questions and answers, a game
The story
Paul was a prisoner when he wrote to his dear friend Philemon. A church met in Philemon’s house (Philemon 1–2). Paul thanked God for Philemon’s love and faith (Philemon 4–5). Then Paul wrote about “my son Onesimus,” who had come to believe in Jesus while Paul was in chains (Philemon 10). Onesimus had once been no use to Philemon, but now he was useful to them both (Philemon 11).
Onesimus had been Philemon’s servant, and he had gone away for a while. Now Paul was sending him back home (Philemon 12–15). He asked Philemon to receive him, “Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved” (Philemon 16). Paul said, “receive him as myself” (Philemon 17). If Onesimus had done wrong or owed anything, Paul would pay it back (Philemon 18–19). Paul was sure that Philemon would obey and do even more than he asked (Philemon 21).
Read it in the Bible: Philemon 1–25 (KJV)
1Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house: 3Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, 5Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 8Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient, 9Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 10I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds: 11Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me: 12Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel: 14But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly. 15For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord. 21Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you. 23There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 24Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers. 25The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Questions to ask
Who went away from Philemon for a season?
Onesimus.
What did Paul ask Philemon to do?
Receive Onesimus as a brother beloved.
What did Paul offer to do?
Pay back anything Onesimus owed.
What this story teaches
- Jesus changes people and makes them useful for good (Philemon 10–11).
- In Jesus, believers become brothers and sisters in God’s family (Philemon 16).
- God’s people should forgive and welcome each other back (Philemon 17).
- Love asks kindly instead of giving orders (Philemon 8–9).
- Love is willing to pay what someone else owes (Philemon 18–19).
Jesus Paid What We Owed
Paul offered to pay what Onesimus owed. Jesus did even more: He carried our sins in His own body on the cross.
1 Peter 2:24
A 45-minute lesson plan
| 5 min | Welcome and pray. Greet each child by name and pray: Ask God to help us forgive someone. |
|---|---|
| 10 min | The story. Play the story film: each verse appears on screen in the King James Version while the scene plays. Pause to ask what happens next. |
| 10 min | Talk about it. Ask the three questions below. Then ask: “Jesus helps us forgive and make things right.” What does that mean for us? |
| 5 min | Memory verse. Say Colossians 3:13 together, covering one word at a time until the children can say it alone. |
| 10 min | Activity. Younger children color the coloring page while you retell the story; older children do the class sheet (memory-verse fill-in, word search and questions). |
| 5 min | Pray and send home. Pray together and send the sheet home so families can talk about the first question this week. |
- Preschool: keep it short and physical. Act out the story, use a simple prop, and repeat the big idea in one sentence.
- Elementary: let children find the passage in their own Bibles. Ask “who, what, where” questions first, then “why.”
- Preteens: read the verses before and after the passage, and ask how this story fits the whole story of the Bible.
Game time
For kids · activity · indoors · about 12 minutes
Welcome Cards
You need: Cardstock, crayons, stickers
- Talk about how Onesimus came home and needed to be welcomed.
- Make welcome cards for new kids or visitors at church.
- Keep them ready at the door to hand out.
Paul asked Philemon to welcome Onesimus back “as a brother beloved.” Jesus makes us family.
For youth group · game · indoors · about 20 minutes
Bridge Builders
You need: Paper, tape, two chairs a foot apart, a paperback book
- Teams have ten minutes to build a paper bridge between the chairs.
- Test each one by setting the book on it.
- Talk: Paul was a bridge between Philemon and Onesimus. Who needs you to be a bridge?
Paul offered to pay whatever Onesimus owed, like Jesus paid for us, so two people could be brothers.
Pray
Ask God to help us forgive someone.