Leader’s Notes
 Session Two

Suggestions for using this video:
  1. Begin your time with prayer. Ask participants if they can remember any of the pillars of Islam, and then write all six pillars on the chalkboard.

  2. Give each participant a copy of the handout "Outline/Notes" for session two. Encourage them to take notes during the video. Promise to review this handout as a group after watching the video.

  3. Show video session two (If possible, watch the video in advance.)

  4. Immediately following the video ask:
  1. What are your impressions after watching this video?
  1. Using the key below review the outline/notes. If possible, take time for discussion as you review the correct responses.

  2. Encourage personal sharing with the following:
  1. "Let’s brainstorm how you or your community can build bridges to Muslims"
  2. "What do you think are the biggest barriers to Christians actually building bridges with Muslims?"
  1. Discuss some "Follow-Up Suggestions" (see resource packet). Offer to give copies of "10 Practical Ideas" and "Selected Resources" to anyone who would like them. Close with prayer.

Pillars of Islam:

  1. Confession of faith

  2. Prayer – 5 times a day

  3. Alms-giving

  4. Ramadan

  5. Pilgrimage (Hajj)
    (Sometimes 6): Jihad
Core Beliefs of Islam:
  1. God
  2. Angels
  3. Books of God
  4. Prophets
  5. The Last Day
  6. Predestination

Some Key Differences in our Concepts of God:
  1. In Christianity we see God through the lens of the life of Jesus.
  2. In Christianity God feels the pain of human sin and Jesus reveals God’s self.
  3. In Islam God is not thought of as one who suffers.
  4. In Islam God’s gift to humanity is the revelation of God’s Will (Not God’s self).

Books of God:
  1. The Qur’an refers to Jews and Christians as people of the book.
  2. There is no charge in the Qur’an that the texts of the earlier books have been changed.

Muhammad:
  1. Muhammad is called the seal of the prophets.
  2. Muhammad is not worshipped, he was only a man, but he is a model of the Godly life.

Jesus in The Qur’an: (Check off the titles or actions of Jesus included in The Qur’an.)

X
Born of Virgin Mary
X
Messiah
  
Son of God
X
Performed Miracles
X
Spirit from God
  
Died on the Cross
X
Prophet
X
Word of God
  • Very often what the Qur’an rejects is not orthodox Christian teaching, but rather some distortion.
  • The Qur’an claims that God does not have a son. It could be that what the Qur’an is rejecting is a very physical kind of sonship, implying sexual procreation, birth, etc.
  • Most Muslims believe that Christians worship three gods.
  • It fits Quranic logic that God would not allow his beloved messenger to undergo crucifixion, but would rather rescue him.

Summary:
  • The pillars of Islam are good spiritual discipline.
  • The core beliefs are very close to a simple expression of Christian faith, with one key difference: the role of Jesus.

Bridges:
  • People with different God-given gifts will build different kinds of bridges.
  • A common dimension for all of us is friendship with Muslims backed up by prayer.