Has anyone else used this instead of the OOP book for week 30? I'm assigning it to my 12 yo, as she's already finished her current literature assignment. I'm not sure that I will assign it to my UG student. I'd love to hear what you've done with this book.

Thanks!

susie
momma to four girls in tx

Hi Susie,
Within a couple of weeks we'll be posting a new literature worksheet and its answers to go with this book.

Blessings,

Thanks Dana. I'd actually planned to have my dd read this whether there were worksheets or not. However, I can't find the book. I pre-read it and then it went...somewhere. She'll get a break from reading TOG lit this week; which isn't so bad.

Again, thanks.

This is a long answer, and it may be more than you're asking for. These are my notes on the first week's reading:

Before we start talking about the story itself, let's look on the map to see where it takes place. Laodicea is in Asia Minor, which is now Turkey. Onesimus' master lives about 10 miles outside of Laodicea. Ephesus, where the Artemisia takes place, is on the western coast. At the time of our story, Asia Minor is a province of Rome.

How old is Onesimus at the beginning of the book? (Twelve) What does his master do for a living? (He raises black sheep and sells the wool.) What is Onesimus' family background? (His father had been a scholar who was kidnapped and sold as a slave. He was killed for refusing to punish another slave, a little girl. The night he died, he was wrestling over the concept of forgiveness and Christianity. Onesimus' mother had been a slave all her life. She had a gentle disposition.)

Why does Onesimus hate Archippus at the beginning of the story, even before the incident of the gold jewelry? (They had been playmates when they were children, and now Archippus is treating him as an inferior.) After Onesimus realizes that Archippus let him be punished for his crime, how does he feel, and what does he plan to do? (He feels hatred, and he plans to save his money and buy his freedom.)

Philemon's old friend Epaphras comes to visit while Philemon is away in Laodicea. Why is Onesimus careful to serve him a hospitable meal? (He thinks Epaphras might be a god in disguise who will reward him for his hospitality.) Epaphras gives Onesimus something to think about. He makes him realize that hatred isn't making him happy and that Christ can set him free. He can live a triumphant life without bitterness.

The real purpose of Epaphras' visit is to tell Philemon about Jesus. The whole family listens. What does each member think about Christianity? (Philemon is doubtful, but he is willing to investigate it further. Apphia is thrilled, because it can give her life meaning and hope. Archippus is hostile to the whole idea because he will have to confess his sins.)

It is 100 miles from Laodicea to Ephesus. The journey to the Artemisia takes four days. The first day the travelers go to the temple to see the statue of Artemis unveiled. Are they impressed? (No, it is an ugly wooden statue. There is a sense of evil and darkness in the temple.)

Philemon keeps his promise to his wife and goes to hear Paul preach. He then goes and talks to Paul personally. They talk all night, and by the morning Philemon is a Christian. He sees the world in a new way, and he feels a new compassion for Onesimus.

It's a good story! It may be a bit challenging for some UG students, but it makes an interesting read-aloud.

Whoops, I just saw that you asked this question two months ago! Never mind!! Hope you enjoyed the book.

Lindsey's mom - thanks for the questions/answers. We are just starting it this week and your late response to the other person is benefitting us.

Thanks.

Hi ,

Dana mentioned a new book for these weeks and worksheets. How do I access them? They are not on my Loom disc?

OK, I re-read the post, sorry. I have the worksheet for week 30, are there worksheets for 31-32 since it is a 3 week read?