Defending the Christian Faith in Conversation with Islam — Unit 12: Ministering to Muslims and Caring for Converts

Key Verse

"Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one." (Colossians 4:5-6, NKJV)

Learning Objectives

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

1. Explain why friendship, hospitality and patience are the normal setting for sharing the gospel with Muslims.

2. Describe practical ways to read the Bible together with a Muslim friend and to answer questions with gentleness.

3. Identify the costs and dangers that a Muslim who turns to Christ may face, and respond wisely to them.

4. Outline a plan for discipling, protecting and receiving converts into the life of the church.

5. Prepare a simple plan to equip your own congregation, using what you have learned in this whole course.

From Answers to People

For eleven units we have studied arguments. We have looked at the origins of Islam, the Qur'an and the hadith, the identity of Jesus, the Trinity, the cross, the resurrection, the claim that the Bible has been corrupted, the reliability of the New Testament, common objections, and the realities of Islam in Africa. All of this matters. A pastor must be able to "give a defense" for the hope that is in him (1 Peter 3:15). But arguments are not the goal. The goal is that real people, made in the image of God and loved by Him, come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Muslims are not projects or opponents. They are neighbours, coworkers, classmates, shopkeepers and sometimes members of our own families. Most Muslims who come to faith in Christ do not do so because they lost a single debate. They come because a Christian loved them, prayed for them, opened the Scriptures with them, and stayed with them over months or years. Sound evidence clears away obstacles; love and the work of the Holy Spirit open the heart.

This final unit is therefore practical. It asks three questions. How do we minister to Muslims in daily life? How do we care for those who turn to Christ, often at great cost? And how do we equip our congregations so that this ministry does not rest on the pastor alone?

The Mission Is to Persuade, Not to Compel

Our first task is not to defeat Islam as an idea. It is to bear truthful witness to Christ before real people. Jesus taught, answered questions, loved His enemies and left the results to God. He told His disciples to make disciples by baptizing and teaching (Matthew 28:19-20). So the church has no command to force faith on unwilling people by military power, threats or public shame. Where Christians in history used force in matters of faith, we must admit it as a failure to follow the Lord's example, not a method to repeat.

As we saw in Unit 4, Christ's church advances against the gates of Hades (Matthew 16:18), but its weapons are the gospel, prayer, truth, sacrifice and love.

Students should finish this course knowing the difference between explaining their faith and winning an argument, between firm conviction and hostility, and between courage and recklessness. The strongest testimony joins a clear confession of who Jesus is with a life that shows His character.

Ministering to Muslims in Daily Life

Friendship Is the Normal Setting

The Lord Jesus ate with people whom others avoided (Luke 15:1-2). He spoke with a Samaritan woman at a well, crossing lines of religion, gender and history (John 4:7-26). Friendship gives the gospel a setting where it can be heard. A Muslim who knows that you care for him will listen to hard truths that he would reject from a stranger.

The story of Nabeel Qureshi, which we met in Unit 1, shows this. As a student at Old Dominion University he met David Wood, a Christian. Their friendship included years of honest and friendly debate. They disagreed strongly, but they remained friends. Within that friendship Qureshi examined the evidence for the crucifixion, the resurrection and the deity of Christ, and also the sources on Muhammad and the Qur'an. Truth was spoken inside a relationship of trust.

Friendship must be sincere. If we befriend a Muslim only to win an argument, he will sense it. We befriend him because God loves him and because we love him. We should be willing to remain his friend even if he never becomes a Christian.

Hospitality With Respect

Hospitality is highly valued in Muslim cultures, and it is also a Christian duty (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2). Inviting a Muslim into your home, or accepting his invitation, builds trust quickly. A few simple courtesies show respect:

• Serve food your guest can eat. Most Muslims do not eat pork or drink alcohol, and many eat only meat that is halal (permitted under Islamic law).

• Dress and behave modestly. In many communities it is wise for men to build friendships with men and women with women.

• Treat your Bible with visible respect. Muslims handle the Qur'an with great reverence, and a Bible left on the floor may suggest that Christians do not honour God's Word.

