The Alpha course usually meets once per week for 10 weeks, and includes a one-day or weekend getaway. Each session, people enjoy great food, laughter and learning in a fun and friendly atmosphere where no question about life or God is seen as too simple or too hostile... questions like: Is there a God? Why am I here? Where did I come from? Where am I going?
Quick links:
Who is Alpha for?What happens at Alpha?
How much does it cost?
How did Alpha begin?
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Who is Alpha for?
Alpha is for anyone...anyone who wants to explore the meaning of life.
People attend from all backgrounds, religions, and viewpoints. They come to investigate questions about the existence of God, the purpose of life, the afterlife, the claims of Jesus and more. Some people want to get beyond religion and find a relationship with God that really changes their lives. Others come for the close, long-lasting friendships that are built during the Alpha course.Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. Everyone is welcome.
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What happens at Alpha?
The Alpha course usually runs over a period of 10 weeks, with a day or weekend getaway in the middle. Courses vary in size, from one small group meeting in a home, to hundreds of people in a church. Some courses are held over morning coffee or during a lunch hour. Most are evening courses typically lasting 2 and a bit hours.
Each gathering begins with a meal or refreshments - a chance to get to know others. Then there is a short talk which looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith each week. This is followed by a time of discussion in small groups, where everyone is welcome to contribute their opinion and ask questions. People usually stay in the same small groups for the duration of the course so they can get to know each other, continue discussions and deepen friendships. The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment.
The talks each week cover the following topics, acting as a springboard for the small group discussions:
Introduction Dinner: Is there more to life than this?
Week 1: Who is Jesus?
Week 2: Why did Jesus die?
Week 3: How can we have faith?
Week 4: Why and how do I pray?
Week 5: Why and how should I read the Bible?
Week 6: How does God guide us?
Week 7: How can I resist evil?
Week 8: Why & how should we tell others?
Week 9: Does God heal today?
Week 10: What about the Church?
What is covered on the weekend away:
Who is the Holy Spirit?
What does the Holy Spirit do?
How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?
How can I make the most of the rest of my life?
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How much does it cost?
There is no charge for attending the Alpha course. Some courses might ask for a small contribution to help cover meal and weekend getaway costs.
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How did Alpha begin?
The Alpha Course has been running for more than 30 years. It began at Holy Trinity Brompton in central London, in the late 1970s, as a means of presenting the basic principles of the Christian faith to new Christians in a relaxed and informal setting. By 1990, when former lawyer Nicky Gumbel took over the course, Alpha was a central feature of the church's life. While leading his second Alpha course, Nicky realized this course could also appeal to non-churchgoers and he adopted it, making it welcoming and suitable for such individuals.
During the 1990s, the Alpha course spread - first throughout the UK and then internationally - as more churches and groups found it a helpful way to answer people's questions about the Christian faith. Now, there are more than 55000 courses run in 166 countries and the Alpha course is supported by all major denominations.