In a current climate of competing moral worldviews, the book of Jude hits home.

The book of Jude is about doctrine, but so much more. It is about the daily, lived implications of errant doctrine, and the effects of immorality on us, both in the present life and in eternity.

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Trail Guide to the Scriptures: Jude is your step-by-step guide to traveling the path of the biblical book of Jude. Jude is short but difficult, and like many such trails, offers quite a lookout, both along the way and from the top, if you can make it.

With Reverend Shane Bishop — pastor, history nerd, regular guy, and fellow traveler just like you — as your guide, you will better understand the landscape of Jude, see things you might have missed while reading on your own, and feel more confident navigating its pages.

Jude tells the story of someone who finds himself in the role of defender of the faith. This was a new role—early church leaders were largely celebratory, but times were changing both in the Roman Empire and within the church. The movement known as “the Way” needed some standardization, or what theologians call orthodoxy.

In particular, the rise of non-Jewish followers was leading to a core question: how much of the old Jewish customs were necessary? Some argued that Christians were free from Jewish laws, but for others, freedom devolved into license to sin. Simply put, some leaders said you could believe in Jesus but live like the pagans. For many believing Gentiles, what was presented as a path to freedom was really a path to bondage.

In a current climate of competing moral worldviews, the book of Jude hits home. It is about doctrine, but so much more. It is about the daily, lived implications of errant doctrine, and the effects of immorality on us, both in the present life and in eternity.

Part commentary, part historical nonfiction, part story that you can’t put down, Trail Guide to the Scriptures takes you verse-by-verse through a book of the Bible while showing you what it means for your life today. With each book broken into “episodes” that pull you into the plot, you will discover how engaging and exciting Scripture can be and learn what it says for yourself and how it applies to your life today.

Get ready to reach new heights in your faith and find a model of faithfulness amid shifting sands and changing tides.

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Welcome to the Trail

Shane L. Bishop

Shane has served as the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church in Fairview Heights, Illinois since 1997. With his strengths of vision casting, preaching, teaching, soul winning and leadership, Christ Church total weekend worship attendance has increased under his leadership from 200 in 1997 to over 3,500 in 2023. Christ Church, an independent congregation, has seven weekly worship services, three regional campuses and a significant on-line community. In 2010, Shane received the prestigious Distinguished Evangelist award from the Foundation for Evangelism. Christ Church was recognized as one of the 100 fastest growing churches in the country in 2018 by Outreach Magazine.

A former history teacher and coach, Shane holds both graduate and undergraduate degrees from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. He graduated cum laude in 1992 from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. There he received the Rollins Scholarship Award for his academic work and effectiveness in pastoral leadership at the St. James-Manchester Charge in Manchester, Georgia. From 1992-1997 he served the Sumner/Beulah Charge in Sumner, Illinois.

Shane has traveled extensively around the world in pilgrimage, mission and preaching ministry. He is the author of eleven books, has a large on-line presence and has been featured as a writer in various publications.

Shane and his wife Melissa married in 1983 and reside in rural Clinton County, Illinois with “300 pounds of rescue dogs.” The couple has two adult children and four grandchildren.

Trail Guide to the Scriptures will take you on a journey deeper into the Bible, helping you uncover hidden treasures and life-changing truths along the way. Each handbook is chock full of compelling stories, fascinating facts, powerful takeaways, and the drama and details you would otherwise miss, all through the lens of a trusted guide.

Your trail guide is organized to help you traverse the pages with Scripture with ease:

Acclimatize To Your Surroundings

The intro to each book will help you get your bearings — who wrote it, who it’s written to, what’s going on in the history and culture surrounding it, and the author’s intent.

Recognize Key Landmarks

Engaging storytelling will pull you into the key plot points and episodes of the text, helping you connect with its characters, their struggles, hopes, and dreams and how they encountered God in the middle of it all.

Discover Cool Sights

Each verse is like a special sight along the trail. We’ll stop to spend more time where needed, follow paths to hidden gems, and point out things you might have missed on your own.

Visit Scenic Overlooks

At times, we’ll pause to zoom out and take in Scripture’s breathtaking messages for us. Fun historical facts, key takeaways, and commentary will help you appreciate the views.

Get Tips for a Stronger Faith Journey

It helps to have a guide, but as an adventurer, eventually the journey must become your own. Get lists, tools, and tips to help you apply what you’ve learned to your daily life and grow stronger in your faith.

Share What You’ve Discovered

Questions at the end of each chapter will help you reflect on your journey and discuss what you’ve learned with your fellow travelers.

You don’t have to navigate Jude alone.

Get your guidebook today and uncover new wonders within the pages of Scripture.

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