Jude, a brother of James and a brother of Jesus, writes to a group of Christians to contend for the faith that was first delivered to them. “To Contend” can be described as asserting something as a position in an argument. Jude says to assert that the only way is through their original faith. He speaks to a body of believers with an infection in their midst; this infection has the power to alter the true meaning of grace found in the teachings of Christ Jesus. A bacterial infection can easily cause more damage to the body if not stopped by an antibiotic. The infection, or the perversion of grace and denial of Jesus as Christ, can only be stopped if the body actively takes an antibiotic, or doses of true faith. Hold fast and uphold the faith displayed by Jesus.

[Jude 1-4]

Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ: 2 May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you. 3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. 4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What was Jude initially going to write to the readers?

+ Why did Jude switch the letter topic?

+ Where can we find “faith that was once delivered to the saints”?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ Am I asserting the beliefs originally delivered by the apostles of Christ?

+ What do my speech and actions reveal about my beliefs?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ What does it look like to uphold and defend that faith within a community of believers?