Text: Jude 1:1-4

Think of a time when you've seen someone else contend or have personally contended for the faith. It sure is easy to allow these conversations to go south, right? Feelings of defensiveness, anger, and judgment can boil up inside us. We can speak with irritability, mockery, and with pridefulness. But Peter instructs believers to "always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15).

Most believers aren't prepared to give a defense. I've heard that most men never read a book from cover to cover after college. Preparation allows us to relax and communicate our faith with gentleness and respect.

As we continue in our study in Jude next week, we will be confronted with the behaviors and teachings of the false teachers. Just like in Jude's time, it's common in our culture today for people to use God's love as an excuse to sin. Would you be ready to give a defense?

Apart from faithfully studying God's Word, I highly recommend this book! Also, we need one another's encouragement and discipleship better to follow Jesus in a hostile world toward our faith. I pray you'll connect with a Kgroup this year! We are servants of Jesus. He is our authority. Let's listen to Him and follow His guidance--for His glory and our joy!