what is alpha course all about

The Alpha course

is an evangelistic course which seeks to introduce the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions. It is described by its organisers as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life". Alpha courses are run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations.

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What are some dangers of the Alpha course?

Jan 04, 2022 · The Alpha Course begins with a solid presentation of the gospel message and progresses with some solid biblical teachings. It is interesting that the Alpha Course does not seek to teach about the person, character or attributes of God, and does not focus on doctrine, which may cause division among those whom they seek to include, New Age adherents and …

What do people say about the Alpha course?

Alpha is an 11-week course that creates a space, online or in person, where people are excited to bring their friends for a conversation about faith, life and God. Try Alpha.

How much does Alpha course cost?

The Alpha Course tends to generalize Christianity and glosses over many of the distinctive doctrines of the many different denominations. For example, Roman Catholics have complained that there is no emphasis on the Virgin Mary.

What is the Alpha church program?

Feb 27, 2008 · In its teaching concerning salvation, Alpha is thoroughly Arminian and free-willist, teaching that God loves everyone, that Christ died for all without exception, that faith is man’s decision. Thus, too, sin is presented primarily in terms of “messed up lives,” of unhappiness and other problems, but never clearly in terms of offending God and breaking His law.

What is the aim of Alpha?

To prepare them for the greatest usefulness in the causes of humanity, dignity and freedom of the individual; To encourage the highest and noblest form of manhood and; To aid down-trodden humanity in its efforts to achieve higher social, economic and intellectual status.

Should I do the Alpha course?

The Alpha Course is a great way to find out more about God and learn what having faith is all about. It's also good for new Christians who want to learn more about the journey with God. You will likely make new friends at the course and it's an ideal way to join in with church life.Sep 13, 2017

How much is the Alpha course?

There is no charge for attending the Alpha course. There will be a $3 fee for adult dinners (Kids eat free and free childcare is available during class).

How do you explain Alpha course?

0:201:30What is the Alpha Course? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis alpha is a series of sessions exploring life faith and meaning it's a space to explore the bigMoreThis alpha is a series of sessions exploring life faith and meaning it's a space to explore the big questions to say what you think and hear other people's points of view.

What is the problem with Alpha course?

Criticism. Alpha has been criticised for having a charismatic emphasis, with some non-charismatic evangelicals criticising Gumbel's emphasis upon the person and work of the Holy Spirit in particular.

What is Alpha weekend?

The typical Alpha Weekend runs from Friday night to Sunday morning. This creates unhurried time and space to watch all the talks about the Holy Spirit, for waiting on God and praying together, and for people to relax and have fun.

Who can run an Alpha course?

Alpha is an opportunity for anyone wishing to explore the Christian faith, this free course consists of a series of talks exploring the basic beliefs of the Christian faith over eleven sessions.

How long does Alpha last?

Alphas tend to last between 6 and 8 weeks. Which means you should book your alpha assessment within a fortnight of starting your alpha.May 8, 2019

How long does an alpha session last?

Usually around thirty minutes long and delivered over about eleven weeks, they can be given as a live talk or played as a video.

What is alpha and beta?

Both alpha and beta are historical measures of past performances. Alpha shows how well (or badly) a stock has performed in comparison to a benchmark index. Beta indicates how volatile a stock's price has been in comparison to the market as a whole. A high alpha is always good.

What is alpha in Crypto?

Alpha, often considered the active return on an investment, gauges the performance of an investment against a market index or benchmark that is considered to represent the market's movement as a whole. The excess return of an investment relative to the return of a benchmark index is the investment's alpha.

How do you calculate alpha?

Alpha is an index which is used for determining the highest possible return with respect to the least amount of the risk and according to the formula, alpha is calculated by subtracting the risk-free rate of the return from the market return and multiplying the resultant with the systematic risk of the portfolio ...

What is the Alpha Course?

The Alpha Course is an effective form of evangelism when done by and through the local church. By focussing on the essentials of the Christian faith, it opens the door for Alpha to be used in almost any context so that everyone has the opportunity to see their friends’ lives transformed by the gospel.

Where did Alpha start?

