Who was going to be sent with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch? What were these men going to deliver? Who was pleased with this idea?
Who was the letter addressed to?
What was the unsettling news they had heard? Had the apostles given these commands?
Who were they sending to help clear up the matter? How were these men described?
What instruction seemed good to the apostles to give (via the Holy Spirit)?
What four things were they to keep away from?
What was the result among the Christians when they heard the letter?
How were Judas and Silas described? What did they do?
Who stayed with them instead of going back to Jerusalem?
Who else stayed in Antioch at that time?

Thought Questions

What do you think was the secret to the unity among the apostles and their easy agreement? Is there a way you can reproduce that in your church, family, or among those you work with?
What parts of “the law” were the Gentile Christians the most troubled with having to keep? Was it the moral law of the Ten Commandments–thou shalt not kill, or steal, honor your parents, etc? Are there parts of the law from the Old Testament that we still ought to respect today, and other parts that simply pointed forward to Christ?
Have you risked your life for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ? Would you?
Do you incorporate the Holy Spirit’s guidance in your decisions? How do you recognize His voice? How did the apostles know what “seemed good to the Holy Spirit?”
Discuss further the four restrictions found in verse 29. Why were they so important? Are they still important today? We are not often tempted by meat sacrificed to idols today, but might there be a modern equivalent?
If you were charged with the task of thinking of four restrictions that you think should be placed on new believers, what would you think of? Why?
If we are saved by grace alone, why would the apostles impose any restrictions on the new believers? Do your lifestyle choices affect your life and your focus on your faith in Christ?

My prayer is:
That I would understand from my study of the Scriptures what the most important guidelines for my lifestyle are;
That I would understand the reasons why these are important and how they can affect my faith and my walk with Christ;
And that the Holy Spirit would strengthen and guide me to uphold those guidelines.