Sermon Questions

Week 6: Jude 1:20-25

  • BUILDING UP YOUR FAITH
    • In what ways or areas are you personally tempted to “build” for your own glory—your image, success, reputation, or comfort? Why is that foolish and what are we forgetting about who we are in Christ when that happens?
  • MOTIVES FOR SPIRITUAL ACTION
    • When you serve, study, or participate in church life, what does it look like to participate with Christ's glory in mind verse one’s own glory?
  • DEPENDENCE VS. SELF-RELIANCE — PRAYING IN THE SPIRIT
    • Where in your life do you tend to slip into “I got this” mode instead of God-dependence?
    • What specific practice could help you lean more into Spirit-filled prayer this week?
  •  A MATURING PRAYER LIFE
    • The sermon said, “Maturity is not needing God less, but recognizing that you need Him more and more.”
      How has your view of spiritual maturity shifted over the years?
      In what area do you feel God inviting you to deeper prayer right now?
  • KEEPING YOURSELF IN GOD’S LOVE — ANTICIPATION
    • When life punches you in the face, what lies about God’s love are you most tempted to believe?
    • What truth from Scripture helps anchor you in His love even when circumstances don’t make sense?
  • RESPONDING TO DOUBTERS WITH MERCY
    • Think of someone you know who is wrestling with doubt or weak faith.
    • What would it look like to “be merciful to those who doubt” instead of impatient, dismissive, or prideful?
    • How can we practically support doubters without compromising truth?
  • HARD BUT LOVING CONVERSATIONS
    • When is a time someone lovingly confronted you and it helped “snatch you from the fire”?
    • Is there anyone in your life right now you may need to approach—not to condemn them but to rescue them?
  • MERCY WITH FEAR — GUARDING YOUR OWN HOLINESS
    • How do you personally balance walking with someone in their struggle while also guarding your own heart from being pulled into the same sin?
    • What boundaries or supports do you need to stay healthy while helping others?
  • PRAISE AS A WEAPON — DOXOLOGY
    • How does praising God intentionally (especially in the low moments) help protect your faith from drifting, discouragement, or deception? 
    • What is one area of your life where you need to choose praise this week?
  • CONTENDING TOGETHER UNTIL THE END
    • Jude ends not by pointing to our strength, but to the God “who is able to keep you from stumbling.”
    • What does it practically look like for a community—not just individuals—to contend for the faith together?
    • What is one specific step your group could take to help each other stand firm?

Week 5: Contending for the Faith- Jude 1:14-19

  • Opener:  
    • If you were watching a good spy movie, what makes it so gripping—the action, the mystery, or the double life?  Why do you think spiritual deception can feel so similar?
  • Cross references: 
    • Genesis 4–5 (Enoch), Matthew 13:24–30, Acts 20:28–31, 2 Peter 3:3, Psalm 119:11–16, 2 Timothy 2:24–26
  • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
    • God Sees the Ungodly
      • Enoch prophesied that the Lord will come to “judge all the ungodly.”  Why do you think Jude reminded believers of this ancient prophecy?
      • When have you felt like “evil is winning”? How does God’s justice bring comfort?
      • Why is it dangerous to mistake worldly success for God’s approval?
    •  The Fruit of the False
      • Jude lists five traits of false teachers (vv. 16–19): grumblers, faultfinders, self-indulgent, boastful, flatterers.
      • Which of these attitudes are easiest for you to slip into, even unintentionally?
      • How does quiet grumbling or subtle fault-finding spread through a community or team?
      • What’s the difference between honest concern and destructive criticism?
      • How does gratitude guard your heart against becoming a grumbler or faultfinder?
    • Spirit vs. Instinct
      • Jude says these people “follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”  What does it mean to live by the Spirit instead of instinct?
      • How do you personally stay tethered to God’s Word when culture shifts or pressures rise?
      • What helps you discern when someone’s influence is led by the Spirit—or by self?
    • Truth and Grace
      • Jude calls believers to remember the apostles’ teaching and to show mercy to those who doubt.  How do you balance conviction and compassion when someone’s drifting from truth?
      • Why is it important to remember that “the enemy isn’t them—it’s the one who holds them captive”?
      • Who in your life might need a gracious conversation instead of silent frustration?
    • LIVING IT OUT
      • Remember & Rehearse
        • Commit to reading a short section of Scripture each day this week that anchors you in truth
        • (e.g., Psalm 119:9–16 or 2 Timothy 3:14–17).
      • Replace the Grumble
        • Each time you’re tempted to complain this week, stop and speak one specific gratitude out loud.
      • Reach Out
        • Pray for someone who has drifted from faith. Ask God for an opportunity to extend truth and grace.

