What is Alpha for?

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith.
Learning and laughter. It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time!
Pasta and pudding. Eating a meal together gives people and opportunity to get to know each other.
Helping one another. The small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raised in the talks.
Ask anything. It is a place where no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile.

What is a typical Alpha evening like?

• 7:00pm: a light meal
• 7:30pm: announcements etc
• 7:40pm: main talk of the evening
• 8:20pm: coffee and dessert
• 8:40pm: small group discussion
• 9:30pm: ends

How much will Alpha cost?  The Alpha course is free. Guests may be invited to make a voluntary contribution towards the food and the cost of the weekend.

Below is a list of the topics covered over the course of the Alpha series.  Please consider whether you know someone who would benefit from taking the course, and invite them along!

Lessons include:

• What about the Church? We looked at the church in five ways - the people of God, the family of God, the body of Christ, a Holy Temple and finally the Bride of Christ. We were reminded the importance of three types of church gatherings - Celebrations, congregations and cell groups - and how being part of each one of these groups plays a vital part in the growth of our relationships with God and each other.
• Does God heal today? We were reminded about God promises to heal, and how it is in His nature to do so. Jesus instructed on many occasions to preach and heal, which reinforced the point that even though some Christians are given the spiritual gift of healing, we are all instructed to 'proclaim then demonstrate'! In the same way that some are given the gift of evangelism, but we all must tell others about Jesus. We were also reminded that in this age, not all are healed, but we must take a long term view and demonstrate perseverance.
• Does God heal today? Our discussion started with a resounding 'yes' as we considered how God promises he will heal and it is in His nature to do so. Jesus instructed on many occasions to preach and heal, which reinforced the point that even though some Christians are given the spiritual gift of healing, we are all instructed to 'proclaim then demonstrate'! In the same way as some are given the gift of evangelism, but we all must tell others about Jesus. We were also reminded that in this age, not all are healed, but we must demonstrate perseverance, and take a long term view.
• Why and How should we tell others? The 'Why' is because God commands us to, because others need to hear it, and because it's Good News! The 'How' can be summarised using 5 P's Presence, Persuasion, Proclamation, Power and Prayer. Do you know that name of the man who brought Billy Graham to Jesus? Most wouldn't, and yet most of us have seen or heard Billy Graham. Simon Peter was a great New Testament figure, and yet it was his brother Andrew, one we don't hear so much about, who introduced him to the Messiah. We may not all have the gift of evangelism, but we can all invite a friend to a concert, a youth gathering or a church service.
• 'How does God guide us?' We were assured of God's promise to guide us through His good and perfect plan for each one of our lives. We were encouraged to use Commanding Scripture to understand both His general will for each of us, and His particular will when a specific verse speaks to us at a particular time.
• How can I resist evil? We were reminded to be on our guard, as Satan is very cunning and clever and should not be underestimated. He uses such tactics as destroying, blinding and instilling doubt. He tempts us by focusing on the prohibition (what we can't have), and disregarding the wide permission God gives us (what we can have). In the end, though, we were reminded that we have no need to fear, as Satan has already been defeated by Jesus' death on the cross, and God has provided a full armour for us to defend ourselves against his attacks.
• How do I make the most of the Rest of my Life? We were challenged not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to be transformed by the Holy Spirit. To present our bodies (ears, tongues etc ) as living sacrifices, remembering God's good, pleasing and perfect will for us.
• How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit? We came together again to pray for ourselves and each other. Some prayed in public for the first time and some made new and renewed commitments to follow Christ. It was a very special time, and we thank you all as our Corps family for uplifting us in prayer.
• Who is the Holy Spirit? the Holy Spirit is well described as God within us. As we looked at What does the Holy Spirit do? we considered how among other things He helps us develop our relationship with God and the attributes of the family likeness (joy, patience, gentleness etc) as well as giving us many and varied gifts. We were reminded how not all are given the same gifts, every gift is equally valued, and the important thing is that we each use the gifts He has given us.
• 'Why and How should I read the Bible? We thought about how God has revealed himself through the Bible in the past, and provided our authority for teaching, rebuking, and training. We considered how God continues to speak to us through the Bible as our relationship with him grows when we read and study His word. 
• Why and How do I pray? We discussed how communication is vital to any relationship, and in order for our relationship with God to grow, we need to spend time talking with Him. We shared how it can be frustating when God takes time to answer our prayer, but how this time can be used to teach us patience and faith. We were blessed by the meanings of the Lord's prayer and how it can be our example on how to pray.
• 'How can I be sure of my faith?  The Word of God, the Work of Jesus and the Witness of the Holy Spirit give us this confidence. Our faith should not look back at feelings, but keep looking forward with our eyes firmly on facts, and the feelings will follow.
• 'Why did Jesus die?'. We talked about the concept of sin. We we reminded how Jesus death paid the cost for us and allows us to be released from the consequences of sin if we accept His love and forgiveness.
• 'Who is Jesus?' We were reminded of the reliability of the Bible, and how the claims of Jesus are supported in such a way that He was not a liar, He was not a lunatic, and therefore is in fact the Son of God. 

For further information, please see Karen or one of the other course participants.