Is any one else out there Leading or helping on Aplpha Courses.
This could be a good way of sharing our experiances.
Super Slug
This could be a good way of sharing our experiances.
Super Slug
Alpha Courses
- Thread starter super slug
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I have helped out with 3 alpha courses but we are not doing it this year
You can find a local course on the web site
* www.alpha.org.uk/
hope you find one Karen
God Bless
You can find a local course on the web site
* www.alpha.org.uk/
hope you find one Karen
God Bless
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We took the alpha course which was offered in our church.....It wasnt all that great of an experience for me. Maybe it was our church, however we did use the video series.....why do you think it is wonderful?
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Ours didnt have a meal plan. However, there was some kind of "treat" involved. Is the purpose to form small groups or the purpose to teach the essentials of Christianity?
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karen_UK said:
Karen,
Yep all over.
I'm in east Yorkshire, on the west side of HULL. If that is near you and you want to join our course send us an email.
Andy
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I origionally was a bit sceptical about the courses. I didnt like the Idea of trying to work to a formula to bring people to Christ. In my experiance the Holy spirit doesnt work that way.
But I lead for the first time last year and am into week 2 of leading this year.
My origional sceptical notions have been laid to rest. The meal is a great way of getting to know the people on the course and for them to get to know you. There is no talk about Christianity over the meal and the guests get to realise that you are a normal person.
The videos are well presented and informative. I always seem to learn something new.
The best bit though is the small groups. You get some questions to work through with the group on the basics of christianity but basically you just go off at tangents all the time and allow people to discover it all themselves.
I was afraid that i would have to follow the 'Party Line' but it is not like that. You are allowed to just be yourself, and bring all your questions, doubt and struggles to the group as well as letting them do the same.
I havnt felt this close to God in years.
But I lead for the first time last year and am into week 2 of leading this year.
My origional sceptical notions have been laid to rest. The meal is a great way of getting to know the people on the course and for them to get to know you. There is no talk about Christianity over the meal and the guests get to realise that you are a normal person.
The videos are well presented and informative. I always seem to learn something new.
The best bit though is the small groups. You get some questions to work through with the group on the basics of christianity but basically you just go off at tangents all the time and allow people to discover it all themselves.
I was afraid that i would have to follow the 'Party Line' but it is not like that. You are allowed to just be yourself, and bring all your questions, doubt and struggles to the group as well as letting them do the same.
I havnt felt this close to God in years.
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Martin
Senior Veteran
John Wimber once said that there are many reasons why people attend church, but only one reason why you stay - the friends you make.
At first, I immediately thought he was wrong... but I think he is right. If you think about it long enough, I think you will see he is right. So, what has this to do with Alpha...?
Well, the small groups create strong friendships between the attendees so much so that they often want them to continue - it's about creating relationships, and whilst they do not of themselves lead to a commitment to Christ, they are a very important part.
At first, I immediately thought he was wrong... but I think he is right. If you think about it long enough, I think you will see he is right. So, what has this to do with Alpha...?
Well, the small groups create strong friendships between the attendees so much so that they often want them to continue - it's about creating relationships, and whilst they do not of themselves lead to a commitment to Christ, they are a very important part.
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Hi Oneiric,
Do they seem to be run on the same basis in the US as I describe above.
Super Slug
Do they seem to be run on the same basis in the US as I describe above.
Super Slug
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I am in the US as well. We found that we had a hard time with the video presentations. They seemed a bit long. They did give good info, but I think some of it may have been lost in the presentation just from British to American. Our class asked to forgo the last two or three videos and just have our own discussion from the study guides with our leader. However, there were no seekers in our group most were mature Christians, no meal, and most have been exposed to small groups or are involved in other ones as well. Since this was my first exposure to this course, I didnt know if it wasnt being done "correctly" or if it was geared towards new believers or seekers. It sounds like it has much more success in your country than our church
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Martin
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I would always recommend that you lead the course yourself, rather than use videos (even if you only have 6 people or less).... You can flex the presentation to suit the culture of the attendees. In the North of England some of the examples, jokes, etc do not suit the culture...
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That is good insight. Do you also have a retreat midway through the sessions? I gather the first couple of classes did go away together for a weekend. Is this part of your experience as well?
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SqueakyGerbil
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Sorry I just had to reply to this real quick. They have them all over the world (Canada just had it's Invite the Nation to Dinner thing for Alpha)karen_UK said:
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Chris Green
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Our fellowship started one 5 weeks ago.
We are only a small fellowship at the moment, but we had about 7 people do the commitment prayer of the recent weeks. Its great.
We are only a small fellowship at the moment, but we had about 7 people do the commitment prayer of the recent weeks. Its great.
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OceanAngel
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I went on one last year and became a Christian as a result. I would say that at least two-thirds of those on the course have since made a Christian commitment. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to the guys who put so much time and effort into the course. We had a meal each session. What I would say I enjoyed most about the course was that we DIDN'T use the videos (except on the weekend away) and instead had different members of the congregation presenting on each subject of discussion; we were then able to hear some of how Christ has changed the lives of ordinary people in the Church.
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