Reaching & guiding Family out of Islam
Help! Sister turned muslim (& teaching it to her kid), husband is lukewarm - how to minister?
My sister converted to Islam and had kept her conversion and secret for 10 years or so, and it’s her children (out of their honesty) that brought it out in the open. My 10 yo niece knows islamic prayers, aware of various islamic practices and imitates them (spitting 3 times after having a bad dream, jinn etc), she also calls Jesus a ‘prophet’ and isn’t aware of His divinity.
I'm now navigating a new situation and could use good advice: My niece told me she owns both a Bible and Quran. When I ask her about the Bible, she has limited knowledge. She has told me she wants to “learn more about prophet Jesus”. She’s has asked me about Christ, and I told her that he is God.
Last week when she visited to my mum's, she told me "Maybe when I come over, you can teach me about the Bible."
Pls help.
Thx in advance.
A: Sadly that religion/ideology has infiltrated the West and other countries since 9/11. So lots of folk are seeing and working with them, or theyre entering in our spaces in general with more being allowed in our country. This is good and bad. Good because many thousands are coming to Christ and leaving Islam [since theyre hearing the truth, reading the Bible, seeing Christians answer questions online and at gatherings on college campuses [some are only here for college, or temporary work, others have been flown here as "refugees" since Obama era and they've over taken entire towns in population], and their kids (and their kids kids kids) are learning these things as they grow up, so they have access to what folk in Arab nations never did in the past.
It is bad because theyre making folk "twice the sons of Hell that they themselves are", as Scripture says (noting they even travel far and wide to do so). They are doing what their religion does; decieves. Theyre encouraged to decieve people into Islam, esp women, because their belief is any children born from one is muslim. They've decieved countless naive women [like your sister] about Islam, and seek to lure young ones in [those under college age], so that theyre stuck, esp later when they marry a muslim man. They have no idea what they got themselves into. Many are groomed into it subtly and craftily; just like how Satan operates. It is surprising (but I suppose not really) that they've duped women already married into their grips.
These things will continue, but it will be folk joining it and folk leaving it, webbing and flowing. God is sovereign, and all who will be saved - will be. Those whom Jesus died for, belong to Him. None can snatch them from the Father, nor Him.
It's definitely something we will see more of, even in our families [if theyre not raised up well in the Lord], so it is good to prepare ourselves to how to deal with them, and minister the truth to them.
It is great you are actively ministering to your niece, and desire to show her the truth about Jeaus, and point her to the true God. It is hard to know where to start, and how to go about these things in a practical way, the how and when, etc, & esp when you know this will he something you pour into her for the next 8 years at least. This is definitely the time to get started.
Go through this and use what you learn to share with the child (and consistently w sister too), as things come up or when you can slide it in. Live godly and lovingly before them both, prayerfully plant seeds of truth, and pray for God to open her eyes [both of them, and the father].
If the husband currently is lukewarm Chrustian, then thats a problem. If he was a solid believer actively pursuing Christian life (following Christ & pursuing holiness) he would be teaching and leading at home, so that she never went that way into error, and he wouldn't allow it either; she is to submit to her husband (in Christ), and as head of the home. [Even in Islam she is taught to do that].
The work you do with the daughter might lead her to be a solid Christian, who in turn has more influence on her mom [with her more regularly] (and her dad), so she too comes to Christ and leaves Islam, (and he starts living as a follower he professes to be). It might also be God's will for your niece to witness to other folk regularly and be able to have solid Gospel focused convos with Muslims [and women considering Islam], to steer them from it and out of it. What we pour into others, keeps flowing out of them and into others lives too. 😊😊😊😊
Note, Quran states they are to believe the Bible (see link). Thus you can teach the child of the contents and truths of the Bible, and use that if your sister objects. She cant say no cuz its in their religious book 😂.
Here are things you can teach her about Christianity and Jesus, starting now:
The Essentials, & the Gospel (this is a comic like video and you can show it to her every year).
Many things to know about Jesus:
* answers all the questions, as does the Islam evangelistic link above.
