Über die Autorinnen und Autoren

Carl Medearis is an international expert in the field of Arab-American and Muslim-Christian relations and author of the acclaimed book, Muslims, Christians and Jesus.

Stephen and Amanda Sorenson are founders of Sorenson Communications and have co-written many small group curriculum guidebooks, including the entire Faith Lessons series.

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Muslims, Christians, and Jesus

Zondervan

Contents

Introduction......................................................................7How to Use This Guide.............................................................9SESSION 1 What Is Islam?: Exploring our Fears and Stereotypes.....................11SESSION 2 Understanding What Muslims Believe......................................27SESSION 3 Jesus: the Bridge to Muslims............................................49SESSION 4 Building Bridges through Relationship...................................67Appendix: What the Qur'an Says about Jesus........................................87

Chapter One

What Is Islam?: Exploring our Fears and Stereotypes

How are those of us who follow Jesus supposed to relate to Muslims? This is not a question about differences between the religions of Christianity and Islam, nor is it about political distinctions between the Muslim world and the West. It is, rather, a question of the heart. How do we express an attitude of love and compassion toward people we don't understand? How do we reach out to people who follow an unfamiliar religion that most of us find intimidating? How do we deal with our fear and suspicion so that we might begin to build bridges that lead to Jesus, the Prince of Peace? MCJ

LET'S THINK ABOUT IT

(4 minutes)

The centuries-long history of conflict between Christianity and Islam has led to negative perceptions, fears, and emotionally charged interactions between people of both faiths today. Even the words we use to talk about these religions and their respective beliefs or practices can incite a spontaneous, powerful response.

? For example, what do you think and feel when you read or hear words such as: infidel, Crusades, Islam, jihad, Sharia, Christian?

? What do you think a Muslim might think and feel regarding these same words?

DVD OBSERVATIONS

(20 minutes)

As you watch the video segment for this session, use the following topics as a guide for taking notes.

Islam and Christianity: the roots of our fear

John 4:35—open your eyes to God's love for all people

to those who are hungry to hear the good news of Jesus

the language of the Qur'an

the voices of Islam—political violence vs. moderation

What message might Muslims be open to hearing?

DVD DISCUSSION

(9 minutes)

1. When the tensions that often exist between Christians and Muslims were explored in the video, what did you think and feel? Why?

2. In what ways have various influences (such as culture, news media, church teaching, your family, where you have lived, personal relationships, and your formal education) shaped your perceptions of Islam and Muslims?

To what extent have your perceptions affected your willingness to learn more about Islam and its followers?

3. When definitions of key words such as infidel, jihad, and Sharia were explained in the video, how did they compare to your understanding of those words and your view of Muslims?

4. What do you think it would be like to be a Muslim who lives, works, and raises a family in your community today?

If you were a Muslim living in your community, what might be your view of Americans? or Christians?

What might you fear?

5. What kind of relationship do you think Jesus wants his followers to have with Muslims?

GROUP BIBLE EXPLORATION

(18 minutes)

What Does Jesus See?

Jesus clearly viewed the world from a different perspective. While Jesus lived and taught on earth, his viewpoint and responses to what was happening in the world around him often surprised people. He reached out to bless little children instead of shooing them away. He challenged some of the closely held practices of the religious establishment. At times his teachings amazed his disciples, and at other times they struggled to understand his meaning.

1. Jesus' unique perspective is clearly seen in his encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1–42). Although Jews and Samaritans normally did not associate with one another, Jesus struck up a conversation with a Samaritan woman whom he knew was an adulterer. He spoke about spiritual matters with such conviction that she ran to gather other people from her village to come and see if he was the Christ!

a. After his conversation with the Samaritan woman, Jesus said to his disciples: "open your eyes and look at the fields! they are ripe for harvest. Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together" (John 4:35–36). What do you think Jesus was communicating to his disciples by making this statement, and how do you think they understood it?

b. Do you think Jesus' statement means that people today—including Muslims—are ready to receive the good news about Jesus? Why or why not?

2. What Jesus did next is truly amazing: "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, `He told me everything I ever did.' So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. they said to the woman, 'We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world'" (John 4:39–42).

a. How badly do you, as a follower of Jesus, want others to know that Jesus really is the Savior of the world? Would you set aside your schedule in order to stay with a person who was hungry to hear about Jesus?

b. What specific actions might followers of Jesus take in order to share who Jesus is with people of other faiths and "harvest" the fields that Jesus says are ripe?

c. What is holding you back from doing things such as sitting down with a Muslim and beginning a conversation about Jesus?

Jesus Does not Want Us to Be Afraid

When God calls his people to follow and obey him, fear is a natural response. We do not know what threats may be ahead of us. We do not know what will be required of us or how great the personal cost may be. But God is the God of salvation, not of fear, and throughout the Bible he promises to be with his people when they do his work.

3. When Joshua assumed leadership of Israel after Moses' death, God told him to "be strong and courageous ... for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go" (Joshua 1:1–9). When Jesus was in a boat with his disciples during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, he calmed the wind and the waves and asked his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" (Mark 4:40).

a. What effect do you think fear has on the ability of God's people to fulfill the work he wants to accomplish in the world?

b. to what...