Who is it for?
The Alpha course is designed primarily for people who aren’t churchgoers and each course is open to everyone who would like to attend. People attend for a wide variety of reasons - some want to investigate whether God exists, others may have attended church occasionally but feel they have never really understood the basics of the Christian faith. People come from many different backgrounds and hold many different viewpoints.

How the course works
The course is based around small groups of about 12 people and most begin with a meal or refreshments – a chance to get to know others in the group. Each week, the talk looks at a different aspect of the Christian faith, followed by a discussion in the small groups. The emphasis is upon exploration and discovery in a relaxed and informal environment. The Alpha course usually lasts for 10 weeks, with a day or weekend away in the middle. Some courses are held over morning coffee or during a lunch hour, most are evening courses, typically lasting 2 hours.

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

Course Content
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?

If you’d like to know when the next Alpha course is, please contact the Church Office on 01689 850697 or email croftonstpaul@hotmail.co.uk.  If enough people ask we’ll put on an extra course!