Read aloud story of prodigal son found in luke 15:11-24
Philemon 8-22
 

There are number of facts in the letter (Of Philemon) that help us reconstruct what took place, especially if we use our imagination to fill in the gaps. Philemon, a resident of Colossae (see Col 4:19, 17) was evidently one of Paul's converts (Philemon 19). He and his wife, Apphia (v. 2) along with their sone Archippus (v. 2), were the hosts for a house church in Colossae (v. 2).

One of their slaves, Onesimus, had evidently run away, perhaps stealing something for his journey (vv. 12, 18). (According to Roman law, such an act was punishable by death.) Somehow he ended up in Rome, over a thousand miles from home, and came in contact with Paul. During his visit with Paul, Onesimus became a Christian (v. 10) and begand to be of great help to Paul during his imprisionment (vv. 12-13). Now Paul was sending him back to Philemon (v. 12) in hopes of reconciling these two estranged brothers in Christ.

Whether the matters of forgiveness involve the idea of a parent/child relationship, or that of a boss/worker relationship like we have described just now relating to the letter to Philemon,