“Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, yet for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.)” - Philemon 8-11 (ESV)

Paul describes his own Position and Platform in his Appeal to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. Paul asserts that something major has changed with Onesimus: his decision for Christ while he was in Rome changed everything.

Questions for small group discussion:

Explore the situation found in the book of Philemon using the Relational Wisdom 360 “S.O.G. Model” below. What challenges and opportunities are revealed when you examine the conflict using this framework?

1. Consider and discuss each sector of the model from:
   a. Philemon’s perspective
   b. Onesimus’ perspective
   c. Archippus’ perspective
2. How would you explain the implementation of this model to a not-yet believing Colossae villager that was observing this conflict?
3. How would you assist Philemon, Onesimus, the church and serve the observers in Colossae?
4. What relationship is God calling me to apply this thinking to, personally?