Chapter Summary

The apostasy and apostate teachers described. Assurance and comfort for true believers.

Discussion Questions for Jude, Chapter 1

1. Some people use verse 4 as justification for a doctrine called "double predestination," where basically God has predestined some people to go to Hell. Is this doctrine true or false in your opinion? Use Scripture to make your case.
2. Jesus is not mentioned by name in the Exodus story at all. So why does Jude make the claim that Jesus saved the Israelites? Where do we see Jesus in the book of Exodus?
3. Read Genesis 19:1-29. What does your Bible say about what the men wanted to do in verse 5? Now go look up some other translations (like the KJV, CSB and the NIV for examples) and see what they say. Using Jude 7, how can we correctly interpret what Sodom's sins were? Why do you think God considers sexual sins to be so detestable?
4. Sometimes God may speak to someone through a dream, but how do we know that it is authentic? Where can we confirm God's message through dreams? Why is it important to know God's word in these situations?
5. The story mentioned in verse 9 is not mentioned in the Bible beyond this one verse. Where can we find more context? If this story isn't in the Bible, how can we know it is true?
6. What do Cain, Balaam, and Korah all have in common? What are the specific failures of each of these individuals? How do they each connect to the overarching theme of unbelief?
7. In the same way that Hebrews 11 recounts a sort of "hall of fame" of the faith, Jude goes through a "hall of shame" in verses 5-11. What purpose do these examples have for us? According to Jude, how can we avoid the same fate as these people?
8. Dwell on the imagery in verses 12-13. How does a faithless person resemble these images? How have you seen faithless people mirror these descriptions in your life?
9. Living according to one's ungodly desires is considered scoffing at the Lord. Are you living according to your own ungodly desires? What is the fruit of living for yourself in this way? What fruit of a sinful, self-serving life have you seen in your own life?
10. Why should we "have mercy on those who waver" (verse 22, CSB)? When have you wavered? How did someone show mercy during that time? Can we "save others" (CSB) like verse 23 is talking about?

Key Words/Phrase

Apostasy, vv. 4, 18.

Characters

God, Christ, Holy Spirit, Jude, James, Michael, Moses, Cain, Balaam, Enoch, Adam.

Strong Verse(s)

3(b), 21, 24, 25.