Scripture Guide

Jude 1:17-25

Series Resources
THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE:

“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.” — Jude 1:17-25 (NIV)

The final part of Jude’s letter is like a motivational speech to an army before they go to battle! After telling his audience about all the tactics of the enemy, the threats of the ungodly, and the ways to identify these things, he gives a thorough strategy for combat. It’s a strategy that involves building and praying. But these things are the way in which you obey the command that Paul gives to “keep yourselves in God’s love” (vs. 21). 

In Greek, the word for “keep” here is an active imperative form, which means it’s a command. Additionally, it’s in what Greek’s called “aorist tense” and any commands in this tense were meant to communicate a continual, ongoing command. This means that Jude was telling his audience to keep on keeping yourself in God’s love! Continually remain and abide in Him and His love. This involves ongoing intentionality, and how do you keep yourself in God’s love? You build up your faith and you pray in the Spirit. 

Jude continues by listing off more instructions that look like this:

  • Be merciful to those who doubt. Oftentimes, questioning can strengthen your faith.
  • Snatch others from the fire. The fire of ungodliness and false teaching.
  • Show mercy, yet maintain a healthy fear of sin and corruption. Extend grace, yet don’t forget the destructiveness of sin.

“To keep themselves in the love of God, Jude’s recipients must do what Jesus said all who abide in His love will do: obey. The ungodly were obsessively disobedient. They had access to and most likely the doctrinal awareness of God’s love. They could’ve kept themselves in His love if they had the faith to do so, but because they were unwilling to submit to Jesus, they, too, were unwilling to abide in His love.” — Jackie Hill Perry, 

The beauty of this letter is seen in Jude’s promise at the end, which echoes the promises he mentions in the opening. The Lord is the One who can keep you from stumbling, so you don’t have to rely on your strength. He’s the One who will transform you, from the inside out, so that you can enter His presence clean and with great joy. This is only possible by the power of Christ! It drives us to daily dependence on Him, and it reminds us of the reality that He holds all the glory, majesty, power, and authority—from before time, now, and until forever!

Read this week’s Scripture in addition to these supporting Scriptures: Colossians 2:6-7, John 15:5-11, Ephesians 6:18, 1 Thessalonians 5:4-11, 16-18

Study Questions:

  • In your own words, summarize the key ideas and commands that Jude covers in the ending of his letter.
  • What is Jude’s instruction regarding how to walk with those who are falling into sin? 
  • Where does Jude say you can get the strength to continue walking in faith? 
  • What similarities do you see between Jude’s command to keep yourselves in God’s love and Jesus’ teaching about abiding in Him?
  • What does Jude’s letter have in common with other scriptures that give similar encouragements to believers?
  • Read the ending of Jude again. What does it tell you about Jesus and His role in your faith journey?

Meditate on this week’s passage and ask yourself these questions.

  • What stuck out to me through this passage? 
  • What’s God showing me?
  • What truth can I take with me into today?

God’s Word invites transformation. Today’s about putting what you’ve learned into practice.

  • Based on what I just learned about God, what habits, attitudes, or changes do I need to make?
  • What can I take away from this passage and apply to my life?
  • What routines can you create to keep yourself in God’s love?
  • Who is someone in your life that you can depend on in moments of doubt and difficulty?

Application Challenge: 

If God can give us grace, then we can extend that same love towards others. Practice Jude’s commandment to show mercy and point others towards Christ. This week, reach out to someone who may be struggling, doubting, or feeling distant from God.

Scripture to Pray:

Using Jesus’ words from these verses, pray that you would remain in His love too: “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” –John 15:9-10 (NIV)

Guided Prayer:

“O our Lord and God, look not on the multitude of our sins, and let not Thy dignity be turned away on account of the heinousness of our iniquities; but through Thine unspeakable grace sanctify this sacrifice of Thine, and grant through it power and capability, so that Thou mayest forget our many sins, and be merciful when Thou shalt appear at the end of time, in the man whom Thou hast assumed from among us, and we may find before Thee grace and mercy, and be rendered worthy to praise Thee with spiritual assemblies. Amen.”—Liturgy of the Blessed Apostles

Looking back on this week’s Scripture, remember God—who had every right to judge us for our sins—covers us in grace and mercy and encourages us forward in our faith. Following His example, we are called to walk alongside those who struggle with their faith. 

  • What is one way I can enjoy God’s presence through rest, relationship, or serving others? 
  • What blessings can I thank God for as I reflect on this week? 

This weekend, set aside intentional time to go to church, do something you love with Jesus, and connect with others.

Group Discussion Guide:

Pick your favorites to discuss with your group, family, or friends.

  • Jude says to “build yourselves up in your most holy faith.” What are some practical ways believers can do that today?
  • What makes it difficult to walk alongside those who are doubting? How can you personally do this, and how can the church do it?
  • How can you stay engaged with people who need Christ without being influenced by destructive behaviors yourself?
  • How do you create healthy boundaries to protect yourself from the temptation of sin?
  • When Jude says believers must “abide in His love,” what does that look like in everyday life?
  • Jude says God is able to keep you from stumbling. How have you seen this in your life? How does it impact your perspective of Jude’s final words?
  • When you face challenges, uncertainty, or discouragement, are you more likely to rely on your own strength or God’s? Why?
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