Discovery Tools

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his son..." Hebrews 1:1&2a

I love tools. When it comes to 'tools' for evangelism and discipleship, the western church has a variety to choose from.

Discovery Bible Studies(click) How much better can it get than actually studying the Bible? The format can be used by anyone who can read. The focus is on finding a "person of peace"--someone who has some spiritual interest, is hospitable and willing to invite his friends in for a Bible study. New study cells can grow out of this group.

The suggested template is to divide a piece of paper into 3 columns. The first column focuses on a particular portion of scripture and 'what does it say', the 2nd on retelling the story in your own words and 'what does it mean' and the third, the application and 'what will I do about it'.

A similar approach with an audio track for many passages and study questions can be found in the Discover the Bible series(click). An expanded version is https://discoverapp.org/

Al Massira(click) is a well-done course that consists of 12 Video lessons. It's filmed in the Middle East, often at the original biblical sites and takes the viewer chronologically through the Bible. The script and the acting were mostly done by Mbb's. The soap opera style with humor resonate well with Arab people. The suggested plan is for a group to have dinner followed by a video that runs for about 45 minutes.

The material goes into great detail. My friends say that it works best for people who are relatively educated, are interested in faith in Jesus or have started to follow Jesus. The audio track in Arabic with subtitles in other languages may limit its acceptance and effectiveness with non-Arab Muslims. 

"A few of us have used it in small groups - some educated Iranians. But most others have used it with individuals - Iraqis, Lebanese and Somalis....", says my friend in Australia.

The Alpha Program(click) has been around for a while but may be a possibility for westernized Muslims or the ones done with Islam. A friend like this part of an on-line group study recently prayed 'the sinner's prayer' after one of the early lessons. PTL. Similar possibilities exist for going through the Jesus film(click) together.

My suggestions:
1. Most people who come to faith have had a Christian befriending them first. Build genuine friendships with Muslims first before pursuing a Bible study.
2. You may want to shorten the plan for an Al Massira lesson as my Aussie friend has done.
3. From my experience with 'Discovery Bible studies' with a group of Muslim couples, its better to study one-on-one. Individuals will be more open than in a group.
4. For experienced Bible teachers not content with 'everyone's answer is ok' in Discovery Bible studies, I suggest a more in-depth follow-up series listed on the website or using your own.

As good as these are, we must remember that our primary focus is on Muslims, not the Method. While God has set apart dear brothers and sisters to develop these materials, ultimately we are to focus on the heart of the Muslim.

Evangelism and Discipleship has been reclaimed for the lay person! Enjoy your study with Muslim friends!

Thank-you Lord for these resources. Holy Spirit, illumine and speak to those who study your word. Amen.

Ministering from Isolation

"...I pray to God that both you(King Agrippa) and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains." Acts 26:29.

While waiting for a trial in Caesar's court, Paul was confined to house arrest but bound to a soldier 24/7. He had freedom to receive guests. It was definitely a unique stage of his life and ministry. Paul may be in chains but the gospel runs free.

Precious gifts to the church for all ages were penned in imprisonment. Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians and Philemon were written while incarcerated. He addressed specific needs of the first century church. He appealed to Philemon to receive Onesimus back as if he'd receive Paul. His ministry was amazingly effective in lockdown!

So, how do we respond to this new challenge--the limitations caused by this pandemic? First I need to come to grips with the new normal.

1. When I've done all I can to protect myself(and others) physically, I rest in God's care?

2. Do I put my trust in my nest-egg or do I trust God?

3. When is enough of watching news and getting pulled down into feeling despair?

Many have asked, "Is ministry still going on?" Oh yes, in fact in some ways it has been enhanced. Our ministry has basically been with individuals and family units. We've tracked with many of them for years. Contact with our friends has been made eaiser since most of our Muslim friends are isolating at home. They have time on their hands. Many are also afraid, what does this mean and what is the future? It is a tender time.

