Sharing the Gospel with a Muslim
by Terrell SmithSo you have met a Muslim in one of your classes, or in your neighborhood. How can you share the Good News with him or her?
Consider who you are in Christ
Consider who you were before you met Jesus. How did you become a follower of Christ? What difference does he make in your everyday life? A Muslim will listen to what God is doing in your life, and as it shows in your loving lifestyle, it will be a powerful witness.
Love is the key which will unlock the door. Love is shown through active, deliberate friendship.
Remember, no one comes to faith unless the Holy Spirit is working in them. So pray, live, relax and let Him do His work.
Learn about your friend
Don't be surprised that your Muslim friends hold some misconceptions about Christianity. These are opportunities to help them understand who the Word of God is.
Although Muslims may use similar words (sin, prayer, paradise, etc.) the meaning they attach to these words will often be very different from what you mean. It's important to clarify terms as you share with each other.
Be respectful of their customs (for example, they don't eat pork or drink alcohol). Immodest dress can be a stumbling block, as is showing disrespect for the Holy Bible (like putting it on the floor), or joking about religion.
You want to introduce Jesus to your friend, not criticize Islam or Muhammad. The Muslim believes in God and his laws, so he or she is not a pagan. True Muslims are painfully aware of their shortcomings and failures before a holy God, so they fear God and judgment day, and long for the assurance of forgiveness. They need the Gospel.
Muslims are generally quite open about what they believe, and respect this quality in others. We don't need to hide or be ashamed of our Lord, nor "dialogue" in the sense of "sharing truths" with each other. We have the absolute truth in Christ, and the Muslim wants to hear.
Depend on the Holy Spirit entirely for what to say, and to bring conviction of sin, faith in Christ and new life. Pray faithfully.
It's helpful to have some background knowledge of what Muslims believe, and ways of sharing the Gospel in a way which will be understood by the Muslim. Read a book such as How to Share the Good News with Your Muslim Friend, by Max Kershaw, Sharing the Good News with Muslims, by Bill Dennett, Ishmael My Brother by Anne Cooper or I Dared to call him Father by Bilquis Sheikh.
The word incarnate
The Living Word of God became flesh so that we might behold his glory. We too, are to filled with the Word incarnate, to be living witnesses in word and deed, the "Word" in our Muslim friend's life. "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you." John 20:21.
Remember, your Muslim friend is a person like you, a person for whom Christ died; a person in need of knowing and embracing Jesus' reconciliation.
Practically, how will the Muslim see the incarnate Christ today?
• Meeting Christ in his written Word, the Bible. Muslims respect the Bible, and believe it to be God's Word (although they would say it has been corrupted). Muslims consider us "People of the Book," so let's be just that. "The Word of God is alive and active." (Hebrews 4:12) Let Scripture speak. Scripture shows us Jesus Christ, "These are written that you might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name." John 20:31. Offer to read and study the Bible with your Muslim friends. Answer their questions from the Bible, and give them a copy.
They will be touched by the message of the written Word, no matter what they believe about it. I have sometimes invited Muslim friends to a cup of tea and asked if they would like to discuss the message of the Bible. This has resulted in long informal Bible studies.
Ask thought-provoking questions such as, "Is God pleased with your life?" "Does God answer your prayers?" "Do you have forgiveness for the failures and mistakes in your life?"
• Meeting Christ in his living Word, dwelling in you. Muslims are not won by large evangelistic campaigns, but through love. Every Christian I've met who used to be a Muslim has said that the convincing argument to follow Christ was the love shown them by Christians. A smile and warm handshake go a long way. Genuine interest, honesty, listening attentively, patience, faithfulness in friendship, invitations to your home, and sharing of time are love in action.
The first Gospel they probably will read is printed on the pages of your life.
by Terrell Smith, IVCF USA
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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