How to Study Jude (NASB)

• 1. Though only one chapter in length, Jude is a pertinent book. Read it to familiarize yourself with the content.

  2. Read through Jude again. This time mark every reference to the author in one color and every reference to the recipients (including all synonyms and pronouns) in another color. When you finish, list everything you learn about the author and about the recipients in the appropriate columns on the Jude Observations Chart.  

  3. Now review the list of what you observed about the author and the recipients to discern the author's purpose in writing this epistle. Record this purpose on the Structure of Jude.

  4. When you read through Jude, you will notice a third category of people mentioned in verse 4: the "certain persons (who) crept in unnoticed."

     1. 1.   Read through Jude a third time and mark in a distinctive color or way every reference to these people. Watch for and mark the pronouns and various synonyms used to describe these people.

        2. Record on the Observations Chart all you learn about these ungodly people.  When you do, it will become obvious why Jude was moved to write what he did.

  5. There is a pattern in this letter. First, Jude refers to "these (ungodly) men" and then he uses Old Testament examples or illustrations to make a point. Read through Jude again and watch for this pattern. You may want to underline every Old Testament incident or reference that Jude uses. As you study, watch what the Old Testament people do and note how God deals with them. Be sure not to miss any contrasts and comparisons Jude is making between these Old Testament people and "these (ungodly) men."

  6. Now read through Jude again and mark in the same way every reference to condemnation and judgment, whether it pertains to the ungodly persons or to those mentioned in the Old Testament examples. Various synonyms are used to refer to their condemnation, so watch for and mark them carefully-all in the same way.   

  7. Jude contains specific instructions for the recipients of this letter, whom he calls beloved. In the margin of the text, note the occurrence of each instruction either by writing Instruction in the margin or nothing with a symbol. You might want to record these instruction on the Observation Chart, along with what God promises or undertakes to do on the recipient's' behalf.   

  8. Determine what you believe to be the theme of Jude and write it down On Structure of Jude.

  9. Finally, look at Jude paragraph by paragraph, determine what you believe to be the theme for each paragraph, and then record it in the designated place on Structure of Jude. Fill in any other information requested.

Key Words in the NIV and KJV

 Key doctrine in Jude

1. Apostasy - defection from the true, biblical faith (vv. 3, 4, 8, 10, 16-19; 2 Thess 2:10; Heb 10:29; 2 Pet 2:1-22; 1 John 2:18-23)

Worksheets

Studies on Jude