Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Is having an abortion in your country legal or illegal? If it is illegal how and where is an abortion performed? What do Muslims think of abortion? Do women sometimes have an abortion if they find out from an ultrasound that they are pregnant with a boy? Girl? Why would that make a difference?
Do you know of anyone who has had an abortion? Was she affected psychologically in any way afterwards? How? Does a woman sometimes carry through a pregnancy and then give her baby up for adoption? How is adoption viewed? If an unmarried girl gets pregnant in your country would her life be at risk? If yes, why is her life at risk? What would happen to her? (Explore the area of honor/shame in the East).
Share about pregnancy counselling services in our country such as Crisis Pregnancy and the services they provide and what kind of women want their services. (You could get some brochures from their organization and go through them with your friend). Do you have any services/brochures like this in your country?
What does your holy book say about having an abortion? What do your clerics say? (If your friend is ready or willing, you could offer to read Psalm 139 or have her read it in her language; especially verses 13-16. You will be surprised what will be shared in this conversation idea).
Showing posts with label Conversations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Conversations. Show all posts
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Asking Questions
Here's another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Asking questions of other people is normal in our culture. We learn a lot by asking questions. In my country we ask a lot of questions but there are certain questions which are not considered appropriate to ask another person. Generally speaking it is inappropriate to ask someone:
How old are you?
How much money do you make?
What is your birth control method? Why don’t you have more children? Were you a virgin when you got married? (Sometimes asked, “Was he your boyfriend?” – meaning did you sleep with him?)
How much do you weigh?
How much did ____cost?
How much are the mortgage payments/rent of your house?
When exactly is your due date(pregnancy)?
Personal questions about another person’s religious practices early in a relationship such as whether she fasts, prays, etc. That is considered private matter.
How do you feel about asking questions about your holy book or prophet? What if a person would have a doubt about something that is written in the Qur’an? If you have questions how do you try to find out the answers? Is there freedom or encouragement to ask any question about Islam or the Qur’an?
Encourage your friend that God welcomes any question about faith issues. He won’t be angry with us or punish us for asking a question. You won’t go to jahannam(hell) if you ask a question. Share with your friend any spiritual questions you may have wrestled with. You can also suggest reading a Zabour(Psalm)where the prophet Daoud(David)asked God some hard questions. Or perhaps from the book of Job(Ayub - pronounced 'eye-yube).
Asking questions of other people is normal in our culture. We learn a lot by asking questions. In my country we ask a lot of questions but there are certain questions which are not considered appropriate to ask another person. Generally speaking it is inappropriate to ask someone:
How old are you?
How much money do you make?
What is your birth control method? Why don’t you have more children? Were you a virgin when you got married? (Sometimes asked, “Was he your boyfriend?” – meaning did you sleep with him?)
How much do you weigh?
How much did ____cost?
How much are the mortgage payments/rent of your house?
When exactly is your due date(pregnancy)?
Personal questions about another person’s religious practices early in a relationship such as whether she fasts, prays, etc. That is considered private matter.
How do you feel about asking questions about your holy book or prophet? What if a person would have a doubt about something that is written in the Qur’an? If you have questions how do you try to find out the answers? Is there freedom or encouragement to ask any question about Islam or the Qur’an?
Encourage your friend that God welcomes any question about faith issues. He won’t be angry with us or punish us for asking a question. You won’t go to jahannam(hell) if you ask a question. Share with your friend any spiritual questions you may have wrestled with. You can also suggest reading a Zabour(Psalm)where the prophet Daoud(David)asked God some hard questions. Or perhaps from the book of Job(Ayub - pronounced 'eye-yube).
Being Thankful
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
How do you say ‘thank-you’ in your language? Do you send thank you cards to people when they do something nice for you or give you a gift? (Show them some samples of thank you cards – both secular and religious - and have her read the messages in them. Help her to see what kind of card is appropriate for hospitality, for receiving money, or being the recipient of some act of kindness). If you don’t send thank you cards how do you show appreciation? If someone doesn’t thank you how do you feel? Would you cut off friendship with that person?
Let’s both share about things we are thankful for. Have you ever been thankful for something that wasn’t nice? Why would a person be thankful for something that isn’t nice?
In your country do you have a special day of the year that is set apart for being thankful? If so, when is it and how do you celebrate it? In Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. (Show her a book that depicts the traditions and history of Thanksgiving Day).
Ask her if you can sing her a little song about being thankful. It might be a children’s chorus or a Thanksgiving hymn. If it is simple see if she would like to learn it and sing it with you. Give her a copy of the words.
Do you thank God in your prayers? Do you ever sing your thanks to God? Explain how at church Christians sing songs of thankfulness to God. Christians do it at other places, too, not just in church. Sometimes we sing our thanks for food before we eat.
Read a Psalm of David’s where he tells God thanks for different things.
How do you say ‘thank-you’ in your language? Do you send thank you cards to people when they do something nice for you or give you a gift? (Show them some samples of thank you cards – both secular and religious - and have her read the messages in them. Help her to see what kind of card is appropriate for hospitality, for receiving money, or being the recipient of some act of kindness). If you don’t send thank you cards how do you show appreciation? If someone doesn’t thank you how do you feel? Would you cut off friendship with that person?
Let’s both share about things we are thankful for. Have you ever been thankful for something that wasn’t nice? Why would a person be thankful for something that isn’t nice?
In your country do you have a special day of the year that is set apart for being thankful? If so, when is it and how do you celebrate it? In Canada we celebrate Thanksgiving Day. (Show her a book that depicts the traditions and history of Thanksgiving Day).
Ask her if you can sing her a little song about being thankful. It might be a children’s chorus or a Thanksgiving hymn. If it is simple see if she would like to learn it and sing it with you. Give her a copy of the words.
Do you thank God in your prayers? Do you ever sing your thanks to God? Explain how at church Christians sing songs of thankfulness to God. Christians do it at other places, too, not just in church. Sometimes we sing our thanks for food before we eat.
Read a Psalm of David’s where he tells God thanks for different things.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Birds
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Do you like birds a lot? Have you ever had birds as pets? What kind? Did you give your bird a name? How do you say ‘bird’ in your language?
You could take a book or a calendar of birds that shows different kinds of birds: eagle, hawk. hummingbird, parakeet, dove, robin, owl, crow, parrot, woodpecker, pigeon, lark, sparrow, etc. Converse about them. Describe the sounds that birds make: hum, coo, caw, whistle, chirp, chatter, etc. What sound do they make in your language?
Go over some idioms about bird features:
He eats like a bird. She follows him around like a hawk. She’s as helpless as a little bird. I’m as happy as a lark. She chatters like a parrot. They are like two love birds. He’ll soar like an eagle. He’s as proud as a peacock. I feel as free as a bird.
We can learn a lot about human nature from watching birds(fighting, singing, mothering, fathering, protection). It’s amazing how birds can bring cheer and comfort.
At the back of my book "Woman to Woman, Sharing Jesus with a Muslim Friend" is an Appendix called, "The King's Gift", which is about a bird who doesn't want to leave her familiar cage. She prefers security to freedom. Tell your friend the story and see if she can understand the symbolism.
