Monday, April 13, 2009
Session 85:Islam
Here we are! We are entering the last unit of Fuel. This has been a great journey and learning experience for us all. I was amazed this past Sunday as I sat in the senior class and listened to two of our students teach the lesson. Kelby and Micah did an outstanding job. Thanks to all of you who had a part in teaching these kids. John and Joyce have challenged their class as they grow deeper together. Keep up the good work guys. I also want to officially welcome Mrs. Debbie Stively to the youth department. She has been helping Crystal and Blake in the 6/7 grade class. She will be an asset to our department. Reflect back with me for a minute as to why we started this blog. Remember that I challenged each of you to post by Wednesday of each week. Why?? The main reason is for each of us to study earlier in the week so that we can "chew" on the lesson together. Each of you add helpful insight to the lesson and then on Sunday we unleash all that we have studied as we teach our youth. I said all of that to say this: These next few lessons are extremely important.(all of them have been) Islam?? What do you know about it? They don't eat pork? They are a bunch of terrorists? Well, if you are like me, you will need to study extremely hard on these lessons. I found out a whole lot of things that I didn't know when I read over this weeks lesson. Don't wait until later in the week. You will need to start early so we can learn from each other. There is a growing number of the Islamic faith that our kids are encountering. How will you witness to them? This weeks video is long but good. Take the time to watch it. Thanks for all that you do. Islam...
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Joyce says....
Islam is a monotheistic religion based on revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century, which were later recorded in the Qur'an (Koran), Islam's sacred text. The faith spread rapidly and today Islam is the second largest religion in the world. The Arabic word Islam means "submission," reflecting the religion's central tenet of submitting to the will of God. Islamic practices are defined by the Five Pillars of Islam: faith, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and alms. The religion of Islam claims that Jesus was a prophet & that Mohammed was equal to Jesus Christ, the Koran succeeded the New Testament, and that Muslim (Moslem) teachings should be followed instead of Christianity.
The Islam religion claims to believe in the same God as Jews and Christians, the God of Abraham, revealed in the Old Testament. Muslims generally claim that “Allah” is just their name for the God of the Bible. Significant differences exist, however, regarding how the religions view Jesus Christ. All three religions began from the work of major individuals. Jews' beliefs were revealed by Moses, Christians' by Jesus, and Muslims' by Mohammed. Islam recognizes both Moses and Jesus as prophets (along with other Bible prophets), but it claims that Mohammed is the last of the prophets and his revelation supersedes those of Moses and Jesus.
All are based on written revelations claimed to be infallibly inspired by God. The Jews accept only the Old Testament, Christians accept the Old and New Testament, and Muslims accept the Koran. Just as Christians believe the Old Testament and New Testament was inspired, so Muslims believe the Old and New Testaments were inspired but were both replaced by the Koran.
I chose to give a little information on Islam, but I think it is more important to give the Biblical support of why they’re wrong.
The Bible says Jesus is Divine……John 1:1, 14 says that, (I am paraphrasing some of these verses) Jesus (the Word) is God, was with Him in the beginning and that He became flesh to dwell among men as a man. Colossians 2:9 says that, Jesus is the fullness of the Godhead bodily. John 20:28, 29, Thomas claims Jesus as his Lord and his God. Now how can Muslims deny these teachings and yet claim to believe the Bible as true and Jesus a prophet?
The Bible says Jesus is the Only-Begotten Son of God.....During His lifetime many people believed what Muslims today believe…..that Jesus was a great prophet like other prophets. In Matthew 16:13-17, Peter confessed that Jesus was not just a man but was the Christ, the Son of the living God. Then Jesus Himself affirmed that Peter’s statement had been revealed by God. John 10:35….Jesus affirmed that he had said, “I am the Son of God”. In Matthew 17:5, 3:17, twice God spoke from heaven and claimed Jesus as His Son. Also, Romans 1:4, Jesus is once more declared to be the Son of God. For anyone to believe that Jesus was just a great man and a prophet belittles Him and also denies His statements. To believe any other man was as great as Jesus is to blaspheme Him. Since Jesus spoke the truth and became the perfect sacrifice, He is much, much, much more than a prophet. So, Muslims must either admit that Jesus was the Divine Son of God, or else they must admit that Jesus and the Bible are not true.
The Bible says Jesus has Divine characteristics….He’s eternal (Micah 5:2), He’s all-knowing (John 16:30, 21:17) and He’s all –powerful (Matthew 28:18, Acts 10:36, John 3:31, Romans 9:5 & 10:12, Revelation 19:16). Now to believe in Islam, you would have to believe that these characteristics are possessed by a man (Mohammed)……NO WAY!!! Therefore, that proves he is nothing more than a sinful man without Jesus!!