• Be aware of the Muslim calendar. During Ramadan, the month of fasting, avoid eating in front of a friend who is fasting, and consider inviting him to share the evening meal that breaks the fast.

• Accept invitations to family events when your conscience allows, such as weddings or the celebration at the end of Ramadan, while not taking part in acts of worship.

These are not compromises of the faith. They are the same kind of love that led Paul to become "all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Reading the Bible Together

The most powerful tool in ministry to Muslims is the Bible itself. Many Muslims have never read the Gospels, even though the Qur'an speaks of the Injil (Gospel) given to Jesus and tells Christians to judge by it (Qur'an 5:47, which we studied in Unit 8). This gives a natural opening: "Your book speaks of the Gospel. Would you like to read it with me?"

Some simple guidelines help:

• Begin with the Gospels, especially Luke or Matthew. A Muslim friend will recognise names such as Mary, Zechariah, John and Jesus.

• Read short passages and ask simple questions: What does this teach about God? What does it teach about people? What does Jesus say or do? What will I do with this?

• Let the text speak. Do not rush to argue. Questions that arise from the text itself are often the ones the Holy Spirit is using.

• Give your friend his own copy of a Gospel or New Testament in his heart language, if it is safe for him to keep it.

• Pray before and after reading, and ask whether he would like you to pray for any need in his life, in the name of Jesus.

Passages that often speak to Muslims include the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the healing of the paralysed man whose sins Jesus forgave (Mark 2:1-12), the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and the accounts of the cross and the empty tomb. Many Muslims long for assurance of God's love and forgiveness. The Gospels show a Father who runs to meet His returning son.

Answering With Gentleness

The questions you have studied in this course will come up: Is Jesus God? Was He really crucified? Has the Bible been changed? When they do, use the evidence you have learned, but remember Paul's words: "a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient" (2 Timothy 2:24). Our key verse adds that our speech should be "with grace, seasoned with salt."

The Qur'an itself says, "argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better" (Qur'an 29:46). Many Muslims will respect a Christian who is calm, informed and kind. Some practical habits:

• Listen first. Ask your friend what he believes and why. Describe his view fairly before you answer it.

• Answer the question that was asked. Do not unload everything you know.

• Admit when you do not know an answer. Promise to study and return to the subject.

• Keep the focus on Jesus Christ: who He is, what He did on the cross, and that He rose from the dead.

• Never mock Muhammad, the Qur'an or Muslim practices. You may say clearly that you disagree, and why, without insult.

• Share your own testimony. A personal account of how Christ has forgiven and changed you cannot be argued away.

Remember also that God is at work beyond our words. Qureshi prayed that God would show him the truth, and he described dreams that he believed God used in his journey. Many converts from Islam tell similar stories. We should not seek dreams for our friends, but we should pray, and we should be ready to open the Scriptures when God stirs someone's heart.

The Cost of Following Christ

When a Muslim begins to believe in Jesus, the Christian friend must be honest about the cost. The Lord Himself warned that following Him could divide families: "a man's enemies will be those of his own household" (Matthew 10:36). He also promised that those who leave family for His sake will receive far more in His family, "with persecutions" (Mark 10:29-30).

Why Leaving Islam Is So Costly

In Islam, faith, family and community are closely joined. To leave Islam is often seen not only as a change of belief but as a betrayal of one's parents and people. Many classical schools of Islamic law treated leaving Islam (apostasy, Arabic ridda) as a crime deserving death. Today many Muslims reject that teaching, and in most countries the state does not enforce it. But in some places laws against apostasy or blasphemy remain, and in many more places the strongest pressure comes from family and neighbours.

A convert may face some of the following:

• Being disowned by parents and relatives, or losing an inheritance.

• Loss of a job, a business or a place in school.

• Pressure to divorce, or the loss of contact with one's children.

• Threats, beatings or, in some places, the danger of death.

• Loneliness, because old friends withdraw and Christians may be slow to trust.