Our holy Book says a lot about birds. The dove is symbolic of God’s Spirit. Discuss what that could mean. You could also offer to read Matthew 6: 25-27 about how God cares about birds and us. God cares about your needs. He knows what you need. Or you might like to share the story of the prophet Elijah (nabi Elias, pronounced na-bee el-ee-As) who was fed by the ravens in I Kings 17.
Do you like birds a lot? Have you ever had birds as pets? What kind? Did you give your bird a name? How do you say ‘bird’ in your language?
You could take a book or a calendar of birds that shows different kinds of birds: eagle, hawk. hummingbird, parakeet, dove, robin, owl, crow, parrot, woodpecker, pigeon, lark, sparrow, etc. Converse about them. Describe the sounds that birds make: hum, coo, caw, whistle, chirp, chatter, etc. What sound do they make in your language?
Go over some idioms about bird features:
He eats like a bird. She follows him around like a hawk. She’s as helpless as a little bird. I’m as happy as a lark. She chatters like a parrot. They are like two love birds. He’ll soar like an eagle. He’s as proud as a peacock. I feel as free as a bird.
We can learn a lot about human nature from watching birds(fighting, singing, mothering, fathering, protection). It’s amazing how birds can bring cheer and comfort.
At the back of my book "Woman to Woman, Sharing Jesus with a Muslim Friend" is an Appendix called, "The King's Gift", which is about a bird who doesn't want to leave her familiar cage. She prefers security to freedom. Tell your friend the story and see if she can understand the symbolism.
Our holy Book says a lot about birds. The dove is symbolic of God’s Spirit. Discuss what that could mean. You could also offer to read Matthew 6: 25-27 about how God cares about birds and us. God cares about your needs. He knows what you need. Or you might like to share the story of the prophet Elijah (nabi Elias, pronounced na-bee el-ee-As) who was fed by the ravens in I Kings 17.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Birthdays
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
When is your birthday? Did your mother ever tell you much about your birth? Were you born in a hospital or at home? Do the elderly in your country all know their birth date?
Did you grow up having birthday parties? Why or why not? Did you receive birthday presents? What was the most special birthday present you ever received? Does everyone have his/her birthday celebrated in your country or just little children? How do you say “Happy Birthday” in your language? Do you have a Happy Birthday song you sing? Could you sing it for me? If she hasn’t heard it in English you could sing “Happy Birthday” to her. Is there a special number of birthday(like the 50th) that is very significant in your culture? Why is that?
Some people study horoscopes and the zodiac signs. People sometimes want to know another person’s month, day and year she was born before trusting her to be a good friend or even a potential marriage partner. Is it common in your country? Why do you think people do that?
Have you ever wondered why God created you? When a woman in your country gives birth to a son is there sometimes more happiness and celebration than when a daughter is born? Why would that be?
Do you have a birth certificate that records the actual day you were born? Did you know we can be born two times? The first time is our physical birth. May I read/tell you about a conversation Isa al Masih had with a religious leader? Isa al Masih told him about the second time a person can be born. John 3: 1-10. This is about a spiritual birth day. Did you understand that story? What do you think it meant? (You could explain when your spiritual birth day is and how it happened). No one is born a Christian/follower of Isa al Masih, even if a mother or father say they are Christians/followers of Isa al Masih. It was a personal decision for me when I understood and then I decided to follow Isa al Masih. No one can do that when she is a baby. Then my name(say your name)was recorded in God’s Book of Life. Your name(say her name) can be, too. That is my spiritual birth certificate. (You may be asked about re-incarnation).
When is your birthday? Did your mother ever tell you much about your birth? Were you born in a hospital or at home? Do the elderly in your country all know their birth date?
Did you grow up having birthday parties? Why or why not? Did you receive birthday presents? What was the most special birthday present you ever received? Does everyone have his/her birthday celebrated in your country or just little children? How do you say “Happy Birthday” in your language? Do you have a Happy Birthday song you sing? Could you sing it for me? If she hasn’t heard it in English you could sing “Happy Birthday” to her. Is there a special number of birthday(like the 50th) that is very significant in your culture? Why is that?
Some people study horoscopes and the zodiac signs. People sometimes want to know another person’s month, day and year she was born before trusting her to be a good friend or even a potential marriage partner. Is it common in your country? Why do you think people do that?
Have you ever wondered why God created you? When a woman in your country gives birth to a son is there sometimes more happiness and celebration than when a daughter is born? Why would that be?
Do you have a birth certificate that records the actual day you were born? Did you know we can be born two times? The first time is our physical birth. May I read/tell you about a conversation Isa al Masih had with a religious leader? Isa al Masih told him about the second time a person can be born. John 3: 1-10. This is about a spiritual birth day. Did you understand that story? What do you think it meant? (You could explain when your spiritual birth day is and how it happened). No one is born a Christian/follower of Isa al Masih, even if a mother or father say they are Christians/followers of Isa al Masih. It was a personal decision for me when I understood and then I decided to follow Isa al Masih. No one can do that when she is a baby. Then my name(say your name)was recorded in God’s Book of Life. Your name(say her name) can be, too. That is my spiritual birth certificate. (You may be asked about re-incarnation).
Changes
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
How do you feel about changes? (afraid, anxious, insecure, excited?)
Many things change in this world:
Seasons/weather – languages – governments – prices and inflation – technology – our health – rules and laws – moods – friends – boundaries and borders over the centuries – fashions – our age – the color of our hair and the texture of our skin and our weight
Talk about some of the changes you both have experienced in your lives. Refer to the different “seasons of your lives”.
Is your country changing slowly or quickly?
Do you think your country needs to change in any way? In what ways?
Share about any positive changes that have taken place in your hearts: from fear to peace, from hate to love, from walking in darkness to walking in the light, from revenge to forgiveness, from cursing to blessing, etc.
If there could be one thing you’d like to change in the whole world what would it be?
One thing that does not change is God. Even this world will change. It will end and be destroyed one day and there will be a new world that will last forever. God doesn’t getter older or better. His love does not change. His faithfulness does not change. That is why we can put our trust in Him. God is unchanging and He changes us.
How do you feel about changes? (afraid, anxious, insecure, excited?)
Many things change in this world:
Seasons/weather – languages – governments – prices and inflation – technology – our health – rules and laws – moods – friends – boundaries and borders over the centuries – fashions – our age – the color of our hair and the texture of our skin and our weight
Talk about some of the changes you both have experienced in your lives. Refer to the different “seasons of your lives”.
Is your country changing slowly or quickly?
Do you think your country needs to change in any way? In what ways?
Share about any positive changes that have taken place in your hearts: from fear to peace, from hate to love, from walking in darkness to walking in the light, from revenge to forgiveness, from cursing to blessing, etc.
If there could be one thing you’d like to change in the whole world what would it be?
One thing that does not change is God. Even this world will change. It will end and be destroyed one day and there will be a new world that will last forever. God doesn’t getter older or better. His love does not change. His faithfulness does not change. That is why we can put our trust in Him. God is unchanging and He changes us.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Childhood
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Share about each other's childhood with your friend.
