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Thursday, 09 September 2010
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The Alpha Course

Explore the meaning of life.

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

We hope the following information will be useful to you; please click on the questions below for more information.

"Who is it for?"
The Alpha course is designed primarily for people who aren't churchgoers and each course at IBC is open to everyone who would like to attend.

The course attracts a diverse range of guests of different ages and backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints. Guests attend for a wide variety of reasons - some want to investigate whether God exists; others are concerned about what happens after death. Some people have particular questions that they would like to discuss; others want to understand other peoples' beliefs or would like to explore what the purpose of life is. Many guests have never been to church, others may have attended church occasionally but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith.

The Alpha course is designed primarily for people who aren't churchgoers and each course at IBC is open to everyone who would like to attend.
"How does the course work?"
The course is based around small groups of about 12 people, hosted by one or two leaders whose role is to facilitate and encourage discussion.

We run Alpha as an evening course, each session lasting 2 hours. Each session begins with a meal or refreshments - a chance to get to know others in the small group. There is then a short talk, which looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith each week. This is followed by a time of discussion in the small groups, where everyone is welcome to contribute their opinion, ask questions and discuss with the rest of the group. People remain in the same small groups for the duration of the course so they can get to know each other, continue discussions and deepen friendships.

"How long is the course?"
The whole course usually lasts for 10 weeks, with a day or weekend away in the middle.

The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment.

"Does it cost anything?"
There is no charge for attending the Alpha course.
"What does the course cover?"
The talks each week cover the following topics, which people are then free to discuss in the small groups afterwards:

Week 1: Who is Jesus?
Week 2: Why did Jesus Die?
Week 3: How can we have Faith?
Week 4: Why and how do I Pray?
Week 5: Why and how should I read the Bible?
Week 6: How does God Guide us?
Week 7: How can I Resist Evil?
Week 8: Why and how should I tell Others?
Week 9: Does God Heal Today?
Week 10: What about the Church?

"What happens on the day or weekend away?"
The talks during the day or weekend away cover the following topics:

* Who is the Holy Spirit?
* What does the Holy Spirit do?
* How can I be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
* How can I Make the Most of the Rest of my Life?

"How did Alpha begin?"

The Alpha Course has been running for over 26 years. It began at Holy Trinity Brompton in central London, in the late 1970s, initially as a means of presenting the basic principles of the Christian faith to new Christians in a relaxed and informal setting.


By 1990, when former barrister Nicky Gumbel took over the course, Alpha was a central feature of the church's life. It was while leading his second Alpha course that Nicky realised how this simple course could also appeal to non-churchgoers and he adapted the course to give it the kind of feel that would suit this group.


The Alpha course spread during the 1990s, initially in the UK and then internationally, as more churches and groups found it a helpful way to answer questions about the Christian faith in an informal setting. There are now over 33,500 courses worldwide in 163 countries and it is supported by all the major denominations.

"Where can I find out more about Alpha"
You can find out more about Alpha at alpha.org