This page gives you ready-to-use study questions for Jude 1, the short letter that urges believers to hold firmly to the faith while warning about people who twist God’s grace. The questions are arranged in three sets, observation, interpretation and application, followed by key verses to read aloud, a memory verse and a closing prayer. They suit a small group, a Sunday class or personal study.
Jude 1 at a Glance
Jude opens by greeting the called and asking for mercy, peace and love. He then explains that he had planned to write about the salvation believers share, but found he needed to urge them to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. Verses 5 through 16 recall past judgments, from Israel in the wilderness to Sodom and Gomorrah, to show that God punishes ungodliness and that such people have appeared among the church.
The closing section, verses 17 through 25, turns to encouragement. Jude reminds his readers of the apostles’ warnings, tells them to build themselves up in faith and prayer, to keep in God’s love, to show mercy to the wavering, and ends with a doxology to God who is able to keep them from stumbling.
Observation Questions
Use these questions early in the session to slow everyone down and let the group point to the text before anyone offers an opinion. Ask one question at a time, invite two or three answers, and then read the relevant verses again if people disagree.
Jude 1:3
Beloved, while I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I was constrained to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
(WEB)
Read this at the start of the session to name the purpose of the letter. It frames the discussion around contending for the faith and reminds the group that this is a shared task.
Jude 1:20-21
20 But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. 21 Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
(WEB)
These verses describe how believers stay strong, through building up their faith, praying and remaining in God’s love. Reading them aloud gives the group a positive picture before the harder warnings are discussed.
Jude 1:22-23
22 On some have compassion, making a distinction, 23 and some save, snatching them out of the fire with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.
(WEB)
Reading these verses reminds the group that they are called to different forms of care for different people. It works well as a bridge into the application questions about mercy and discernment.
Jude 1:24-25
24 Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, 25 to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.
(WEB)
This doxology is a fitting way to close the reading of the chapter. Its confidence in God’s power shifts the mood from warning to praise and sets up the closing prayer.
Jude 1:9
But Michael, the archangel, when contending with the devil and arguing about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him an abusive condemnation, but said, “May the Lord rebuke you!”
(WEB)
Michael’s restraint in a dispute offers a model for how to handle disagreement. Reading this verse helps the group think about humility even when they are confronting error.
Memory Verse for Jude 1
Jude 1:21
Keep yourselves in God’s love, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to eternal life.
(WEB)
This verse sums up the call of the letter in a single sentence. Keeping yourself in God’s love, while looking to the Lord’s mercy, gives a simple focus for the week ahead.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that you have called us and kept us for Jesus Christ. Help us to hold firmly to the faith we have received, and to guard it with humility rather than pride. Teach us to build ourselves up in what is holy, to pray in your Spirit, and to remain in your love. Give us compassion for those who doubt and courage to speak truth where it is needed. When we stumble, remind us that you are able to keep us, and that you will present us before your glory with great joy. To you, the one who alone is wise, be glory and majesty now and forever. Amen.
