Onesimus Comes Home Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Onesimus was coming home.”
Philemon loved Jesus. The church met in his house. Philemon was kind to God’s people. He made their hearts glad, like a cool drink on a hot day.
A man named Onesimus worked in Philemon’s house. He was a slave. A slave is a worker who belongs to a master and is not free. But one day Onesimus was gone. He had left Philemon’s house.
Later, Onesimus came to Paul. Paul was far away, in prison, in chains. Paul told Onesimus about Jesus. And Onesimus believed! Now Paul called him “my child Onesimus.” That means: he is like a son to me.
The name Onesimus means “useful.” Paul wrote that Onesimus had once been useless to Philemon. But now he was useful to Philemon and to Paul! Can you show me how helpful hands work? Busy, busy!
Onesimus helped Paul. Paul wanted to keep him close. But Paul did not want to do that without Philemon saying yes. So Paul sent him back with a letter. Onesimus was coming home.
The letter was from Paul and his friend Timothy. It was for Philemon and for the whole church in his house. First Paul thanked God for Philemon’s love and faith.
Then Paul asked Philemon for something. Paul could have given him an order. But Paul asked kindly, “for love’s sake.” He called himself “Paul, the aged.” That means Paul, the old man.
In the letter Paul wrote, “Receive him, that is, my own heart.” Onesimus was not just a slave anymore. Paul wrote that he was “more than a slave, a beloved brother.” Onesimus was coming home.
Paul wrote a gentle “perhaps.” “Perhaps he was separated from you for a while that you would have him forever.” That means: maybe he went away for a while. Now you can have him back forever.
Paul wrote, “Receive him as you would receive me.” That means: welcome him like you would welcome Paul! Can you open your arms wide for a big welcome?
Paul also wrote, “If he owes you anything, put that to my account.” That means: I will pay for it. And Paul wrote with his own hand, “I will repay it.” Paul also wrote, “Refresh my heart in the Lord.” That means: please make my heart glad. Paul was sure Philemon would do even more than he asked.
At the end, Paul asked Philemon to get a guest room ready. Paul hoped to come and visit. Then five of Paul’s friends sent greetings. Mark and Luke were two of them. Let’s count five friends: one, two, three, four, five!
So Onesimus went back home to Colossae, the town he came from. He went with Paul’s friend Tychicus, and with Paul’s letter. Paul called Onesimus “the faithful and beloved brother.” Onesimus was coming home.
Philemon was his master before. But now they both belonged to Jesus. They were brothers in God’s family.
In God’s family, everyone who loves Jesus is welcome. And Onesimus was a dear brother now. Onesimus was coming home.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- How do you think Onesimus felt when he went back to Philemon’s house?
- How can you welcome someone who wants to make things right?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to the right name.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“More than a slave, a beloved brother” — Philemon 1:16 (more than → stretch your arms up high; a beloved brother → give yourself a big hug)
Dear God, thank you that you welcome us into your family. Thank you for brothers and sisters in Jesus. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Everyone Can Have a Second Chance
Memory verse: “No longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother.” — Philemon 1:16 · WEB
The Bible story
A runaway servant named Onesimus meets Paul far from home, and a single loving letter asks for forgiveness and a warm welcome home.
Talk about it
- Where did Onesimus serve at the start of the story? — In Philemon's house
- What did Onesimus do one day? — He left and ran away
- Paul said Onesimus was once useless, but now he was...? — Useful
- Who did Onesimus meet while he was away? — Paul
- Where was Paul when Onesimus met him? — In prison
- What did Paul tell Onesimus about? — God's great love
Where is Jesus in this story?
When Paul said, 'If Onesimus owes anything, charge it to me,' he was offering to pay the debt himself. That is a picture of what Jesus does for us: He paid for all our mistakes on the cross so that God could welcome us home, not as strangers, but as His own beloved children and family.
What God wants to tell us
God shows us that no one is ever too far away to come home. When we make mistakes, we can say sorry and try again, and God is always ready to forgive us. Just like Paul helped Onesimus and asked Philemon to open his arms, God helps us forgive one another and welcome each other with love. A kind word and an open heart can turn worry into joy.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for loving me and giving me second chances. Help me to say sorry when I do wrong, and to forgive others just as You forgive me. Thank You for always welcoming me home as Your child. Amen.
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