The document provides guidance on using the Word Study Method to better understand biblical texts. It explains that word meanings have changed over time and translation choices can vary, so examining original words helps comprehension. The method involves looking up key words in Strong's Concordance and studying definitions, usages, and English translations to glean full meaning. Applying this to Jude produces an outline categorizing ungodly influences and strategic actions for believers to counter false teachings.

1. How To Study The Bible
Lesson 5: “Getting to the Heart of a Text”
Nehemiah 8:8 (KJV)
8
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the
reading.
The Word Study Method: Analyzing the Text
The Word Study Method examines the meaning and usage of key words and phrases in a passage to
better understand the original meaning. A concordance with Hebrew and Greek dictionaries (like
Strong's) is useful in performing basic word studies.
Why use the Word Study Method? Where to Begin:
1. LANGUAGE CHANGES OVER TIME. 1. LOOK UP UNFAMILIAR WORDS.
2. TRANSLATION CHOICES CAN VARY FROM 2. LOOK UP REPEATED WORDS.
PASSAGE TO PASSAGE.
3. LOOK UP ANY WORDS RELATED TO THE
3. TRANSLATION CHOICES CAN SOMETIMES MAIN IDEA.
LIMIT OUR UNDERSTANDING OF A WORD.
4. LOOK UP ANY WORDS THAT STAND OUT.
4. WORD STUDY CAN BROADEN OUR
PERSPECTIVE ON THE BIBLICAL TEXT.
HOW TO USE THE WORD STUDY METHOD:
STEP 1: LOOK UP THE ENGLISH WORD IN STRONG'S CONCORDANCE. FIND THE PASSAGE REFERENCE
CONTAINING THE WORD YOU WANT TO STUDY AND MAKE NOTE OF THE NUMBER TO THE RIGHT OF THE
ENTRY.
STEP 2: LOOK UP THE NUMBER REFERENCE IN THE HEBREW/CHALDEE OR GREEK DICTIONARY IN THE BACK OF
STRONG'S CONCORDANCE. OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES CONTAIN HEBREW WORDS; NEW
TESTAMENT REFERENCES CONTAIN GREEK WORDS.
STEP 3: EXAMINE THE FIVE PIECES OF INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE DICTIONARY ENTRY.
Word in its original letters Word transliterated
into English letters Definition
Pronunciation of word
1252. διακρίνω diakrinō, dee-ak-ree'-no; from 1223 and 2919; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (lit.
and reflex.) to withdraw from, or (by impl.) oppose; fig. to discriminate (by impl. decide), or
(reflex.) hesitate:―contend, make (to) differ (-ence), discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger,
waver.
Various translations

2. STEP 4: WRITE DOWN STRONG'S DEFINITION(S) OF THE WORD IN ITS ORIGINAL LANGUAGE.
STEP 5: WRITE DOWN THE VARIOUS ENGLISH WORDS USED TO TRANSLATE THE WORD YOUR ARE STUDYING.
GO BACK TO THE CONCORDANCE AND LOOK UP EACH OF THESE WORDS THAT CORRESPOND TO THE
SAME STRONG'S NUMBER (IN THIS EXAMPLE, 1252). THIS WILL GIVE YOU A LIST OF ALL OF THE
VERSES WHERE THE WORD IN ITS ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IS USED, ALLOWING YOU TO COMPARE THE
USAGE IN ITS DIFFERENT CONTEXTS.
STEP 6: COMPARE THE MEANING OF THE ENGLISH WORD WITH THE DEFINITION OF THE WORD IN ITS ORIGINAL
LANGUAGE MAKING NOTE OF SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES.
A Brief Outline of Jude
By applying the techniques we have learned up to this point in our study, we are able to produce a working
outline of the Book of Jude that will help organize our conclusions from our study.
I. Believers have a special relationship with God and enjoy His blessings (vv.1-2).
II. Ungodly Influences in the church must be fought in order to avoid corruption (vv. 3-4).
III. Past apostasy has always led to judgment (vv.5-8).
A. Those Israelites who rebelled against God's authority died in the wilderness.
B. Those angels who followed after Lucifer lost their high estate in Heaven.
C. Those wicked men in Sodom and Gomorrah who sought to defile their flesh, were judged by fire.
IV. The Ungodly are identified by their actions (vv.9-16).
A. The Ungodly are characterized by arrogance (vv. 9-10).
B. The Ungodly are characterized by man-centered religion (v 11).
C. The Ungodly are characterized by greed (v.11).
D. The Ungodly are characterized by a rebellious spirit (v.11).
E. The Ungodly are characterized by mockery (v.12).
F. The Ungodly are characterized by their empty promises (v.12).
G. The Ungodly are characterized by fruitlessness (v.12).
H. The Ungodly are characterized by their shameful ways (v.13).
I. The Ungodly are characterized by their leading others astray (v. 13).
V. Fight ungodly influences in the church by strategic action (vv.17-23).
A. Remember what the apostles taught about apostates (v.17).
B. Build up the faithful (v.20).
C. Pray in the Holy Spirit (v.20).
D. Guard one another in God's love (v.21).
E. Rest in the mercy of Christ (v.21).
F. Show mercy to those who start to doubt (v.22).
G. Rescue those who turn from true faith (v.23).
H. Stay pure (v.23).
VI. The secret to defeating false teaching in the church is to rely on God (vv. 24-25).