JOIN THE JOURNEY JR.
Families Abiding in Jesus together
With shorter reading assignments and kid-specific focus areas, Join The Journey Jr. is designed to help parents disciple their kids and engage with Scripture in the best ways for their age.
This month's memory verse
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
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[Y]et for love’s sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus—
Paul’s Appeal for Onesimus
8That is why I am boldly asking a favor of you. I could demand it in the name of Christ because it is the right thing for you to do. 9But because of our love, I prefer simply to ask you. Consider this as a request from me—Paul, an old man and now also a prisoner for the sake of Christ Jesus.*
10I appeal to you to show kindness to my child, Onesimus. I became his father in the faith while here in prison.
As we read in Acts 25, Paul faced immense pressure, false accusations, and imprisonment. Yet even in difficult circumstances, Paul continued to point others toward Jesus.
In today’s reading, Paul points Philemon toward Jesus through his gentleness. Paul writes to Philemon about Onesimus, Philemon’s servant who had run away. Paul wanted Philemon to welcome Onesimus back, not merely as a servant but as a beloved brother in Christ. Paul could've commanded Philemon to do what was right, but instead, he appealed to him “for love’s sake” (Philemon 1:9)—all while imprisoned himself!
Gentleness is one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), and Jesus is the perfect example (Matthew 11:28-30, 21:5). Gentleness is treating others with kindness, humility, and care, even when we have every reason to respond harshly. It doesn't mean we avoid hard conversations or pretend everything is okay. Instead, we choose to respond in a way that reflects Jesus.
Paul shows us that gentleness isn't weakness. It's choosing to respond with Christlike love, even when we have every reason to respond differently. This week, rather than focusing on being right, consider how you can pursue what is right while responding with Christlike love.
God, thank you for showing us your perfect gentleness through Jesus. Help us respond with love even when we are frustrated, hurt, misunderstood, or want to be “right.” Give us hearts that seek to reflect Jesus in our words and actions. Show us who we can treat with gentleness this week. Amen.