Episode: Other Letters Series No. 06 Narrator: Jude Primary Scriptures: Jude Story Summary: Overview of Jude Location: Roman Empire Time: 60-68 AD Suggested Memory Scriptures: Jude 1:3, 1:16, 1:20-23 This letter is addressed from Jude, a servant (slave) of Jesus and a brother of James. James is very likely the half-brother of Jesus, so by extension Jude is also a half-brother of Jesus. There is no evidence Jude was a believer in Jesus until after His death and resurrection. Portions of Jude’s letter are very similar to portions of 2 Peter. One of the purposes of both letters was to strongly condemn false teachers and false teachings. The false teachers were teaching that Jesus did not come in a true human form, but just seemed to be doing so. They were promoting certain sexual perversions and immorality to satisfy their own greed and lust. The empty messages of the false teachers included dangerous teachings about spiritual beings. The false teachers did not realize the seriousness of their slander. Jude reminded his hearers that the apostles warned of false teachers who would divide the Christians in an effort to get personal benefit. Jude’s recommendation was for Christians to protect themselves by clinging to the truth and to the Holy Spirit. He wanted the strong Christians to be merciful to the weaker ones by teaching truth and snatching them from destruction. They should do all this through the power of God and Jesus. Any reader of Jude or 2 Peter comes face-to-face with the fact that spiritual matters are far too important to treat casually. The penalties for treating such things incorrectly are not just hurtful; they’re deadly. Discussion Questions: 1. Many scholars believe Jude was a half-brother of Jesus. Why would Jude open his letter by saying he is a servant (slave) of Jesus and a brother of James? 2. To whom did Jude write his letter? 3. What was Jude’s main purpose for writing his letter? 4. What is one thing the false teachers were teaching? 5. According to Jude, what is one reason people will suffer eternal fire? *1. Jude probably felt it was a sign of humility not to put himself on any kind of level with Jesus. James was known as the brother of Jesus, so people would have made the association that Jude was also the brother of Jesus. It should be noted that the other New Testament writers often called themselves servants (slaves) of Jesus. It appears that Jesus had finally taught them the high position of being a servant. 2. It appears to have been written to all Christians rather than to a specific church or group. 3. To urge people to contend for the faith. It seems that he wanted people to resist false teachings and cling to true teachings. 4. That God’s grace could be used to justify immoral actions. 5. Sexual immorality and perversion. Applications Questions: 1. What are some ways you can contend for true teaching and fight false teaching? How well do you need to know the Bible in order to contend effectively? 2. Jude describes some traits of ungodly sinners: defiance, grumbling, finding fault, self-centeredness, boasting, and flattering of others for their own advantage. What other traits to you find in ungodly people? How can keep these traits from finding their way into your life? Does Jude 20-21 give you some answers to this? What do you make of high-profile Christians who exhibit one or more of these traits? Application Questions for Teens: 1. Sexual immorality and perversion are often celebrated by celebrities and the media. How did Jude feel about those subjects? (Jude 7) Is there any reason to believe God has changed his mind about the penalties of sexual immorality? 2. How can you be merciful to those about you? How can you talk to people in a merciful manner?