The Bible says Jesus is the Creator of the universe and the Judge of mankind….All things were made through Him, and apart from Him nothing was created (John 1:3), The Father, in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:22-24), For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10)…..How can Muslims deny these teachings and yet claim to believe the Bible is true? Wow, how wonderful it is to know that Mohammed will also be judged by Christ and will be held accountable for all those that his teachings have misled and led astray. All I can say for him is, God have mercy on his soul.
The Bible says Jesus accepted worship….Matthew 4:10, instructs us to worship God and ONLY SERVE HIM. Jesus’ disciples worshipped Him and both men and angels are commanded by God to worship Him. Jesus accepted worship but man was forbidden to accept worship. How can Islam believe the Bible and believe Jesus was from God, while denying the worship He so greatly deserves? Oh, and just in case there is anyone who hasn’t gotten it yet, Mohammed was a man……therefore, he was commanded to worship God and forbidden to accept it.
Let’s compare Mohammed’s character to that of Jesus…..Jesus never sinned and Muslims generally agree with that, but also claim that Mohammed never sinned…if you read your Bible and compare Mohammed’s life to Jesus’ you will know that’s not true (as we know the fact is there has only been one sinless man).
There are many more things that could be pointed out to disprove the religion of Islam (too much to teach or blog), but these are just some areas that I chose to point out. I pray that through our study of other religions that it strengthens our students in the truth of the Bible. I also pray that our students will take away information to present to the world, friends and family as to the false teachings of other religions.
Don't be fooled! Islam is most intolerant of, and incompatible with all other religions!
If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will he be accepted of God; and in the next life, he will be in the ranks of those who have lost themselves and will burn in Hell. (Koran 3:85)
Islam is a religious system of satanic origin. Muhammad chose the god (Allah) of this system, from hundreds of other pagan gods, simply because this one suited his twisted life style. In Christianity, God sent His son to die in our place. In Islamic faith, Allah requires us to die for him. The values of the Christian faith are love, sacrifice, humility, compassion, honesty, and long-suffering. The values of Islamist are going to Paradise to enjoy an array of sensual delights promised especially to those martyred in physical battle with non-muslims to extend Allah's rule on Earth. Islam's creator and so-called perfect model was a robber, murderer, pedophile, (one of his 22 wives was 6 years old) fornicator, wife beater, liar, and had all of his enemies assassinated. Make no mistake about it people. Islam is not only a religious system but a political control system. They seek to control the economy and dominate territories. Their goals are exactly like those of Hitler and Stalin. Christians evangelize with a bible. Muslims evangelize with a sword. Guys.....Islam does not mean "peace". It means "submission". Don't be fooled, your SUBMISSION to Allah is their goal.
As I studied the lesson this week, I really didn't know how God was leading me to teach this to 8th graders. So, we watched the video and pretty much everything we studied was there. Still not satisfied with how to bring this to our class and have been praying since Mon. on where to go with this. After much prayer and reading Joyce and John's blog, it has really helped give me direction on how to present this to our class. I know that I have a special class made up of "church kids" but did not want to assume they would remember all that they believe and had been taught, even could possibly one day be won in a discussion and/or even converted. The burden I was under to only do what God would have me to do, to present this in a way it could never happen... was my goal....and apparently God's. He has given me the peace and the direction in which to go and lead these students to see their errors,the Muslims,and not just what they believe, which is what I was getting out of all this in the beginning.
Thank you Lord and thank you for the blog!
I have been doing some research on Islam and like Mrs. Paula it is a hard one to teach to 6th and 7th graders but I feel that they need to know this information so they will grow deeper in their own faith.
Crystal
What ever you decide to do, don't be mealy mouth like the people on the video. When you point out the difference, say; "THIS IS WRONG, THIS IS RIGHT!" Muslims and you will go to hell if you choose any other religion, than the one that teaches Christ is God incarnate......Whew!
I plan on following the written outline and tell them about the 5 pillars and why they are wrong and how it differs from what the Real God wants. Then I am going to share with them the best way to witness to a muslim;
1. Use scripture when explaining the deity of Christ.
2. Do not try and explain the Trinity unless they bring it up. This is the greatest of sins to a muslim to attribute partners to God.
3. Do not use a highlighted or marked up Bible to witness to a muslim. They have the highest respect for the koran, not putting below their waist, never on the floor and always on the highest shelf. They will think you are not serious about scripture and have no respect for you or what you say.
4. muslims believe it is unfair that Jesus was punished for others sins, so use the idea of debts as sins of others, and they seek help from someone that owes nothing. They understand this better.
Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.
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