Alpha is an opportunity for anyone to explore the Christian faith in a relaxed, non-threatening setting over ten thought-provoking weekly sessions, with a day or weekend away.

Alpha is a place where answers to key questions of life can be discovered through discussion and relationship, and where each person’s faith can develop at their own pace, without pressure from others.

There are three key components to each Alpha course meeting: a meal, a talk, and discussion in small groups. The meal allows for friendships to develop amongst the guests, the talk presents key aspects of the Christian faith, while the small group discussion gives the guests the opportunity to talk about the questions they have.

WHO IS IT FOR?

Anyone wanting to explore the meaning of life! More than 13 million people have now attended Alpha courses in tens of thousands of churches, homes, workplaces, schools, military bases, prisons and retirement homes worldwide. Alpha is supported and used by all the major Christian denominations.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

We use a useful mnemomic to explain how the Alpha course works, based on the word A.L.P.H.A.

A is for anyone:

Alpha is for anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. This includes at least five categories of people.

• Those who are not Christians.
• Those who are not churchgoers.
• Those who are new Christians.
• Those who want to brush up on the basics.
• Those new to your church.

L is for learning and laughter:

It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have a great deal of fun at the same time. At Alpha courses there is always a lot of laughter over the meals and in discussion groups. During the talks we try to introduce as much humour as we can.

Humour breaks down barriers and makes people feel relaxed. We are trying to avoid intensity, because intensity is very off-putting to people outside the church.

P is for pasta and pizza:

The meal on Alpha has a profound significance because it is over the meal that friendships are formed. The meal gives guests the opportunity to relax with each other and talk about what ever they want - from work to football, family, the weather, whatever! Basically, it is a time to share about the everyday things of life.

H is for helping one another:

It is amazing to watch a group of people from outside the church changing over the course of ten weeks. There are many factors involved in this process, including the talks and the hosts and helpers. But very often it is because the guests themselves are helping each other through their sharing and discussions.

A is for ask anything:

On Alpha, no question is regarded as too simple or too hostile. Some of the people who come on the course may be angry, confused or antogonistic, and that is absolutely fine! - these are the people the course is designed for.

THE ALPHA TALKS

There are 15 talks on the Alpha course, which are given over the ten weeks of the course and the weekend away. Each talk covers key areas of the Christian faith, and small group discussion takes place after each talk.

• Is there More to Life than This?
• Who is Jesus?
• Why did Jesus Die?
• How can we have Faith?
• Why and how do I Pray?
• Why and how should I Read the Bible?
• How does God Guide us?
• Who is the Holy Spirit?
• What does the Holy Spirit do?
• How can I be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
• How can I Resist Evil?
• Why and how should I tell Others?
• Does God Heal Today?
• What about the Church?
• How can I Make the Most of the Rest of my Life?

Australia

In Australia, around 2,000 churches of all denominations offer Alpha Courses as a practical introduction to the Christian faith. As a result, every year literally thousands of people come to faith in Jesus Christ!

The Alpha Course is a 15-session program run over 10 weeks, including a weekend or a day away. Each session includes a meal, a talk and a small group discussion. Core topics include Who is Jesus?, Why Did Jesus Die?, Prayer, The Bible, Guidance, and How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?

In the small group discussion, each person is free to ask whatever questions they have and express whatever views they wish. Everyone's views are respected, and emphasis is put on allowing guests to explore at their own pace. A team of three or four 'hosts' and 'helpers' from the host church are attached to each group to facilitate the discussion.

A note from The Reverend Sandy Millar

Honorary Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of London (and a pioneer of the Alpha Course)

Questions about God have fascinated human beings since time began. Many men and women today experience a very real sense of spiritual hunger without having any contact with a church.

One of the most frustrating aspects of church life, until recently, has been our ineffectiveness in reaching people with this hunger and getting them within the sound of the gospel. We have longed to find a way of enabling them to discover the liberating, life-changing power of God, revealed in his Son Jesus Christ through his Holy Spirit, in a way that allows them to explore in an unthreatening atmosphere of love and acceptance.

This I think is one of the reasons why the Alpha Course has proved to be so popular in such a wide variety of countries and cultures. The issues are clearly put and the claims of Christ examined - all in the company of other searchers. Stripping the gospel down to its bare essentials, it makes Christianity accessible to men and women of today's culture.

It is not of course simply hard work which has brought about the growth of Alpha - although there has been plenty of that. The teaching and the experience of the Holy Spirit has brought the course to life from beginning to end. By revealing the power of Jesus Christ to forgive, release, empower and equip, many people have found the reality of God's love and become committed to Jesus Christ.

If you are wondering whether to start an Alpha Course I would encourage you in every way I can to have a go. Most people who start do so with a lot of questions and a good deal of hesitancy about their own abilities.

I am confident though that if you do run an Alpha course you will find over a period of time that many people come into the kingdom of God and will be grateful to you into eternity.