Page 152 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook

sin kept them from heaven. God knew the only way the sin debt could be paid was by a perfect One
paying the price of death. God knew He alone could pay such an infinite price. So, God’s eternal plan
was to send His Son Jesus to die in the believing sinner’s place. The Muslim needs to understand
these truths!

Develop Personal Relationships
The most effective way of sharing your faith with Muslims is through personal relationships. It's extremely
rare that one happens upon a social encounter with a Muslim and has an immediate and effective witness.
A sincere friendship characterized by trust and compassion can earn you the right to be heard.

• Don't consider the Muslim as an enemy to be conquered, but rather a person to be loved.
• Make sure that any relationships are not superficial and hollow.
o Make the effort to develop genuine friendships.
o Don't just act like you care; people can sense when you're not being genuine.
• Do not make your friendship contingent on their response.
o Be a friend regardless of whether they respond favorably to the Gospel. It may open doors
to share later.
• Be hospitable.
o Muslims are well-known for their generous hospitality. Be sure to reciprocate with similar
graciousness and hospitality.

Strategy for Sharing
Islam offers many beliefs and practices which are similar to those in Christianity. It also affirms crucial ideas
and practices which are antithetical to those in Christianity. An appropriate and decisive evangelism
strategy for reaching Muslims is based on the following:
• The message and life of Jesus Christ.
• A clear knowledge of Islam.
• An appreciation of the challenges and struggles of Muslim peoples.
• A love for individual Muslims and their families. V. A presentation of Biblical truths.
• A sharing of one's own Christian faith.

What Christians Need to Know Before Sharing Islam is a religion of 1,400 years of history, civilization,
and growth.

Muslims are proud of their heritage and desire that their religion be understood and respected by
outsiders. In meeting with Muslims, there are a few things one must take into account:

• Muslims are either born into Islam or convert to Islam. They identify their religion with their culture. II.
There are several issues that have great influence upon the attitudes of Muslims toward Christians:
o Muslims assume that Christians believe in three gods (since the Qur'an teaches the Trinity to
be composed of God, Mary, and Jesus; it rejects Jesus as the Son of God.)
o Muslims believe that Jews and Christians have changed the Old and New Testaments to
conceal the predictions of the coming of Muhammad.
o Muslims believe that Jesus did not die on the cross but that someone took his place.
o The Crusades have indelibly branded in Muslim memory a continuing attitude that
Christianity is a warring religion and Christians are a colonialist people. Recent wars in the
Middle East and Central Asia have only continued to bolster this perception of Christianity.

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