◄ Acts 15:31 ►
When the people read it, they rejoiced at its encouraging message. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Acts 15:31? 2. How does Acts 15:31 encourage believers to receive God's Word with joy? 3. What role does encouragement play in strengthening faith according to Acts 15:31? 4. How can we apply the joy from Acts 15:31 in our daily lives? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Acts 15:31 and other encouragement passages? 6. How can church leaders implement Acts 15:31 to uplift their congregations? 7. How does Acts 15:31 reflect the early church's approach to resolving doctrinal disputes? 8. What historical context led to the writing of Acts 15:31? 9. How does Acts 15:31 demonstrate the role of encouragement in Christian communities? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Acts 15? 11. How can we unite globally to fulfill the Great Commission? 12. What is pre-evangelism? 13. In Acts 16:3, why would Paul have Timothy circumcised right after the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 seemingly decided against such requirements? 14. How should we address the seeming discrepancy between Balaam's portrayal here in Numbers 24 and other biblical texts that condemn him (e.g., 2 Peter 2:15)? Discussion Questions 1. How does the response of the Antioch church to the letter in Acts 15:31 inspire us to seek encouragement from Scripture today? 2. In what ways can we promote unity within our own church communities, following the example of the Jerusalem Council's decision? 3. How can church leaders today emulate the leadership qualities demonstrated by Paul, Barnabas, Judas, and Silas in Acts 15? 4. What are some practical ways we can ensure our communication within the church is both clear and encouraging? 5. How can we cultivate a spirit of rejoicing in our personal and communal faith journeys, as seen in the response of the Antioch believers? Acts 15 Bible Study Questions 1. What are the potential dangers of imposing one's cultural practices on believers from different cultures, as seen in the dispute over circumcision? 2. How does the Jerusalem Council provide a model for resolving doctrinal disputes within the Church? 3. What can we learn from Peter's defense of the Gentile believers at the Council? 4. How does James' proposal balance the concerns of Jewish believers and the freedom of Gentile believers? 5. How does the council's letter demonstrate sensitivity and respect towards both Jewish and Gentile believers? 6. How does the response of the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia to the council's letter underscore the importance of unity in the Church? 7. What can the disagreement between Paul and Barnabas teach us about dealing with personal disputes within Christian ministry? 8. How can we apply the lessons from the Jerusalem Council to current debates within our own churches or denominations? 9. How does the council's decision reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in the early Church? 10. What strategies can we use to avoid letting personal disagreements, like the one between Paul and Barnabas, hinder our Christian mission? 11. How does Acts 15 challenge our understanding of the role of cultural practices in our faith? 12. What can we learn from the way the early Church handled disagreements and conflicts? 13. How can the council's decision influence our approach to cultural diversity within our own church communities? 14. How does the unfolding of events in this chapter demonstrate the sovereignty of God, even in times of conflict and disagreement? 15. How does the inclusivity of Gentiles in the early Church speak to issues of racial or cultural inclusion in today's Church? 16. In what ways does the decision of the Jerusalem Council demonstrate the Church's flexibility and adaptability to changing contexts? 17. How do you reconcile the directive from the Jerusalem Council with the freedom we have in Christ? 18. How can the split between Paul and Barnabas be viewed both negatively and positively? 19. What does the chapter suggest about the role of human agency and the Holy Spirit in the expansion of the Church? 20. How can we promote unity in our church communities amidst differing views and beliefs? Links Acts 15:31 NIV Acts 15:31 NLT Acts 15:31 ESV Acts 15:31 NASB Acts 15:31 KJV Acts 15:31 Commentaries Bible Hub