B. Before you go through the Jesus info...
Tell her, "All the world religions added something about Jesus to it, but they lied about him to prevent the followers from following Him. But Jesus wants you to know who he really is so you can follow him." And.. "isnt it odd that all these religions claim something about Jesus, but they do not go to the source to find and follow the truth... Jesus was a Israelite, that means he is from Israel, and their religion is Judaism. So, we have to find out who Jesus is by looking at the Holy Scripture writings from within Israel. Makes sense right? When we want to know the truth about something we need to go to the source."
"Since Jesus came from Heaven and lived in Israel, then likewise, we have to only look at the holy writings God gave to Israel as the true Scriptures then. It alone contains the truth. Anything else is a counterfiet, (which means a lie)."
"Why do people believe a lie or embrace a false religion? It is because they love their sins, and pick something that they prefer that aligns with the lie they want to believe. It is called idolatry."
"So, remember, this is why we can only trust the Christian Bible, because it came from Israel. Sometimes you will hear Judeo-Christian. That's because those who follow Jesus Christ are called Christian, they are in Christ, as in, in the Fauth if Christ Jesus. It isnt confusing when you understand Christ is a Greek word and Messiah is a Hebrew Word. Israelites are Hebrews. Hebrew is their ethnicity. Israel is the name of the nation God created, named after [the man]. So The Hebrew Israelites believed in the Messiah (who was to come). And then Jesus arrived; Jesus is the Messiah, but in the New Testament times he was called The Christ. So, since creation, the Messiah was promised to take away our sins, and in the times of the NT (which is history past for us), he completed that mission. What did he do: He suffered on the cross to take the punishment for our sins, and he died. Because the wages of sin is death. He took our place, recieved our punishment, so we could go free of judgment and Hell, because he traded places with us, because he loves us so much. We just have to believe it. That makes us right with God and then we go to Heaven when we die, because he promised to take us there. 🙂".
*At age 15...Ask if she remembers what you said a couple yrs ago about Jesus. She wont know which thing your talking about, so remind her again of all the above (B). 💡✨️
C: See (I) below for Bible verses of importance [and see footnote (1)] which you can use along with (D) below.
D: This short teaching can help you talk about God and show/read her the verses. *This is good to start now at her current age.
*btw, Most Muslims never rEad the Koran, [most have never reAd it in part nor in full], so by you showing her in "Holy Scripture" what God had revealed to us, you're a big step further than what her mom teaches her, as you're showing the truth right before her eyes. And in her language (!)
Islam is done in Arabic, so it would take her years to learn it, which means 😁 you have her ears and eyes now, to set foundational truths, which she can understand.
* when shes 15 you can take her thru the "longer" catechism version at the bottom (of the above page). As her brain has developed more by then. And can understand things more. 👍
E: When shes 12 you can show her these videos, and again at age 14, (when she needs a refresher as she has a more comprehendable mind).
F: Also, consider to start having "secret Bible studies" fellowship with her asap, for when she comes over, and maybe have them at a café (in a corner area) or in the park (with a special meal or drink together), to make it special and fir her to look forward to your special meet ups for treats and truth. (She will cherish them & memories of it in her adult yrs). During the meet ups, after the lesson, ask her if she has any questions (on it or other). *Have her write questions down as you go through the material, to avoid interruptions. At particular points you might want to ask her questions or ask if she has questions, and move to the next part. You want it flexible but not to where shes not learning, nor causing the session to go off track. Set that policy up front. And start and end the time in Prayer 'to the Father, & in Jesus name'.
Go through those things above regularly, and make them the focus for a couple years. It will help her solidify the foundational basics. Too many other studies and ideas like it [even for youth at church] dont focus in these before moving on. So help her get started with a firm solid foundation.
G: Then (after the above info) use this series to teach her deeper about Scripture (and Jesus).
*There's a good audio series on Romans there to go through after that one 😀. [It's in Playlist section].
These will be foundational to show her the truth, so she rejects Islam. Also use the Islam evangelistic resource above (as well), as you go, and repeat those truths year after year. Once shes 16 you can send her that islamic evangelistic link so she can look into it herself (again, her brain is growing and she can comprehend & understand more, and more detailed info). She'll be dealing with her mom's nonsense and whatever shes feeding her into islamic deception, so counter it with these truths. And do it starting now, before she wont be open to it.