Qureshi's own story illustrates the emotional cost. He became a Christian around 2005, and the decision deeply wounded his relationship with his devoted Muslim family, whom he loved. His experience reminds us that even where there is no physical danger, the pain of a broken family can be very great.

Responding Wisely to Danger

The Lord told His disciples to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16). Wisdom does not deny Christ, but it does not invite needless danger either. A pastor helping a new believer should think carefully with him:

• Who already knows of his faith, and who needs to know? Some believers must tell their families soon; others need time to grow before they can bear the reaction.

• Is it safe for him to keep a Bible at home, or to be seen at church? In some settings, meeting in homes or in small groups may be wiser for a season.

• If he is threatened, where can he go? Churches should think ahead about safe places, trusted families and, where needed, lawful protection from the authorities.

• How can he honour his parents (Exodus 20:12) while remaining faithful to Christ? A convert who continues to show love, respect and help to his family gives a powerful witness.

Churches differ in how they handle the timing and setting of baptism for converts in dangerous places. Baptism is a visible confession of Christ, and it should never be treated lightly or denied. At the same time, leaders should pray, seek counsel and consider the believer's safety and maturity, rather than rushing anyone into a step he does not yet understand.

Above all, the Christian community must never respond to pressure with revenge. As we saw in Unit 11, we answer hostility with prayer, patience and good works (Romans 12:17-21). "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18).

Baptism: A Costly Confession of Allegiance

Dr. Cook has emphasized that baptism in the New Testament was not a harmless private formality. To confess Christ openly could bring rejection, loss of work, prison or worse. In many places today, a Muslim who comes to faith in Christ may still face serious social or legal danger. So the pastor's judgment matters greatly. Teach carefully, explain what it means to follow Christ openly, and take safety seriously. Baptism is a visible confession of allegiance to the crucified and risen Christ; in dangerous settings, its time, place and witnesses should be chosen with care. Never pressure a convert into an unsafe public display or a dramatic testimony for the sake of an audience.

Baptism announces union with Christ in His death and resurrection: "we were buried with Him through baptism into death," so that "we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4, NKJV). It is more than a ceremony of washing. It is a declaration of allegiance to the crucified and risen Saviour.

Teach baptism with joy and seriousness. Do not confuse wisdom with shame, or courage with needless exposure. The congregation should be ready to offer friendship, practical care and a lasting church family to converts who may lose other relationships. Discipleship is not a quick victory over another religion but a whole life of following Jesus.

Discipling and Receiving Converts

Receiving Them Into the Church

After Saul of Tarsus was converted, the disciples in Jerusalem "were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple" (Acts 9:26). Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and told how he had met the Lord (Acts 9:27). Converts from Islam often need a Barnabas.

Some caution is reasonable. In rare cases a person may pretend to be a convert in order to gain information or cause harm. But suspicion should not become rejection. The usual problem is not too much trust but too little welcome. A church can be wise by letting a mature leader walk closely with the new believer, getting to know him over time, while the whole congregation shows warmth and acceptance.

The church must become the convert's new family. If he has lost parents, brothers and friends, Christians should open their homes, share meals, celebrate holidays with him and stand with him in times of need. Where a convert has lost work, the church may help him find employment or learn a trade, while avoiding the kind of support that would make people suspect he was paid to convert.

Discipling in the Basics

A convert from Islam already believes in one God, in prophets, in judgment and in prayer. Yet he must now learn to understand these things in the light of Christ. Discipleship should be personal, patient and based on Scripture. A mature believer of the same sex should meet with him regularly. Important topics include:

• Assurance of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Many converts were taught that no one can be sure of paradise; they need to hear that Christ's finished work on the cross is enough (John 19:30; 1 John 5:13).

• Prayer to God as Father, in Jesus' name, from the heart and in one's own words, not only at fixed times and in set forms.

• The deity of Christ and the Trinity, reviewed slowly and with Scripture, since these were the very doctrines he was taught to reject (Units 4 and 5).

• The reliability of the Bible, so that he can read it with confidence (Units 8 and 9).

