Educator Guide
Jude (brother of Jesus) Bible Study Guide
Jude (brother of Jesus)
Jude (brother of Jesus)
Half-brother of Jesus and James; author of the short epistle of Jude warning the church against false teachers.
From the family tree
- Parents
- Joseph, Mary
- Siblings
- Jesus, James (brother of Jesus)
Teaching prompt
Why does Jude, who could claim to be the Lord's own brother, call himself a servant instead?
Reflection
Where are you tempted to lean on a special connection or status rather than simple, humble service?
Points to Jesus
Jude had a blood tie he could have traded on — brother of the Lord — but opens his letter instead as 'a servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James' (Jude 1:1), and closes not by pointing to himself but to the one 'who is able to keep you from stumbling' (Jude 1:24-25) — the same Jesus he once failed to believe (John 7:5).
Discussion questions
- Mark 6:3: How is Jude (Judas) identified among Jesus' brothers?
- Jude 1:1: How does Jude describe himself, and whose brother does he mention instead of claiming to be Jesus' brother?
- Jude 1:3-4, 20-23: What is Jude's central concern for the church, and how does he tell believers to respond?