Reaching Muslims with the Gospel of Jesus Christ

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Islam History, Customs and ReligionPart Eight
Reaching Muslims with the Gospel
Slide Presentation
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Reaching Muslims with the Gospel of Jesus Christ
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The Dos and Don'ts of reaching Muslims

1. Use the Bible as the Text.
2. Approach as a friend.
3. Dont compromise your beliefs, be open and
   honest.
4. Respect their customs and practices dont put
   down.
5. Listen carefully to what is actually said.
6. Dont argue do reason.
7. Keep your composure.
8. Ask good, intelligent and pointed questions.

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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.
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Use the Bible as the Text
Muslims say they accept the Bible as Gods 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
114. Make known the unsearchable riches of
Christ. Eph. 38-9. In Christ are hidden all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col. 23.
Quote the Bible as authority. Let the Word of
God do its work in convicting it is the power of
God unto salvation.
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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.
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Dont 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 todays 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. 922. 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.
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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 Quran equal to or above the
Bible. Dress is not necessarily western style.
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Listen carefully to what is actually said
Understand that Muslims use the Quran and
Hadiths as gospel. The Quran 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.
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Dont 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. Dont
arguediscuss, explain, read, ask.
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Keep your composure
Be calm Muslims are impressed by the normal or
low voice. Dont 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.
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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)?
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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 Dont you think we should
consider this further?
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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 31-15 What did Jesus already know
about Nicodemus? (Factual based on v. 10). How
do you think Jesus saw Nicodemusonly 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).
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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 Freed-Hardeman Universities for 19 years. It
will assist in knowing and understanding the
teachings and practices of Islam.
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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.
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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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