Resources >Engaging Muslims> Engaging as groups > Inviting Muslims to church

Inviting Muslims to Church

Colin (Ted) Bearup

This concise booklet is based on real life experience of running guest services for Muslim friends in a pre-dominantly White-British church.

It discusses practical questions and the issues that arose among church members. As well as explaining the rationale, it gives two message outlines that have been used.

The booklet makes mention of another series which was used in the same church and refers to this webpage for more details. See “Inviting Muslims to Church Supplement”.

 The booklet is available here

Inviting Muslims to Church Supplement

Message Series Outlines

The Pillars of Islam series below is one that we have already used.

It is followed by some suggestions of other possible series that might be useful.

The Pillars of Islam

Background

Islam is often summarised under the headings of belief and the practice. The practices are often referred to as the five pillars. They are confession of faith, prayer, fasting, obligatory giving and pilgrimage. All of these have easily recognisable parallels in Christianity, even if we do not give much thought to pilgrimage these days. These parallels are not surprising. Initially Islam did not see itself a new religion but rather an updated and improved version of the religions that went before. Practices of this sort were highly visible manifestations of religious observance.

However, the object is not to conduct a history lesson but to speak Gospel truth within the conceptual framework that Muslims are familiar with and also to enable our church members to do the same. The Pillars shape what Muslims expect to find in other religions and inspire the questions they tend to ask of Christians. “How many times do you pray? When do you fast?” And so on.

Speaking about something as familiar as the Pillars gives Muslim a good reason to attend Christian worship with a friend. The basis of invitation is credible.  Addressing the Pillars enables the speaker to address the congregation about familiar themes from an unfamiliar angle, a useful exercise in itself. Rightly understood, all of our practices stem from the Good News we have in Christ.

 Although the Pillars refer to religious practices that are essentially familiar to us, Muslims give them unfamiliar Arabic labels, their own technical jargon. Using these terms in the invitations signals strongly that we are serious about communicating with Muslims.

The outlines below are ones which I have used. These are not the only possible ways of addressing the Pillars and on another occasion I might do it differently.

Expected length 30 minutes

Pillar Series 1: Shahada – the confession of faith

1. Explaining the meaning of shahada for our regulars.

It is a super-short creed. There is no God but God and Muhammad is his messenger.

All of Islam stems from this statement. It is recited in many different circumstances. It is used in worship, affirms their keys truths and marks boundaries.  If you say it you are Muslim. If you don’t you are not.

2. Is there a Christian shahada?

Display the typical fish sign. What does it signify? Supply the Greek. Supply its meaning and historical use.

The original Christian Shahada is found in scripture.

Read (and display) Philippians 2: 9-11 with “Jesus Christ is Lord” highlighted. Also, Romans 1:3-4 highlighting “Jesus Christ our Lord”. Then Romans 10: 9-10. Note the combination of believing and confessing that Jesus is Lord. 1 Cor 12:3.

3. Spelling out our original shahada

Jesus: flesh and blood man, born in Bethlehem, raised in Nazareth, son of virgin Mary

Christ: Messiah. (In Islam ‘al-Masih’ is known but not understood, a name not a title.) Explain what the title means.

The anointed one, God’s chosen ruler and saviour

The one promised and foretold through the prophets.

Is: present not past.

He is alive and active.

Present by his spirit.

He died and was raised. Death is behind him.

Lord: an ambiguous word then and now.

In today’s English ‘lord’ could signify a judge, a peer of the realm or God.

Back then, in Greek – sir, master, king, God.

The Phil 2:9-11 makes the meaning here plain: higher than every authority visible and invisible, the truly anointed one.

4. Implications and response.

Bring Phil 2:9-11 back to screen highlighting “every knee should bow, every tongue confess.”

 

Pillar Series 2: Namaz (Salaat) - Prayer

Note.

Namaz is the word that most of the Muslim world uses for the required prayers. It is derived from Persian. In the Arab and African worlds, the more correct Arabic word is used, sala or salaat.

1. The key elements of prayer in Islam

Timing, Direction, Posture, washing, Words = all prescribed, a pattern to be learned.

I used some standard images of the washing and the posture for the benefit of the church.

2. Christians speak of five types of prayer

Worship – acknowledging God

Thanksgiving expressing gratitude

Confession – admitting failings

Petition asking for one’s self

Intercession – asking for others.

In popular Christian usage, we tend to think of prayer as being primarily referring to the last two types, while not denying the others. Muslims tend to think primarily of the first type, worship. The set prayers are fundamentally an act of submission as an expression of worship. Muslims do also practise petition and intercession, but these are less prominent. Some also worship using devotional music.

Aside: Ask your Muslim friends what prayer means to them. Many will answer in terms of “Islam teaches …” but persevere and invite them to speak of their experience.

