Creative activities and ideas based on the biblical figure of Onesimus (enslaved)

Onesimus was a slave owned by Philemon, a Christian in Colossae. Onesimus ran away and ended up in Rome, where he met Paul and became a Christian. Paul wrote a letter to Philemon asking him to forgive Onesimus and receive him as a brother in Christ. Paul wrote that Onesimus was now useful to both him and Philemon, and that he was sending him back to Colossae with Tychicus. The letter is a powerful example of forgiveness and reconciliation, and shows how the gospel transforms relationships between masters and slaves, making them brothers in Christ.

We have compiled a range of creative ideas and activities below that relate to this Biblical person. These resources are designed to help you teach important life lessons in an engaging and interactive way, whether you are a children's ministry leader, a Sunday school teacher, or a religious educator in a Christian primary school.

Our activities below are suitable for use in various settings such as church children's programs, children's ministry, catechism classes, children's services, Bible clubs, vacation Bible school, and Sunday school, and will help students understand the relevance of the Bible to their lives, and the importance of applying its teachings in practical ways.