What’s the difference between New Testament Gospel of Jesus and Islam?
1. In Islamic teaching, Jesus didn’t die for your sins on the cross and you are not reconciled to God. (Sura 4:157)
2. In Islamic teaching, you need to work off your sins through religious activity. (Sura 23:101-104)
a. In heaven, there are scales where the god of Islam is measuring your good deeds against your bad deeds. (Sura 23:101-104)
What are the 5 pillars of Islam?
I. Repetition of the creed of Islam.
II. Giving of alms.
III. Praying 5 times a day toward Mecca.
IV. Fasting during Ramadan.
V. Pilgrimage to Mecca.
3. In Islamic teaching, the way you are promised heaven is if you die for Allah. (Sura 9:111)
4. In Islamic teaching, you are promised a pardon of your sins by dying for Allah. (Sura 3:157)
5. In the N.T. Gospel of Jesus, you are promised a pardon for your sins by God coming to earth and dying for your sins on the cross.
6. The Islamic religion doesn’t add to the Gospel of Jesus, but eliminates it. (Sura 4:157)
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Read Genesis 6:1-6; Romans 4:1-9. According to the Scriptures, how did Abraham gain righteousness in the sight of God? How do we as followers of Jesus gain righteousness in the sight of God?
2. What would you say is the difference between a wage and a gift? What makes a gift special?
3. What do you learn about faith from Abraham’s example in Romans 4:18-22?
4. How would you sum up the Gospel from Romans 4:23-25; Galatians 3:26-29?
5. What do you think are the main differences between Islam and Christianity?
6. How do you think these affect a person’s life in practical ways?
7. Based on what you have learned about Islam, do you find that you have more compassion for those born into this faith? Why or why not?
8. After Sunday’s message, do you feel better equipped in sharing the Gospel of Jesus with a Muslim and explaining the difference in our beliefs? Why or why not?
9. Given the chance to witness to a Muslim, what would you share about Jesus that would show them the peace and assurance of heaven that only comes through Him?
Prayer:
Close your group with prayer asking God to help us truly understand the Gospel and that we handle it accurately in the world that we live in.
Taking it Home:
Read and study Romans 4 this week. Consider reading the books “Son of Hamas” and “Searching for Allah,