Download Reaching Muslims with the Gospel of Jesus Christ

Islam History, Customs and Religion
Part Eight – Reaching Muslims with the Gospel
Slide Presentation
Reaching Muslims with the
Gospel of Jesus Christ
The Do’s and Don'ts of reaching
Muslims
1. Use the Bible as the Text.
2. Approach as a friend.
3. Don’t compromise your beliefs, be open and honest.
4. Respect their customs and practices; don’t put down.
5. Listen carefully to what is actually said.
6. Don’t argue; do reason.
7. Keep your composure.
8. Ask good, intelligent and pointed questions.
Be Prepared
You cannot discuss that about which you know
nothing.
The best preparation is to know both sides of the
discussion.
If you cannot be interested enough to learn “their
way”, how can you expect them to want to learn
“your way”?
Learn at least the main terminology and how to
pronounce words reasonably close.
Use the Bible as the Text
Muslims say they accept the Bible as God’s Word.
Most do not know very well what it teaches. The only avenue
through which Muslims can be reached is to use the Bible.
Teach not preach is the key.
Muhammad is “the Prophet”, “the last Prophet” in the
mind of the Muslim. Jesus Christ must be shown to be in
reality the true messenger from God as He is the Word made
flesh. John 1:14. Make known the unsearchable riches of
Christ. Eph. 3:8-9. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of
wisdom and knowledge. Col. 2:3.
Quote the Bible as authority. Let the Word of God do its work
in convicting; it is the power of God unto salvation.
Approach as a friend
If you think of a Muslim as an enemy it usually shows in
your voice and/or facial expressions and stops any approach.
When asked if you have any questions about Islam, ask
to have the basics of their faith explained. Then ask if you can
explain your reasons for your belief.
Accept what is said on face value, even if you know it is
not true. Keep asking leading questions until the truth is made
known.
Western styles and practices are not Christianity, you
want to convert one to Christ not to Americanism.
Don’t compromise your beliefs, be open and honest.
“Some have gone to the extreme of doing what the
Muslims do, worshipping along with them in their mosque,
kneeling with them in prayer at their prescribed times.” Charles Dunahoo.
That is not the approach for today’s Muslims.
Do not alter the gospel to obtain acceptance.
Place yourself in their shoes. “Become all things to all
men that I might save some.” I Cor. 9:22.
Learn to understand how they think and to see things from
their point of view.
When asked what, or why you believe answer quickly and
honestly giving chapter and verse.
Respect their Customs and Practices
Islam separates men and women at the mosque.
Holy places are respected by removing shoes.
Holy books are venerated; never placed on the floor.
Prayer is prayed five times each day.
Food is passed with the right hand, not the left.
Pork is not an option for food.
Alcohol is generally refused.
Prophets are holy men. PBUH.
Muslims consider the Qur’an equal to or above the Bible.
Dress is not necessarily western style.
Listen carefully to what is actually said
Understand that Muslims use the Qur’an and Hadiths
as “gospel”.
The Qur’an is not a book of chronology, history,
science, theology, or revelation although it is often used as
such.
Understand their religious vocabulary: words such as
“grace”, “faith”, “salvation”, “justification”, “peace”, “joy”,
and “holiness” have a different definition from the Bible
meaning. Grace to a Muslim means a material and spiritual
blessing which can be earned. Biblically it means unmerited
favor which is the free gift of God.
Don’t Argue
We must relate to Muslims as individuals and not as
a representative of a religious system. We cannot expect
them to think, act, and experience life through the same
filters that we do. They have been taught about the
intolerance of the Catholics, the Crusades of Protestantism
and the general antagonism of medieval Europe and are
well prepared to answer a challenge, even a perceived one.
The Muslim has a built in sense of superiority in
matters of religion because theirs is, to them, the last
revelation, the most correct one, and the only true one.
Don’t argue—discuss, explain, read, ask.
Keep your composure
Be calm: Muslims are impressed by the normal or low
voice. Don’t shout, accuse, show anger, or you lose!
Be serious: Muslims think Christians are in error.
They are impressed by our sincerity toward God, toward
each other , and with them.
Be kind: learn to appreciate Muslims as a person
made in the image of God. Hypocrisy is easily detected by
them.
Be truthful: not double tongued! Be open and
have no hidden agenda. If asked why you are doing a
given thing, say why kindly.
Ask good, intelligent and pointed questions.
Questions for information, insight, decision and action
are the type Jesus asked. (He seldom answered a question
directly, but with another question).
Plan your questions in advance and have some ready
for whatever the occasion.
Types of questions:
Factual: Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? So?
Explanatory: What is the meaning of that term?
Reason: Can you tell me the purpose behind that (story,
statement, rule, practice)?
More Types of Questions
Implication: What else is involved? What naturally follows?
Significance: What is the importance of this (term)? This
combination of ideas? This series of actions?
Relationship: What is the connection between these words?
Ideas? Actions? People? Events? Verses? Paragraphs?
Progression: Where is this leading us? Is it moving toward a
challenge or a climax?
Relevance: What has this to do with us today?
Application: What action should we take?
Reflection: Don’t you think we should consider this further?
Questions for Involvement
For a religious leader: “What emotional conflicts may Nicodemus
have felt at this point?”
For a know-it-all: “Why do you suppose Simon Peter felt he knew
better than Jesus what to do?”
For someone who opposes Jesus: “How do you think the Pharisee
was feeling when he said that to Jesus?”
Help people identify with individuals in the Bible story to help
them become more involved personally with the Bible. Cf. John
3:1-15: “What did Jesus already know about Nicodemus? (Factual
based on v. 10). “How do you think Jesus saw Nicodemus…only
as a Pharisee, a ruler of the Jews? (Interpretation). “If Jesus could
understand Nicodemus so well, what do you suppose He
understands about us today?” (Application).
Help in
Reaching
Muslims
Written by Evertt
Huffard who directed the
Middle East Bible Training
College in Beirut, Lebanon,
from 1971 to 1974; and
taught at Harding and FreedHardeman Universities for 19
years. It will assist in
knowing and understanding
the teachings and practices of
Islam.
Roadblocks
Some Muslims in the U.S., particularly if they have
been here awhile, have likely heard televangelists, maybe
preachers, and could have questions about various religious
interpretations (among denominations). It may be necessary
to deal with this obvious division prior to, or as a part of, the
teaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Muslims make a strong point that Allah did not take a
wife and have a Son. (They mean this in a physical and
literal sense.) It is a surprise to them to learn we agree. This
is a big hurdle and a big roadblock to some Muslims. They
think we believe in three Gods, whose existence they
logically prove to be untenable.
The Greatest Problems
Some Muslims think the trinity consists of God, Mary,
and Jesus.
The Holy Spirit in Islamic thought is the Angel
Gabriel.
The Comforter is Muhammad.
The sociological unity and sense of community among
Muslims makes it difficult for them to publicly confess Christ.
Some become “secret” believers because of this problem.
We must teach every nation, baptizing those that believe, and
let God handle the problems.
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