H: 💥Once shes 16 and you've set a firm foundation with her, you can go through books with her, like these:
50 Reasons
Christian Character
Systematic Theology
Cold Case Christianity (reiterates the video)
Jesus: Person of Interest (reiterates the video)
Don't waste time on other books and studies etc. Set the foundations, build on them, and after these (books), go from there.
Even if her father doesnt tighten up and walk right with the Lord (and lead his family right), and even if she continues to hold to Islam because her mom does, or if she is decieved by Islam deeper in her teen years, all the truth you poured into her [as you were able to] over the years, [and other Christians she encounters] so it may bear fruit later in her life, to lead her to Christ; maybe even long after you are in Heaven. So dont give up. Make what she learns fun and interesting, as best you can. Dont make it dry. Don't go overboard. Don't make it too light, but ask God to prepare and guide you, so it's just right.
I: Have her secretly "memorize Bible verses", encourage her to "treasure what she learns from you in her heart", and have special convos with you, that she cant have with other people [like the folk her mom is around; muslims]. Do your best to try to not have her talk about it with Muslims, as they'll twist things (and tell her to avoid you) or try to make her submit to Islamic stuff. And thats an evil thing for them to do to a little child. She wants acceptance, her mom's love and to fit in. So be careful how you handle this, and how you word things, but love on her a lot.
(*See footnote below too).
J: Books for ages 11-18 and 18-20:
When shes older (17-20) and has a cellphone, you can send her things like Christian audiobooks & digital books she can read (theres good ones here, here and here), but share & go over other material like these and these & these (that answer faq) from (11-18), too. And to continue to still have special connection with you, in fact, your hang outs with her in her older teen years (with treats) can include reading the same books and discussing them when you hang out! 😀. That would be a good thing as shes maturing, thinking, using critical thinking skills, social skills, and helping her think through her loads of questions.
K: So make sure you read the Bible daily and study it well, so you can answer the many questions she will have. You can even include Questions time in your hang out time, esp starting now.
L: You can also offer to babysit her for your sister (regularly).... so you get in more opportunities with her, to be ministering to her in various ways. It gives you extra time with her, that you can plant seeds.
M: If she asks for a Bible, or you want to gift her one (as a milestone gift) you can give her this digital one (buy the add on notes for her [in the app]; so when she clicks a verse link, it will teach her about it). Esp if youre hiding it [her having a Bible] from her mom.
For a physical study Bible, get her this one, or this one [whichever is cheaper] (and tell her not to highlight or write in it, but to use it only to read; as it is a special bible). Get her name engraved on it, and put your name, and phone number inside it as the one who gifted it to her, upon the milestone of turning a teenager (13) , or for her 16th bday, whatever works best. She can have both the digital and the physical. The digital can go everywhere with her.
*Encourage her to read 1 chapter a day, and text you any questions she has.
*That will give you time to find out (even check GotQuestions site) and reply to her (plus the link). It will help her stay connected with you over the years, know she can come to you anytime, and also for prayers.
Also avail is a special one that costs a bit more here. I recommend LSB'21 (2nd Edition), as its like NASB95 but it properly uses God's name YHWH/Yahweh/Yah, throughout 😀. Which she will need to see, read and hear! ✅️✝️
====Putting the Plan together====
Look through the material provided here and address the important urgent things first, then map out a plan for what you will teach her from these things this year, and year by year after that, knowing the time you have with her is probably limited. If you do the secret Bible study/hang out... map out what you will teach/share with her, create a systematic plan so it covers essentials & catechism info, and then broadens out to deeper things. With the Essentials, if the verses arent included there, copy that section into an Ai like gptchat and ask it to "find all the related Bible verses (using LSB'21) for each point taught here, and give bullet points and the verses for just what's listed here, nothing else". And then you'll have the verses listed to look at in Scripture to read with her. [*put mini sticky tags in your Bible to those verses ahead of time, to save time, number it 1,2,3 etc so you can zip thru.]. Also! Use the same Bible version as her; so get yourself a printed LSB21 2nd Edition too.
