5 Ways of Engaging with Muslims
- Posted by Editorial Staff
By Dean Sieberhagen
When a Christian starts to think about talking with a Muslim they do not begin with a neutral perspective. There are a number of factors that come into play and one of these is a negative stereotype. It goes something like this “Muslims are against America and dangerous”. We can spend all day debating this but in the end it distracts us from the basic truth that all Muslims are loved by God and need to hear about the Gospel. The question then is how do we overcome the negative stereotypes and engage them with the Gospel. Five ways that this can happen are:
- Choose the right door to the right room.
Imagine that you are meeting a Muslim in one of two rooms. The first is a room in which you will try to win an argument. For example, you will argue for the truth of the Bible and the deity of Jesus. The second room is where you try to win the heart. In this room you are not interested in arguing but in getting the Muslim to see and understand the love of God through the Gospel.
Winning an argument may have little or no effect on a Muslim coming to Christ and so stay in the room that tries to win the heart. This room will still deal with the Bible and the deity of Christ but the attitude is different. Instead of confrontation there is inquiry, discussion and exploration.
- Be a Learner.
Now that you are in the right room, show a lot of interest in the life of the Muslim and in particular how they experience God. Ask open, non-judgmental questions like “How do you pray to God?” and “Can you know God?”. They are often expecting you to argue with them without showing any interest in them as a person. Respect what they say as being important for them as this will open a door for them to respect what you say.
- Be Hospitable.
Muslims place a high value on being hospitable so that inviting a person to their home is a sign of friendship and respect. Be willing to accept such an invitation and also be willing to invite them to your home for a meal. Be sensitive to food that they cannot eat. It is often in the home that Muslims are ready to talk openly about spiritual things.
- Use the 99 Names and Matthew 123.
When the timing seems right, ask a Muslim to tell you about the 99 names that they have for God. Listen and ask questions about what the names mean. Then say that you have a special name for God found in Matthew 1:23 and explain the name ‘Immanuel’. Make it personal and share how Immanuel means ‘God with me’ – share your testimony explaining the Gospel as you do so.
- Use the “I Am” statements in John’s Gospel.
A key to sharing the Gospel is explaining who Jesus is. In the Gospel of John there are a number of passages where Jesus says “I am” and then goes on to explain who he is. Use these passages to help a Muslim understand who Jesus is.
Dr. Dean Sieberhagen serves as Associate Professor of Missions and Islamic Studies and Director of the Master's in Islamic Studies Program in the Roy Fish School of Evangelism and Missions at Southwestern Seminary. He is married to Sandra and they have four sons: Thomas, Jonathan, Daniel, and Christopher.