Happy or sad? Lots of toys? Many friends? Difficult childhood? Were you shy or talkative? Lived in one place or many – in a city or village? Did you like to read books – what kinds of books? Were you a tomboy? Did you have a pet name? Raised to be independent or dependent?
Whom did you feel closest to growing up – mother or father or grandparents?
Were you ever punished as a child? For what? Did you get spankings? Share your own experiences.
Did you get praise from your parents? A lot of affection? Did you work hard as a child? What kind of work did you do? Did your mother teach you how to cook?
Do you think childhood memories affect us as adults? What is your happiest memory? Your earliest memory? Compare the lives of children who are raised in war zones and peaceful places. Who do you think turns out stronger?
Share childhood photos.
Discuss the difference between being child-like(trust, simplicity, humility, sincerity quick to forgive) and being childish(self-centered, easily angered, talks back).
God says we should become like children if we want to enter heaven. What do you think He means by that?
Share about each other's childhood with your friend.
Happy or sad? Lots of toys? Many friends? Difficult childhood? Were you shy or talkative? Lived in one place or many – in a city or village? Did you like to read books – what kinds of books? Were you a tomboy? Did you have a pet name? Raised to be independent or dependent?
Whom did you feel closest to growing up – mother or father or grandparents?
Were you ever punished as a child? For what? Did you get spankings? Share your own experiences.
Did you get praise from your parents? A lot of affection? Did you work hard as a child? What kind of work did you do? Did your mother teach you how to cook?
Do you think childhood memories affect us as adults? What is your happiest memory? Your earliest memory? Compare the lives of children who are raised in war zones and peaceful places. Who do you think turns out stronger?
Share childhood photos.
Discuss the difference between being child-like(trust, simplicity, humility, sincerity quick to forgive) and being childish(self-centered, easily angered, talks back).
God says we should become like children if we want to enter heaven. What do you think He means by that?
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Cleanliness
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Do you like cleaning your house? When you lived in your country did you clean your house or did you have a maid that cleaned? Does it take more time here or in your country to clean your house? Do your children clean their bedrooms themselves?
What is the garbage disposal system like in your country? Are there garbage trucks that come around weekly? Is there a system in place for recycling? Are the streets clean or do you see garbage lying around? Are there garbage bins all over to put your garbage in?
There is a saying that says, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Do you know what godliness is? It’s about being clean on the inside. In Islam does outward cleanliness mean that a person is religious – or a good Muslim? Why do Muslims wash a lot of their bodies before praying?(She may talk about ‘ghusl’ which is mandatory ritualistic cleansing after sex and menses and childbirth which is similar in the law of Moses in the Old Testament. Muslims put heavy emphasis on being ceremonially/outwardly clean or acceptable before Allah ). How do you think you will become clean on the inside? What do you think makes a person dirty inside? (explain the word ‘goo-nah’ or sin)
(Use the illustration of a drop of urine in a cup.) Would you drink a cup of tea if it had a single drop of urine in it? Even though it is just a drop and you can’t see it, the tea is considered totally unclean. Nothing you do can make that tea clean. No boiling, sterilizing or straining. It is still there. That’s like ‘goo-nah’ or sin. Even though we might think we are very clean outwardly and inwardly, one little lie makes us unclean before God. Isa Al Masih (Jesus Christ) once told the religious leaders, like the imam, that they thought more about cleaning the outside of a cup than the inside of the cup. What he meant was that they wanted to give the appearance that they were clean – or religious/godly – but inwardly they were full of jealousy, lying, cheating, etc. (This is a big topic and one of the most foundational to cover. A Muslim won’t be able to understand the cross until sin is understood. It’s probably best to share a little to begin with and then at another time say more. It would be good if you could read Genesis 3(the first ‘goo-nah’/sin) together at some time when she will be ready to do so.)
Do you like cleaning your house? When you lived in your country did you clean your house or did you have a maid that cleaned? Does it take more time here or in your country to clean your house? Do your children clean their bedrooms themselves?
What is the garbage disposal system like in your country? Are there garbage trucks that come around weekly? Is there a system in place for recycling? Are the streets clean or do you see garbage lying around? Are there garbage bins all over to put your garbage in?
There is a saying that says, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” Do you know what godliness is? It’s about being clean on the inside. In Islam does outward cleanliness mean that a person is religious – or a good Muslim? Why do Muslims wash a lot of their bodies before praying?(She may talk about ‘ghusl’ which is mandatory ritualistic cleansing after sex and menses and childbirth which is similar in the law of Moses in the Old Testament. Muslims put heavy emphasis on being ceremonially/outwardly clean or acceptable before Allah ). How do you think you will become clean on the inside? What do you think makes a person dirty inside? (explain the word ‘goo-nah’ or sin)
(Use the illustration of a drop of urine in a cup.) Would you drink a cup of tea if it had a single drop of urine in it? Even though it is just a drop and you can’t see it, the tea is considered totally unclean. Nothing you do can make that tea clean. No boiling, sterilizing or straining. It is still there. That’s like ‘goo-nah’ or sin. Even though we might think we are very clean outwardly and inwardly, one little lie makes us unclean before God. Isa Al Masih (Jesus Christ) once told the religious leaders, like the imam, that they thought more about cleaning the outside of a cup than the inside of the cup. What he meant was that they wanted to give the appearance that they were clean – or religious/godly – but inwardly they were full of jealousy, lying, cheating, etc. (This is a big topic and one of the most foundational to cover. A Muslim won’t be able to understand the cross until sin is understood. It’s probably best to share a little to begin with and then at another time say more. It would be good if you could read Genesis 3(the first ‘goo-nah’/sin) together at some time when she will be ready to do so.)
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Clothes
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Converse about western women’s clothing fashions and Islamic women’s clothing fashions. Which women’s clothes fashions do you enjoy the most? Casual or elegant? Are clothes expensive in your country? Are they imported?
Discuss the abaya(long loose cloak) and niqab(face veil) and the hijab(head scarf). Do you think Muslim women will wear the hijab in Paradise? If she has some samples of her traditional clothes ask if you can try them on. Can women wear whatever they want in your country? Does your husband ever tell you that you can’t wear something? Does he tell you that you look beautiful in a certain dress?
Which stores do you like to buy your clothes from?
Muslim women often have every day clothes, indoor clothes and outside clothes and religious clothes used for prayer. Western non-Muslim women usually wear the same clothes inside the house and to the mall or to class. Discover why they have inside and outside clothes. If she has special prayer clothes ask if you could see them and inquire why she wears them.
The following discussion is for the purpose of encouraging your friend to think through some issues. Go only as far as she feels comfortable:
Did you know that Adam and Eve(Ah-dam and HA-wA)didn’t wear clothes in the beginning? Read/share Genesis 2: 25. They felt comfortable being completely naked. Why do you think they started wearing clothes? Guilt of disobeying God’s commands produced shame and awareness of their nakedness and fear of God. Guilt, shame and fear entered the world for the first time. Go over 3: 7,10-11. Guilt, shame and fear of God made them want to hide their nakedness so they sewed leaves together for clothes – just around their hips. Later God made(3:21) clothing for them out of animal skins. We don’t know how much of the body He covered. Why do you think people wear clothes today? To just cover beauty or because we want to hide because of shame? Would you feel guilty if you didn’t cover up completely? (This is only introductory but a very key concept of dealing with shame and fear and spiritual nakedness; not just physical nakedness. They seem to be linked).
