Bible Study - Alpha Course
A Practical Introduction to the Christian Faith
First United Methodist Church
211 West 3rd Street
Irving, Texas 75060
What is Alpha?
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 to
have fun at the same time.
People meeting together.
An opportunity to get to know others and make new
friends.
Helping One another. The
small groups give you a chance to discuss issues raised
during the talks.
Ask anything. Alpha
is a place where no question is seen to be simple or too
hostile.
Who is ALPHA for?
Alpha is geared for everyone!
It is especially
geared to:
- Those interested in investigating Christianity.
- Newcomers to the church.
- New Christians
- Couples preparing for marriage.
- Christians who want to brush up on the basics.
What happens at ALPHA?
WE EAT!
The evening begins at 6:15 PM with a delicious
home-cooked meal.
WE LISTEN!
There is a series of talks on topics like:
- Who is Jesus?
- Why did Jesus die?
- Why and how should I read the Bible?
- Why and how do I pray?
- What about the Holy Spirit?+
- How can I overcome evil?
- Why and how should I tell others?
- Does God heal today?
- What about the Church?
WE DISCUSS!
After each talk there is a small-group time for
everyone to discuss any questions or issues they
have. This gives an opportunity to get to know each
other and to learn together.
WE GET AWAY!
An important part of the Alpha Course is the
Weekend Retreat. The retreat is at a Mid-Cities
hotel so it's not as far to create a hardship but
far enough to separate us from our day-to-day life
for a short while. The focus of the retreat is the
person and the work of the Holy Spirit.
When and Where?
The Alpha Course meets for eleven weeks on Wednesdays
typically in April and September of each year.
Particulars
This 11 week course meets twice a
year with a weekend away in the middle of the course. Wednesday nights starting with
a dinner, then a talk, then discussion groups. The evening is over at 8:30pm.
Childcare for all ages, either through the nursery or Faith Files Clues Club depending on
age.
Course materials, child care and meals are provides at no
cost. The weekend retreat has been running around $45-50 per
suite.
For more information regarding the Alpha Course, contact
the church office at 972-253-3531.
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.
Alpha Class 2003
What Other Have Said About Alpha
For as long as I can remember,
through my childhood, teens, and adult years, I have
asked questions. One question I have constantly asked
myself was "Do I believe in God?" I had no answer and it
bothered me... By the end of the third Alpha evenings I
had come to few realizations that were truly stunning
for me ... I knew that Jesus died for me and that I
could never "sit the fence" again. - JILL
I have learned more in the space of a
few weeks than I ever had in years of attending Church.
- DAVID
Everything Alpha gave me was so
positive; it gave me the beginnings of understanding
what being a Christian means; it gave me a warm
friendship and a sense of belonging ... it gave patient
and thoughtful answers to all my questions. - SARAH
Alpha is wonderful - life changing!
Alpha answered and clarified all the basics for me and
put me on firm ground to travel forward on my journey
with God. - MARY
From the very first meeting we felt
this is what had been missing from our lives. It felt
like coming home. - MARGARET and KEITH
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