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Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide: A Former Muslim Shares the Evidence that Led Him from Islam to Christianity
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide: A Former Muslim Shares the Evidence that Led Him from Islam to Christianity
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide: A Former Muslim Shares the Evidence that Led Him from Islam to Christianity
Ebook185 pages2 hours

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide: A Former Muslim Shares the Evidence that Led Him from Islam to Christianity

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About this ebook

This Study Guide develops in further detail the objections to Islam and the case for Christianity that Qureshi introduced in his bestseller Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus.

Building on his personal experiences with two of the world's largest religions and the powerful Christian apologetics he developed in his book, Nabeel Qureshi and co-author Kevin Harney deepen their focus on how to share Christ and the good news of the Gospel with Muslims in this complete study course. In eight lessons coordinated to be used alongside the Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Video Study (sold separately), Qureshi and Harney explore:

  • Muslim culture.
  • The most common Muslim objections to Christianity.
  • The core doctrines upon which Islam stands or falls.

Compassionate and clear, the Seeking Allah Finding Jesus Study Guide is a useful training tool for pastors, outreach leaders, and any believers who want to winsomely engage Muslim neighbors in spiritual conversations.

This accessible course is complete with video teachings notes, questions for group discussion and personal reflection, definitions of common Muslim terms, passages from both the Bible and the Quran, and other learning tools for classes, small groups and independent learners alike.

Designed for use with the Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Video Study (9780310520429), sold separately.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherZondervan
Release dateApr 19, 2016
ISBN9780310526681
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide: A Former Muslim Shares the Evidence that Led Him from Islam to Christianity
Author

Nabeel Qureshi

Nabeel Qureshi was an accomplished author and highly sought-after global itinerant speaker. Ever the seeker of truth and knowledge, he obtained an MD from Eastern Virginia Medical School, an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, an MA in Religion from Duke University, and an MPhil in Judaism and Christianity from Oxford University. Nabeel’s zeal for ministry and education was surpassed only by his passion for life and love for his family. His books include the award-winning memoir Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, No God but One: Allah or Jesus?, and Answering Jihad.

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Reviews for Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide

Rating: 4.463235125000001 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I don't quite remember how I stumbled upon this one, but I did, and I was glad for it. People's personal stories of faith are always so intriguing to me, and if you're only interested in just simply a dialogue between the two largest Abrahamic faiths today, this is still an interesting read. At the very least, Nabeel will give you a crash course in basic theology, and if that's a word that makes you perk up your ears, this is worth checking out.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Dr. Nabeel Qureshi documents his journey from a devout Muslim to Christianity in an open, heartfelt, and moving account of his life as a Muslim and his conversion to Christianity. Rather than painting Islam in a negative way, he shows its pacific, joyful, familial aspects through his personal experiences. While seeking to evangelize his newfound Christian friends to Islam, he is shaken by their historical analysis of Christianity and is challenged to do the same with Islam. Examining Islam's history and the provenance of the Quran using the reliable hadiths, or oral teachings, his faith in Islam is deeply shaken. Still, four miracles in response to his anguished prayers were what God needed to bring him to Jesus Christ.For those interested in learning about Islam or Christianity I highly recommend this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I found this man's story quite powerful. He relates how he grew up in a Muslim household, the son of immigrant parents--and he shares some very insightful thoughts on the tensions that arise between parents who are rooted in the customs and culture of where they grew up, and their children who grow up in America. Part of what made his experiences different from those of his parents was his exposure to Christians. He and his family found their arguments and attempts to evangelize them laughable, until Nabeel met David Wood. David is a serious Christian and he challenges Nabeel to prove that his beliefs are wrong. Nabeel and David engage in many back and forth arguments about Christianity--all while maintaining a lively friendship. Things become frightening for Nabeel when he begins to find his assumptions about Christian beliefs are wrong - and that some of the things he has been taught about his own religion can't stand up to the facts of history. Nabeel knows that to denounce Islam and become a Christian will deeply hurt his family and separate him from them, but he can't deny that he has been deeply affected by what he has learned. Eventually he does decide to become a Christian.As Nabeel shares his story the reader learns a lot about how his family practiced their faith, what they believed about Christians and the Bible, and about the different arguments David and Nabeel both used to defend their positions. I found this very enlightening and it was intriguing to get a look into a Muslim household and learn about their way of life. Nabeel shares from his heart the emotions and ups and downs of his journey as well, engaging the reader in a moving story.I highly recommend this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    One can be so stepped in doctrine & History that one forgets about the struggles of people besides ourselves. This is a good antidote to such forgetfulness.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What a great book!
    In addition, it makes one to be search and be aware of why we do things, the truth behind those things and the reason to continue doing those things.
    Bravo, a mighty interesting read!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Few books have impacted me like Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. Nabbed Qureshi's writing style is education and riveting. I can't really figure out what this book was. Was it biography? Was it apologetics? Was it missiology? Should it be categorized under world religions? At the end of the day, I think it is enough to say that it is simply good. Maybe "good" isn't a strong enough word. I wish I could award it more stars.Why?In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi manages to show the beauty of Islam in a fair and balanced manner while demonstrating the overwhelming draw of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He lays out his own journey in a manner that is respectful of his parents and his upbringing. Still, his own journey to find truth leads him away from the Muslim culture and faith. The heart-rending journey is one that is powerfully emotional. I'll admit it; I cried. Multiple times.The emotional pull of the narrative, as powerful as it is, takes a back seat to the apologetic argument that is laid out for Nabeel by his friend, David. The astute reader will discover apologetic devices and arguments that should inform conversations with Muslims as well as other world faiths. The supremacy of Jesus Christ is trumpeted throughout this book!I have been strongly urging anyone who would listen to read Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. I do the same with you. Download it today. Enjoy the journey. And admit that you cried at the end!
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    i really wanted a substantial text that delves into a nuanced, analytical approach on at least the superficial topics of both Christianity and Islam, and instead i found bullet points that give intentions with hardly any substantial evidence for or against. the deeper chapters consist of the gospel, the Quran, and islam's messenger, and gives points such as "muslims claim that the Quran is inimitable. discuss how that may not be possible or not a good defense of it as divine word." it does not analyze the phonology of the oration of text, the substance material of any passages, or the structure of phrasing in the Quran, in order to surmise actual conclusions.

