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e h t g n i n n a p S divide Maher By Ian
Scripture Matthew 15:22-28
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Let’s Focus: Evangelism through conversation and dialogue There was a time when it would have been necessary for Christians to travel overseas to meet significant groups of people belonging to other faiths, but that is no longer the case. Population and travel patterns have changed so that living and working alongside people with diverse religious beliefs and practices is becoming commonplace, particularly in our large towns and cities. This presents to Christians the opportunity of communicating the good news to followers of different religions in a way that is respectful of their beliefs and practices, yet faithful to the call to be witness to God's love for the world as revealed through Jesus Christ. A good starting point for sharing good news in a multifaith society is to get to know, for example, your Muslim or Hindu neighbour along the street. The common identity as people of faith will usually make it quite straightforward to begin discussion about matters of faith and belief. On the basis of such relationships it then becomes possible to create opportunities for Christians and people of other faiths to meet together and discuss their beliefs and practices with each other in more depth. Meetings could cover particular topics such as beliefs about God, prayer, peace and justice, the place of Scripture, etc. Initially such meetings could be informal gatherings in people's homes and they work best on the basis of existing friendships. Then, if there is sufficient interest they could be moved to a
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larger venue - either in a neutral venue or alternating between the buildings of those involved in the discussion - perhaps with a panel discussion. Clearly it would be important for the leadership of the religions to be supportive of any such initiative in order to avoid misunderstandings occurring. But if Christians are up front about their desire to talk about their faith in Jesus, yet genuinely open also to hear about what makes the followers of other religions tick, suspicions can be overcome and the way for dialogue opened up. Sometimes, the barriers that exist between Christians and people of other faiths are caused by misinformation and second or third-hand accounts of what the other believes. So the best way to discover what a Christian believes is to talk to a Christian; to find out about Islam talk to a Muslim, and so on. Every such encounter provides an opening to make the good news of Jesus known.
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Let’s Reflect: The gospel story of the Canaanite woman draws attention to the way in which Jesus approached people of other faiths. She was not only from outside of the covenant community, i.e. not an Israelite, but belonged to a religious tradition with which the people of Israel had long been opposed. It was, in fact, the Canaanites who were driven out by the Israelites when they entered their promised land. In this story, both the action of the Canaanite woman and the response of Jesus are significant in helping us consider how Christians should conduct themselves in their encounter with people of other faiths. The woman saw that there was something about Jesus that set him apart, so much so that she felt compelled to approach Him about the plight of her daughter who was possessed by a demon. The fact that she came from a different religious starting point was of secondary importance to her and she cried out 'Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David' (Mt. 15.22). Her religious boundary was not so rigid that it prevented her from seeing God as present and at work beyond it. It is true to say that all of the world's major religions hold Jesus in high esteem. Their theological interpretations of Jesus differ considerably but very few religious believers will be dismissive of Him, and that provides an important platform for discussion and dialogue. Members of other religions will often be more open to talk with Christians about Jesus than people of no faith, and sometimes more ready to talk about him than is the case between Christians. Going back to the story, Jesus responded to the woman's plea by saying that his calling was initially to the lost sheep of the
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house of Israel and then, rather harshly, that it was not fair to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs. In Jesus' day, as is still the case in the MiddleEast, to call someone a dog was the harshest of insults. It was an unpleasant but commonly used term by groups who despised each other. That was certainly the case between Jews and Canaanites. So we see the human Jesus very much embedded within the culture of his day, making use of that term in a society devoid of the political correctness which is to the fore in our own. Using such terminology was simply the done thing. Maybe that is why the woman was, apparently, undaunted by the comment from Jesus. She persisted and Jesus ended up by commending her for her faith and telling her that her daughter was healed. Jesus saw beyond the boundaries of his Jewish identity and recognised the depth of faith within this 'outsider'. This could well have been a significant moment in Jesus' ministry when, in His humanity, he recognised that His mission was in fact to the whole of humanity and not just to the people of Israel. Notice too, that there is nothing in the story to suggest that Jesus then sought to distance the woman from her own religious tradition. He simply responded with compassion to the need that she presented. In fact, throughout the gospels Jesus appears to be far more concerned with the intention and sincerity of a person's heart than in the outward trappings of religious observance. He looks beyond the external forms of religion to its very heart and the longing for relationship with God. And therein lies the clue to constructive encounter between people of other religions. If instead of dismissing people of other faiths as mistaken or deluded (as is the attitude of some Christians) they are seen as people genuinely seeking to serve God in their lives, an exciting platform of opportunity opens up to share what we know of God through Jesus. God's love knows no boundaries and is at work in the world beyond the confines of the Christian faith. We cannot draw our own limits around God's grace and mercy, which extends to every man, woman and child created in God's image. To do so is to turn God into an idol of our own making. What we can do is declare gracefully, but boldly, through our words and deeds, our faith in the God revealed in Jesus so that, like the Canaanite woman, people of other faiths might come to recognise him as their Lord.
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Let’s Discuss: 1. Do you know any people who belong to other religions? If so, are they people who you regard as your friends?
2. What thoughts and feelings do you have about the presence of different religions within our society?
3. Have you ever spoken to someone from another religion about your Christian faith? If so, what can you recall from that conversation? If not, is it because the opportunity has never arisen or because you have felt anxious or unsure?
