Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

Post Alpha thread . . . .

64 replies

newbeliever · 01/01/2011 12:15

Hi everyone

Happy New Year!

Here's the new thread for all of us continuing our journey of faith following the Alpha course. My 'Moving on' course starts on 11th January - I've really missed my Alpha group over the Christmas break - it's been lovely attending the Christmas services, especially as they held so much more meaning for me this year - but I do need my weekly group meet too! The 11th can't come soon enough for me

Really hope that our 'regulars' will continue to provide their fantastic advice and guidance.

Also, anyone attending Alpha in the New Year, do join in too.

I'll attempt to do a link from the old thread so we don't miss anyone. Look forward to hearing you all

OP posts:

oxocube · 18/01/2011 06:54

Just realised this is not 'post Alpha' at all!!! But wanted to share with other Alpha graduates the power of prayer!!

MyrrhyBS · 18/01/2011 07:53

That's lovely Oxocube :o

madhairday · 18/01/2011 12:47

Brilliant Willow and Oxocube :)

Oxo it totally fits in with the thread - I guess as we discuss post alpha courses it will morph into discussing anything and everything anyway which is a good thing. So pleased for you both. Praise God!

I'm so excited because I'm off to a conference on Thursday, I go every year, it's a New wine one for women in leadership and living with leadership, so refreshing and fun, just can't wait. Just need this chest infection to leave the building or at least calm down.

WillowFae · 20/01/2011 22:03

practicallyimperfect Yes, it's a NewFrontiers church. At the smaller one that I did the Alpha course through the creche goes up to 5, but at this bigger one it only goes up to 2.5 and then they go into their own groups.

I'm a fellow RS teacher too! I have always been quite open about my views on God with my students if they ask me. I always described myself as a spiritual agnostic. As an RS teacher (and HoD) I felt a bit of a fraud doing the Alpha course - like I should KNOW this stuff, LOL!

I am not sure what I will say if students ask me know. I have also considered wearing a cross but I know that, given my subject, that will raise questions from the students.

MyrrhyBS · 21/01/2011 11:14

Actually, it might be a good thing, if it causes them to ask questions :) - would it get you into trouble with the school if you did?

When I started wearing a cross to work, no-one spoke to me socially for 2 weeks! It was pretty horrible, particularly when the head of dept kept staring at it instead of looking at me! Thankfully it did calm down...

oxocube · 22/01/2011 07:48

Really Myrry? Am surprised. How horrible for you. I've started to talk quite openly about my faith (I've decided to stop calling it my 'new faith') at work and have had an unexpectedly positive response. I also teach, although primary.

Last week's sermon was about evangelising and our responsibility as Christians to look outside the church and share the Gospel. This is something I've been dreading TBH as I am so non-confrontational. However, recently I was given a great opportunity!! One of my colleagues expressed an interest in my church so a week later I invited her along and she's coming tomorrow for the Sunday service. Just hope its a good sermon

We have the introduction tomorrow for those enrolled on the next Alpha course at church. I am jointly in charge of sandwiches and cake for the lunch! Maybe God is leading me to attract new Christians with food rather than through evangelising! As typing this, I am thinking of the parable of the Talents

MyrrhyBS · 22/01/2011 08:50

oxocube, thats a very good point! There are lots of ways of evangelising, and often food and social occasions allow people to get to know you as a Christian and allows them to ask questions about your faith and their faith. I'm a great believe in "softly but gently", rather than standing on street corners proclaiming "do you know Jesus?". There may be those who respond to such a call, but equally for others it is scary and offputting!

WillowFae · 22/01/2011 11:03

It's not a good idea MyrrhyBS. I would almost rather they didn't ask questions as I don't want to put myself in an awkward position. I need to try and be as neutral as I can. I know that there are plenty of RS teachers that have a faith, but at the moment I'm not confident on how to deal with it.

MyrrhyBS · 22/01/2011 15:45

Thats fair enough, it has to be something you're comfortable with.

oxocube · 23/01/2011 16:24

Had such a good day today! I had invited along a work colleague to church who is a believer but had never been to my church before. It is an international Evangelical church and quite different to what some people are used to or like so I was a little nervous for her!

My daughter has also decided to come to church and the last time I invited non-Christians, there was a guest pastor who gave a really poor sermon, not at all what we are used to as our pastors and assistant pastor are fabulous. So I was really praying that my daughter and my friend would be inspired and feel God's love.

Anyway, the sermon was fabulous, my friend loved it and dd too. I know it's not my job to bring people to Faith - that is God's job - but I was still relieved and happy it was such a fab morning

madhairday · 24/01/2011 17:11

That is brilliant Oxo. It is God who does the work but only if we are willing and say yes and take up the opportunities, so good on you, you're doing a fab job :)

Have had a wonderful refreshing weekend at a leaders conference. Worship was awesome. Feel like a different person. My seekers group is starting again on Thursday, so excited now. :)

oxocube · 31/01/2011 07:56

Went to the first meeting of the NEW Alpha group last night as a helper and it was wonderful. It was great to meet 11 new people (well 10 actually, as I already knew one who is a friend's husband). They group seems really strong - lots of interesting conversation on the first night with almost everyone joining in by the end of the evening.

It was so interesting to do this so soon after my own Alpha course and looking at it from an entirely different angle - as someone who is serving rather than seeking (although of course you never really stop doing that). The course leaders told me and another helper that those who do the Alpha course are the ones who tend to become really active in the church afterwards.

My Beta course was postponed and starts in 2 weeks. How is everyone else getting on with their Seekers/follow up courses?

madhairday · 22/02/2011 20:22

Thought I'd resurrect this. How are people getting on?

My seekers course is going well. I am using the Rob Bell Nooma material and it's working well - much better for our group than alpha/start etc. No cheese in sight! We did the Holy Spirit last week - was awesome - definitely some encounters going on :)

PositiveAttitude · 23/02/2011 20:24

Hi MHD I love some of the Rob Bell material. We use it fairly often at the YFC team meetings and when we go off for team retreats.

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread