As Christians we often worry about sharing our faith and the Jesus story with our Muslim neighbours and friends. Here are some simple things to think about that might help you connect with Muslim friends in your community or in the workplace.

1. Begin a journey of mutual discovery

Our Muslim friends are just that - friends who practice a different faith - they don’t represent the whole of Islam any more than we represent the whole of the Christian Church in all its variety and different expressions. So, treat everyone, Muslim or not, as an individual and listen; ask questions and don’t make assumptions about what the other person thinks or believes about any given subject. As they talk about their faith and we talk about ours we will begin a journey of mutual discovery that has the potential to lead to open and real conversations. 

2. Share your story

We want to share our faith because we believe Jesus changes lives and life! So share your own story - tell people what God is doing in your life and the difference walking with Jesus every day makes to you. We have something positive and life changing to share, so we don’t need to spend time being negative about other faiths; focus on talking about Jesus!   

3. Consider your attitude

If you do find yourself jumping to negative conclusions, ask yourself where those ideas have come from. We take information and influence from a whole variety of sources - our family, the wider culture in which we live, our education, our church, and the media to name a few.

We need to critically reflect on the sources of information that we take on board; we need to be prayerful about the attitudes we have developed and ask for forgiveness where it is needed. 

4. Embrace gentleness and respect

Lastly, 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us that we need to be ready to give a reason for our hope, but Peter also reminds us how to do it.

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

Sometimes conversations between Muslims and Christians can get a bit heated, but we are reminded that the way we say our words is important too and our conversation should be marked by gentleness and respect.

Words by Nicky Magahy.

To hear more about reaching out to Muslims, listen to another OM worker interviewed on Premier Radio. Alan Hallmart has lived in both Turkey and Egypt, having previously smuggled Bibles behind the Iron Curtain in Europe. He has worked among Muslims for over 40 years, and is now supporting church planting teams around the world.

Listen to Alan's Interview