Converse about western women’s clothing fashions and Islamic women’s clothing fashions. Which women’s clothes fashions do you enjoy the most? Casual or elegant? Are clothes expensive in your country? Are they imported?
Discuss the abaya(long loose cloak) and niqab(face veil) and the hijab(head scarf). Do you think Muslim women will wear the hijab in Paradise? If she has some samples of her traditional clothes ask if you can try them on. Can women wear whatever they want in your country? Does your husband ever tell you that you can’t wear something? Does he tell you that you look beautiful in a certain dress?
Which stores do you like to buy your clothes from?
Muslim women often have every day clothes, indoor clothes and outside clothes and religious clothes used for prayer. Western non-Muslim women usually wear the same clothes inside the house and to the mall or to class. Discover why they have inside and outside clothes. If she has special prayer clothes ask if you could see them and inquire why she wears them.
The following discussion is for the purpose of encouraging your friend to think through some issues. Go only as far as she feels comfortable:
Did you know that Adam and Eve(Ah-dam and HA-wA)didn’t wear clothes in the beginning? Read/share Genesis 2: 25. They felt comfortable being completely naked. Why do you think they started wearing clothes? Guilt of disobeying God’s commands produced shame and awareness of their nakedness and fear of God. Guilt, shame and fear entered the world for the first time. Go over 3: 7,10-11. Guilt, shame and fear of God made them want to hide their nakedness so they sewed leaves together for clothes – just around their hips. Later God made(3:21) clothing for them out of animal skins. We don’t know how much of the body He covered. Why do you think people wear clothes today? To just cover beauty or because we want to hide because of shame? Would you feel guilty if you didn’t cover up completely? (This is only introductory but a very key concept of dealing with shame and fear and spiritual nakedness; not just physical nakedness. They seem to be linked).
Cosmetics
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Do you use cosmetics all the time or just for a special event? At what age did you start to wear make-up?
Discuss the different cosmetics women use:
Mascara, eye shadow, rouge, eyebrow pencil/liner, lipstick, foundation, etc.
Why do women use cosmetics?
To look beautiful, younger, protect skin from sun, cover up wrinkles, etc.
Do you think cosmetics make a person more beautiful? Are they expensive in your country? Are they imported?
What do you think of cosmetic surgery? Is it common in your country? What do women most want to change?
Who do you consider to be the most beautiful woman in the world? Do you consider yourself beautiful? Has anyone ever told you that you are beautiful?
If some Muslims exclaim that your new born baby is beautiful, why would you say “masha’Allah”?
Discuss outer beauty versus inner beauty.
Share the story of Queen Esther and all her beauty treatments. Also talk about her inner beauty and strength.
Do religious, practicing Muslim women(or a lady that teaches the Qur’an) wear make-up? Why/why not? Do women wear make-up when they say their prayers?
Do you think God is beautiful? In what way?
Do you use cosmetics all the time or just for a special event? At what age did you start to wear make-up?
Discuss the different cosmetics women use:
Mascara, eye shadow, rouge, eyebrow pencil/liner, lipstick, foundation, etc.
Why do women use cosmetics?
To look beautiful, younger, protect skin from sun, cover up wrinkles, etc.
Do you think cosmetics make a person more beautiful? Are they expensive in your country? Are they imported?
What do you think of cosmetic surgery? Is it common in your country? What do women most want to change?
Who do you consider to be the most beautiful woman in the world? Do you consider yourself beautiful? Has anyone ever told you that you are beautiful?
If some Muslims exclaim that your new born baby is beautiful, why would you say “masha’Allah”?
Discuss outer beauty versus inner beauty.
Share the story of Queen Esther and all her beauty treatments. Also talk about her inner beauty and strength.
Do religious, practicing Muslim women(or a lady that teaches the Qur’an) wear make-up? Why/why not? Do women wear make-up when they say their prayers?
Do you think God is beautiful? In what way?
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Descriptions
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
I have never seen your city/town in your country. Please describe to me what your city looks like.
Skyscrapers, big villa homes, large malls, big population, numerous hospitals, libraries, fire stations, universities, large freeways, open food markets, etc?
Please help me to picture your home where you came from. Maybe you could draw a layout of your home on a piece of paper for me so I can visualize it better.
Wood frame or from cement
Types of windows/shutters, screened - drapes
Basement or attic
Bathroom facilities and kitchen layout and laundry facilities
Carpeted or cement/tile flooring
Wall papered or painted
Size of house – how many rooms
Garage
Gardens/ fruit trees
Fenced in or a courtyard
Wow – that sounds like a real earthly paradise! It is interesting to hear you describe your city and your house. It sounds so different from my city and house. Would you like to hear a description of heaven or paradise(jannah/jannat/firdaws)? But first I’d like to hear a description of heaven from the Qur’an. What does it say heaven/paradise will be like? Would you like to hear how the Bible describes heaven? (Wait for permission). You could have her read Revelation 21(or parts of it) from a Bible in her language.
I have never seen your city/town in your country. Please describe to me what your city looks like.
Skyscrapers, big villa homes, large malls, big population, numerous hospitals, libraries, fire stations, universities, large freeways, open food markets, etc?
Please help me to picture your home where you came from. Maybe you could draw a layout of your home on a piece of paper for me so I can visualize it better.
Wood frame or from cement
Types of windows/shutters, screened - drapes
Basement or attic
Bathroom facilities and kitchen layout and laundry facilities
Carpeted or cement/tile flooring
Wall papered or painted
Size of house – how many rooms
Garage
Gardens/ fruit trees
Fenced in or a courtyard
Wow – that sounds like a real earthly paradise! It is interesting to hear you describe your city and your house. It sounds so different from my city and house. Would you like to hear a description of heaven or paradise(jannah/jannat/firdaws)? But first I’d like to hear a description of heaven from the Qur’an. What does it say heaven/paradise will be like? Would you like to hear how the Bible describes heaven? (Wait for permission). You could have her read Revelation 21(or parts of it) from a Bible in her language.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Dieting
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Have you ever gone on a diet? Please describe the kind of diet you went on. Did it work?
Sometimes when we are invited to a home for a meal the hostess keeps pressuring us to eat more food. She may feel offended if we don’t eat very much. How do you handle that pressure?
Are there many obese people in your country? (You can share about the problem with obesity in our country and why there is a problem). Do you check labels on food products in the grocery store? (If she doesn’t know about labels you could go through some food product labels to explain things to her).
Talk about dieting problems like anorexia and bulimia. Discuss how media influences females to be slim.
