WHEN AND HOW TO SHARE THE BIBLE WITH A MUSLIM
We’ve reached the third essential in our 5-part formula for effectively sharing your faith with a Muslim neighbor: offering a bible. This is one of the simplest ways to engage a Muslim that every Christian can do, but it can be hard to know when and where to start.
My years of experience in this area has taught me a few reasons why reading God’s word directly is so effective with Muslims. First, Muslims already believe God has revealed himself to humanity and their holy text, the Quran, references the Bible, leading to curiosity about what the Bible contains. One of our former iHOPE workshop attendees, Justin, approaches this essential in a very straightforward way, saying, “I’d love to give you a Bible. If that’s okay with you, would you prefer a book or a digital downloadable version?”
Justin found this to be a very quick and easy way to determine whose heart God had already begun preparing to receive this truth (another reason why this is an effective step—check out this blog post for more information). Justin shared the bible with one Muslim refugee, Saeed, a Muslim refugee who practiced English with Justin. Saeed accepted and would call Justin periodically with a question, but most of the time he read the Bible on his own. The more Saeed read the Bible, the more he believed the authenticity of the Bible as the true Word of the true God. Two years after receiving the Bible from Justin, Saeed accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior and he is now in ministry sharing Christ with Muslims.
Justin’s small step of faith became very fruitful indeed! Why is that? We can recognize specific places within scripture that answers this question:
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow…” Hebrews [4:12] (NIV).
Only the Word of God is able to penetrate the soul and spirit of someone who needs truth—it is far more effective than human words or reasoning. Here’s another one:
“It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”Isaiah [55:11] (New Living Translation).
The Word of God is guaranteed to bear fruit according to God’s will, whether that is to increase the desire of the Muslim to know more about Jesus, to lead them to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, or everything in between. Even in the first few verses of the Bible, we understand how infinitely powerful God’s word is. In Genesis 1:3 and the following verses, God spoke (“And God said…”) and everything was created.
When Saeed came to understand the truth and depth of the Bible, he sought the earliest opportunity to plant God’s word, the Bible, with Muslims around him.
Where should you start?
Christians often ask me where in the Bible (what section, book, verse) to begin with a Muslim. I’ve found an endless number of starting points that have been fruitful. I’ve found God to be the perfect guide to lead the Muslim He is drawing into the section of the Bible best suited for that individual. I’ve found it best to simply give the Bible and get out of the way!
Take 3 small steps
- Use Justin’s statement above as an example to create one that’s a fit for you to offer a Muslim a Bible.
- Be informed about online Bibles you can offer for a Muslim to download. One of the best ones I use is bible.is (they have online text, audio, and dramatized Bibles available in hundreds of languages). Download the free app and get familiar with it.
- Pray that God will lead you to a Muslim that will accept a Bible from you.
In six years, Justin offered Bibles to countless Muslims and over 100 Muslims accepted! Eighteen of them so far have accepted Christ. I’ve personally seen 550 Muslims I’ve shared the Bible with eventually accept Jesus. iHOPE Ministries workshop alumni have now given Bibles to over 20,000 Muslims, and so far, around 1,400 of them accepted Jesus. I’m honored to serve alongside Justin and his fellow iHOPE alumni and watch God’s Word take root!
Notes:
- When offering a Bible to a Muslim, it’s only appropriate to do so with a member of the same gender (male with male, female with female), or with a family when both genders are present.
- Saeed, like many other Muslims, reads the Bible in English and in his birth language. This typically helps the international Muslims learn or improve their English while getting to know God’s word.
