1. In Verse 3, why is Jude urging the church to defend (or contend for) the faith? (Hint: Verse 4.) Because people who reject Jesus have "crept in" and have altered the faith.
2. What does Jude first remind the church of? What did Jesus do to those who did not remain faithful (or those who did not believe) (Hint: Verse 5.)? That God destroyed those who did not believe, even after he saved them out of Egypt.
3. What does Jude next remind the church of? (Hint: Verse 6 AND Verse 7.) That God has the judgement of eternal fire reserved for those who do not remain faithful such as the fallen angels and Sodom and Gomorrah.
4. Referring to Verse 10, how do these false teachers or apostates bring about their own destruction? (Hint: Verses 8-11.) They defile their flesh, reject authority, and speak evil about dignitaries although they don't know what they are talking about. They are following the ways of those who have destroyed themselves.
5. In Verses 12-13, what metaphors does Jude use for these false teachers or apostates? Why are these people so dangerous (Hint: Verses 4, 16, 19, etc.)? Clouds without water, trees without fruit, raging waves. They are dangerous because they crept in unnoticed, deny the Lord, they're sneaky (flattering), and they cause divisions amongst believers. They walk in the ways of destruction and because of their charm and deception they're apt to bring believers down with them.
6. What did the apostles warn the church about? (Hint: Verses 17-19.) The apostates / mockery who walk according to their ungodly flesh.
7. What must the church do? (Hint: 20-23.) Pray in The Spirit, stay grounded in God's love and mercy, and be decerning about people - show mercy to them, but be cautious of those living in sin and flee from it.
8. How are you defending the faith today? I try to stay grounded in God's love and check things against the Bible. I do my best to decern if things are biblical / of God or not.
How are you building yourself and others up? I pray a lot for myself and others and keep myself in tune with God.