Bible Study of the Week: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus

The following is a link with the same title as the book discussed by Faith Gateway in the below newsletter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9rcFduex1Q Next is a newsletter to this blog I accidently came across it today August 22, 2021. The newsletter arrived from Faith Gateway around May 30, 2020 Would it be worth it to pick up my cross and be crucified next to Jesus? If He is not God, then, no... But if He is God, then, yes. Being forever bonded to my Lord by suffering alongside Him? A million times over, yes! - Nabeel Qureshi Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi, from Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus   Welcome to Bible Study of the Week, where each Sunday we provide you with the free first session of studies by leading authors, pastors, and Bible teachers. What does it cost to accept Jesus? People ask this question in one form or another everyday. The answer usually given is that it costs us everything. But what does that mean? In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity by Nabeel Qureshi, we find a powerful answer to what “everything” means.  Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. – Mark 8:34–35 The Cost of Embracing the Cross The cost for a Muslim to accept the gospel can be tremendous. Of course, following Jesus meant that I would immediately be ostracized from my community. For all devout Muslims, it means sacrificing the friendships and social connections that they have built from childhood. It could mean being rejected by one’s parents, siblings, spouse, and children. This becomes exponentially more difficult if the Muslim has no person to turn to after following Jesus, no Christian who has reached out. I know of many Muslim women who recognize their need for Jesus but have nowhere to turn if their husbands abandon them, or worse. They often do not have the financial means to survive the next day, let alone fight for their children in court. They would have to do all this while reeling from an emotionally violent expulsion from their extended families. What many do not realize – what I did not realize when I was making these decisions – is that these costs are not considered consciously. They form part of the knee-jerk reaction against the Gospel. I never said, “I choose to remain Muslim because it would cost my family if I were to follow Jesus.” Far from it, I subconsciously found ways and means to go on rejecting the Gospel so I would not be faced with what I would have to pay. But I was not the only one who would have to pay for my decision. If there were traits my family was known for in the Muslim community, they were my parents’ joyfulness, our close-knit relationships, and the honor we had garnered by faithfully following Islam. My choice to follow Jesus meant razing all three. My decision would shame my family with incredible dishonor. Even if I were right about Jesus, could I do such a terrible thing to my family? After everything they had done for me? It is this kind of familial dishonor that drives many in the Middle East to commit honor killings. Although there is no command in the Quran or hadith to carry out “honor killings,” there are commands in the Quran to kill mischief makers, [5:33] as well as plenty of commands in the hadith to kill apostates [e.g., Sahih Bukhari 9.84.57-58, 64, 72]. These kinds of killings are not limited to the Middle East. A few months after graduation, I received a phone call from Mike telling me about an entire family of Middle Eastern Christians who had just been slaughtered in New Jersey for bringing dishonor to Islam. He asked me if I thought I’d be safe were I to accept Jesus. I appreciated his concern, but I told him that was the least of my worries. My family would never do such a thing, and in reality, the killings are not as common as some fear. Besides, in my view, martyrdom would be an honor. Watch the session one video: Understanding Muslims * * * Continue to our blog to watch the video, read the rest of the study, and read the remaining content from session one of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus. Your Turn Come share your thoughts on our blog. We want to hear from you! About the Author  Nabeel Qureshi was the author of The New York Times bestsellers No God But One and Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, the only book ever to win Christian Book Awards for both "Best New Author" and "Best Nonfiction." Nabeel was an accomplished global speaker and held 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. Raised as a devout Muslim in the United States, Nabeel grew up studying Islamic apologetics with his family and engaging Christians in religious discussions. After one such discussion with a Christian, the two became friends and began a years-long debate on the historical claims of Christianity and Islam. Nabeel chronicled his resulting journey in his first book, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus and the Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Video Study, which goes deeper into the apologetics that led Nabeel himself to Christ. Following a year-long battle with stomach cancer, heaven welcomed Nabeel home on September 16, 2017. He leaves behind his wife and young daughter who aspire to honor the ministerial legacy Nabeel established during his brief 34 years on earth. In this 8-session video study, Qureshi explores Muslim culture, the most common Muslim objections to Christianity, and the core doctrines upon which Islam stands or falls.  Save 40% off the book and study resources from the + Free shipping* with code GRACE until 5/31/2020. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Video Study by Nabeel Qureshi Learn More Building on the powerful story and arguments he shared in Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, author Nabeel Qureshi takes viewers deeper into apologetics and evangelism among Muslims with this complete video lecture course. In eight sessions of about 30 minutes each he explores Muslim culture, the most common Muslim objections to Christianity, and the core doctrines upon which Islam stands or falls. Compassionate and clear, Nabeel’s lectures will be a useful training tool for pastors, outreach leaders, and any believers wanting to winsomely engage Muslims in spiritual conversations. When used with the accompanying Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus Study Guide, this accessible course is perfect for adult classes, small groups, segments in college or seminary courses, and motivated independent learners alike. Session Titles: 1 - Introduction (2 min) 2 - Understanding Muslims (26 min) 3 - Testing the New Testament (26 min) 4 - Coming to the Crux (26 min) 5 - Jesus: Mortal Messiah or Divine Son of God? (32 min) 6 - Case for the Gospel (34 min) 7 - The Truth About Muhammad (26 min) 8 - The Holiness of the Quran (29 min) 9 - Reaching Your Muslim Neighbor (30 min)  Shop now and save... GET THE COMPANION BOOK Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus - 3rd Edition by Nabeel Qureshi   Learn More In Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, now expanded with new bonus content, Nabeel Qureshi describes his dramatic journey from Islam to Christianity, complete with friendships, investigations, and supernatural dreams along the way. Engaging and thought-provoking, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus tells a powerful story of the clash between Islam and Christianity in one man’s heart--and of the peace he eventually found in Jesus. * I am so excited to announce the third edition of Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus! The incredible team at Zondervan has been preparing this project for months, one of many ways in which they have shown their commitment to keeping the ministry of Nabeel alive. I also had the amazing privilege to contribute a short reflection on Nabeel's life and legacy which will appear among the new material in this edition.  – Michelle Qureshi, Nabeel's wife Video study is also available now via streaming video from our friends at StudyGateway.     You Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog are subscribed to FaithGateway Bible Studies. FaithGateway Today ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. Copyright © 2020 HarperCollins Christian Publishing.  All Rights Reserved. 501 Nelson Place, Nashville, TN  37214  USA Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions *Manage Your Email Preferences or Unsubscribe Subscription Information Want to change how you receive these emails? You can *update your preferences or *unsubscribe from this list.  This email was sent to Webmaster220 Bible Study Blog   *the blog owner has deleted the hyperlink intentionally