Building on the foundation of slavery and the Abrahamic family laid in Part 1, and understanding that slavery in the first century was a societal norm (as people were classified as either free or slave), we look at uses of the Greek word “doulos” (appropriate translation is “slave)” in the New Testament, and begin to learn how the apostles viewed their relationship with God. We can apply spiritual principles learned from this study into our lives in order to foster a deeper relationship with God and have a better understanding of how to serve and love Him.

Rick Shabi

President, United Church of God

Rick Shabi was ordained an elder in 2000, and relocated to northern Florida in 2004. He attended Ambassador College and graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science in Business, with a major in Accounting. After enjoying a rewarding career in corporate and local hospital finance and administration, he became a pastor in January 2011. Since then, he and his wife Deborah have served in the Orlando and Jacksonville, Florida, churches. Rick served as the Treasurer for the United Church of God from 2013–2022, and was named President in May 2022.