One of the goals of the Alpha program is to encourage people to start or join a small, home group. These groups consist of about 12 people who gather to study the Bible and pray together. In the fellowship of a small group we can learn more about God from one another and deepen our own friendships. The groups are characterized by "confidentiality (we can speak openly without fear of gossip), intimacy ( we can speak about what really matters in our lives), and accountability (we are willing to listen to and learn from one another)."
Hopefully as a result of the Alpha bridge and Alpha courses, people will start to form their own small, home groups and continue their spiritual journey.
More Alpha Notes:
Alpha is not just for parishioners of Resurrection. If you have not been able to attend an Alpha course so far, there will be ample opportunity to do so. Using some of the following ideas, hopefully you will become involved and may recommend the course to a friend, coworker, or fellow parishioner.
Alpha is a gathering of people whose intent is to learn more about Jesus. Its aim is to bring people to Christianity. Most of us at Resurrection who've been involved would characterize ourselves as Christians so for us Alpha has become a way to explore our faith, enjoy the fellowship of other Christians, and enjoy a good meal.
It's a very relaxed, non-threatening, non-judgmental environment in which to express all of our ideas, concerns and questions. And for some people it's certainly a place to explore their faith without having to say anything at all.
All of those who've attended Alpha sincerely welcome fellow parishioners, friends and family to the next Alpha program. Reserve the time on your calendar now: Ten Thursdays in October, November and the first few weeks of December (skipping Thanksgiving), 6:30 - 9:15 p.m.
One last Alpha note:
An excerpt from Nicky Gumbel's book Questions of Life:
"John Wesley said, "The New Testament knows nothing of solitary religion." We are called to fellowhip with one another. It is not an optional extra. There are two things we simply cannot do alone. We cannot marry alone and we cannot be a Christian alone. Professor C.E.B. Cranfield put it like this: "The freelance Christian, who would be a Chrsitian but is too superior to belong to the visible Church upon earth in one of its forms, is simply a contradiction in terms."
The writer of Hebrews urges his readers, "Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching" (Hebrews 10:24-25). Often Christians lose their love for the Lord and their enthusiasm for their faith because they neglect fellowship.
One man who found himself in this position was visited by a wise old Christian. They sat in front of the coal fire in the sitting room. The old man never spoke, but he went to the coal fire and picked out a red-hot coal and put it on the hearth. He still said nothing. In a few minutes the coal had lost its glow. Then he picked it up and put it back in the fire. After a short time it began to glow again. The old man still said nothing at all but, as he got up to leave , the other man knew exactly why he had lost his fervor: a Christian out of fellowhip is like a coal out of the fire. Martin Luther wrote in his diary, "At home in my house there is no warmth or vigor in one, but in the church when the multitude is gathered together, a fire is kindled in my heart and it breaks its way through.""
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