Jude Bible Study Guide

Transcription

1 Jude Bible Study Guide 2 Studies

2 INTRODUCTION Christians and non-christians alike know who the apostles of Peter and Paul were, but few Christians have heard of Jude, apart from the name of the book that is buried somewhere towards the end of the New Testament. The Greek word behind our English Jude (Ioudas) is used of Judas Iscariot (Jesus betrayer), Judas the Galilean (Acts 5:37), Judas son of James (Luke 6:16, Acts 1:13), Judas, also called Barsabbas (Acts 15:22-32), and Judas a brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3). In the opening of his letter, Jude characterises himself as a brother of James, almost certainly a reference to the prominent leader in the early church (Acts 15, Gal 2, James), who was the brother of Jesus (Gal 1:19, Mark 6:3, Mat 13:55, John 7:5). Thus it seems right to conclude that the author of Jude was himself a brother of Jesus. Family Tree: Mary Mother of Jesus There are no key dates mentioned in the letter, but there is a key historical factor that is mentioned in the letter, and that is the presence of false teaching in the churches of Christ. We can assume then that the letter was probably written between AD40 and AD80 to allow sufficient time for false teaching to develop, and before the expectant death of Jude himself. There is also much that is similar between Jude and 2 Peter, which most people date towards the end of Peter s life in the middle 60 s. We should probably date Jude about the same time. Jude is a unique letter, often illustrating his points by alluding to Jewish non-canoncial books developed in the first century A.D (e.g. The Assumption of Moses and The First Book of Enoch). This brought the letter under suspicion when the church was drawing up it s canon (or list of books to be included in the NT). A high doctrine of inspiration does not, however, preclude the biblical writers from quoting from sources outside the Bible. Paul himself does this in 1 Cor. 10:7; 2 Tim. 3:8 and Tit. 1:12 (cf. Acts 17:28). While

3 some queried the letter before accepting it into the canon, quotations from early writers show that it was in use in the church at least from early in the second century. It seems best then to conclude that the letter of Jude was written to Christians from a Jewish background (who were familiar with the sources quoted by Jude), who were wrestling with the presence of false teaching in their communities. What was this false teaching? Some have concluded it was something akin to Gnosticism, a second century Christian heresy. Although, given our date for Jude this seems a difficult conclusion. Others see the problem as charismatics who had gone over the top. But the most we can get from the text is that they were a dangerous group promoting a Christian liberty that was ungodly. The book of Jude can be structured into two main sections: 1. Challenges to the Faith or False Christians (1-16) 2. Contending for the Faith or Faithful Christians (17-25) The big idea of the letter is given in v3, urging the reader to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God s holy people. This letter, will prompt us to think about the potential areas of false teaching in our day and their danger to us. But it will also be a great encouragement to stand up for the truth and keep the Lord Jesus Christ at the centre of our faith and life together - the one who is able to keep us from falling and present us before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy! USEFUL RESOURCES: Moo, D; 2 Peter and Jude in NIVAC. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, Green, M; 2 Peter and Jude in TOTC. Downers Grove: IVP, Lucas, D and Green, C; 2 Peter and Jude in TBST. Nottingham: IVP, Helm, D; 1 & 2 Peter and Jude in PTW. Wheaton: Crossway, Bauckham, R; 2 Peter and Jude in WBC. Dallas: Word, 1998.

4 JUDE 1-16: CHALLENGES TO THE FAITH INTRODUCTION What do you see are the current challenges for Christianity in our world, country, and day to day lives? In the first century, as in the present, Christians have needed to be ready to contend for the faith. Jude tells us why and how in this short but profound letter. READ JUDE 1-2 What do we know about Jude from v1-2? Who is James (cf. Acts 15, Gal 1:19, Mark 6:3, Mat 13:55, John 7:5). Who then can we conclude Jude is also related to? READ JUDE 3-4 What does Jude say is the purpose behind his letter? Why? What does Jude say about the false teachers that have slipped in among them? Jude s solution to the presence of these challenges is to contend for the faith. What does this mean? What do you think it might look like today? What do you think Jude means when he describes the object of the contending as THE faith, once for all entrusted to God s holy people. What do each of these phrases mean?

5 READ JUDE 5-10 In v5-7, Jude gives 3 Old Testament examples of sin and judgement. What are they? What is the rhetorical force or application of these illustrations (cf. v8-10)? Why does Jude allude to or refer to an apocryphal (non-canonical) book in v9 (The Assumption of Moses)? Do you think this means Jude thought it was Holy Scripture? Or is Jude just using a well known story to make a point? What fits the context better? (cf. 1 Cor. 10:7; 2 Tim. 3:8 and Tit. 1:12, Acts 17:28) What is your view of God s judgement? How does it make you feel? How comfortable are you in talking about judgement? Why / Why Not? (e.g. homosexuality). READ JUDE Jude finishes his attack on the challengers to the Faith in v List out the phrases he uses to describe them? What do you each have in common and what therefore do you think is Jude s point? Jude finishes his attack by referring to a prophecy, which is not unusual in the Bible. But what is unusual is his quoting again something from outside the canon (1 Enoch).(Although note what is missing from normal quotations of scripture in the New Testament - It is ). What do you make of this? It seems at the heart of these false teachers is their own self importance or pride and they twist the doctrines of God to fit their own thoughts/wishes/ desires. Where might we be tempted to do that today?(e.g. God s sovereignty, same sex marriage, others???). How should we respond?

6 JUDE 17-25: CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH INTRODUCTION Can you think of a time when you stood up for your faith. What was the situation and how did it go? READ JUDE List the commands that Jude gives in this section? Write down a definition of each command. What is the focus of the commands in v20-21? What are they directed towards? How is this different to the commands in v22-23? Why are the commands in v22-23 so important? Sumamrise - what is the foundation of contending for the faith? Discuss - We can never grow away from our roots; we can only grow through them. What can help us build ourselves up in the faith? What might showing mercy mixed with fear to those who doubt look like?

7 READ JUDE List out the glorious truths we find in this doxology. Which of these grabs your attention at the moment? Why? What marvellous promise is given in this doxology? Why is it marvellous? What is causing you anxiety, worry, fear at the moment? How might this doxology be a great encouragement to you? What have you learned through studying Jude? What is ONE thing you can do as a result of this study?