We thank God for the gift of media right now. We've made numerous Zoom and WhatsApp calls to our friends. It has been neat to connect with people who have moved away. We've been warmly received! Some have confided in us their fears and worries. We are able to speak into their needs right now and pray for quite a few of them over Zoom or WhatsApp. It's a first for our Muslims to experience something like this. They are good sports and hold their hands up as if we are there in person.

We ask many of them if they have any needs. Some ask us the same thing since we are older than they are and they want to care for us too. A mom with 6 kids whose husband is stranded overseas and will be for some time asked if we knew of anyone who has a freezer for sale. It's not advisable to buy a freezer and pick it up from a stranger's home. So we felt the Lord was directing us to order a freezer on-line and have it delivered to their door. Our prayer partners have been generous in sending in extra funds for things like this. It was a long wait but they were soooo grateful once it arrived. Now the mom can stock up on some extra foods and make fewer trips to the grocery store. It spoke of our care for them.

Dear Lord, we see a very shaken world around us. Thank-you for the peace you bring to those who receive our prayers in Jesus name. Speak to our Muslim friends during this Ramadan that there is a bigger virus than Corona called sin that gets inside our minds and hearts. Give them a desire for the cure through Jesus alone. Amen.

 

Ramadan Compassion

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like a sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36

Many of our Muslim friends have been informing us "Our month of fasting starts this week." The rhythm of the Islamic year is very important to them. One of my friends in the ESL class I help out in was trying to explain about the month of fasting when the teacher asked, "Why do you fast?" "It's  the month when we fast because of our sins. You know...the small sins. Not the big sins like murder or anything." It will be a different Ramadan this year because of the effects of Covid-19. Shopping at 'halal' meat store is more subdued with social distancing. There won't be any pot-lucks at the mosque or evening prayer times. And there won't be the solidarity we've seen in other years.

Whether we minister abroad or in the homeland, godly attitudes will be challenged by the apparent disconnect between religious duties and real life. Right now with encouragement to stay at home while collecting government benefits, fasting will be considerably easier with being able to take it easy during the day. On the other hand there will be fewer Iftar parties of breaking the fast together with friends. But to a committed Muslim it's about obeying what he believes God has commanded them to do. This is one of the five pillars(practices) of Islam that is their only hope of gaining entrance to heaven and receiving blessing from God. Muslims are not encouraged to think about 'why'. In Islam, God is the master, adherents are his servants. They can only hope by following Ramadan rules, the 'religious scales' will be tipped in their favor.

If we become sarcastic and disgusted, we will lose ground with Muslims. While I may see blindness or hypocrisy, I can't allow this thought to dominate. Much of the bridge building we've done could be wiped out if we make hurtful remarks. Many of my Muslim friends are sincere about fasting. Nominal Muslims enjoy the festivities of breaking the fast too. Muslims are somehow locked into this legalistic system imposed on them or what they have chosen. If they want to be part of their community's social life, they have to go along with fasting.

This year my I shared the '30 Days of Prayer For the Muslim World' booklets with churches and many individuals. An attitude of prayer is important to maintain compassion for Muslims. We want to pray in faith that God will stir the hearts of Muslims to see that only through Jesus can one be reconciled with God.

During this month, we mostly wait for Muslims who are consumed with Ramadan to return to normal life again! Their schedules are often totally thrown off by a late evening meal and an early morning start. Some Muslims isolate from non-Muslims. Now it's doubly so with physical distancing guidelines creating another barrier.

Anyone who follows Jesus is totally excluded from these social events and if in Muslim majority countries severely persecuted. Can you imagine how a new believer feels? I like to call my Muslim background believer friends to assure them we are thinking of them and praying for them. If possible, we also visit them to give them a sense of their new 'Ummah'(Christian community).

Lord Jesus, help me to connect with my Muslim friends behind closed doors during Ramadan this year. Renew my compassion and love for Muslims. Amen.

April 24th is the first day of Ramadan 2020. See Praying for the Muslim world (click) for a daily prayer guide.