Topic:LESSONS FROM THE EPISTLE OF JUDE [Church of God Mission International] ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL 19 December 2021
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ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL MANUAL
DATE SUNDAY 19th DECEMBER, 2021.
TOPIC: LESSONS FROM THE EPISTLE OF JUDE
TEXT JUDE 1-25
HYMN S, S & S 680 “Stand up! Stand Up for Jesus!”
CENTRAL THOUGHT: Contend earnestly for the Faith
INTRODUCTION:
The epistle of Jude was written to warn all
those who have been called by God the
Father about the activities of ungodly
men who had wormed their way into the churches, teaching that God’s marvellous
grace permits Christians to live immoral lives. Jude set out to appeal to the Christians to reject this firmly and hold on tightly to the faith in the Lord Jesus Christ that was delivered to them. This is even Worse in our time and the need to stand firm is more urgent. We look up to the Lord to teach us eternal lessons from this study.
Also Read: Open Heaven 19 December 2021 –Topic: THERE IS NO EVIL WITH GOD
LESSON OBJECTIVES
1.To understand who Jude was:
2.examine why the epistle of Jude was written;
- Understand the characteristics of the ungodly men that Jude is warning the church about:
- understand how we should contend for the faith; and
- understand some specific things we must do daily to avoid the influence of ungodly people who may be in the church.
BIBLE TRUTH:
Q1. WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE WAY JUDE INTRODUCED HIMSELF? (Jude 1; James1:1; Romans 1:1)
Jude introduces himself simply and had no grandiose ideas about himself. The
introduction captures his Own estimate of himself…. “Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ and a
brother of James”. It is widely believed that Jude was the younger brother of the Lord
Jesus Christ; why did he not brandish this relationship to the brethren’? Could it be
because he realized that biological relationship with the Lord Jesus did not make
him exactly like Jesus, or translate to spiritual authority make him unusual or super Indeed, our biological relationships do not automatically confer any superiority upon us. Being related biologically to one who occupies one of the fivefold ministry gifts of
apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors or
teachers does confer on us any spiritual stature or gifts. Each individual is unique in God’s scheme and must by a close
walk with God find his/her place in Christ and fulfil it. The mother of a pastor is not a pastor and the son of a prophet may not have any prophetic gifts. Jude had willingly pledged himself to slavery and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ and lived to do His bidding. He was not ashamed of this and did not pride
himself in whatever he was via earthly relationships. Paul and James introduced themselves similarly. How do you see yourself? How do you introduce yourself to the world? We should not esteem ourselves above others nor more highly than we ought to. Like Jude, we must have proper estimates of ourselves based on the measure of grace
we have received from Christ.
Q2.WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM JUDE VS 5-7?
A: The experience of israel (Verse 5; 1 Corinthians 10:1-12): God worked wonders and delivered Israel from Egypt. He guided them by day and night, protected and provided for them but those who did not please Him were destroyed in the wilderness.
B. The fallen angels (Verse 6; 2 Peter 2:4): God created the angels as wonderful beings and endowed them with great wisdom and power to serve His purposes but those that joined Lucifer in rebellion are bound in outer
darkness waiting for eternal judgement. We must remind ourselves that the rebellion
was driven by self-will. They were not satisfied with their places in God’s plans. The
felt they deserved more and were too good to remain in subjection to God.
C. The experience of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah (Verse 7,2 Peter 2:6): The people of Sodom and Gomorrah gave themselves over for unnatural lusts and cravings contrary to God’s design, a direction the contemporary world has followed. The city was destroyed and made uninhabitable with fire and brimstone. Today, against God’s ordained pattern, homosexuality, bestiality and trans-sexuality has been Legalized in some developed countries. Jude warns us that the end of all such and their followers will be like that of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Q3. DISCUSS SOME OF THE WAYS MEN EXHIBIT THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS THAT JUDE WARNS ABOUT IN OUR DAYS? (8-16)
A. Following the footsteps of Cain: Cain killed his brother out of envy. Some of the happenings in the church today is driven by envy and Competition. Increasingly, men who insist on following Biblical truth are maligned
and ostracized by those who follow the tradition of men for immediate gain.
B. Deceiving people for money: Some church leaders measure their progress in purely monetary terms. In their quest to measure up or be ahead of “competitors”, they get involved in projects that require huge resources and therefore burden their trusting
and unsuspecting flock.
C. Shepherds that care only for themselves: The image presented to the world by a
painfully increasing number of Pentecostal leaders is in sharp contrast with what was
Seen of the Lord Jesus, the Apostles or even church leaders from more recent
generations. This image (seen In Christ, the Apostles…) is that of simplicity, humility and care for the needs of the flock more than their own personal needs.
D. Boasting about themselves: Some leaders are obsessed with themselves. Their sermons are filled with distortions and exaggerated
stories, and self-adulations.
They present themselves as specially anointed persons who the people should be glad to associate with. We must remind ourselves that the pride of life, or the boasting of what a man has or does, is not of the Father but from the world (I John 2:15-17).
E. Flattering others to get what they want: Much of what is preached in some pulpits are
sermons designed to impress and not messages obtained from God nor relevant to the needs of the people. Some preachers use flattering words and tell the people what they
want to hear in order to grow their congregations. The focus is not on taking as many souls as possible to heaven but having as many sheep to fleece.
F. Following natural instincts and not having the Holy Spirit: Jude warns that such
men will present their natural instincts as though inspired by the Holy Spirit. We must all be able to distinguish between our natural instincts and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Q4. DISCUSS HOW WE CAN PUT TO PRACTICE THE FOLLOWING THINGS THAT JUDE ENCOURAGED THE BRETHREN TO D0.
A. Remember the predictions of the apostles of Jesus Christ: We must have a good grasp of all that the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles predicted about the last days
and false teachers and prophets. (Acts chapter 20 and the 2 Timothy chapter 3).
B. Build one another up in the faith: We must be faithful in contributing, as endowed
and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to building up the Body of Christ. As We grow up increasingly into the full stature or character off Lord Jesus, it will impossible for us to be tossed about by men’s craftiness
Eph. 4:11-14.
C. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit: Ephesians 6:1enjoins us to keep on praying
in the spirit, at all times an with all kinds of prayer for the saints. Through prayers we
can repel the attacks of the enemy and frustrate his schemes.
D. Await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring us eternal life: We must be careful how we live. We are required to walk in obedient
to God and not have an unconfessed sin, keeping ourselves in God’s love while
waiting for the Lord’s coming.
E. Show mercy to those who are wavering: The need to act in love towards brethren who
are wavering in their faith is emphasized here, because we are imperfect ourselves.We
must not be judgmental towards those who fall into sin. Those who are mature
among us, are required to approach them, talk with them, follow them up and encourage them to repent while being careful not to be
lured into sin themselves.
(Gal. 6:1)
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
The epistle of Jude invites every one of us to contend earnestly for the faith that was
delivered to us. From the study, it becomes apparent that we are required to live out what we believe daily and reject all teachings that are contrary to the word of God. We must be on our guard for ungodly men and women who may worm themselves into leadership positions, among us, who will present sin
differently from how the Scriptures portray it. We are required to have a good understanding of the prophecies of Scripture concerning the last days, ensure that we are not fulfilling negative prophecy and teach our children and
brethren the Scriptures. We must pray at all times, keep Ourselves in the love of Christ
and assist those who waver to stand strong. The Lord will preserve and keep us all strong
till the end in Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE: JUDE: 3B:
..defend the faith that God entrusted once for all time to his holy people.” (NLT)