• Forgiveness toward those who oppose him, including his own family (Matthew 5:44).

• The spiritual battle, especially for those who come from folk Islam and once used charms or sought help from spirits (Unit 11). They should renounce these things and trust in Christ's victory (Colossians 2:15).

Helping Converts Grow and Serve

A convert should not be treated forever as a guest or a trophy. Avoid putting a new believer on a public stage too soon to tell his story; this can endanger him and feed pride. Instead, help him grow steadily, find his gifts and serve in the body of Christ. In time, many converts become the most effective witnesses to Muslims, because they understand both worlds and know the questions from the inside.

Equipping the Congregation

The Pastor Is Not Alone

The student who asked for this course wanted ministers able to equip their own congregations. Paul wrote that Christ gave pastors and teachers "for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry" (Ephesians 4:11-12). A pastor cannot befriend every Muslim in his town, but a trained congregation can reach many.

A Simple Plan for Your Church

Here is a pattern you can adapt to your setting:

• Pray first. Lead your church to pray regularly and by name for Muslim neighbours, without bitterness or fear.

• Teach the basics. Using this course, teach a series of lessons on what Muslims believe and on the core Christian answers: the deity of Christ, the Trinity, the cross, the resurrection and the reliability of the Bible.

• Train a small team. Choose mature, gentle believers who are willing to build friendships, read the Bible with Muslims and help care for converts.

• Practise conversations. Let members practise answering common questions, such as "Did Jesus say 'I am God'?" or "Hasn't the Bible been changed?", in a calm and respectful way.

• Prepare to receive converts. Agree as leaders on how you will welcome, protect and disciple those who turn to Christ, before the need arises.

• Model the right tone. Forbid mockery of Muslims in sermons and conversation. Speak truthfully about Islam, but always with grace.

Reviewing the Whole Course

This capstone unit gathers the whole course into one picture. You learned why pastors must understand Islam and how to stand with the gentleness of 1 Peter 3:15 (Unit 1). You studied the origins of Islam and the sources on Muhammad (Unit 2), and the Qur'an and hadith (Unit 3). You compared Isa in the Qur'an with Christ in the Gospels (Unit 4), and answered the charge of shirk, the sin of associating partners with God (Unit 5). You examined the evidence for the crucifixion (Unit 6) and the resurrection (Unit 7). You answered the claim of tahrif, the corruption of the Bible (Unit 8), and saw the strength of the New Testament manuscripts (Unit 9). You learned to answer common objections (Unit 10) and to understand folk Islam and outreach in Africa (Unit 11). Now you have learned how to carry all of this into friendship, hospitality and the care of new believers.

Summary

Arguments are important, but they serve a deeper goal: that Muslims come to know Jesus Christ. Friendship, hospitality and patience are the normal setting for this witness, as the story of Nabeel Qureshi and David Wood shows. Reading the Gospels together lets the Word of God speak, and gentle answers, given with grace, remove obstacles. Christians must be honest about the cost converts face, which may include rejection by family, loss of work and even danger to life, and must respond with wisdom rather than revenge. The church must receive converts as a new family, disciple them patiently in assurance, prayer and sound doctrine, and help them grow and serve. Finally, the pastor must equip the whole congregation to pray, to understand Islam, to answer questions and to welcome those who turn to Christ. Jesus is more than a prophet; He is the Christ, the Son of the living God, and those who confess Him must follow His character as well as His words. Baptism is a joyful and sometimes costly confession of allegiance to Christ; protect converts rather than pressuring them into unsafe publicity.

Questions for Reflection

1. Do you have a genuine friendship with a Muslim? If not, what first step could you take this month?

2. Which Gospel passage would you choose to read first with a Muslim friend, and why?

3. In your setting, what dangers would a Muslim face if he became a Christian, and how is your church prepared to help?

4. How could your congregation become a true family to a convert who has lost his own family?

5. What three steps from this unit will you take to equip your church for ministry among Muslims?

6. How can a congregation protect and disciple a new believer from a Muslim background while refusing to pressure him or to use any form of force?

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