    it'll bring up that one of islam's two focuses is their messenger, when islam's entire premise is that declaration of the oneness of God precedes all messengers, therefore the last messenger is, in comparison to the premise, negligible. the logic is astoundingly faulty and the angle so narrow. it compares the hadiths to the Gospel, in that the hadiths are compilations of Islam's Messenger, but baseless as they were compiled long after his passing. historically, this is not true, and objectively, you cannot make the claim that the observers that transcribed the events of Jesus are any more or less prone to bias or the text of corruption. considering hadiths are quinary to understanding Islam per different schools of thought, there isn't even a reason to make this a focus point. "Very few Muslims read the Quran for devotion," based on what evidence? the author doesnt even bother refraining from making sweeping allegations of individual applications of a religion. its so baffling.

    hadiths fall quinary after the oneness of God, the Quran as a text, the Quran's subject manner, logical interpretation of Quranic text, and logical understanding of God vis-a-vis natural religion, and therefore even within Islam it carries hinged weight.

    a waste of time to just skim through considering its offensively poor quality. zero deep analysis. reads like a ben shapiro script. hope you dont have to pay for this.
  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    Fake info and missleading,no proofs,no evidence just personal whishes and passions....waste of time.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    No real evidence to say how he was led to Christianity just some dreams ?? No concrete evidence as to why Christianity is the true path. All in all terrible

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    A Hypocrite’s view - Nabeel was not a Muslim