Alpha began at a church called Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) in London in 1977, it was taken by Nicky Gumbel in 1990 and repositioned as a course for those outside the church. The number of people attending Alpha at HTB grew quickly into the hundreds and attracted the attention of other churches across denominations seeking to find an effective tool ...

What is Alpha Course?

The Alpha course is run by churches that are not Biblical Christian churches to start with , in other words it is a non-Christian course run by non-Christians to swell their numbers. This they have the right to do and is of no concern to Christians.

What does the Bible say about salvation?

The Bible teaches that salvation is in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture teaches that in order to be saved we must place our trust in Christ.

When were tee shirts invented?

Tee-shirts as Wikki states, were invented around the 1890’s as men’s undergarments. It was only in the 1950’s that rebellious youth started to wear them in public without an overshirt. The wearing of underclothing in public reached new heights in the ’60’s with the invention of the speedo and bikini.

What does the Bible say about sheep?

Sheep will be obedient to the Bible and goats will be rebellious, that is their nature . Sheep will practice male headship, i. e. no female elders or pastors. Sheep will practice modesty, no women with bare shoulders or in pants, no men in short pants or T-shirts.

Is Alpha a good course?

Indeed, as several people have commented, the Alpha course serves more as an introduction, and not an exhaustive Theological course. It may not be perfect, yes; but it is to a good extent suitable for its intended audience, and it has helped thousands of people come to the Christian faith.

Does Alpha recognize human depravity?

A person who does not see their depravity will never see their need for the Savior. Alpha does not recognize human depravity in the same way the Bible does, and in my opinion its biggest omission.

What is an alpha course?

The Alpha course is an evangelistic course which seeks to introduce the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions. It is described by its organisers as "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life". Alpha courses are run in churches, homes, workplaces, prisons, universities and a wide variety of other locations.

What is the Alpha for Prisons course?

Caring for ex-offenders is a follow-up to the Alpha for Prisons course, supporting released prisoners by providing them with material assistance including accommodation, work, food, and pastoral support through church life. It operates in Britain, Canada, South Africa and the United States.

How long is Alpha?

Alpha is organised as a series of sessions over 10 weeks, including a day or weekend away. Each session starts with a meal, followed by a talk and then discussion in small groups. The talks aim to cover the basic beliefs of the Christian faith.

When was Alpha founded?

Alpha was started in 1977 by Charles Marnham, a curate at Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB), a parish of the Church of England in London. It started as a course for church members regarding the basics of beliefs commonly held by many believers in Christ but then began to be used as an introduction for those interested in the faith.

What is Explore for kids?

In conjunction with Youth for Christ, Alpha International produces two study programmes designed for children aged 11–14, exploRE: The Christian Faith a 12-week programme on the Christian faith, and exploRE: The Life of Jesus, a 14-lesson study of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection. The capitalised RE is a reference to religious education, part of the British curriculum. The materials are aimed at religious education teachers.

What is St Paul's Theological Centre?

St Paul's Theological Centre. St Paul's Theological Centre is Alpha/Holy Trinity Brompton's theological institution , with aims to provide lay and clerical training in theology and resources for theological training in churches across the world, as well as theological guidance for Alpha.

Is Alpha a charismatic course?

Alpha has been criticised for having a charismatic emphasis, with some non-charismayic evangelicals criticising Gumbel's emphasis upon the person and work of the Holy Spirit in particular. As a result, some churches have chosen to teach a different view of the Holy Spirit in the course, although this is discouraged in Gumbel's book How to Run the Alpha Course .

Who is the architect of Alpha Course?

One of the key figures in this and the main architect of the Alpha course as it now exists is Nicky Gumbel, currently curate at Holy Trinity Brompton. It was through Gumbel's vision and work that Alpha grew to have the impact it has today.

Did Jesus lay hands on his disciples?

Jesus NEVER laid hands on his disciples, the result of which were "manifestations" of uncontrollable laughter, mayhem, shaking, animal noises, vomitting, or any of the other demonic disorder of the Toronto and Brownsville "things".

Overview

History

Structure

Doctrine

Influences

Usage

Criticism

See also