3. Jesus on prayer

Matthew 6:6-13

Read through and then review with comments.

Matt 6:5-6 Not like the hypocrites.

This is one reason our Muslims friends do not usually see us praying

Matt 6:7-8 Not like the pagans.

The power is not in the words, but in the hearer. Both Muslim and Christian groups sometimes act as if repeating certain words has more power with God, but Jesus warns against.

Matt 6:9-14 Pray in this way.

This is our core prayer taught by Jesus himself.

Note, first part is an expression of worship and submission.

Petition/intercession – about us, not just me.

 

4. Transition: The how of prayer.

It is said that everybody prays at some point, even atheists.

How you pray depends on the relationship you believe you have with God.

Four self-understandings

Unbelievers – hearts hostile to God – they demand, plead, bargain with God, then forget.

                So do weak believers.

Judaism – members of the chosen people – speak with liberty – but this status is not one we can choose.

Islam – slave of almighty God. Muslims see this as the truth about humankind. God is master, we are willing and obedient slaves. Therefore, they carefully follow detailed instructions. [Cf Luke 17:10?]

Christian self-understanding

Dependent child of loving father.

Implications of fatherhood – we can count on him, we have his attentions favour to be expected, times not fixed, words not scripted. We also have obligations.

5. How do we dare claim to be children of God? (greatness of almighty God)

John 1:12 and 13

(Provide a testimony of God’s kindness and personal involvement)

6. Questions & Conclusion

How do you see yourself before God? Which if these? Enemy, chosen, slave, child

We all need truth

As Christians, do we fully embrace what we have?

Do we commend it to others?

 

Pillar Series 3 Sawn/Fasting

This message intentionally uses a lot of scriptures, displayed on screen, mainly self-explanatory, making clear where our teaching comes from.

1. Fasting in Islam [for benefit of church and for contrast)

Best known – Ramadan, the month of fasting

Dates change on our calendar

Duration 29/30 days

Abstaining from food, drink, smoking, etc

Limited to daylight hours only.

An obligation to God, non-negotiable.

Not fasting has consequences (penalties)

Other fasting days to mention in passing:

Ashura 2 days, other optional days. For some traditions, Mondays and Thursdays.

Certain days fasting forbidden.

NB All Islamic fasting follows same pattern- always through daylight hours and abstaining from both food and drink.

Purpose of fasting in Islam. Some well-known sayings [the first is from the Quran the other two from the Hadith literature quoting Muhammad. Since I don’t want a discussion of sources, I don’t mention them.]

“Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become righteous.” [Quran 2:183, but I don’t highlight the source]

“Fasting is a shield against hellfire.”

“Whoever spends the month of Ramadan in complete faith and self-rectification, his previous sins will be forgiven.” 

2. [Instruction to Christians]. Ask your Muslim friends about it.

When you ask your Muslim friends what fasting means to them, many will answer in terms of “Islam teaches …” but persevere and invite them to speak of their experience.

Be ready to speak of your own experience.

3. Jesus on Fasting

Aside – why Jesus on fasting rather than Bible?

Jesus not just one of many voices.

He is the saviour and Lord sent by God, bringer of the forgiveness that all seek.

He came for all peoples.

Jesus on fasting

Read Mat 6:16-18

Note “when you fast” written twice.  Jesus expected his people to fast. When? Matthew 9:14-15.

Return to Mat 6:16-18 highlight instructions – in secret – not obvious to others. Expected, not commanded. Purpose: draw near to God.

Mat 4:2 – Jesus fasted day and night from food (then he was hungry) a standard pattern for Christians. Jesus never commanded specific times to fast. We fast in response to his general instruction.

Did Jesus teach that fasting wipes away sin?

Read: Luke 18:9-14 the man who fasted and was not forgiven.

Fasting is a hardship. What does it achieve? Does the hardship of fasting wipe away sin?

1 Peter 3:18 Jesus suffered for us. This wipes away sin.

John 1:29 The Lamb of God for the sins of the world

Jesus on fasting summary

Expected his people to fast.

Never commanded fasting

Fasting not defined by set of laws.

Fasting does not wipe away sin – that is the work of Christ.

4. Conclusion

Comparison

Islam                                                                 Christian

Commanded                                                 Expected

Defined by laws                                           Not defined by laws

Often public                                                   Usually private

May wipe away sins                                   Does not wipe away sins.

 

Let is understand and respect each other.

Fasting is important and valuable discipline - practice it well.

Fast for God not for others.

Our No. 1 priority must be to be right with God.

 

Pillar Series 4: Zakat - Giving

Introduction: We will do this in four parts.

1. Zakat and giving in Islam

,               2. Tithing and giving for the Jews

                3. Tithing and giving in the way of Christ

                4. Responding to God the giver. 

Zakat: one of the Pillars – a non-negotiable obligation

Zakat is the obligation to give 2.5% of savings or surplus wealth once a year.

