Bridge-points in reaching Muslims

The mission field is not thousands of miles away, it’s now on my and your doorsteps. How about Muslims next door? How about the Muslim doctors, shopkeepers, pharmacists and co-workers with whom we share most of the day in our company or business and how about Muslims children and teens who attend schools and universities with our children?  There are enormous opportunities and 1001 ways to share the Gospel.

We cannot reach Muslims with the Gospel if we ourselves are not living by its message. A Muslim has to see something different in us. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, first and foremost is to follow Jesus. It’s as simple, as fundamental, and as far reaching as that!  Among other things it also means following Jesus in his vision for taking the whole gospel to the whole world - every nation, tribe, people - that includes Muslims.

Reaching  in Love to Muslims

The best way to win a Muslim’s trust is to show the love of Christ to him.  Jesus said, ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.‘(Matthew 5:44-48).

 It is not the Muslims but the ideology that they follow is the problem. Muslims are prisoners of it bound by Satan and thus spiritually blind (2 Corinthians 4:4). Let us show Christ-likeness. ‘Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love’ (1 John 4:8). Love will not be satisfied with anything less than the total salvation of its object.

Pray for Muslims

Our burden of prayer should be like Paul (Romans 10:1; 9:1-3). It is not us but the Holy Spirit who convicts and wins the minds and hearts for Jesus. Ask a Muslim, ‘May I pray with you?’ Often the reply is yes. They do believe in Jesus as the Prophet, healer and miracle worker. As Christians we need to remember them in our prayer and supplications and ask for guidance to share the gospel. ‘Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up’ (Galatians 6:9).

Conduct, customs and apprehension

 ‘Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God – even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.’ (1 Corinthains 10:32, 33)

• Modesty is the best policy.
• In general, men talk to men, women to women
• Spiritual talk is a serious matter              

Please don’t:

•  Put your Bible on the floor;
•  Appear too free with the opposite sex;
•  Make jokes about religious/spiritual topics or issues
•   Pat your dog in their presence

Hospitality - a door to loving friendship

• We should go beyond "hello" and ‘see you’, extending sincere love with follow through.
•  Let us show that we care, by inviting them to our ‘home’, fellowship, and by sharing our time with them.
• Muslims have dietary laws so never serve alcohol or food containing pork or bacon. or anything made with lard (Romans 14:20)

Be open about your beliefs

• Muslims love to talk on religious issues. As there are Christians only by name, the same is true about many Muslims who do not know their faith. You may find that for many Muslims Islam is very much a practice of rituals and thus they will be interested to see how Christians pray, fast and celebrate certain rituals. (see our articles on such subjects under Discussion Topics at: www.itl-usa.org   In your conversation you will find that lot of objections they may raise against Christianity is from hearsay.
• Know your Bible. You may face a Muslim who has studied the Bible just for the sake of criticism.
•  Be sure you know what you are talking about. Many of them have never read the Bible or part of it themselves.
• In your conversation, state what you believe clearly and without apology, showing support from the Word of God - the Bible.
• Use the Bible. You will be more respected by Muslims in standing strong for your Christian beliefs.
• If you don't know the right answer to a question or query, be honest! Find out!

Be a good listner

• By listening, we learn a lot on how the Muslims we meet view things in general.
• Listen to learn as your foundation for friendship and to build credibility so you can share your faith to a receptive audience.
• Have you noticed how Jesus would listen and respond?

Present the Gospel in Simplicity

• Avoid complex theological terminology, and be careful about using scripture that contains figurative language.
• Terms such as 'the new birth', 'regeneration', 'filling of the Holy Spirit', 'justification' and 'consecration' are foreign to him.
• ‘Forgiveness, assurance, eternal life’ are familiar

Present Jesus

• Emphasize the importance of Jesus. A Muslim will be more interested in what Jesus said, did or commanded.
• Muslims love to talk and listen to the stories of the prophets. Show how various prophets foretold the coming of Jesus.
• The claims of Jesus: Uniqueness, Assurance, eternal life, His second coming
• Good works as a path to salvation misses the truth of Christ’s sacrifice for them and God’s will for their lives.

Ask Important Questions

• Do you expect to go to heaven/paradise?
• Do you have the assurance that God will accept you?
• What does the Qur’an teach about forgiveness?
• May I show you what the Bible teaches?
• Questions like these show that you have an interest in the important things of life.

 Visit our other websites like www.itl-usa.org  for Muslims to read some of the Discussion topics that often become part of the conversation and how to respond to such issues.

Avoid polemics and wordy arguments

• Let us remember that the Gospel is the main course
• Apologetics is just the seasoning

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Efforts Anonymous

Due to some unavoidable reasons and circumstances if you cannot take active part, you can still share the gospel with Muslims and remain anonymous.

We have several evangelistic leaflets, books and booklets you may get from us and send to Muslims in your area anonymously through the post.

 It is easy to find an address. Go to a phone directory for example and check for Muslim names like Ahmad, Muhammad, Majid, Saeed, Anwar etc.

Or best go to Google and type in the search bar ‘Muslim names’. Copy them and you may find such names or at least some of them in local directories.

Select a few addresses. Pray and send some of the leaflets or booklets to such addresses in the post without your sender’s address as the material you send has our address on them for further info.