Tell Me More About Alpha
.
.
In our opinion, the Alpha mnemonic best encapsulates the spirit of what an Alpha Course is. We often use the mnemonic to briefly introduce Alpha to anyone who attends the Alpha Leaders Training sessions we conduct.
.
A – Anyone Interested!
in finding out more about the Christian faith can be invited on this 10 week introduction designed for non church-goers and new Christians. It can also be used as a refresher course for mature Christians.
L – Learning & Laughter
Alpha topics of discussion centre around a series of 15 talks which tackle the key questions at the heart of the Christian faith. We believe it is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have a lot of fun at the same time.
P – Pasta, Pizza, Popiah & Prata
substitute your favourite food beginning with P here. It is important that the course is held in a welcoming environment. Eating together gives people the chance to get to know each other and to develop Christian friendships.
H – Helping One Another
The small group discussions give each person a chance to participate and help each other along the way. People often come back and help on the next course or bring their friends along to see what it’s all about.
A – Ask Anything.
Alpha is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile. People are given an opportunity to raise their questions and discuss relevant topics in small groups after the talk.
.
Let’s take a more detailed look at what Alpha is..
An Alpha Course is a 10-week practical introduction to the Christian faith. It gives people an opportunity to explore big life questions. Questions like: ‘is there any point to life?‘ and ‘what happens when I die?’. Alpha guests learn how Christianity answers these questions as they gather together to share meals, hear talks and discuss their thoughts.
The Alpha Course is for everyone – believers and non-believers, young christians and mature christians. It sparks faith in people outside the church. It kindles the faith of new Christians. And it fuels the commitment of longtime Christians.
Today, more than 35,000 Alpha Courses are held worldwide, in 136 countries. You’ll find Alpha Courses in churches – Protestant, Catholic and Episcopal. You’ll also find it in homes, prisons, the military, schools and workplaces. You’ll find them being run by large organizations, churches, small care groups and even individuals.
The Alpha Course has been picked up and run by people around the globe and across denominations for a simple, dynamic reason: it changes people’s lives.
.
Alpha guests explore Christianity by participating in fifteen sessions that take place in a relaxed, welcoming and engaging atmosphere. Each session explores a particular question:
- Is there more to life than this?
- Who is Jesus?
- Why did Jesus die?
- How can I be sure of my faith?
- Why and how do I pray?
- Why and how should I read the bible?
- How does God guide us?
- How can I resist evil?
- Why and how should we tell others?
- Does God heal today?
- What about the church?
- Who Is the Holy Spirit?
- What Does the Holy Spirit Do?
- How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit?
- How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?
Generally, these sessions are held once a week for ten weeks. The format each week is the same. The guests share an informal meal, sing 1-2 songs, listen to a talk on how Christianity approaches the question at hand, then gather into small groups for discussion.
The three sessions concerning the Holy Spirit (12, 13 and 14) are covered during a weekend or day retreat: a momentous time when guests frequently accept Christ in their hearts and form lasting relationships with one another.
Usually, guests celebrate the completion of the Alpha course with a formal dinner, the Celebration Dinner. Other people interested in the Alpha course join the Celebration Dinner, too. The first session talk – Is there more to life than this? – is repeated to generate interest in the Alpha course. Those interested join the next course.
.