Once it's mapped out, consider putting together things you want to be able to share with her at Christmas, Easter and New Years. Preferably when her mom is not around. Perhaps have a Secret celebration together on a day nearest the holiday, if you suspect her mom wont let her come over. Give her gifts and remind her that "God loves Christians and as their loving Father he gives good gifts, but the most important gift he gave us is Jesus. All other gifts fail in comparison. But like God who gives gifts, we give gifts to those we love too." Give her the gift(s) [Christian & reg.] And after she thanks you, pray together thanking God for Jesus - and for these gifts.
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Salvation Support
✝️ If she chooses Christ over Islam, then her mom cant stop her. God led her to that decision, and her mom cant make it for her, nor force her to. She has to accept it. And... make sure your niece knows that. And state it to her mom, no matter how upset she is.⬆️ [*Satan cant win if God has Redeemed her.]
If she gets saved, get her Father's permission to take her to church, and to run interference for her with the mom, because she decided to follow Christ[ianity]. Then take her to church every Sunday, and to any other times she wants to go. Make it a ministry and do your best to get her there (or find someone trustworthy at the church who can help, if for some reason you cant). Stay dedicated to help her even after 18 if shes local, going to college or working and needs a ride. Do everything as unto the Lord, and to bless her.
✨️If she happens to get saved in her teens, after truly understanding the Essentials and Gospel, then this will be a help to her as a new believer. It reviews a little and then disciples, guides and helps keep her within biblical orthodoxy [so false folk and sects cant decieve her]. She can take her time going through it. It is a supplement to what the church will teach her, and has good growth resources.
If saved in her teens, she's going towards independence from her mom, and starting to make her own choices, as people that age start to do.
✝️ Help her meet the Pastor; discuss baptism, discuss membership, Sunday School, Discipleship class & the importance of the church for a believer. To help her have a smooth start.
Continue to be there for her as a fellow believer, with the door open for her to reach out anytime.
May God guide you as you minister to her young heart, to plant seeds that sprout and lead her to Christ; the real one.
God bless!
* Feel free to bookmark this to your phone notes, and send the link here to yourself in a email (tagging with a star, to find easily) [as a back up]... so you can use the tips and resources in the days, months and years to come. 🙏✝️✨️😊
Footnote
(1) Bible Verses & Rewards
As to the Bible verses, for her to memorize & recite at your meet up, these will be good to store in her heart.
Have her say the memorized verse to you when you meet up. Then celebrate by letting her pick out a beverage to drink (like small boba or a tea, etc). So the treat has a tie in to rewards & your time together. If she messed up or didn't get it fully done. Tell her that while she doesnt deserve it you will show her grace and love by giving ut to her anyway. That way your reinforcing what your teaching her that God doesn't have to do anything for us, that we don't deserve it, we are undeserving of it, but by His grace and mercy, while still sinners Jesus died for us. And the gift God freely gives us is Jesus sacrifice and by trusting Him we also have eternal life. *When you get to those parts in the studies and talks you have, remind her of this⬆️, and pray God will (in that lesson/convo) 🤯open her eyes/understanding "connecting the dots" of that marvelous revelation. ✝️
After she memorizes a section, then read the section heading and summary of it to her, and review all verses. Do that for each section. After she memorized the last section, then give her a print out of the whole thing, look it over, and review it.
A fun thing to do at the end if each section completed is a memory jogger test. Pick a verse or two from the list, and have her recite it. If she gets it right, maybe buy her a croissant or treat from there, as a bonus reward. Keep this one only for if she gets it right. Or if you always get a drink and bite there, maybe get small gelato, small ice Gelato, small yogurt after your meet up.
Do something special after she memorizes all the verses. Figure out what it is. Maybe she can pick something she wants under a $ amt, (tha'ts acceptable to get).
*Teach her how to memorize verses, but there's a app (Verse locker) that can help too - you can fill in the blanks... and removes a word, while learning it.
And there's free memory verses songs online she can use to help (when her mom is not around, or shes away from home). She can use this, this and this for that. As it might help her faster. 😊
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Final note:
Do what you can, as best as you can, and leave the rest to God. If she gives up and doesnt want to hang out anymore, its a [unsaved] teen thing. Just minister as you can, when you can, and trust God. She might meet Christians at college, or date and marry a Christian guy, and he can lead her, and her church, to salvation. You are just one seed sower in her soil, but be the best one possible, (being family), whenever you can.
