How your family can share the gospel with Muslims - Simple tips

As our students’ backpacks are filling up with supplies for the school year, our schedules are filling up with commitments. Soccer games, band performances, and youth groups, to name a few. Making sure everyone has a fulfilling social life gets us exhausted just by thinking about it!

Despite life getting busier during this season, we shouldn’t allow certain things to fall out of our priorities. In fact, all of these new commitments give you and your family wonderful opportunities to meet new Muslim neighbors in your community and share the gospel with them! Remember, what you teach your children to practice now can become habits for the rest of their lives.

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” Proverbs 22:6

If your kids are in public schools, they will very likely have Muslims in their school that they can be intentional in witnessing to. When thinking about school evangelism, remember that you can also get to know their parents. There are many straightforward ways both you and your kids can be a light in the lives of your Muslim friends this school year. As you read through our ideas, pray and ask God to reveal which ones He is calling you to do.

How can my children share the gospel with Muslim friends this school year?

As the Muslim population continues to grow through high birth rates and immigration, the odds of your child having a Muslim classmate also grow. We recommend talking to your children openly about the ways your family’s beliefs differ from their Muslim friends. Prepare them for questions their friend might ask, and make sure they feel comfortable saying, “I don’t know, let me find out and get back to you” without feeling self-conscious, and then make sure they follow up.

Talk to your kids about being bold in their faith at school. Even small actions like praying before lunch or keeping a Bible verse wallpaper on their phone can open up conversations with their peers. When the time comes, encourage them to participate in the National Day of Prayer– you could even join them as a volunteer. These are all powerful ideas that will support school evangelism.

Let your children know they can invite their Muslim friends over after school. If you get the opportunity, invite the Muslim parents too, so they can get to know you and feel comfortable with their child spending time with your family. This is especially important the first time you host your child’s friend to establish trust with the parents.

As a parent, how can I share the gospel with Muslim friends during the school year?

You know what you would appreciate as a gesture of kindness from another parent. Whatever it is, do it for the Muslim parent!

If you meet some Muslim parents at a school function, reach out and introduce yourself first. School evangelism doesn’t just have to be just for the kids! Depending on their background, these parents may feel very isolated and out of place, and you starting the conversation can put them at ease. Hospitality is a core value for Muslims, and they often feel like “guests” in Western culture, which makes you the host!

Here are some ideas for sharing the gospel with Muslims during the busy school year:

1. Invite the Muslim family over to your house for a meal so they know they have a friend, and your families can connect.

2. Pray over the meal in front of them with your children so they can see how you and your family live out your faith. (Actually, most Muslims believe Christians don’t pray because it is not a public practice like their rituals! Learn more about differences in prayer here.

3. You can offer to have their kids join your kids as you help them with their homework. Most Muslim parents are not familiar with the Western education methods, and they welcome the help once they know they can trust you.

4. Invite them to church fairs or festivals. Low-commitment days, like a fall harvest festival or Christmas party, are easy ways to bring a Muslim friend to church for the first time!

Pray as a family and ask the Lord to use you all in school evangelism to share the Good News this school year. Being unified in this goal can lead to many deep conversations and ways your family can grow closer together.

Prayer

Dear Lord, thank you for my family. Please give us opportunities to love our Muslim friends this year. Give us boldness to live out our faith in front of them. Let my children grow in their own faith as we strive to be Your light in our community. Amen.