Building Bridges: Sharing the Gospel with Sikhs
“You have had only one Guru die for you? We have had multiple Gurus die for us!” the Sikh man said earnestly, interrupting my attempt to share the gospel. His response was sincere, reflecting a worldview shaped by Sikh history and devotion. A worldview completely different from my own.
With 26 million Sikhs around the world, how can we introduce them to the gospel? I hope to help you bridge the gap.
God loves the 20 million Sikhs alive today and desires for them to know Him.
Let's be the ones to share Christ with them.
By approaching cultural differences with respect and a desire to understand, you’ll be ready to share Christ’s love in a way that resonates and makes a lasting impact.
1. Start by Learning
In Acts, Paul shows us how to connect with people from different cultures by learning about their traditions and using that as a springboard to share the gospel. By learning about Sikh beliefs, values, and culture, we can share the gospel more effectively.
Who Are Sikhs?
Sikhism was founded in the 15th century by Guru Nanak in Punjab, India. Their core teachings include devotion to one God (Waheguru), equality, honest living, and selfless service. Nine more Gurus followed Nanak, and the final human Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, declared the Guru Granth Sahib (their holy writings) as the eternal Guru.
Sikh history is marked by resilience and martyrdom, shaping their identity as warriors for justice and protectors of the oppressed. Known for their hospitality, hard work, and service, Sikhs welcome all people at their Gurudwaras, where free meals are served.
Sikhs are also easily identifiable because they often wear symbols such as the turban, kirpan (sword), long beards, and other articles of faith.
If you know a Sikh family or friend, you have a great opportunity to build a connection and share the gospel.
2. Build Genuine Friendships
Sikhs value relationships deeply. Here are some practical ways to connect:
1. Sharing Meals.
Shared meals are central to Punjabi culture. Ask to try their favorite traditional dishes, like butter chicken, saag, or daal. Don’t be surprised if they invite you to their home and offer a feast!
2. Being Active.
Sikhs enjoy group activities! Ask to learn one of their traditional games like cricket, field hockey, or kabaddi (a Punjabi game similar to tag). These outlets are natural ways to connect and bond.
3. Accepting Hospitality.
Sikhs love building close friendships! Attend their family celebrations if invited. Your presence will be deeply appreciated, and you’ll experience their warmth firsthand.
4. Sharing Your World.
Invite Sikh friends to join your favorite activities—your favorite restaurants, sports events, or even religious celebrations like Christmas or Easter. They are often curious and open to learning about your culture, which will lead to deeper connections and open the door to gospel conversations.
In Hindi, there’s a phrase, “gumne jana,” which means “to roam around.” Sikhs often enjoy hanging out without always having a specific plan. “Gumne jana” is all about spending time together. So don’t stress about always having a formal agenda. Roaming around is a welcomed form of engagement with them and will create opportunities to share your life and faith.
3. Be Open to Faith Conversations
Like many internationals, Sikhs enjoy talking about faith and spirituality. If you bring up matters of faith, they will likely be happy to share their beliefs and listen to yours.
Ask thoughtful questions to provoke deeper conversation. Here are a few questions you can start with:
What’s your family history?
Where is your family from in Punjab?
What can I learn about Sikhism?
What does your faith mean to you?
Sikhs are proud of their culture and history, and they’ll appreciate your interest. These questions open the door to sharing the gospel in a way that speaks to their values and perspective.
4. Find Common Ground
Finally, identify shared values that bridge the gap to the gospel. Discussing these ideas will create opportunities to share truth from the Word.
● Equality: Both Sikhism and Christianity affirm the equality of all people. Share how Jesus demonstrated equality by offering salvation for all people, regardless of status.
● Service: Sikhs value selfless service (seva). Highlight Jesus’ example of humility and service throughout his ministry.
● Ethical Living: Sikhs strive for honest, virtuous living. Explain how the gospel empowers believers to live transformed, holy lives empowered by God's grace.
● Sacred Scriptures: Sikhs revere the Guru Granth Sahib. Share the significance of the Bible as God’s Word, revealing His love and plan for humanity. Share some of your favorite verses!
● Sacrifice: Sikhs deeply value profound sacrifice, even unto death, as reflected in their history of martyrdom. Share how Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross embodies the greatest act of love (even while we were sinners), offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe in Him.
Through genuine conversation, we can share the truth. The Christian faith has many aspects that resonate with Sikhs.
One Step at A Time
The Sikh man's response left me speechless, but my Christian brother quickly stepped in, saying, "We have one Guru who died for us, but He didn’t stay dead! Jesus rose three days later and is alive today, offering us a restored relationship with God through His perfect sacrifice."
Did the man accept Christ immediately? No, but he heard the truth, and that’s where transformation starts. As Scott Hildreth says in his book Sharing the Gospel Without Freaking Out, our job is to help people take one step closer to Christ.
We can't control the outcome—only God can change hearts—but we can plant the seeds. By building relationships and finding common ground, we can help Sikhs move closer to knowing Jesus.
God loves the 20 million Sikhs alive today and desires for them to know Him. Let's be the ones to share Christ with them.
Jeshua S. lived and worked a missionary among the Sikh people.
