Islam is the world's second largest religion - behind only Christianity - and Muslims are becoming more and more visible. For every terrorist in the news there are many Muslims who truly want to live good lives and pursue relationships with God. You can help Muslim people you know discover Christ's transforming love.
Here are some ways you can effectively evangelize among Muslims:
- Emphasize love. Rather than simply debating spiritual principles, share God's love with Muslims. Don't see them as enemies to be conquered, but as people to be loved. Ask God to help you love them so they can experience His love through your friendship with them. Be humble rather than argumentative. Focus on God's love for people even while they are still sinners (Islam teaches that God loves only those who obey Him).
- Model a committed Christian lifestyle, striving for purity and holiness. Distinguish between Christianity and the often-immoral culture in the United States. Let your Muslim friends know that you and other Christians are trying to be salt and light in a secular culture.
- Learn about Islam and read the Quran so you have the knowledge you need to understand your Muslim friends' beliefs. Show respect for those beliefs rather than criticizing them unnecessarily. Instead, encourage Muslims to understand your faith more. Ask them to read one of the Gospels and discuss it with you. Quote Bible verses that relate to your everyday discussions and be prepared to explain them.
- Help Muslims understand that Christianity is about a relationship rather than a religion. Focus their attention on Jesus and encourage them to thoroughly and honestly evaluate Him. Remember that Muslims revere Jesus as a great teacher and prophet; gently encourage them to consider the references made to His deity as well, as well as the evidence for them.
- Share your testimony. Know that Muslims love stories and will likely be very interested to hear the story of how Jesus has transformed your life.
- Emphasize God's grace. Strive to show your Muslim friends the futility of trying to live a life good enough to merit salvation when God is perfect. Show them what God does for people out of His love rather than what people try to do out of ambition or pride. Tell them how God's grace has empowered you to live a holy life.
- Pray that the Holy Spirit will make the Bible come alive for Muslims and motivate them in their spirits to pursue Christ. Trust in the Holy Spirit's work and be patient, never pressuring Muslim friends to convert until they are fully ready.
- Don't offend Muslims unnecessarily, creating barriers to building friendships with them. Dress modestly, don't serve them any pork if they come to dinner at your home, and don't make direct eye contact or become upset if they look downward most of the time while talking with you. Remember that Muslims treat their physical copies of the Quran with utmost respect. Try to do so with your Bible as well, not placing it on the floor, writing in it, etc. in front of them.
- Invite a Muslim friend to a Bible study before a church worship service, since there will likely be less unfamiliar practices at a Bible study.
- Keep in mind that many Muslims who convert to Christianity to do at great personal cost. Their relationships with family members and friends, their jobs, and even their lives could be placed in jeopardy. Be sure to help them connect to a loving Christian community as soon as they convert, and to support them regularly with your prayers.
Adapted from Reasoning from the Scriptures with Muslims, copyright 2002 by Ron Rhodes. Published by Harvest House Publishers, Eugene, Or. Look for this book at your local Christian bookstore, or buy it online by clicking on the link below.
Ron Rhodes has written many books, including Angels Among Us, The Complete Book of Bible Answers, Islam: What You Need to Know, and books on how to reason from the Scriptures with Catholics, Masons, Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons.
Do you have a Muslim friend? If so, how does your relationship enrich your life? How have you been trying to point your friend toward Jesus? What encouragement would you like to offer others who would like to reach Muslim friends? Visit Crosswalk's forums to discuss this topic by clicking on the link below.