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Notes from the Muslim Background Believers Conference
It was a 2 day conference where a number a former Muslims that today they are disciple of Jesus Christ shared their testimonies, taught classes on effectively reaching Muslims, even sessions on exposing the Muslim strategy to convert the world and taught us what strategies to use to reach them. I was very impacted the whole two days, so I decided to share some notes with you so we all will make a big impact to win our world for Christ!
There are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world
13.2 million Muslims die each year
There are: 190 million Muslims in Indonesia
168 million Muslims in Pakistan Then India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria, Morocco, China.
From the testimonies of Muslims that came to know Jesus, they expressed:
“As a Muslim I never knew God loved me” In fact Allah has 99 names, and not one of them is ‘Love’ or ‘Father’.
Islam is a work based religion (meaning they try to follow their religious rules and do good work to go to heaven), so they have no assurance of Salvation and those who genuinely wanted to please God knew that they could not be good enough, so when they heard that the reason Jesus Christ came because He knew we will not be good enough to go to heaven, the light came on and they opened their heart and encountered God.
They said Muslims may be hard to convert, but when they do, they would become some of the best disciples. I witnessed that this weekend, they are radicals for Christ. Some of them were converted because of a dream or vision from God. In fact in Iran when some believers did a research in a University in one of the cities, they randomly picked 10 Iranian Christian students and asked them how they became born again.
8 out of 10 had a dream or a vision from Jesus. The next 2 ways Muslims are responding to the gospel in Iran are through satellite TV and Scriptures / Jesus film.
In this conference they definitely encouraged us to use the Quran as a bridge to the gospel. One former Muslim, who is now an evangelist is seeing a lot of Muslims turn to Jesus as he uses verses out of the Quran.
Here are some notes from the class: ‘Using the Quran as a Bridge to the Gospel’
Quran can be used as a bridge, however, this does not mean to confirm that what is in Quran is “True”, but to help Muslims see what is “True” about “Themselves”, that they are sinners.
Establish a genuine relationship
Acceptance that God loves everybody, is a major step from Islam in a Muslim’s life
Look for a soft spot (a hurt, a hidden sin, a bad experience), or look for a need (emotional, financial, comfort..)
Touch the soft spot (direct them to the bridge)
Preach through action (John 13:34-35)
Don’t loose the focus (bridge to Salvation)
Continually exalt Jesus Christ, even when you reach them through different means. So they will not in whose name and power you are doing it. If you do not exalt Jesus, they think you are a really good person.
In conversing with Muslims know some of these points: - Jesus knew while he was in the cradle that He was the “Prophet”. (Quran 5:110)
- Mohammed did not know until Khadija told him after his first encounter with a spirit in the cave of Hira. (Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 60, Number 478).
- Jesus had the power to perform miracles, Mohammed did not. (Quran 5;110)
- Before you go to is Jesus God? Ask them, Can God intervene into humanity?
- If they say no, tell them, ‘you are limiting God’
- If they say yes, tell them why He came and how.
- They believe Gabriel came in human form, then why God can’t come in human form?
- When you mention trinity, a Muslim’s mind thinks: Mary, Jesus, God (Father, mother, son).
- Muslims believe that Jesus was never crucified, that God sent someone who looked just like Him to be crucified in His place. (Quran 4:157)
- Muslims think that people they see on American television are Christians.
Turning the Muslim Strategy Inside Out
What is the Islamic strategy?
Careful planning. There are 200+ mosques in America. There are 43 Islamic nations.
The Islamic strategy is not a matter of numbers, but control of society.
1. Politics 2. Economy
Build Islamic communities, mosques, Islamic schools
Become the majority in the county, city, state, nation.
Why is it working?
Muslim dedication. They are willing to go anywhere.
Muslim “Ummah”. They build communities, they focus control on society, not numbers.
Governments of Muslim countries use money to propagate their agenda.
How can we turn the Muslim strategy inside out?
Build communities – supporting systems.
Making disciples, not converts.
We must build a community of believers in Muslim areas. Muslims respond to a strategy/ community they are familiar with.
Money. We must allocate money to reach Muslim communities.
Resources and Training:
www.crescentproject.org
Crescent Project’s training is practical and biblical. Check out the Bridges DVD Series. Bridges is a powerful tool for churches and small group study. Sharing The Hope Online is a 3 session web-based training seminar that will help you to bridge the gospel to a Muslim’s heart and mind.
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