Applied to those that have wealth.

A matter of obedience, not generosity.

Rules govern who can and cannot be given to.

Zakat is often handled by governments.

Basis of zakat – All wealth is from God; Zakat belongs to God.

Rewards and punishments in this world and the next.

Zakat comes from word to purify – it purifies wealth.

Giving in Islam

Generosity & kindness commended, especially to the very poor.

Many promises of rewards for those who give generously. Applies to all, not just wealthy.

 

Tithing (Law of Moses)

The tithe – obligatory giving, 10% of produce, crops and livestock

The tithe belongs to God - Leviticus 27:30

Where does it go? Deuteronomy 14:28

Tithes – freely given, not enforced

Basis = all wealth is from God, the tithe belongs to God.

Rewards and consequences in this world only.

Malachi 3:8-10

Tithes and also offerings  e.g. Prov 19:17

3. Christian tithing

Not a tribe of Israel

Not under law of Moses

We tithe out of faith not because of law, not because we must but because we believe we can

“Put me to the test”

Jesus on giving (Mat 5:42-47) (Giving like God to the undeserving)

Be ready to give even to undeserving

                Why should we?

                God does!

4. God the giver

Sun and rain, life and health, ability to earn, success, plus much more.

Jesus said freely you have received freely give. Mat 10:8

He has given us so much more - Romans 6:23.

I don’t want to know how much you give. I want to know if you have received the gift God wants you to receive through Christ.

Mercy and Grace

                                Mercy not getting the punishment you do deserve

                                Grace getting the kindness and favour that we do not deserve.

Let us all make sure that we do not miss the grace of God.

 

Pillar Series 5. Hajj-Pilgrimage.

1. Introduction: The fifth Pillar – the Hajj.

1.What it is.

An obligation on every Muslim who has the means to visit Mecca in Saudi Arabia at a specific time of year and perform the set of rituals at least once in a life time.

Use images to give impressions of scale and grandeur (easily found online) – a huge event in life of Muslims.

2. Two key elements (anthropology helps us here)

A. Liminality – stepping out of normal life and into a special environment for a time. Even clothing changed. (Images re clothing)

B. Remembrance through re-enactment.

A+B = Seeking an experience of the holy.

3. Christian Pilgrimage

Never commanded in scripture.

Rather – pilgrim lifestyle commanded. (Display: 2 Peter 2:11, Mat 7:13-14, Colossians 3:1-2)

Middle ages – pilgrimage widely practised, always as something beneficial to believer rather than required by God.

Jerusalem, Rome, Canterbury, Many local sites in UK.

Protestant mistrust of pilgrimages

No place on earth truly holy

People defile holy places by what they do.

                Images of Jerusalem (Dome + churches + wailing wall)

Jeremiah 17:9-10

4. Some uncomfortable truths

No journey can purify the heart

No human effort can purify the heart

No ritual can purify the heart.

Only God can do that.

Remembrance through re-enactment.

What Christians are commanded to do? 1 Cor 11:23-26 (in stages)

Not just about us who have believed - Rev 5:9.

As Christians we affirm

·         That all need forgiveness from God

·         We all need our hearts cleansed

·         That God intervened in Christ to bring forgiveness and renewal of heart to all who will believe

·         That we are all commanded to remember and to live as pilgrims in this world.

 

Other Possible Series

1. The Six Beliefs

Islam has set of beliefs, each of which is a heading rather than a credal statement.

Muslims are required to believe in the Oneness of God, His angels, His books, His messengers the prophets, the Last day and the sovereignty of God.

That these headings might provide the basis for series is obvious. The challenge would be to keep it instructive to the church and constructive for the Muslim guests.

2. The Prophets

Muslims are taught to revere all the prophets. A range of Biblical characters are named as prophets in the Quran, but apart from Joseph, Abraham and Moses, they tend to have little knowledge of their stories. Muslims often assume that we know nothing of the prophets, that we only follow 1. Jesus. Messages telling the stories of individual prophets, what they teach us today and how they point to Christ should work very well. Those with the most potential would be Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Jonah and John the Baptist. The prophets who are unknown to Muslims, such as Daniel, Jeremiah and Isaiah may offer plenty of material but they have no power to attract.

3. The Miracles of Jesus

While Muslims speak readily of Jesus being only a prophet, they are also quick to affirm that he performed great miracles. They are not however acquainted with the stories or their significance. Surprising as it may seem, a series on the miracles of Jesus could be received as something appropriate for Muslims to attend. It would have to be sensitively presented in order to keep them involved. The Evangelists used the accounts to demonstrate that Jesus is the saviour sent by God without getting into confrontational credal language or necessarily tying every episode into the Cross.