Page 156 - Advanced Bible Geography ebook

• The Gospel of John is great for focusing on Jesus' deity.
o Be sure to discuss what Jesus says about himself, especially concerning the "I am"
statements.11
 Talk about the meaning of Jesus' words in John 8:58: "I tell you the truth...before
Abraham was born, I am!"
 Share that Exodus 3:14 tells us that God's name is "I am."

Understand the Obstacles
When sharing your faith with Muslims, be patient, prayerful, and respectful. Don't ever put pressure on a
Muslim to become a Christian. There is a much at stake, and Muslims must overcome a number of powerful
obstacles before putting their faith in Christ.

• Religion and culture
o Because Islam is tied into every aspect of the culture, seekers may have a hard time
disconnecting the two.
 Rejection of Islam can be akin to rejecting the culture in which one has lived their
whole life.
• Distrust of non-Muslims
o Muslims are warned not to believe in anyone outside of their religion.
 "'And believe no one unless he follows your religion.' Say: 'True guidance is the
Guidance of Allah: (Fear ye) Lest a revelation be sent to someone (else) Like unto that
which was sent unto you? or that those (Receiving such revelation) should engage
you in argument before your Lord?' Say: 'All bounties are in the hand of Allah: He
granteth them to whom He pleaseth: And Allah careth for all, and He knoweth all
things.'" - Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:73
• Apostasy
o An apostate in Islam is one who abandons the "truth" outlined in the Qur'an for another
religion.
o The Qur'an warns against apostasy.
 Allah will never restore a believer who has rejected the teachings and faith of Islam.
This is why so many Muslims quickly disown their children who have converted to
another religion, especially Christianity. Why love them when almighty Allah will
never love them?
• "As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn
them or do not warn them; they will not believe. Allah hath set a seal on
their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a veil; great is the
penalty they (incur)." - Al-Baqara (The Cow) 2:6-7
• "If anyone desires a religion other than Islam (submission to Allah), never
will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter he will be in the ranks of
those who have lost (all spiritual good)." - Al-Imran (The Family of Imran) 3:85
 The Qur'an claims that Allah will severely punish apostates in the hereafter.
• "Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to
them, the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false
hopes. This, because they said to those who hate what Allah has revealed,
'We will obey you in part of (this) matter'; but Allah knows their (inner) secrets.
But how (will it be) when the angels take their souls at death, and smite
their faces and their backs? This because they followed that which called

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