Alpha
Who is Jesus? – CS Lewis wrote (after eliminating any alternative) ‘We are faced with a frightening alternative. However strange or terrifying or unlikely it may seem, I have to accept the view that He was and is God.’
Why did Jesus die? – The talk ended with a thought – had you been the only person in the world, Jesus would have died for you – and He did!
How can we have faith? – The faith we need is like a three legged stool which needs all it’s three legs to stand firm – ‘the Word of God’, ‘the Work of Jesus’ and ‘the Witness of the Spirit’.
Why and how do I pray? – A couple of random quotes about prayer – ‘Pray as you can and not as you can’t’ and ‘Be yourself because God cannot deal with you otherwise.’
Why and how should I read the Bible? – DL Moody said ‘The Bible was not given to increase our knowledge – it was given to change our lives.’
How does God guide us? – Through the prophet Jeremiah God said ‘For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope for the future.’
Up to this point it was all about understanding, listening and learning. Over the rest of the course, following sessions considering the Holy Spirit as a way for us to have a closer and stronger relationship with God, we were challenged to change and make a difference for God – in our lives and in others.
How Can I Resist Evil? – (Ephesians 6 vs 13) ‘Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand firm.’
Why and How Should I Tell Others? – The former Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple, described what it is like to bring someone else to know Jesus Christ – he described it as – ‘The greatest service that a man can render to another’.
Does God Heal Today? – (Luke 8 vs 50) Jesus said to Jairus, ‘don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.’
What About the Church? – The Church is simply a group of Christians belonging to God.
How Can I Make the Most Out of the Rest of My Life? – Nicky Gumbel wrote – ‘Our motivation for living the Christian life is the love of the Father. Our model in life is the example of the Son. The means by which we can live this life is the power of the Holy Spirit.’
The Alpha Course has been useful for those that attended it.
We now need to prayerfully consider whether we run the course again, and if so how we open he course up for people outside of the Mission, potentially people who do not know Jesus?
A LIFE WORTH LIVING
This is the official follow-up to the Alpha course and comprises of nine sessions working through the book of hilippians. Each talk explains how it is possible to live the Christian life positively, practically and joyfully.