When we are overweight it affects our self-image and it is hard to accept ourselves. Perhaps we feel others don’t accept us well either. It is a comfort to know that God accepts us no matter how we look: fat, skinny, too tall or too short. It is people who don’t accept us or we don’t accept ourselves but God accepts us as we are.
Talk about Ramadan, the month of fasting. Since you are fasting for one month do you usually lose weight? Is Ramadan a good time to go on a diet? Why do people fast for one month during the daylight hours? How old were you when you started doing the Ramadan fast? (You can share if you fast and why you do, etc. Also, perhaps you could ask your friend if you could read Matthew 6: 16-18 and ask her what she thinks about those verses). Do you ever fast from anything besides food?
Have you ever gone on a diet? Please describe the kind of diet you went on. Did it work?
Sometimes when we are invited to a home for a meal the hostess keeps pressuring us to eat more food. She may feel offended if we don’t eat very much. How do you handle that pressure?
Are there many obese people in your country? (You can share about the problem with obesity in our country and why there is a problem). Do you check labels on food products in the grocery store? (If she doesn’t know about labels you could go through some food product labels to explain things to her).
Talk about dieting problems like anorexia and bulimia. Discuss how media influences females to be slim.
When we are overweight it affects our self-image and it is hard to accept ourselves. Perhaps we feel others don’t accept us well either. It is a comfort to know that God accepts us no matter how we look: fat, skinny, too tall or too short. It is people who don’t accept us or we don’t accept ourselves but God accepts us as we are.
Talk about Ramadan, the month of fasting. Since you are fasting for one month do you usually lose weight? Is Ramadan a good time to go on a diet? Why do people fast for one month during the daylight hours? How old were you when you started doing the Ramadan fast? (You can share if you fast and why you do, etc. Also, perhaps you could ask your friend if you could read Matthew 6: 16-18 and ask her what she thinks about those verses). Do you ever fast from anything besides food?
Monday, April 26, 2010
Driving
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
This conversation is primarily for those who haven’t learned how to drive, although it can be adapted for those who have learned also. It is important for women to learn how to drive in our country. Discuss what difference it would make in her life is she would learn. Discuss if the majority of women in her country drive cars. Ask her what she thinks of women not being allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia. What is the reason behind that prohibition?
Would you like to learn how to drive a car? Do you feel ready to learn? Does your husband want you to learn how to drive? If she is afraid to learn how to drive you could talk about the fears she may be experiencing.
Share your story of learning how to drive: how old you were, whether you learned privately or through drivers education in school, how long it took and if you had any particular fears related to learning how to drive.
Take a drivers manual to your conversation practice time and go over some of the basic road signs. Go over the directions: north, south, east and west in English. Explain the process of getting a drivers license. Some people drive without a license and hope they won’t be caught. Explain the seriousness of that.
It’s important to know and follow directions when you are driving. Show her how a GPS device works and describe how it operates. If we won’t follow what it says we will get lost. Have you ever been lost? Sometimes people think they know the way better than the GPS but then they land up getting lost. The GPS is like a road map. In the same way I follow God’s map for finding my way through this life and knowing I will be able to go to heaven(jannah/jannat or firdaws). I want to know my way both while I’m here on earth but also all the way through the moment of death. Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven when you die? What does your book say about knowing how to be sure you will get to heaven safely? You could tell her about John 14:6 of Jesus being the way, various messages Jesus gave about ‘following Him’ or the certainty of being taken safely to heaven from I Peter 3: 18. (That last verse is more suitable for those further along in hearing the Good News.)
This conversation is primarily for those who haven’t learned how to drive, although it can be adapted for those who have learned also. It is important for women to learn how to drive in our country. Discuss what difference it would make in her life is she would learn. Discuss if the majority of women in her country drive cars. Ask her what she thinks of women not being allowed to drive cars in Saudi Arabia. What is the reason behind that prohibition?
Would you like to learn how to drive a car? Do you feel ready to learn? Does your husband want you to learn how to drive? If she is afraid to learn how to drive you could talk about the fears she may be experiencing.
Share your story of learning how to drive: how old you were, whether you learned privately or through drivers education in school, how long it took and if you had any particular fears related to learning how to drive.
Take a drivers manual to your conversation practice time and go over some of the basic road signs. Go over the directions: north, south, east and west in English. Explain the process of getting a drivers license. Some people drive without a license and hope they won’t be caught. Explain the seriousness of that.
It’s important to know and follow directions when you are driving. Show her how a GPS device works and describe how it operates. If we won’t follow what it says we will get lost. Have you ever been lost? Sometimes people think they know the way better than the GPS but then they land up getting lost. The GPS is like a road map. In the same way I follow God’s map for finding my way through this life and knowing I will be able to go to heaven(jannah/jannat or firdaws). I want to know my way both while I’m here on earth but also all the way through the moment of death. Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven when you die? What does your book say about knowing how to be sure you will get to heaven safely? You could tell her about John 14:6 of Jesus being the way, various messages Jesus gave about ‘following Him’ or the certainty of being taken safely to heaven from I Peter 3: 18. (That last verse is more suitable for those further along in hearing the Good News.)
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Feeling Safe
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Is your country a safe place to live? Do you feel safe here in the West? Would you rather live in a safe country or a free country? What country do you think is the most safe and the most dangerous? Can citizens buy guns easy?
There are natural disasters which can occur where people never know if they will be safe. Describe the following natural disasters:
Famine, volcanoes, tornadoes, earthquakes, cyclones, floods, hurricanes, environmental disasters like oil spills. Does the government back in your country give warnings that a disaster is imminent? Does it make a difference or are people fatalistic that if Allah has decreed the disaster then there is nothing one can do? (She may refer to 'maktub/mak-toob' which mean 'it is written' or predestined. Discover her core belief in this perspective).
There are dangers also caused by people or technology such as crime, smoking, drugs, overeating, pollution, free sex, pornography, some cases of AIDS and corruption. Are any of these a problem in your(or our)country?
Do you feel like you can trust people in your country?(how about here?). How do people keep their houses safe? Guards, dogs, security system, high walls, neighbors check, locks, etc.
Sometimes people in our country go to psychics to reveal the unknown, or read horoscopes or get involved with astrology. They might wear a special necklace or ring believing it will protect them from harm. People get afraid of the unknown future and want to feel safe. Do people do those things in your country? They do these things because they are afraid and aren’t sure if God loves them and will protect them. Many women are afraid of jinn(like spirits). Have you ever been afraid of jinn? (You can share a story about Jesus having power/authority over demons if she is interested – or have her read Psalm 91 in her own language, if possible).
Is your country a safe place to live? Do you feel safe here in the West? Would you rather live in a safe country or a free country? What country do you think is the most safe and the most dangerous? Can citizens buy guns easy?
There are natural disasters which can occur where people never know if they will be safe. Describe the following natural disasters:
Famine, volcanoes, tornadoes, earthquakes, cyclones, floods, hurricanes, environmental disasters like oil spills. Does the government back in your country give warnings that a disaster is imminent? Does it make a difference or are people fatalistic that if Allah has decreed the disaster then there is nothing one can do? (She may refer to 'maktub/mak-toob' which mean 'it is written' or predestined. Discover her core belief in this perspective).
