Is giving Bibles to Muslim refugees a good way to evangelise?
Is giving Bibles to Muslim refugees a good way to evangelise?
Alice asked us about the merits of distributing Bibles to Muslim refugees:
I have heard that giving bibles to Muslim refugees is a good way to evangelise. Do you think so?
OUR RESPONSE
Thanks to the help of some specialists on The City (have you joined yet?), we can relay the following advice.
Be appropriate
I would never give a whole Bible to a Muslim I didn’t know. I might give a New Testament in an appropriate language, but I would certainly give a gospel – probably Luke, because it starts with the birth narrative. Everyone loves a story. The gospels are brilliant stories, so different from the Qur’an. If you give a gospel to a Muslim he will probably read it cover to cover in one sitting, then there is so much to discuss.
The Gospel of Luke alone is the most powerful tool to use for a Muslim mind to digest.
Muslims are led to believe that Bible has been corrupted. So, if you give Bibles to Muslim refugees the first time you meet them, they may take it from you but chances are they are not going to read it. I think it’s very important to make friends first, get them thirsty, and then offer the Bible.
It’s all about putting time and effort into developing close friendships. The question is, do believers have the passion to do this, or do they just simply give a Bible and hope for the best?
Be specific
God can speak through his word! But even better would be someone engaging with them and the bible.
At least give a suggested list of bits to read (Creation to Christ perhaps) and questions to think about when reading.
Best of all, a recommendation of somewhere to go with questions.
Be discrete
Giving out Bibles to all like sweets is probably not a good idea.
It is certainly helpful to have them available and visible so that they can be picked up should someone be curious or interested.
We have a range of Bibles out on a shelf in our community cafe and sometimes one or two disappear. We pray they are being read.
When someone asks for a Bible an offer to read it with them may be seen as awelcome invitation.
Be relevant
Ensure that the Bible is in the appropriate languages. If not, then they need to be - it is a must, if someone is to be able to read the word and understand it.