    2 people found this helpful

  • Rating: 1 out of 5 stars
    1/5
    No thanks.. I'll stick with my monotheistic religion Islam and I'll pray and fast and circumsize and don't eat pork and I'll dress modest like Allah commended his servants Jesus and Mary and Muhammad and Moses , Abraham and Solomon..peace be upon them.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I’ve been looking forward to Nabeel Qureshi’s book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus ever since I heard Ravi Zacharias mention it. I have been curious about what Islam truly teaches and how it compares to Christianity for some time. Don’t worry. Qureshi’s book is not a scholarly tome. It is an inspiring autobiography and testimony that illustrates that God loves us enough to pursue us- even when everything we’ve been taught resists Him.Qureshi writes that the purpose of his book is threefold:1. To tear down walls by giving non-Muslim readers an insider’s perspective into a Muslim’s heart and mind.2. To equip you with facts and knowledge, showing the strength of the case for the gospel in contrast with the case for Islam.3. To portray the immense inner struggle of Muslims grappling with the gospel, including sacrifices and doubts.I believe he succeeds in his purpose.Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus reads very quickly, yet there are profound insights into the Islamic culture and view of Christianity. Qureshi was raised a devout Muslim. As he leads us through his autobiography, he is careful to explain key Islamic concepts and beliefs. The structure of the book is based around Qureshi saying the sajda, a portion of ritual islamic prayers; however, this time he is struggling with what he has learned about Christianity and his mind is racing with questions as he prays. As Qureshi’s story and life unfolds, he repeatedly returns to this moment.We learn of Qureshi’s early life and the many Islamic traditions and beliefs. I have to admit that I felt that Muslims put most Christians to shame in their devotion to their faith. He is very confident in his faith and what he has been taught.He becomes friends with a Christian in college, and over time they begin to discuss some of the key doctrinal issues that Muslims denounce. Each chapter becomes a mini-lesson on apologetics and key doctrines. One thing that stands out during this process through the years, is that the Christians witnessing to Qureshi are very patient with him and respectful of his Islamic beliefs. That’s not to say they don’t question his beliefs or push back on some of what he says, but they do it in a loving way. Of course, this is the Holy Spirit at work. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but as the title suggests Qureshi eventually comes to know Christ as savior.Qureshi’s candor and honesty shine in this book and make this a very personal read. I felt like I know him by the time I finished the book. Most importantly, God’s relentless love for us and the power of His truth are proclaimed through Qureshi’s testimony. I highly recommend this book.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone interested in a Christian-Muslim debate. The arguments the author presents are (as far as I can tell) balanced and very respectful. The story describes the heart-felt journey of a young man as he wrestles with finding a path to the Creator.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    (1) The Trinity and molecules with resonance (194)

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I was a bit dubious about this book due to the references to supernatural dreams and visions that the publisher has splashed everywhere obviously for the purposes of sales. However, I was pleasantly surprised; the supernatural aspects are not the focus of the book, instead the focus is a close friendship developed by the Muslim author with a Christian school friend over a number of years. This (in conjunction with the Spirit of God) ultimately led to his conversion from Islam to Christianity.

    His account is compelling and very readable; I found it hard to put down. He explains his upbringing in a strict Muslim family, his parents being his role model, and his faith his life. He explains his Islamic beliefs and practice and the difference between the Eastern 'shame' culture and the Western right and wrong/black and white. He provides good examples of how conflicts easily arise in the hearts of Muslims when they are asked to challenge the hierarchy/their elders. They are taught to obey/believe without question from a young age even when their intellect is telling them that something is suspect. The author details how they would rather ignore the facts than risk shaming the family. This he explains at length by documenting his own emotional turmoil when he begins to be challenged by Christianity.

    Of course, like all people, Muslims in the East and West generally just believe what they are taught. Rarely is there much critical investigation into historical events, and the few that invest the effort usually do the same thing I had done: attempt to defend what is already believed, potentially ignoring or underestimating evidence that points to the contrary. This is only natural, since it is extremely difficult to change beliefs that are dear to the heart.

    His friendship with David, a Christian friend, develops due to both of them having a sincere faith albeit in a different God. They stand apart from the US culture which is pretty worldly. The author has reproduced the many discussions they had and the questions that arose in a lot of detail. He read numerous books during this period and it's clear that his search for the truth was sincere. He began his research intent on converting David to Islam or at least proving that Christianity was unreliable. He failed and became more and more aware of this as time went by. He has a strange experience where he asks God (it is not clear which God he is addressing) to reveal the location of his friends in a large gathering and 'God' sends him a sign in the sky directing him to his friends. I'm not sure what to make of this but it doesn't move him much further forward faith wise.

