Fasting

He is Coming This blog is about Christianity and the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

Sabrina, a new Christian, faced a dilemma during Ramadan. Her husband, who did not know what she was a believer in Jesus, wanted her to keep the fast with him. She wondered how could she obey her husband and not disobey God. Imaan is the only Christian in her family. During Ramadan, she said, “My mother doesn’t believe in Jesus. She is purifying herself by fasting. Since I have accepted Jesus, I don’t need to fast in order to be accepted by God”. Fatima’s father-in-law was critically ill. She asked if fasting would help him be healed. Each of these women had as adults faithfully followed the rules of Ramadan even when they had not practiced the other pillars of Islam. Now as a Christians, each woman needed to understand fasting from a biblical perspective.

Fasting was a common occurrence during Bible times. No rules for fasting were given in the Old Testament. However, the Old Testament includes many stories of fasts that were done for different reasons and in different ways. Since Jesus seemed to assume that His followers would fast, His rules were only for the procedure. There are also many stories in the New Testament regarding the fasting of Jesus and later the Christians. The question for the Muslim convert often seems to revolve around how to fast in a manner of pleasing to God.

The Old Testament lesson provides a list of fasts that seem to have been performed around three different purposes. Examples of fasts that support each purpose have been selected for study. There are many other stories of fasts in the Old Testament. A concordance will provide references for those who wish to have more examples. The New Testament lesson focuses on the teachings of Jesus and the examples of fasts by Jesus and the early Church. These are intended to be a guide to help the Christian decide when, how and for what purpose to fast. The teacher should keep in mind that neither the Old Testament nor the New Testament commands fasting.

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God Helps The Christian Who Faces Temptation

He is Coming This blog is about Christianity and the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

The previous lesson have explained why the Christian is not to use magic, charms or sorcery, etc. the primary defense of the Christian, which is the armor God, was presented. Lessons covered the personal experience of Jesus with temptation, Jesus’ power over evil spirits and the example that Jesus has the power of healing but objects do not. The experience of Saul demonstrates that even though Saul had been obedient by removing the mediums from the country, he was tempted to consult one when he was in trouble rather than renew his relationship with God. As with Jesus, the temptation came at a time when Saul was physically tired and hungry. The Christian needs to be aware of her vulnerable times.

This last lesson in this series studies Scriptures that give promise and guidance to the Christian. She is directed toward spiritual things. She has the promise that God will help her. By learning that everyone is tempted, she can gain strength for standing firm. She also learns what to do when she does fall into temptation. Through confession, repentance, and cleansing, she keeps her vital, close and growing relationship with God. She also develops into a more mature Christian with a testimony that brings others to Christ.

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King Saul Returns To Forbidden Practices

He is Coming This blog is about Christianity and the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

The woman who has abandoned her folk practices to follow Jesus needs to understand that she will frequently be tempted to return to those practices. This lesson is a case study of individual who had obeyed God and gotten rid of all practices forbidden by God. There was nothing left in his whole kingdom. However, he had disobeyed God and had not repented of his sin. Therefore, when he needed a communication from God, he went back to his old practices. Even so, in the story we find that God gave him the opportunity to stop and return to being faithful.

It probably will be necessary for the teacher to review the life of Saul and be able to explain in a few sentences what had happened to him before this lesson starts. First Samuel 13 and 15 explain his disobedience of God’s commands that resulted in his separation from God. Saul did not take the necessary steps to restore his relationship with God. The Christian may enjoy reading this story at home but there will not be time during the lesson session to review all of the past history that makes this story so important. Satan knew Saul’s weakness and he tempted Saul at a time when he was tired and hungry and had allowed himself to be separated from God. It is important for the new Christian to identify the reason for Saul’s vulnerability as well as to recognize that God provided Saul with several opportunities to repent and stop his evil practice before he went too far.

The concept of shame and bringing shame on oneself or one’s family is important for the Muslim. Most have been taught that honor is very important and the worst thing that can be done is to bring shame onto the family name. For this reason, the Muslim convert will able to understand why Saul tries to disguise himself so that he would not be recognized. However, this lesson that one cannot hide from God and the shame of having disobeyed God.

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The Power of Jesus Over Physical Illness

He is Coming This blog is about Christianity and the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

This lesson becomes even more powerful when the readers understand what this woman’s life would have been like for 12 years of her illness. Islam has the same laws regarding menstrual impurity as those given in the Old Testament. Help the readers to imagine the difficulties of this woman’s life. This review should also help the student to understand the courage needed for this woman to come forward and confess what she had done.

There is no evidence in this story that the woman used any folk practices for healing during the years of her illness. However, it would good to discuss what practices a woman would have used to “cure” this illness. It is important that they understand the point that it was this woman’s faith that healed her and not her touching the robe. It is also important to note that while no cause for the illness is given, the woman does not seem to think that it was caused by the “evil eye” or other folk causes.

