Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 5
Amon’s turning point began with a question he asked (“What’s the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament?”), and Arnold said, “If you ever can work in the Muslim world, get them to ask you the question”; what does this approach assume about humility, patience, and trust in God’s timing—and how does it critique pushy or performative “sharing the gospel” habits?
Another way to ask: Why is it powerful when a Muslim person is the one asking the questions instead of Christians pushing the conversation? What does this say about humility, patience, and waiting for God’s timing?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Arnold’s approach assumes we should wait, listen, and respond when genuine questions arise, trusting God to open doors in His time. It critiques a pushy style that speaks without being invited, often producing resistance rather than real hearing.
- Amon initiated the key conversation: “Could you tell me what the difference is?” and Arnold admitted he would have “just ran” if he had known how significant it was.
- Arnold tried to deflect due to time, but Amon replied, “Well, I have time,” and listened “for two hours” because he had asked.
- Arnold explicitly teaches the principle: “If you ever can work in the Muslim world, get them to ask you the question…because they asked you.”
- He contrasts it with street preaching: if he asked publicly, “There probably would be a single person stop and listen.”
- The relationship developed over repeated talks (“lots of conversations…School would leave out…we’d talk”), not a single performance moment.