    His first visit to a Christian worship service didn't assist him in his search for the truth either and we would do well to hear and reflect on his comments;

    I had never seen any of this before, and it all seemed very irreverent to me. Worship was supposed to be a solemn, reflective time of bonding between man and God, yet these people were banging on drums and asking for money. At the mosque, no one was allowed to stand in front of you while you worshiped so that you could focus on worshiping God. That there were girls on stage during a worship service seemed to border on sacrilege. So the worship service disturbed me and left a sour taste in my mouth. I thought, 'If this is what it means to worship God as a Christian. I want nothing to do with it.'

    However, David, his friend, was walking the talk and this was undeniable.

    Effective evangelism requires relationships. There are very few exceptions

    I'm not sure I totally agree with the above statement as there are circumstances where the Holy Spirit has prepared the heart of a person and people are individuals and respond in different ways. But I definitely think that relationships are often key in evangelism amongst Muslims as it's necessary to negate the negative image they have of Christianity based on Western culture. This is best done through building friendships and demonstrating a sincere Christian faith on a daily basis and over a period of time.

    The author eventually came to the point where he knew the truth but couldn't embrace it wholeheartedly due to his ingrained beliefs about Islam and his fears about hurting those he loved and possibly being ex-communicated or worse. It was at this point that he began begging God for dreams, having previously begged Allah with no reply;

    I would reach a point in my life when I spent many prostrate hours begging Allah for guidance through dreams. And as it turned out. When I got one, I knew it was from Him.

    Dreams are the only means I know of by which the average Muslim expects to hear directly from God.

    I wasn't sure what to make of this. The author claims that God sent him three dreams and that he knew after the first one that there would be two more. His first dream was somewhat bizarre involving various creatures and people. The meaning wasn't clear so he asked his Muslim mother to look up all the symbols/creatures in her 'dream book.' He then uses her response to interpret his dream. He does the same with the next two dreams although these seem to have a clearer message; 'leave Islam, convert to Christianity.' I'm not convinced that God would have us use a Muslim's dream book to interpret dreams that He has sent.....However, I don't believe these dreams detract from his story as it is clear to me that he would have converted without the dreams. Maybe God was gracious to him knowing how hard it was due to his family situation....

    Leaving aside the supernatural encounters that I'm not sure what to make of. This is a great book for a Christian to use for evangelism. It covers many of the common arguments that Muslims have in relation to the Bible and other crucial aspects of the Christian faith. It also reveals a surprising level of ignorance of Muslims about their own faith due to their cultural hierarchy. We can learn from this and ensure we are patient when seeking to evangelise and not unnecessarily offending our Muslim friends.

    I recommend this book for Christian readers with a heart for evangelism...

    1 person found this helpful

Book preview

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide - Nabeel Qureshi

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ZONDERVAN

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide

Copyright © 2016 by Nabeel Qureshi

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

ePub Edition © March 2016: ISBN 978-0-310-52668-1

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other — except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published in association with the literary agency of Mark Sweeney & Associates, Bonita Springs, Florida 34135.

Cover design: Silverander Communications

Cover photography: Thinkstock

Interior design: Matthew Van Zomeren and Denise Froehlich

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EBOOK INSTRUCTIONS

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In this ebook edition, please use your device’s note-taking function to record your thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or [Your Response]. Use your device’s highlighting function to record your response whenever you are asked to checkmark, circle, underline, or otherwise indicate your answer(s).

CONTENTS

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A Word from Nabeel Qureshi

Of Note

Ebook Instructions

Session 1

UNDERSTANDING MUSLIMS

Session 2

TESTING THE NEW TESTAMENT

Session 3

COMING TO THE CRUX

Session 4

JESUS: MORTAL MESSIAH OR DIVINE SON OF GOD?

Session 5

THE CASE FOR THE GOSPEL

Session 6

THE TRUTH ABOUT MUHAMMAD

Session 7

THE HOLINESS OF THE QURAN

Session 8

REACHING YOUR MUSLIM NEIGHBOR

Closing Words

Small Group Leader Helps

A WORD FROM NABEEL QURESHI

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I AM TRULY HONORED and excited that you will be engaging in this study guide and its companion video. They are intended to complement my book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, which I hope you have read or are reading as you go through this study. In my book, I try to take you past the stereotypes and misconceptions of Muslims by bringing you into my home and childhood, where I had loving parents who did their best to raise me according to their Islamic faith. My goal is to introduce you to the hearts of Muslims, not just their minds. Of course, the hearts and minds of devout Muslims are connected, and it is their faith that leads them to see the world the way they do. That is why I also explore the beliefs of Muslims and how those beliefs shape the practice of their lives.

