6:5-9
Why does Paul admonish slaves to obey their masters? Is Paul advocating slavery?

How can Paul’s advice to slaves be applied to our jobs? How about his advice to slave masters?

How would your co-workers describe your attitude at work? If you worked before knowing Christ and after, has your attitude about work changed since becoming a follower of Christ?

See Philemon Questions below

6:10-6:24
Make a list of each piece of armor described. What piece of armor is associated with it? Why might it be significant? Why is it needed for our battle? Paul doesn’t associate every piece of physical, Roman armor with something spiritual. Why does he choose what he chooses?

There’s no armor listed for prayer. How does it fit in? What can we learn from Paul’s prayers?

It is easy to see that Paul was on the front lines of the battle. What is your role in the battle?

In the past or in recent times, which piece of armor have you found most useful in your own life? What piece of armor is in most need of repair?

Want a really in depth look at the armor of God. Check out this Bible study.

Who was Tychicus (21)? Where else do we see him? In Acts 20, we see Tychicus listed with several others. What does this diverse group of people tell us about Paul and how he mentored people? Have you ever mentored someone or been mentored by someone else?

Philemon
To whom is this letter addressed? How many other letters in the New Testament does Paul write to individuals? How would you describe the recipient of the letter by Paul’s address of him?

What was Onesimus’ crime (consider v. 18)? What has happened to Onesimus since those crimes?

For those who have children: What did you name your kids and why? Have you ever been given any nicknames that have significant meaning—or that were meant to be ironic? What does the name Onesimus mean?

Considering Onesimus could be killed for his crimes, why doesn’t Paul just come out and demand he be released, etc.? What are the chances that Philemon did what Paul asked?

If Philemon is asked to forgive Onesimus, why does Paul send him back to Philemon? What obligation do we have to make things right with another believer we have wronged? If Philemon is asked to forgive Onesimus, how are we to respond when another believer wrongs us? Does this change when we deal with one who is not a believer? Paul plays a big part in the reconciliation of both people here. What role should believers play in the reconciliation of others?

4:17-5:20

What did you grow up believing about God? Paul is addressing people who lived apart from God for the first part of their lives. How difficult would it be for them to change their way of life? What might make it easier?

What does Paul mean when he says that the Gentile unbelievers have “darkened in their understanding” (18) and “lost all sensitivity” (19)? Compare these verses 1 Timothy 4:2.

Various translators use “debauchery”, “licentiousness”, “lasciviousness,” etc. to translate verse 19. What do these mean?

Have you ever played on a team? When players join a new team, they get a new uniform. How does the analogy of new uniforms describe what Paul describes as putting off the old self and putting on the new (4:22)? What part of the process is up to God and what is up to you? In other words, who is responsible here: you or God? Read More→