Philemon 1
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
There was once a man. His name was Paul. Paul loved Jesus very much. But Paul was in prison. In prison it is dark. And cold. And you cannot go outside. Paul had to stay inside, because he told people about Jesus.
Paul took a piece of paper. And a pen. He wanted to write a letter. A letter to his friend. His friend was called Philemon. Philemon lived far away, in his own house.
Paul wrote: "Dear Philemon. You are my friend. I love you very much."
Philemon had a big house. In that house lived many people. And they all loved Jesus together. They sang. They prayed. They ate bread together. That made Paul happy, even in his prison.
But there was something else. Philemon had a helper. His name was Onesimus. Onesimus had run away. He was scared. He had done something wrong. And then… then Onesimus met Paul! In the prison!
Paul told Onesimus about Jesus. And Onesimus began to love Jesus too. Now Paul was sending Onesimus back home. Back to Philemon. And Paul wrote in his letter: "Philemon, please be kind to Onesimus. He is now my friend. And your friend too. Give him a big hug."
What Does This Mean?
Paul asked Philemon something very hard. Onesimus had done something wrong. Philemon could be angry. But Paul said: forgive him. Hug him. Love him.
That is not easy. But Paul knew: with Jesus, it can be done.
The Common Thread
Jesus does the same thing! When we do something wrong, Jesus does not stay angry. Jesus forgives. Jesus opens His arms wide. And says: come here. You may come back.
Paul learned that from Jesus. And now Philemon can learn it too. And you can also.
For You
Sometimes someone does something not nice to you. Maybe your little brother. Or a friend at school. Then your tummy feels all knotted up. You want to stay angry.
But then you can think of Onesimus. And of Philemon. And of Jesus. Jesus helps you to forgive. Jesus helps you to give a hug again. That is a very big thing. But Jesus makes you strong.
And if you did something wrong yourself? Then you can go to Jesus. Jesus does not stay angry with you. Jesus loves you. Always.
Talk About It
Have you ever been angry with someone? What happened?
Onesimus was scared to go back home. Have you ever been scared?
Praying Together
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for Paul. Thank you for Philemon. Thank you for Onesimus. And thank you that you always forgive me. Help me to forgive too. Even when it is hard.
Amen.
Questions about Philemon 1
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Philemon 1 about?
What does Philemon 1 say?
What does Philemon 1 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Philemon 1?
Why is Philemon 1 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Paul could have pulled rank. Instead he says, "Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in the Lord." A man in chains asking a friend for refreshment, and the refreshment he wants is simply that Philemon forgive someone. Who is waiting on your mercy right now? Your yes would gladden more hearts than you know.
Onesimus' name meant "useful," and for years he was a walking irony, a runaway who lived the opposite of what he was called. Then Paul writes, "who once was useless to you, but now is useful to you and to me." Grace did not just clear his record, it grew him into his own name. What has God been quietly making of you, that you long ago stopped believing you could be?
Paul never spells out what "beyond what I say" actually means. He leaves the space empty on purpose. That is trust. He believed love would carry Philemon further than any command could drag him.
Someone has wronged you, and Christ asks for forgiveness. The minimum is clear enough. What lies beyond it?
Paul could have pulled rank. He says so plainly in the verse before. Instead: "yet for love's sake I rather beg." An apostle, old and chained, asking rather than ordering. Love gave up the leverage it had every right to use. Think of the person you could pressure into doing what is right. Would you rather beg?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
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