Hi Family, Maybe you have noticed that in the last 2 weeks, there has been no study. I apologize for that! I have been very sick and, the first week especially, I didn’t even have the wherewithal to even know what day it was. But we’re back up and going now. I know some of you were praying for me - thank you so much! I hope that you are all able to set aside a sacred time for your family to enjoy the Sunday Service whether it’s on YouTube or the Facebook Watch Party. I know that I am enjoying the change of pace as a time where I can be more intentional about my time with God and my family. Now, how to keep those things in place once this is over! My prayer is to come out of this time stronger physically, spiritually, and emotionally than when it started. If you would like an editable/printable version of this study shared with you, please text your email address to 541-786-5245. I hope you find ways to fellowship with others over today’s Bible study in person or on our website (information listed below). Please share your thoughts or questions on tonight’s devotional on our Facebook or Instagram page (#cclagrande, #wednightcclagrande and #calvarychapel) or to me directly via the phone number above. And now, if you would like to interface directly with others doing this Bible study on our website, you can sign up to be a member on our website and comment in the “Comments” section of this blog. God bless, Summer Steele
I used the NASB version of the Bible for this study.
This week’s song is a beautiful cry to God that seems to fit these times and the Psalm that I end today’s study with.
Prep for battle: Vs. 1-2
:1 “Jude, a ______________ of Jesus Christ, and brother of __________.”
It’s always very telling when someone introduces themself to me. Do they identify by their profession? Whose mom/dad they are? Where they live? What family they’re from? What does Jude’s choice of introduction tell you about him?
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How do you introduce yourself? What does that say about your identity?
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:2 Considering that Jude is going to address heresy, spiritual warfare, and other intense topics, I find it interesting the other things he includes in his greeting. They’re statements very wrapped around our identity and safety in Christ. Take a moment to meditate on these things as well as jot down any additional thoughts you have about them.
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Contend for the faith: Vs. 3-8
:3-4 Why would it be important that instead of or during a conversation about our salvation, Jude include a conversation about contending for the faith?
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Based on verse 4, what is it that we should be the most protective over?
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If we lose sight of grace, it sounds like we can easily turn the corner to denying Jesus! Why do you guys think that grace would be the pivotal subject?
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:5-8 This feels a bit jarring after all the talk of love and abiding in Christ we’ve been studying in 2nd & 3rd John.
Look up Proverbs 9:10. “Fear of the Lord is the _________________ of wisdom…”
When my daughter was 3 years old, she went through the marvelous phase of taking off into traffic in parking lots and streets. The way she learned to stop was not out of love and abiding with her dear, sweet mother. It was because when she did it, I may have reacted in such a way as to elicit fear in her. The beginning of wisdom is to not walk in front of jacked up pick-up trucks when you’re only half as tall as the bumper. Later, she moved past the fear to understanding the consequences and the wisdom of when to cross the street and how to not linger in the lanes in Walmart parking lots.
So now, if Jude is finding it important to give examples of what happens when people turn their back on God’s grace and do not believe. What are the 3 examples he gives?
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What are some elements of the peoples that were destroyed? I.e. immorality, idol worship, pride.
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In verse 4, Jude says that these ungodly people “crept in unnoticed.” Let’s take a moment to reflect on some influences we may have allowed in our lives that include elements you listed above. And beyond the influences, examine yourself! Ask God, as King David did, to search you and know you to see if there’s any wicked way in you. See if there’s any of these elements that have crept into your life?
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Read/pray Psalm 139. Let God do a cleansing work in your heart. Next week we look a little more into spiritual warfare but it is always good to ask God to do His work in our heart first.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.”
Psalm 139:23-24 (NASB)