4. Why do you think Jesus did not say anything to the Canaanite woman to challenge her religious beliefs?
5. What practical steps could you take to create opportunities for helping people of other religious traditions with whom you might have contact to learn more about Jesus?
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Action: Here are some pointers to setting up an event, working on the assumption that the local Christian leadership and the leaders of the other religion(s) concerned have a good relationship with each other. 1. Choose an appropriate venue. A 'neutral' venue for a first meeting, such as a community hall, can be helpful in overcoming apprehension about meeting in the place of worship of another religion. 2. Identify a title for the session. For example, 'The heart of our faith: Christian and Muslim views about God'. 3. Agree the ground rules for the session, emphasising that it's purpose is to help people come to a deeper understanding of each other's beliefs, not to attack or disrespect different beliefs. People will need to agree to differ. 4. Decide the format for the session. One approach is for a representative(s) from each religion to present their beliefs in 10-15 minutes in total. After each speaker, provide opportunity for questions of clarification only. Then, through a chairperson, the session can be opened up for questions and discussion. If there are only two religions involved in the event, limit the formal part of the session to around one hour. The chairperson's role is particularly important in ensuring that questions are directed to the speakers in a balanced way through the chair in a way that is consistent with the ground rules. 5. Ensure some social time over light refreshments before the session gets underway and/or afterwards. This will help build relationships between people from different religions and allow for conversation to continue.
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Prayer: Lord, help us to see our rightful place on this Earth. Equip us with open minds, that we may appreciate every aspect of your creation. Help us to be a people that embrace culture and difference. Give us voices that we can have dialogue, ears that we may listen, and smiles that we can be welcoming. Amen.
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s e t o N g n i Support uals and d i v i d n I for s r e d a e Group L I remember the first time I prepared to lead a bible study; I was 22 years old and went bald! Well, I think that was down to nature rather than the preparation. However, it was scary as well as exciting. Ring a bell? Then read on‌. The scriptures are littered with stories of God's people being called to do something they feel they are not humanly capable of. Yet it is similarly littered with outcomes of God's people completing what He has called them to undertake and the blessing therein. So let's take those fears and chill a bit, in the knowledge that God will help you, as he has helped countless others. Part of my ministry as an evangelist over the past 10 years has been to encourage and enable, so be encouraged that the Lord is moulding you in leadership. In my experience it helps to know that you do not have to be an expert on the Bible or even a college professor! Essentially it is all about preparation and discussion. Allow God to enable you by His Holy Spirit to lead you with confidence and discernment. Therefore in order to offer some help to you, I have set out below some of the things that have aided me in leading studies in the past.
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Before you begin Studying the scriptures and exploring other people’s experiences of evangelism can be for some, very exciting; for others it can be very daunting indeed. I have put together some suggestions that may help you as you prepare to get the most out of The Fullness of Life. We hope that each week you will be stimulated through the scriptures and through the content on the Web. To find out more about how all of our Evangelists and staff are working at transforming lives and communities visit http://www.churcharmy.org.uk/people to see videos of ministry in action. Each of our contributors to these studies has carefully thought through how you can apply this learning in your own life and context, in order to engage in evangelism. Their questions are designed to challenge and encourage action.
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Studying as an individual Pray: Before you begin each study, ask the Lord to guide you and open your mind. Give yourself time to allow God to stabilise your inner self so that you can apply what you are learning in your life. Time: Give yourself space to learn; the studies are designed that you can learn at a pace that suits you. It may help you to briefly read all seven studies before you begin; this may help you to think about where the studies will take you. Bible: Having your own Bible is important as it will be a book that you will be familiar with. The version that you find most helpful is the best one to use. All Bible verses quoted in these studies are from the New International Version. Notes: Make notes within each study. Remember there are no wrong answers; the beauty about our relationship with God is that He illuminates our life and inspires us by the Holy Spirit. So jot down your response to the question honestly.
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Studying as a group For the leader: These notes may be of some help as you prepare to lead the group either for the first time or as a seasoned veteran! Preparation: Groups are naturally formed of individuals, so be encouraged to follow the points suggested for individuals, as you prepare for your group study. In this way you will find your learning in group study deepens through your preparation. Participation: Discussion is by far the best form of learning. Remember that as the leader you will need to ensure that everyone has their say. No answer is wrong! Share how God is teaching you, how He is encouraging/challenging you, and how He is doing that with others. Be focussed: Stick to the study material being discussed for that week. It has been my intention that you only have to use the scriptures referred to. There is no need to look up commentaries or other views. The core essence of these studies is to reflect upon the evangelistic example given. Therefore the paramount questions of the study are: How can I do this? How do I apply this? Listen: Encouraging all that listening to other members of a group is as important as contributing. If you have an attentive ear, you may be surprised at how much you can learn from others. In parish ministry I was always amazed at how the quiet person sometimes came with a suggestion that was as a blast of fresh air. A balanced input: As group leader you should be able to ensure all have the chance to contribute. It is important that we ensure that individuals do not dominate the discussions. The eagerness one has to share can often be at the cost of others not having time to respond. Therefore encourage one another; after all, the Christian journey really should not be about outsmarting each other. Involve God: God wants to share with each of us; His desire to see us evangelise. Be open to the Holy Spirit talking to you and to your fellow group mates. Most of all have fun discovering new boundaries.
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