Jesus took the time to be sure that the woman understood that her faith and not His garment had healed her. The new Christian who has converted from Islam will be tempted again and again to use amulets and charms for protection of herself and her family. Plan to spend enough time on this lesson to make sure that she understands that healing comes from God without the aid of any object or substance or magic.

God created medicine and medical treatment. God guides doctors and nurses in their care. Most people who are sick are healed through the use of medicine and procedures created by God. While occasionally God heals someone miraculously (cannot explained medically), He expects His people to use what He has provided. We cannot find in the Scriptures that He wants us to deny ourselves medical treatment while asking for miracle. It will be important for the new Christian to understand that Satan may tempt her to refuse medical treatment.

A secondary teaching found in this lesson, is the value of women in God’s eyes. The New Testament teaches us that Jesus cares for women and considers women to be person of worth. This lesson also helps her to understand that women are loved and valued in God’s kingdom. For many new Christians, this  will be a new concept and very different from what was taught in their previous religion.

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The Power Of Jesus Over Evil

He is Coming This blog is about Christianity and the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

Most of the religious life of Muslim has been spent in trying to protect herself and her loved ones from the influence of the evil spirits. These evil spirits are a real force in the world around her. Since her view of God has been that of a disinterested person who is far away, she will need help in understanding that Jesus is more powerful than the evil spirits. The evil spirits must obey His authority. The teacher will want to use this Bible study to show that Jesus overcame evil in His own life when He was tempted, and He overcame the evil in the lives of others. The new believer will learn that being tempted is not a sin.

In studying Mathew 4:1-11, try to get the student to recognize that temptation came when Jesus was in a difficult place. He was tired, hungry and alone. Help her to use this in identifying when she is most likely to be tempted by Satan. Satan attacked Jesus through several different domains. Knowing this should help the Christian be more alert to temptation coming from more than one direction. Satan will attempt the Christian just as he tempted Jesus. He will know and use the Christian’s personal weak areas and will tempt her during difficult circumstances. A Christian who has memorized Scripture would be “carrying her sword with her at all times” and would be able with the help of the Holy Spirit to use this Scripture in defeating Satan.

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Christian Armor And How It Works

He is Coming This blog is about Christianity and the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

In Genesis 3, we meet the serpent who personifies evil. It is the serpent who tempus Eve to disobey God. Later in the Bible, evil is identified by names such as Satan or the Devil and terms such as evil spirits. We continue to use these names today to identify the presence of evil forces around us. The individual faces a continual battle within herself to follow God or to follow the forces of evil (Romans 7:15-20).

Just as a physical armor protects a soldier going into war, the spiritual armor protects the Christian who is engaged in a spiritual battle. The new Christian needs to understand the purpose of each piece of armor. With her armor in place, she can protect herself from enemy and with her weapons she can defend herself when attack comes.

A soldier seldom goes into battle alone. He stands with other soldiers to make a strong army capable of defeating enemy. However, the strength of the army is based on each soldier being responsible for putting on his own armor and taking his position as a prepared and fit soldier ready for the battle. The new Christian should understand that while she is one of many fighting in the battle, she alone has responsibility for ensuring that her armor is in place and intact. God has provided the weapons and defense needed. It is the Christian’s choice to use what has been provided.

The study of this lesson would be greatly enhanced by the use of a simple drawing of a soldier wearing the armor described. The soldier could be surrounded by other figures similarly dressed but his armor should be clearly defined. Simple line drawings using stick figures would be sufficient.

After having completed this lesson, the student should be able to describe each piece of armor and its proper use. She should be counseled to practice putting on her armor each morning as part of her devotional time. An individual troubled by bad dreams could try putting on her armor before sleeping. The image of a prepared soldier ready for battle or a surprise attack at every minute of the day and night is powerful one.

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God's Laws Regarding Folk Practices

He is Coming This blog is about Christianity and the Second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ

Some of the folk practices that a Muslim woman would have seen, and may have used include: using the evil eye, practicing sorcery, wearing amulets, going to a medium, marabout or spiritist, visiting a saint’s tomb and praying there, visiting special shrines, trying to divine the future through the use of certain objects or rituals, the use of special charms or specific actions to provide personal protection from evil spirits, etc. The teacher will need to have these practices in mind as she works with her disciple during this lesson. It would be rare to find a Muslim woman who has not used several of these folk practices. She might need a guided discussion to help her recognize that has been an accepted part of her culture/religion but which has been forbidden by God. Occasionally the student will need evidence that the teacher knows about these practices before she feels free to talk about them.

The child learns religious practices by observing those around him, especially his mother. In most households, the mother is the one who spend the most time with the child and models for him the accepted behavior of culture. In this way, folk practices are passed without special teaching to the next generations. The Christian will need to develop some self-awareness of her behavior and actions at home and the testimony that these give to others including her children.

The teacher should be careful to ensure that her own jewelry doesn’t give a false idea of protection. For example, wearing a cross continuously may be perceived by others as being worn for protection.

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