There was a turning point in my life: I became best friends with David Wood, a Christian who loved Jesus and was willing to have conversations with me about Christianity and Islam. We didn’t just talk about religion, though. We went to classes together; joined clubs and organizations together; spent time in each other’s homes. We were real friends, and in the context of that friendship, I was able to trust what he had to say about Christianity and understand how it could be the true religion, a potential I had thought impossible before. At the same time, we investigated Islam together, and he helped me see many faults in its foundations that caused my faith in it to crumble. After years of friendship and hours of him praying for me, I finally encountered Jesus, as three dreams and a vision led me to open up the pages of the Bible, and I gave my life to Christ.

This study guide is designed to help you do what my friend David did for me. It starts by introducing you broadly to Muslims, then by helping you understand and defend Christianity, especially where Muslims tend to challenge the Christian faith. It will also equip you to understand Islam and, when the time comes, to explore the significant fault lines in Muslim beliefs with your Muslim friends. The last session is designed to give you specific tips and suggestions on how to meet new Muslim friends and show them hospitality and love.

But, as you will see in Session 1, every Muslim is a distinct, individual image bearer of God! My journey is not reproducible, and your Muslim friends may need a very different path. Consider the information in this guide as tools in your toolbox to be used as you follow the Lord’s leading. In addition to those tools, this study guide will also help get you in the right frame of mind by directing you to scriptural principles, personal reflection, and the example of Jesus.

For that, I am greatly indebted to Kevin and Sherry Harney, whose names you will find on the cover of this book. They are not just random people who collated this information; they are dear friends who follow Jesus so closely that I would trust my life to them. More than once, when confronted with a dilemma, I have picked up the phone and asked Kevin for his help, and my wife has done the same with Sherry. Every time, they each pointed us to Jesus and filled us with the hope of Scripture. They are incredible people of God who understand my heart and my thoughts — and they happen to be among the best in the world at writing study guides! For these reasons, I have no doubt you will find this study guide a robust resource filled with direction for prayer, stories to contemplate, Scripture to consider, and also methods to help you remember and apply the information I teach in my videos. All to the greater glory of Jesus and for the love of our Muslim neighbors.

Once again, I am honored that you would engage this video study and excited by the potential the Lord has to work through it and through you. Jesus is amazing; there is no one like our God! People need to know about Him, and not just so they can be in heaven, but so they can have a relationship with their unconditionally loving Father here and now. So they can be filled with the Spirit and transform this world. I pray now, to the triune God of heaven and earth, that He will equip us to reach the world for their sake and for His glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.

NABEEL QURESHI

OF NOTE

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THE QUOTATIONS interspersed throughout this study guide are excerpted from the book Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus and the video study of the same name by Nabeel Qureshi. All other resources, including the reflection questions, session introductions, and between-session materials, have been written by Kevin and Sherry Harney in collaboration with Nabeel Qureshi.

Session One

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UNDERSTANDING MUSLIMS

When you hear the word Muslim, what comes to your mind? Do you picture a very specific kind of person? To understand Muslims we must reflect on one simple and profound truth: they are people. And every person is unique. There is no one-size-fits-all description for any group of human beings, including Muslims.

INTRODUCTION

A Story of Three Friends and Three Conversions

NABEEL WAS BORN into a devout and loving Muslim home. Though he was brought up by parents who were born outside the United States, Nabeel was raised in America and breathed the air and culture of his family’s new homeland. This young boy grew up in America, but he was raised to be a passionate follower of Allah.

Sherry was born into a devout and loving Christian home. Her family roots go back deep into the soil of the Netherlands. Her parents grew up in the United States in a Dutch enclave, not surprisingly called Holland, Michigan. Sherry was born and raised with all of her extended family living within the bounds of that same small city. At only five years of age, she cried out for Jesus to save her and became a faithful follower of the Savior from that day on.

Kevin was born into a loving family that showed no signs of any faith in God. His father was a computer programmer; his mother was a math and science teacher. Their home life in Orange County, California encouraged a passive intellectual agnosticism at best and occasionally antagonistic

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