Alpha in Schuylkill County

The information below describes a typical Alpha
in a church or other large group setting.

Alpha courses held in homes are somewhat different.
They are adapted to the needs of the group.

Visit the main Alpha USA website for more information
or to search for other courses nationwide

Who is Alpha for
Course Schedule
Typical Evening

What is Alpha?
Alpha is a ten week, fifteen session course for exploring the Christian faith

Alpha stands for:

Anyone interested in finding out more about the Christian faith. Adults of all ages are welcome.

Learning and laughter. It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time.

People meeting together. An opportunity to get to know others and to make new friends.

Helping one another. The small group gives you a chance to discuss issues raised during the talks.

Ask anything. Alpha is a place where no question is seen as too simple or too hostile.

Who is Alpha for?

Everyone is welcome on an Alpha course and people attend for a wide variety of reasons. Some want to investigate whether God exists and if there is any point to life; others are concerned about what happens after death. Still others may have attended church on and off all their lives but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith.

People come from many different backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints - but all come with the same objective: to establish whether Jesus Christ has any real relevance for their lives.

In summary, Alpha is based on friendship, having a meal with others, some singing, a talk and small group discussion at a table. There is an opportunity to go on a weekend or day away about half way through the course. This has been a key part of the course and a great success in helping people to get to know each other.

Alpha courses are normally offered three times a year; in the Spring, Summer and Fall.

The Alpha Course is free.
Guests are sometimes asked to contribute towards the weekly meals and the weekend retreat.

Course Schedule
	Alpha Kickoff / Introductory Dinner
Week 1	Who Is Jesus?
Week 2	Why Did Jesus Die?
Week 3	How Can I Be Sure of My Faith?
Week 4	Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
Week 5	Why and How Do I Pray?
Week 6	How Does God Guide Us?
Weekend	Weekend Retreat (Friday night and Saturday)
Week 7	How Can I Resist Evil?
Week 8	Why and How Should We Tell Others?
Week 9	Does God Heal Today?
Week 10	What About the Church?
	Celebration Dinner !!
Still unsure about attending ? Hesitant about a 10 week course ? Why not come along to the first night of Alpha. If you don't want to come back after that first night, no one will call you or send you any junk mail.

A Typical Alpha Evening (Start times vary per course)

6:00 pm Supper
Arrive at the Alpha course. An informal supper is served, and you eat with other guests in your small group.

6:40 pm Welcome
A welcome from the course leader

6:45 pm Introduction
One or two songs to start the evening

7:00 pm Talk
A talk on the topic for the evening, such as “Who is Jesus?”, and “Why and how do I pray?”.

7:45 pm Coffee

8:00 pm Small Groups
You break up into your small groups for a relaxed and informal discussion time. The small group consists of around 12 people, including one or two ‘leaders’ who will host the group and lead the discussions. This is a time when you can ask any questions that you may have, discuss the talk, study the Bible, etc.

9:00 pm End
The evening will end no later than 9:00 pm.