by Esther Ahmad
Churches in the United States are different from churches in Pakistan. Though people in the United States are materially blessed and have more opportunities, many don’t like to go to church. Pastors here are more focused on serving the church community and encouraging more people to attend.
In Pakistan, the Christians struggle. They attend church passionately, desperate for prayer and worship. Some churches receive bomb threats, but they keep on meeting. The pastors are often at the greatest risk.
But we have plenty in common. We all worship, read the Bible, and pray to the same God! He’s big enough to know and care for us all.
What advice do you have for a Christian who wants to share about Christ with a Muslim?
Be a good Christian! As it says in the Gospel of Matthew (5:16), “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Our greatest role model is the Lord Jesus Christ. He set the example for us to follow, so we should love, serve, and pray for people, just as he did.
It’s important to remember that making disciples is not just a matter of getting people to go to one really great meeting or doing a week of fellowship with them. God can intervene and make himself known to them in a matter of moments, like he did with me, but the journey of learning to follow him takes a long, long time. If we want to share our faith with Muslims, we must be prepared to walk extra miles, to do extra work. Be a positive person in their lives, share your testimony well, and be prepared to be a good friend for as long as it takes. And pray, learning to allow God alone to direct your words and actions.
Discussion Questions
The author grew up feeling unloved and unwanted by her father. How did the rejection she experienced affect her?
What is your idea of what God is like as a heavenly Father? What has influenced this perception? (If you would like to explore what the Bible says about God as Father, here are some places to start: Matthew 7:11; Romans 8:15; 1 John 3:1.)
The theme of part 1 of the book is “Everyone has to die sometime”—a rather stark statement. How does contemplating your own death influence the way you live your life? What legacy would you like to leave?
The author fell prey to what she describes as a “militant Islamic extremist” group that characterized Westerners as infidels. Along with others in her community, she was called upon to join the fight against this enemy. Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Do you think this verse applies to both Muslims and Christians? How does it apply to you personally?
The author was told that if her good deeds outweighed the bad, she would go to heaven. Although she prayed more than what was required and did many good deeds, she was haunted by uncertainty, not knowing whether her efforts were enough. How does the Christian view of salvation differ from trying to earn one’s way to heaven? (You may wish to consult a few of these verses: Romans 3:23-24; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:4-7.)
Looking back at her childhood, the author realized that violence in her home increased under the influence of the militant extremist group. She remembers her father beating her mother, exerting control through pain and fear. How does the violence promoted in this strain of Islam differ from what the Bible teaches? How is Jesus’ view of women different from what the author experienced in her home?
The book tells of Auntie Selma’s family dying for the cause of jihad and how the community considered them heroes. How do you view their deaths and their community’s response to their sacrifice? What fresh insights does Esther’s story give you into the mind of a would-be terrorist?
As a science student, the author questioned superstitions that her mother believed, causing her to begin to doubt her religion. After she converted to Christianity, she engaged in debates with Islamic scholars. What does this tell us about the role of using one’s mind in seeking truth? How we can talk with people from a different faith background in a loving and respectful way?
Like many Muslims, the author was taught that Christianity has three major flaws: it follows three Gods; it claims that Jesus is the Son of God; and its book, the Bible, has been changed. How would you respond to these three criticisms?
The author had a dream, related in chapter 9, that took place in a graveyard. She saw a man of light who said, “Esther, come and follow me.” What is your response to her dream? What role did it play in her story?
Soon after her unusual dream about the man of light, the author had unsettling conversations with two Christians, her classmate Azia and John at the medical lab. She said of John, “He wasn’t cruel or full of hate; he was friendly and courteous.” How did these conversations influence her opinion of Christians? What can we learn from these interactions?
After she became a Christian, the author began memorizing psalms. She writes, “There I found love, mercy, honest repentance, and the assurance of forgiveness. Islam had taught me to fear Allah, to never forget the prospect of eternal judgment and the brutal torture of hell. The psalms reminded me of the love of God—a love so great it overcomes all fear and death.” What do you see as the main differences between the God of the Bible and the Qur’an’s depiction of Allah?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke these words: “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12). How does Esther’s experience of persecution relate to these verses? How do you react to Jesus’ teaching on persecution?
In a debate with a cleric, Esther pointed out that the Qur’an confirms that Jesus performed miracles and raised people from the dead, but it does not record Muhammad performing any miracles. Esther’s mother was healed of her heart condition. What role do you think this had in her coming to faith in Jesus Christ? Why do you think God might be using dreams and miracles among Muslims?
Esther says she learned about suffering from faithful Christians in Pakistan who were poor and marginalized, forced to rely on God alone. What do these stories of suffering Christians teach us about the value of suffering? Is suffering for being a Christian different from other types of suffering?
John and Esther were challenged to put their hope in God while they endured eight long years of waiting in Malaysia before they were able to go to the United States. Is there something you’re waiting for now? What would it look like for you to trust God in your situation?
After Esther came to America, she observed that even though Christians can go to church without any restrictions, they often prefer to do other things instead. Do you think her observation is accurate? If so, why do you think that is true of some Christians in America?
When Esther, John, and Amiyah arrived in the States, they experienced life as refugees. She writes, “If you happen to meet a refugee or a family of refugees, don’t rush away out of fear or uncertainty over what to say and do. Ask God how he is inviting you to be involved. . . . What would God have you do to reveal a little more of his love to them? . . . Ask them about their stories, and share your story too.” Do you know any refugees? If so, what might you do to offer friendship to them? If not, how might you get connected with refugees in your area?
What new insights have you gained about growing up in a militant extremist community? In what ways does Esther’s story inspire you in your own faith journey?
About the Authors
ESTHER AHMAD fled her home country of Pakistan due to life-threatening persecution for her Christian faith. She and her family were refugees in Malaysia for eight years; today, they reside in the American South. Esther shares her story of survival and redemption as she speaks to churches and organizations.
CRAIG BORLASE is a New York Times bestselling author who has written 50 books over the last two decades. He and his wife have four children and live in the English cou
ntryside.