Week 4: You Reap What You Sow - Jude 1:10-13

  • Opener
    • When have you planted or invested in something—literally or figuratively—and been surprised by the outcome?
  • Big Idea
    • Jude shows that what we sow, we reap.
    • False teachers—and any of us drifting from truth—sow to the flesh:
      • Cain – anger, jealousy, self-rule.
      • Balaam – greed, idolatry, and sexual indulgence.
      • Korah – pride and rebellion against authority.
    • The result is barrenness and decay: clouds without rain, trees without fruit, restless waves, wandering stars.  In contrast, wisdom (ḥokmāh) is a life aligned with God’s Word, design, and character—sowing to the Spirit and reaping eternal fruit.
  • Scripture Focus
    • Jude 1:10–13
    • Cross references: Genesis 4:1–8; Numbers 25:1–3; Numbers 16:1–3, 31–33; Galatians 6:7–8
  • DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
    • Sow & Reap
      • “They act on instinct, like unreasoning animals.” (v.10). What does it look like today to live by instinct instead of obedience?
      • Where are you most tempted to “sow to the flesh” (comfort, pride, pleasure, resentment)?
    • The Way of Cain, Balaam, & Korah
      • Cain: How do jealousy and bitterness quietly grow in spiritual environments?
      • Balaam: What voices tell us that compromise is “just being real” or “being free”?
      • Korah: Why is rejecting God’s authority often disguised as “authenticity” or “equality”?
    • Hidden Reefs & Empty Clouds
      • Jude warns that false voices “feed only themselves.” What modern examples might fit that picture?
      • What kind of fruit—or lack thereof—helps you discern if someone’s influence is Spirit-led or flesh-led?
    • Reaping to the Spirit
      • Which fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) do you most want to cultivate right now?
      • What would it look like to intentionally plant toward that fruit this week?
  • LIVING IT OUT
    • 1.  Set a Guardrail
      • Write one sentence to reorient your week:
      • “Because I belong to Jesus, I will _______ and I will not _______.”
      • (Example: “I will begin each day in prayer before checking my phone.”)
    • 2.  Replace an Influence
      • Mute one “cloud-without-rain” voice (show, account, podcast, song) and replace it with Scripture or worship that feeds your soul.
    • 3.  Partner Up
      • Share your guardrail and replacement with someone in your group. Check in midweek to encourage each other to sow to the Spirit.
  • PRAYER
    • “Search me, God, and know my heart. Expose the way of Cain in my anger, the error of Balaam in my desires, and the rebellion of Korah in my pride.Teach me to sow to the Spirit, so I may reap a harvest of joy, peace, and faithfulness. Amen.”
  • Challenge of the Week
    • Ask God daily: “Lord, what am I sowing today—into the flesh or into the Spirit?”

Week 3: Jude 1:5–10

  • Opener (2–3 min)
    • What’s a time you ignored a clear warning label…and paid for it? What did you learn?
  • Big Idea
    • Jude stacks three Old Testament warnings (Israel in the wilderness, rebellious angels, Sodom & Gomorrah) to show that rejecting God’s Word, God’s design, God’s will and God’s boundaries always ends in tragedy.  False teachers repeat that pattern by elevating experiences over the truth of Scripture, normalizing immorality, rejecting authority, and speaking arrogantly about spiritual realities. Humility under God’s Word is the way to stand.
  • Read the Text (aloud)
    • Jude 1:5–10 (invite multiple readers)
  • Discussion Questions
    • 1) “Remember” before you “React” (v.5)
      • Jude says, “Though you already know this, I want to remind you…” What key truths do you already know but need to be reminded of right now?
      • Where does unbelief show up as “prudence” or “comfort” in your life (like the Exodus generation)?
    • 2) Boundaries are a Blessing (v.6)
      • “Angels did not keep their proper position but abandoned their proper dwelling.” How does our culture frame boundaries—as harm or as help?
      • Name one God-given boundary (sex, money, power, truth, identity) you are grateful for, and one you’re tempted to cross.
    • 3) When Desire Drives (v.7)
      • “Gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion.” Where are we most pressured to accept and elevate desire as identity?
      • Share a time obedience felt costly upfront but proved wise long-term. What did it protect or produce?
    • 4) Four Marks of False Teaching (v.8–9)
      • Jude names: (1) exalted dreams/experiences, (2) defiled bodies (license), (3) rejection of authority, (4) arrogant talk about unseen powers.
      • Which of these four do you see most in today’s Christian content streams (reels, podcasts, books, sermons, internet sites)?
      • Why is Michael’s posture (“The Lord rebuke you”) the antidote to spiritual arrogance? What does his humility teach us about how to contend?
    • 5) They Don’t Understand (v.10)
      • Jude says they “slander what they do not understand.” Where do we risk speaking beyond knowledge or dismissing biblical teaching because it’s hard or because we lack real understanding?
      • How can our group cultivate a rhythm of slow study before strong opinions?
  • Living It Out
    • A. The “Authority Ladder” (personal practice)
      • This week, rank these influences by how much they shape your theology and ethics: Scripture • Prayer • Church tradition • Pastors/mentors • Podcasts/books • Personal experiences/feelings • Cultural norms.
      • Move Scripture to the top.
      • Identify one item that’s ranked too high and fast from it for 7 days.
    • B. Guardrails > Guilt (habit swap)
      • Pick one boundary God names (sexual integrity, financial honesty, truth-telling, Sabbath, peacemaking, etc).
      • Write a one-sentence guardrail (“I will… / I won’t… / I’ll invite ____ to ask me about…”)
      • Share it with the group and invite one check-in midweek.
    • C. Mercy + Truth (Jude 22–23 posture applied here)
      • Identify one person drifting toward license or “dreams over doctrine.” Pray for them daily and send one encouragement anchored in Scripture (not your opinions).
  • Group Exercise (10–12 min)
    • Give two or three real-life scenarios (anonymized) where teaching sounds inspirational but:
      • sidelines Scripture,
      • justifies immorality as “grace,”
      • rejects spiritual authority, or
      • mocks unseen realities
  • Practices for the Week
    • Memorize: Jude 24–25 or Jude 1:8–9.