Share The Gospel With Muslims

 

The camel method, which uses passages in the Koran to open conversations about Jesus, has yielded good results in some parts of the Muslim world. In other parts, workers find other approaches more effective. The camel approach is to ask a Muslim to tell you, or study together with you, what the Koran teaches about Jesus the Messiah (Isa in Arabic). Then, when a relationship is established and you can converse without arguing, proceed to the New Testament’s record of the Messiah’s work. Supplement this approach with fervent prayer for salvation and healing in Jesus’ name.

Background

Five pillars of Islam

1. Creed (Shahada)
   All Muslims must recite, “There is no God but God, and Muhammad is the apostle of God” (or His Prophet)

2. Ritual Prayer (Salat)

All Muslims are to to recite prescribed prayers five times a day, along with correct postures, except women when they are unclean.

3. Obligatory Alms (Zakatalms )

Muslims give a percentage of their possessions or earnings once a year to help those in need.

4.  Ramadan (Saum)

Muslims fast during the ninth month of the lunar calendar, the month of Ramadan. It moves year to year. The fast lasts for 30 days from sunrise to sunset. They do not eat or drink, smoke, have sexual relations, swear or become angry during daytime. Believers seek to draw closer to God, and renew their spiritual strength.

5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj)

Every Muslim that has the ability, physically and financially must complete the Hajj, which is part of a purification process when all, despite social standing, are considered equal.

Islamic beliefs

Monotheism
Islam believes in one God. They believe that Muhammad is God’s last and greatest prophet. They believe that Jesus is a great prophet but man can never become God.
A believer can agree and say, “Yes, man never can become God but God can become man, and did once.”
Allah is the Arabic word for God. Meaning THE God, or the one and only God.

Holy books
Qur’an (Koran) — believed to be the word of God given to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel
Torat — book of Moses or the Torah
Zabur — Psalms of David
Injil- Gospels of Jesus (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John)
The Haddith — writings that explain the Qur’an from the teachings of Muhammad

Prophets
God has sent many prophets to teach men His ways. The prophets are generally considered to be Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus (Isa) and Muhammad. The last two are the most important, Mohammad bringing the final revelation.

Final Day of Judgment
Islam teaches that at the end of time, a trumpet will sound and the dead shall rise to be judged. On the Day of Judgment God will weigh the deeds of each person and that will determine their destination of Heaven or Hell. Those martyred for their faith go directly to heaven. God reserves the right to send each person where He pleases.

Angels
Muslims believe that God created Angels as sinless beings. They have many different roles not unlike that of Christian belief. They acknowledge four Archangels (Gabriel, Michael, Izrail, the angel of death, and Israfil the angel that will blow the trumpet on the Day of Judgment) There are disagreements as to what type of being that Satan was.

God’s Character
The Qur’an Islam continuously emphasizes the importance of the Character of God. Muslims typically believe in 99 attributes of God, though most acknowledge that He cannot be limited to that many. They emphasize His Sovereignty, Omnipotence, mercy and compassion. One major difference in Character between Islam and Christianity is the emphasis on the justice of God rather than the grace of God. The cross is the reconciling factor between the two.

The Camel Method

“Only the camel knows the 100^th name of Allah” (Bedouin proverb). But the camel has revealed it — Jesus!

Aim: draw out a ‘Person of Peace’ and build bridges between you and the Muslim community. Raise Jesus from “Prophet” status to “Savior” by using the Qu’ran. You are not out to win an argument. Follow Jesus’ example of using rhetorical questions to draw the truth to the surface (John 4 etc). Be humble and dependent upon the Holy Spirit – you don’t need to know all the answers. Just ask the right questions.

Conversation Starter: “I have discovered an amazing truth in the Koran that gives hope of eternal life in heaven. Would you read Surah Al-Imran 3:42-55?”

1. ‘Isa is holy, Al-Imran 3:45-47. Point out that this verse says that ‘Isa holds the same quality of holiness as Allah.

• “Does this say that ‘Isa came directly from Allah and that he did not have a father?”
• “Are there any other prophets who did not have a father?”
  Discuss Adam’s bloodline, and how his sin affected humanity.
• “Why did Allah have ‘Isa born without a father?”
  By not being in Adam’s bloodline, “Isa lived without sin.

2. “Isa has power over Death, Surah Al-Imran 3:49

• Point out the miracles display the power of Allah, especially over death.
• “Do you think that one of people’s greatest fears is death?”
• “Do you know of any other prophet who was given the power over death?” tell the story of Lazarus.

3. ‘Isa knows the way to heaven, Surah Al-Imran 3:55

• Point out: Isa himself has traveled the straight path directly to Allah and is with Him now.
• “If you wanted to come to my house and you needed help in doing so, who is best suited to help you?”
• “I am a sinful person. I have done many good things in my life, but still I have Adam’s blood in me. I know that I can never become holy on my own and get to be with Allah in heaven. Out of all the prophets, which one do you think is best capable of helping me get to heaven?”
• If they answer, “Isa,” then ask them why he can help me.
• If they answer, Muhammad, ask them to read Surah “The Chambers” 46:9. Carefully ask, “Does this mean that he did not know where he was going after death? If not, how can he help us get to heaven?”

 Before you use the Camel Method

1.       PRAY in faith expecting results! God is already working. You’re just joining Him in His work.

2.       DON’T take a Koran with you. Have them read from their Koran.

3.       It is better to ask questions than to preach at them.

4.       There is not enough light in the Koran to bring them to salvation, but there is enough truth to bring out a man of peace.

5.       Once you have drawn out the man of peace, arrange to talk again, bringing a Bible in their language to that next meeting.

6.       If asked who you say Mohammed is, respond: “I say Mohammed is who he said he was in the Koran. Let’s look at Surah “The Chambers” 46:9: “I am nothing new among the Prophets; what will happen to me and to my followers, I do not know; I am only a plain person who warns.”

• By his own testimony, Mohammed is not the greatest of prophets.
• By his own testimony, Mohammed did not know where he or his followers are going after death.
• By his own testimony, Mohammed is only a person who warns.
• By Jesus’ testimony, “I am the Way, the Truth, the Life and no one comes to Allah except through me.” (John 14:6) and “I go to prepare a place for you. If I go to prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am there you may be also.” (John 14:1-7)  …Read all.