Alpha - anyone starting the course this Autumn?

[newbeliever]

Hi everyone, I mentioned on another thread about starting a thread for Alpha newbies.

I have signed up to do the course this Autumn, starts Tuesday, 28th September. Was quite surprised when I rang the parish office, there are about 40 people on the course - and it's for 3 hours each week - I was thinking 2 hours max! They start the evening off with dinner and drinks before moving onto the topic for the week. How do your churches run the course?

Thought it would be nice to share our thoughts each week in a safe place - I'm worried about not knowing what to say or just not understanding the topic so would be good to have some fellow MNr's on the journey too.

Anyone else want to join me?

I agree with PA. That course sounds a bit toxic tbh. There is sometimes a place for naming past stuff before God to be set free, but naming possible 'sins' and fears? Odd. I have heard some good stuff about it which is why I asked but it sounds somewhat extreme and not at all helpful to some. I am all for being set free from stuff, it is an important part of discipleship but we need to be so careful to get a balance between healthy chain-breaking and unhealthy dwelling on stuff that really has been forgotten and taken away by God's power already. Sometimes the devil is given too much credit.

The Hiding PLace is an amazing film oxo. Corrie is such an inspirational person. If ever there was a Christian response to intense suffering that is.

I want to wish you all a really Happy Christmas and thank you once again for sharing your journeys on here. I am sure this year will have a really special meaning to you all.

Happy Christmas everyone. The thread has been great - it's been quite a journey - read through the whole thread this afternoon and it made me realise how far we'd all come . I'll start up the 'post-Alpha' thread in the new year - look forward to hearing from you all again then.

Oxo - sorry, didn't mean to ignore your posts, was a bit at what you have been covering regarding sin. Not sure I'd be able to do/feel comfortable with that.

Thought I'd let you know what we are covering in 'moving on' have attached part of the e-mail i received this week below:

As you know this 5 week course will help us to think about moving on in our own journey of faith. We will cover questions like: What is Worship? What does it mean to Belong? What is a Disciple and am I one? Where do I fit in to the Mission of the Church? On the first week, we will also recap the teaching from the Alpha course Holy Spirit Day for those who were unable to attend.

We will still be in groups, so it seems to be carrying on the Alpha theme. I think after this course they create home-groups for those who wish to continue. It's interesting how different churches have different approaches. Keep in touch and let us know whether you decide to carry on.

That sounds good nb - much better for a post-alpha course I think, covering practical matters, much like what I'm doing in my seekers 2 course in the new year. Will be interesting to keep talking about it. :)

Happy Christmas to everyone!

Willow was thinking of you today - went to see the Narnia film and had to say cried when I thought of what you'd said - in a good way. Powerful stuff, the aslan country stuff - lovely.

NB, please put a link from this thread to the next one cos I am very lazy, just so I don't miss you!

Thank you all so much for your input, your words of wisdom, your humour and your love and prayers. The Alpha course, coming to Faith and this thread have all made a huge and positive difference in my life. You are all lovely

Have a happy, blessed and peaceful Christmas.

oxo xx

PS A special thanks to PA for her generosity

Is it possible to do an Alpha course on line as there's no way I could get to do an evening course. I've had a quick look on Google but couldn't find anything.

Is it possible to do an Alpha course on line as there's no way I could get to do an evening course. I've had a quick look on Google but couldn't find anything.

Hi WW, I don't think there is an online course as such. However you can certainly order the book online, which is more or less word for word the same as the Nicky Gumbel dvds. I would say that I found a big part of the course revolved around discussion which is a bit tricky on your own (although of course you could come and chat on this thread about it ) and fellowship of other Christians.

Are all the Alpha meetings in the evening in your area? Could you get to one that ran through the day or do you have young children at home?

WW, just to reflect what Oxo says, I think Alpha type courses are at their best with a group if at all possible. A lot of places should do daytime courses of one sort or another, if that would be any better. However if it is not possible as Oxo says you could take a look at the books, but tbh they can seem quite dry without the group input. Sometimes just reading your way through a gospel could be better? Or if you want to look through some Alpha material and chat with others about it I know many of us here are more than happy to.

Happy New year to you all.

oxo its on its way!

Happy New Year everyone!

As promised, here's the link to the new thread, fingers crossed it works

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/philosophy_religion_spirituality/1115033-Post-Alpha-thread

madangelhair - aww, that's sweet. Hope other people weren't to puzzled as to why you were crying - LOL!