In June 2010 Renovate Life Church ran its first ‘Alpha’ course where we saw over 15 people who don’t regularly attend church come along and ask questions about Christianity.

The Alpha course is designed primarily for people who aren’t churchgoers and each course is open to everyone who would like to attend.

As a course, Alpha attracts a diverse range of guests of different ages and backgrounds, holding many different viewpoints. Over 7,000 churches are currently running the Alpha course across the UK in rural and urban settings, including every major UK city.

People find out about the Alpha course in a number of ways – a recommendation from a friend, a poster, flyer, newspaper article or advert, or through the website or an internet search.

Why attend the Alpha course?

Guests do Alpha 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.

Alpha Courses Weekly Format

The whole Alpha course usually lasts for 10 weeks, with a day or weekend away in the middle. 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.

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

There is no charge for attending the Alpha course, although courses may ask for a contribution towards the food.

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?

Day or weekend away

• 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?