Last year we started a two-year curriculum, teaching European & Asian students Paul's 13 Epistles--using the Book of Acts as our outline. I've never taught Acts that way before, so it is THRILLING for me to actually feel like I am traveling along with Paul and his group proclaiming the Gospel across the Roman Empire. So many aspects of life in the 21st Century correspond to the world of the 1st Century, so the APPLICATION for how to live TODAY in a world that is hostile and darkening is so helpful for all of us. This year we are returning to finish that course. I am working on the clips of the field trips we took with the students, using them to introduce classes. here is the Romans 12 introduction clip. Today's lesson is from Paul's Epistle to the Romans as he explains the dedication of our lives to God in Romans 12. (Rome#12; 220617) Join the LAND OF THE BOOK channel to get access to weekly video releases over the next year totaling 50+ EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS that feature weekly in-depth Bible Study lessons with John & Bonnie. Plus all the assigned HOLY LAND STUDY RESOURCES, and John's two most loved books--David's Spiritual Secret & Living Hope for the End of Days at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVK6dN-9kLDnQhYBFuES09A/join Follow Discover the Book Ministries to stay up to date: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/discoverthebook/ DTBM Academy Courses: https://dtbmonline.org/all-video-courses/ Purchase John's Books, Mp3 & DVD resources: E-Books: https://tinyurl.com/y3wbhlxy Here are links to our Amazon Pages-- https://www.amazon.com/shop/dtbm Donate to the ministry: https://discoverthebook.org/donations/partnership/ For more of Dr. John Barnett's Bible teaching messages go to: https://discoverthebook.org/ https://youtu.be/nrBovKX99j0 ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrBovKX99j0

When Paul wanted to convey how he kept going in life and how he wanted folks to assess his motivation, he drew from the Roman world of his day and called himself a slave! Not just a slave, there are 7 other New Testament words: diakonos ministering; diketes household; therapon confidential; leitourgos public; latoreo temple; dikononos responsible; and doulos bond. The one he chose is graphic, #8, huperetes meaning literally “under rowers”. Life at the Bottom of the Ship Mirrors True Biblical Servanthood The huperetes’ life at the bottom of the ship was tough and always busy — and it was permanent. Most died in service, the chains about their ankles grim reminders of their bondage. And there were five aspects of their work that Paul and his companions could identify with in calling themselves “servants” of Christ. First, the galley slave had to row to the captain’s beat. To keep as many as 150 oars together, the captain beat a rhythmic tempo on a drum. Each slave had to row with the beat. Second, the slaves had to row together. Often their thirty-footlong oars were moved by two or three rowers. They quickly learned that one could not lean on the oar, another push, and another pull! They had to work as a team. Third, they had to trust the captain. In the gloomy depths of the boat a slave had no idea where he was, where he was going, or when he would arrive. His was a labor of total faith and obedience. As the captain’s beat grew more and more rapid it could signal an enemy attack or a storm to be avoided or a hurried schedule — but the slave could not question which. He could only obey. If there are any troubles in the church, it is in one of these areas! Discover the Book Ministries | www.dtbm.org | 866.815.2601 | info@dtbm.org Page 2 Fourth, the galley slave was committed for life. His was always a one-way trip. The damp,. hard benches were no relief to his weary bones after a day’s labor. The lack of sunshine and fresh air, combined with the leg chains, meant repeated illness during service, binding every slave to the ship with deadly certainty. And if the ship went down in a storm or in conflict, the slaves had no way of escape. Finally the slave received no honor. Only the captain was visible to the outer world. Although there were dozens of men who gave their lives and very breath to keep the ship going, they were never seen. They rowed on and on, day in and day out, invisible to and unrewarded by the world. If an under rower were seen, it was because he was not doing his job. Galley Slaves for Christ are Those with Five Key Servant Leader Qualities With a few strokes of a pen on parchment Paul painted a portrait that was horridly vivid for his first readers. And he said it was a portrait of himself and his companions in ministry. Paul wanted to be known for five things: that he rowed to the Captain’s beat and so was submissive; that he worked in harmony with those about him and so was sensitive; that he didn’t care where he labored for the Captain, and so was trusting; that he would die at this post, and so was dedicated; and that he wanted none of the glory to go to himself, but all to the Captain, and so was humble. Our motivation for serving Christ differs, of course, even if our situation is similar. Like galley slaves, we need to obey our Master, cooperate with our fellow servants, trust the Lord to take us where we need to go, remain in service for a lifetime, and give Christ all the glory. But while galley slaves did these things out of fear, we can do them in confident trust in a loving Captain whose plans for us are good. Are you truly submissive, rowing to the beat of your Captain? Are you pulling together with your fellow servants in Christ? Are you willing to go wherever He leads? Are you committed to Him for life? And do you make sure to take none of the glory but to pass it all on to Him. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declare the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jer. 29:11). Like galley slaves, we belong to someone else. “You are not your own,” wrote Paul; “you were bought at a price” (I Cor. 6:19c, 20a). But while they were held by iron chains, we are held in Christ’s service by a different kind of chain: “For Christ’s love compels us…” (II Cor. 5:14). (Corinth-16) Join the LAND OF THE BOOK channel to get access to weekly video releases over the next year totaling 50+ EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS that feature weekly in-depth Bible Study lessons with John & Bonnie. Plus all the assigned HOLY LAND STUDY RESOURCES, and John's two most loved books--David's Spiritual Secret & Living Hope for the End of Days at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVK6dN-9kLDnQhYBFuES09A/join For more of Dr. John Barnett's Bible teaching messages go to: https://discoverthebook.org/ https://youtu.be/EIvX_L-_Pwg ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIvX_L-_Pwg