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Original poster

The Alpha Course

14 replies

CopperLocs · 26/10/2011 12:45

Hi All,

The Alpha Course has recently begun at my mums church. I'm planning to pop along hopefully this week because I think the discussions that transpire could be interesting and thought provoking.

I just wondered if anybody on MN had any experience of The Alpha Course and if so, did you think?

OP posts:
MindtheGappp · 26/10/2011 13:28

I used to run the Alpha Course in my church. It is fantastic. I highly recommend you go along to an introductory session.

Original poster
CopperLocs · 26/10/2011 15:15

Thank You MindTheGap! I think I've missed the introductory session but today is Week 4 and the topic is prayer. I rarely get the opportunity to discuss my faith so I'm looking forward to it but also a little bit scared!

OP posts:
MindtheGappp · 26/10/2011 15:43

The Prayer session is really good.

madhairday · 27/10/2011 10:30

I've also led alpha courses and other similar courses. In most churches they will be very open to all and people will be encouraged to ask questions and grapple with the issues. You could ask for a synopsis for the first few weeks or get the course outline. There was a thread on here a while back that ran for a while with some people going through alpha so you may like to search for that as well.

Hope you enjoy it and if you want to ask any questions here feel free :)

MindtheGappp · 27/10/2011 12:29

ISTR that the book, Questions of Life, is basically a transcript of the Nicky Gumbel talks. You could catch up by reading that.

LeoTheLateBloomer · 27/10/2011 14:07

I'm doing a course at the moment!

I really like it and have met some lovely people. However I'm quite a quiet one and lack confidence so don't say much in the group discussions.

I went because my marriage ended this year and I wanted to rediscover my faith and try to come to terms with what's happened. I suppose I had hoped to focus on my experiences a bit more and link the themes to my life but I haven't had the opportunity for that yet.

Keep us posted on how it's going. We can compare notes here if you like Smile

Original poster
CopperLocs · 27/10/2011 20:34

Hi All,
I went yesterday and had a lovely time! Really interesting hearing a breakdown of the concept of prayer and having a few things things that I'd concluded myself being reaffirmed.

I really enjoyed the openness off the group discussion afterwards and would like to grow in terms of confidence with discussing my faith as I'm used to being quite private with it. I'm going to carry on with the course as a result and I'm looking forward to learning more as the weeks go by.

Leo- Glad to hear you're enjoying it also! which week are you on now?

OP posts:
LeoTheLateBloomer · 27/10/2011 20:59

Glad you enjoyed it Copper. I think we're on Session 4 next week (week off this week for half term). It was 'How Can I have Faith?' last time.

I'm looking forward to the prayer one Smile

barbet1904 · 29/10/2011 21:20

The Alpha course was my introduction to church life. I loved it and became a follower of Christ that year. Never looked back Smile

smileitssunny · 02/11/2011 14:56

I've been to the Alpha course several times. When we moved house it was a good way to meet people and find out about local churches. There's always something new to learn, or a different way of looking at things. They helped me start on the joitney towards brcoming a Christian.

smileitssunny · 02/11/2011 14:57

oops journey.

madhairday · 02/11/2011 15:22

Glad you enjoyed it OP :) As I said feel free to ask anything here as well.

somewherewest · 08/11/2011 14:06

Alpha courses can vary hugely from one church to another and a lot also depends on the people leading them. I've known people become Christians through Alpha and people really not get anything out of it at all. If you were a non-Christian I think my advice would be to give it a go, but don't give up on Christianity just because one particular approach to it doesn't work for you. Glad you're enjoying it.

LeoTheLateBloomer · 19/11/2011 18:25

I just had my away day and all I can say is WOW!!

I really wasn't sure what to expect. I've never known much about the Holy Spirit and what I had heard sounded a bit scary if I'm honest; lots about healing and speaking in tongues, none of which I properly understood.

Well, it was one of the best days and whilst praying at the end I couldn't hold back my tears, they were just flowing. I'd hoped to have some kind of 'feeling' but I really wasn't expecting to cry! Once we'd finished our group prayer the four leaders came to us individually in pairs (us individually, them in pairs!) to offer prayers. I had a married couple (so in tune with each other) with their hands on my shoulders, taking it in turns to pray for me. They were so intuitive, the lady especially and once she'd finished her husband continued. Then while he was praying she started speaking in tongues! It was incredible and again I couldn't stop sobbing!!!

Again, WOW!

CopperLocs how are you getting on?

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