There are dangers also caused by people or technology such as crime, smoking, drugs, overeating, pollution, free sex, pornography, some cases of AIDS and corruption. Are any of these a problem in your(or our)country?
Do you feel like you can trust people in your country?(how about here?). How do people keep their houses safe? Guards, dogs, security system, high walls, neighbors check, locks, etc.
Sometimes people in our country go to psychics to reveal the unknown, or read horoscopes or get involved with astrology. They might wear a special necklace or ring believing it will protect them from harm. People get afraid of the unknown future and want to feel safe. Do people do those things in your country? They do these things because they are afraid and aren’t sure if God loves them and will protect them. Many women are afraid of jinn(like spirits). Have you ever been afraid of jinn? (You can share a story about Jesus having power/authority over demons if she is interested – or have her read Psalm 91 in her own language, if possible).
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Feelings
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
How are you feeling today? (Share how you’re feeling, too). Our feelings can change from day to day. Let’s talk about feelings today. We feel all kinds of emotions: anger, sadness, anxiety, depression, embarrassment, shame, joy, peace, confusion, fear, hope, jealousy, relief, etc. (As you ask her some of the following questions, share how you feel about the same thing).
Questions:
How did you feel when you left your country and came here? (talk about initial culture shock)
When you fly on an airplane do you feel nervous or anxious?
How does a bride feel on her wedding day in your country? (compare to our culture)
What does the bride’s mother usually feel?
How did you feel when you discovered you were pregnant? Delivered your baby?
What does a woman usually feel if she can’t get pregnant?
If a husband and wife fight a lot and then he decides to divorce her how do you think the wife will feel?
How would you feel if your husband took a second wife, besides you?
If a child can’t sleep at night how do you think the mother feels?
When your child gets sick how do you feel?
If your husband would forget your birthday or wedding anniversary how would you feel?
When you are alone in your house how do you feel?
How did you feel when you first saw women wearing shorts?
How do you feel when you listen to the news on TV?
When you see dogs how do you feel? How about cats? Camels?
When you are fasting during Ramadan how do you feel?
Some women visit shrines(ziarat/zee-are-it)in Muslim countries. Have you ever been to one? How do women feel when they visit shrines?
What do people feel when they go on the haj to Mecca?
How do you feel when you are at a women’s party in your community?
When someone dies in your community how do you feel?
When you make a mistake in speaking English how do you feel?
How did you feel when you became a citizen of this country?(or will become in the future)
You could share how you feel joy in your heart and would like to sing a little song to her(or to her children listening in) about joy: “I Have the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart”. Make actions to the chorus. Tell her why you feel joy in your heart.
Or - depending on your friend’s level of spiritual responsiveness you could tell her the following story:
Do you know what it means to be paralyzed? How would such a person feel? Today such a person might use a wheelchair. (Be aware that often Muslims feel they must have committed sin and are being punished by Allah when sickness comes). There’s a story in the Injeel(Gospels) about a man who was paralyzed for many years and an amazing miracle (mo-ja-sah) happened to him. Would you like to hear about that story? (Read or tell the story found in Luke 5: 17-27). How did the religious teachers feel? How about the paralyzed man? His friends who brought him to Jesus? What did the on-lookers feel? How do you think Isa al Masih felt about the religious teachers? Towards the paralyzed man? What two amazing things happened to the paralyzed man? Do you think the people understood who Jesus was? Jesus understands how we feel.
How are you feeling today? (Share how you’re feeling, too). Our feelings can change from day to day. Let’s talk about feelings today. We feel all kinds of emotions: anger, sadness, anxiety, depression, embarrassment, shame, joy, peace, confusion, fear, hope, jealousy, relief, etc. (As you ask her some of the following questions, share how you feel about the same thing).
Questions:
How did you feel when you left your country and came here? (talk about initial culture shock)
When you fly on an airplane do you feel nervous or anxious?
How does a bride feel on her wedding day in your country? (compare to our culture)
What does the bride’s mother usually feel?
How did you feel when you discovered you were pregnant? Delivered your baby?
What does a woman usually feel if she can’t get pregnant?
If a husband and wife fight a lot and then he decides to divorce her how do you think the wife will feel?
How would you feel if your husband took a second wife, besides you?
If a child can’t sleep at night how do you think the mother feels?
When your child gets sick how do you feel?
If your husband would forget your birthday or wedding anniversary how would you feel?
When you are alone in your house how do you feel?
How did you feel when you first saw women wearing shorts?
How do you feel when you listen to the news on TV?
When you see dogs how do you feel? How about cats? Camels?
When you are fasting during Ramadan how do you feel?
Some women visit shrines(ziarat/zee-are-it)in Muslim countries. Have you ever been to one? How do women feel when they visit shrines?
What do people feel when they go on the haj to Mecca?
How do you feel when you are at a women’s party in your community?
When someone dies in your community how do you feel?
When you make a mistake in speaking English how do you feel?
How did you feel when you became a citizen of this country?(or will become in the future)
You could share how you feel joy in your heart and would like to sing a little song to her(or to her children listening in) about joy: “I Have the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in my Heart”. Make actions to the chorus. Tell her why you feel joy in your heart.
Or - depending on your friend’s level of spiritual responsiveness you could tell her the following story:
Do you know what it means to be paralyzed? How would such a person feel? Today such a person might use a wheelchair. (Be aware that often Muslims feel they must have committed sin and are being punished by Allah when sickness comes). There’s a story in the Injeel(Gospels) about a man who was paralyzed for many years and an amazing miracle (mo-ja-sah) happened to him. Would you like to hear about that story? (Read or tell the story found in Luke 5: 17-27). How did the religious teachers feel? How about the paralyzed man? His friends who brought him to Jesus? What did the on-lookers feel? How do you think Isa al Masih felt about the religious teachers? Towards the paralyzed man? What two amazing things happened to the paralyzed man? Do you think the people understood who Jesus was? Jesus understands how we feel.
Fires
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
I’m sure in all of our cities, whether here or in your country, we have fire departments which we call if there is a fire in our house, schools or offices. Talk about fire alarms in public places, fire hydrants, fire trucks, sirens, firemen, 911 emergency number and the fire department’s quick response to a call. If we are driving on the street, cars have to pull over to let a fire truck go through. See how many similarities there may be between your countries on this subject.
Do young boys aspire to become firemen when they grow up in your culture? Is it considered a noble profession? In the West a fireman is a hero type of figure because it is considered a dangerous job and they rescue people from fires. Is anyone in your family a fireman?
Share any experiences you both have had with fires. Many have fire insurance protection if they lose their house in a fire. How about in your country?
Let’s discuss some of the things that can cause fires: leaving candles untended, oil from cooking, not putting a cigarette out thoroughly, kids playing with matches, lack of rain and long hot weather, etc. Reinforce the need to put matches out of reach from children, watch our food on the stove, etc. Usually we have fire alarms in our homes to warn us if a fire has started. Sometimes people don’t like their loud noise and they cover them up or take the batteries out. (Find out if they do that and talk about the dangers of that). Did you have a fire alarm in your home in_______?
Our schools have trial fire drills to prepare the children in case of a real fire. Is this new for you?
If there would be a fire in your home what would be the first thing you would want to retrieve besides your children?
Fire can be dangerous but it can also be a wonderful thing. We love sitting beside a fireplace. We enjoy burning candles to make a room cozy or light it up. We love watching children blow out birthday candles. The Olympic torch is awesome because the flame doesn’t go out as it travels from place to place. Many people like to make a camp fire and cook over it.
Sing the chorus “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let it Shine” with the actions.
You could show your friend different kinds of candles either from a book or real ones. They could be scented or unscented, different sizes, including votives, ones that float on water, birthday candles where you blow out the flame and they come back on, emergency candles, and battery operated candles that have a fake flame. Give her a gift of a candle.
Fire gets our attention either because of its beauty or danger. We don’t ignore a fire. (Tell/read the story of Moses and the burning bush in Genesis 3: 1-6. God got Moses’ attention.) Share with each other how God has gotten your attention in various ways.
I’m sure in all of our cities, whether here or in your country, we have fire departments which we call if there is a fire in our house, schools or offices. Talk about fire alarms in public places, fire hydrants, fire trucks, sirens, firemen, 911 emergency number and the fire department’s quick response to a call. If we are driving on the street, cars have to pull over to let a fire truck go through. See how many similarities there may be between your countries on this subject.
Do young boys aspire to become firemen when they grow up in your culture? Is it considered a noble profession? In the West a fireman is a hero type of figure because it is considered a dangerous job and they rescue people from fires. Is anyone in your family a fireman?
Share any experiences you both have had with fires. Many have fire insurance protection if they lose their house in a fire. How about in your country?
Let’s discuss some of the things that can cause fires: leaving candles untended, oil from cooking, not putting a cigarette out thoroughly, kids playing with matches, lack of rain and long hot weather, etc. Reinforce the need to put matches out of reach from children, watch our food on the stove, etc. Usually we have fire alarms in our homes to warn us if a fire has started. Sometimes people don’t like their loud noise and they cover them up or take the batteries out. (Find out if they do that and talk about the dangers of that). Did you have a fire alarm in your home in_______?
Our schools have trial fire drills to prepare the children in case of a real fire. Is this new for you?
If there would be a fire in your home what would be the first thing you would want to retrieve besides your children?
Fire can be dangerous but it can also be a wonderful thing. We love sitting beside a fireplace. We enjoy burning candles to make a room cozy or light it up. We love watching children blow out birthday candles. The Olympic torch is awesome because the flame doesn’t go out as it travels from place to place. Many people like to make a camp fire and cook over it.
Sing the chorus “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let it Shine” with the actions.
You could show your friend different kinds of candles either from a book or real ones. They could be scented or unscented, different sizes, including votives, ones that float on water, birthday candles where you blow out the flame and they come back on, emergency candles, and battery operated candles that have a fake flame. Give her a gift of a candle.
Fire gets our attention either because of its beauty or danger. We don’t ignore a fire. (Tell/read the story of Moses and the burning bush in Genesis 3: 1-6. God got Moses’ attention.) Share with each other how God has gotten your attention in various ways.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Flowers
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Do you like flowers a lot? (Perhaps look over a book or a calendar that has photos of flowers and discuss the names of different flowers.) What is your favorite one? What is the national flower of your country?
Do you plant flowers around your house or on your apartment balcony? In your country do women garden themselves or hire a gardener?
Talk about public gardens in both of your countries. (You could visit a flower garden together). It’s amazing how God has made such beautiful variety. He loves beauty and He wants us to enjoy His beauty. In your country are flowers sold in the open market or in florist shops? Are the flowers imported or grown locally? Do you often have fresh flowers in your living room?
What do flowers express to you? Love, care, gratitude, sympathy, etc. Has anyone ever given you flowers as a gift? Does your husband give you flowers? What kind? Are there certain colors of flowers that are given just at a funeral time or wedding time? Do yellow flowers indicate something? How about white? Red?
Do you like silk flowers? We have stores that sell silk flowers or flower arrangements. They are very expensive. Do you like artificial flowers or prefer real flowers?
We have a saying in English: “stop and smell the roses”. That means don’t get too busy. We need to stop and take pleasure in the simple pleasures of life. We just keep working, working, working(or studying). Do you ever feel that you need to “stop and smell the roses”?
Are there female names in your language that are names of flowers like: Rose, Lily, Violet, Jasmin, etc? In the Bible Isa Al Masih is sometimes described as the Rose of Sharon or the Lily of the Valley because His beauty is so precious. (You can discuss what you find beautiful about Jesus).
Bring your friend either a silk flower or real flower to surprise her. (You could read Matthew 6:30 to show her how much God cares for her).
Do you like flowers a lot? (Perhaps look over a book or a calendar that has photos of flowers and discuss the names of different flowers.) What is your favorite one? What is the national flower of your country?
Do you plant flowers around your house or on your apartment balcony? In your country do women garden themselves or hire a gardener?
Talk about public gardens in both of your countries. (You could visit a flower garden together). It’s amazing how God has made such beautiful variety. He loves beauty and He wants us to enjoy His beauty. In your country are flowers sold in the open market or in florist shops? Are the flowers imported or grown locally? Do you often have fresh flowers in your living room?
What do flowers express to you? Love, care, gratitude, sympathy, etc. Has anyone ever given you flowers as a gift? Does your husband give you flowers? What kind? Are there certain colors of flowers that are given just at a funeral time or wedding time? Do yellow flowers indicate something? How about white? Red?
Do you like silk flowers? We have stores that sell silk flowers or flower arrangements. They are very expensive. Do you like artificial flowers or prefer real flowers?
We have a saying in English: “stop and smell the roses”. That means don’t get too busy. We need to stop and take pleasure in the simple pleasures of life. We just keep working, working, working(or studying). Do you ever feel that you need to “stop and smell the roses”?
Are there female names in your language that are names of flowers like: Rose, Lily, Violet, Jasmin, etc? In the Bible Isa Al Masih is sometimes described as the Rose of Sharon or the Lily of the Valley because His beauty is so precious. (You can discuss what you find beautiful about Jesus).
Bring your friend either a silk flower or real flower to surprise her. (You could read Matthew 6:30 to show her how much God cares for her).
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Food
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Do you enjoy cooking? Who taught you how to cook? When did you learn how to cook? Does your husband know how to cook?
Where do you buy most of your food? When do you shop for food? Do you shop for food by yourself or your husband or both of you go together? Are the grocery stores like the ones in your country? What differences are there? Do you find everything you need for cooking your kind of food here? Do you sometimes go to an ethnic food store? (Perhaps suggest you’d like to go with her sometime to her ethnic store and she can explain the different items she uses to you. You may get into a conversation about foods that are haram/forbidden in Islam and halal/permitted.) Do you have any food allergies?
Each of you share what kind of food you eat for breakfast, lunch and supper. Find out if she likes to eat only her kind of food or try food from other cultures.
Have her explain how she makes rice. Also discover how she prepares tea.
You could bake chocolate chip cookies together. Go over the recipe with her.
Do you eat a special kind of bread? Is bread very important in your culture? Do you make it in your home? Have you ever heard of a bread maker? Explain how it works and show a picture of one to her. Do you eat bread every day?
Ask if you could read some verses from the Bible(Psalm 78:17-25) about bread – not being cooked in a kitchen – but coming down from heaven. She will be somewhat acquainted with the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. But if not, you will need to share some history of that. Imagine such bread being provided by God every day for forty years! The real point of this story is to teach that God is not only powerful but He is trustworthy. Muslims acknowledge that God is all powerful but because he is believed to be far away and inaccessible how can one totally trust Him? This truth about God being trustworthy is very important for a Muslim woman to grasp. It lays the foundation to believe He is good and is loving. Some Muslim women go to people endowed with divination powers because they believe they can help them rather than trust God who is trustworthy and able to care for them.
Do you enjoy cooking? Who taught you how to cook? When did you learn how to cook? Does your husband know how to cook?
Where do you buy most of your food? When do you shop for food? Do you shop for food by yourself or your husband or both of you go together? Are the grocery stores like the ones in your country? What differences are there? Do you find everything you need for cooking your kind of food here? Do you sometimes go to an ethnic food store? (Perhaps suggest you’d like to go with her sometime to her ethnic store and she can explain the different items she uses to you. You may get into a conversation about foods that are haram/forbidden in Islam and halal/permitted.) Do you have any food allergies?
Each of you share what kind of food you eat for breakfast, lunch and supper. Find out if she likes to eat only her kind of food or try food from other cultures.
Have her explain how she makes rice. Also discover how she prepares tea.
You could bake chocolate chip cookies together. Go over the recipe with her.
Do you eat a special kind of bread? Is bread very important in your culture? Do you make it in your home? Have you ever heard of a bread maker? Explain how it works and show a picture of one to her. Do you eat bread every day?
Ask if you could read some verses from the Bible(Psalm 78:17-25) about bread – not being cooked in a kitchen – but coming down from heaven. She will be somewhat acquainted with the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. But if not, you will need to share some history of that. Imagine such bread being provided by God every day for forty years! The real point of this story is to teach that God is not only powerful but He is trustworthy. Muslims acknowledge that God is all powerful but because he is believed to be far away and inaccessible how can one totally trust Him? This truth about God being trustworthy is very important for a Muslim woman to grasp. It lays the foundation to believe He is good and is loving. Some Muslim women go to people endowed with divination powers because they believe they can help them rather than trust God who is trustworthy and able to care for them.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Freedom
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Let’s talk about freedom. What does that word mean to you? Is your country free? Are people free to choose their religion, free to say or write anything or free to wear whatever they want? In what ways are our countries different from each other in matters referring to freedom?
Do you think people should fight for freedom? Or just accept situations that don’t allow freedom?
Do you think a mother or a wife can ever be truly free? Should we control our children and teenagers or allow them to make choices?
Do you think men lose their freedom when they marry?
Some people really don’t want to pursue freedom. They may like a society that is controlled. Sometimes familiar traditional ways are more desired than freedom because freedom might bring change and that can be scary. Do you prefer tradition with no change or freedom to see change happen?
Some people come to the West as refugees seeking freedom. They come to a free country but sometimes never become free inside. They might be filled with bad memories or a desire to take revenge on enemies that forced them to flee their country. (Discuss this reality and what can be done about that).
You could share how you have become free inside from some particular sin such as worry, fear, jealousy, etc.
Let’s talk about freedom. What does that word mean to you? Is your country free? Are people free to choose their religion, free to say or write anything or free to wear whatever they want? In what ways are our countries different from each other in matters referring to freedom?
Do you think people should fight for freedom? Or just accept situations that don’t allow freedom?
Do you think a mother or a wife can ever be truly free? Should we control our children and teenagers or allow them to make choices?
Do you think men lose their freedom when they marry?
Some people really don’t want to pursue freedom. They may like a society that is controlled. Sometimes familiar traditional ways are more desired than freedom because freedom might bring change and that can be scary. Do you prefer tradition with no change or freedom to see change happen?
Some people come to the West as refugees seeking freedom. They come to a free country but sometimes never become free inside. They might be filled with bad memories or a desire to take revenge on enemies that forced them to flee their country. (Discuss this reality and what can be done about that).
You could share how you have become free inside from some particular sin such as worry, fear, jealousy, etc.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Friends
Here is another post in my Conversation Ideas series.
Before you were married did you have a really good friend apart from your immediate family? What did you enjoy doing together? What did you like about her? Is she still a close friend? (You can share about some special friends from your childhood).
In your culture many marriages are arranged by your parents and you don’t always know the person you will marry very well. Do husbands and wives usually consider each other as best friends? Do women in your country tell their mother everything or their husband?
Have you ever had a really good friend who was not a Muslim or from an Islamic country? How did you meet? What do you like about her? What do you do together? Is she the same age as you or older?
There are many things that make up a good friendship. What do you consider to be the most important thing in a friendship? How about some other things? (You share your perspective, too.) There are also things that can destroy a good friendship. Have you ever experienced a good friendship that has ended? What do you think are some things that can destroy a friendship? (You share your ideas about this, too.)
Do you feel like Allah is your friend? Do you think Allah has friends? I often hear Muslims say that we are Allah’s slaves and he is like a master. Is that how you think of Allah? Are Muslims afraid of Allah? Why? Ebraheem(Abraham) was called “the friend of God.” What do you think that could mean? He is mentioned in both the Bible and the Qur’an(Surah 4:125) as the friend of God. (Share how God is your friend and what that means to you.) The amazing thing is that we don’t have to be perfect or sinless to become God’s friends. He loves us even when we fail Him or do bad things.
Before you were married did you have a really good friend apart from your immediate family? What did you enjoy doing together? What did you like about her? Is she still a close friend? (You can share about some special friends from your childhood).
In your culture many marriages are arranged by your parents and you don’t always know the person you will marry very well. Do husbands and wives usually consider each other as best friends? Do women in your country tell their mother everything or their husband?
Have you ever had a really good friend who was not a Muslim or from an Islamic country? How did you meet? What do you like about her? What do you do together? Is she the same age as you or older?
There are many things that make up a good friendship. What do you consider to be the most important thing in a friendship? How about some other things? (You share your perspective, too.) There are also things that can destroy a good friendship. Have you ever experienced a good friendship that has ended? What do you think are some things that can destroy a friendship? (You share your ideas about this, too.)
Do you feel like Allah is your friend? Do you think Allah has friends? I often hear Muslims say that we are Allah’s slaves and he is like a master. Is that how you think of Allah? Are Muslims afraid of Allah? Why? Ebraheem(Abraham) was called “the friend of God.” What do you think that could mean? He is mentioned in both the Bible and the Qur’an(Surah 4:125) as the friend of God. (Share how God is your friend and what that means to you.) The amazing thing is that we don’t have to be perfect or sinless to become God’s friends. He loves us even when we fail Him or do bad things.
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