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Javagirl
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Username: Javagirl

Post Number: 291
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 8:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Anyone else here ever attended an Alpha Course?

I attended a 10 week Alpha Course last Feb-April and it was lifechanging. I had been invited before, and declined, thinking I already knew the basics of Christianity!

God, in his perfect timing, led me to attend last Feb. I was amazed at how much I didnt "get", as far as the big picture of Christianity. I was already out the door of adventism, just not officially at that time. This was an excellent bridge to form lasting and meaningful connections with other Christians and other seekers of truth.

This semester I am volunteering with another local Alpha Course. My role is to pray! For 3 hours on tuesday night, for 12 weeks, I will pray with 6-8 other people. We began praying about the participants months ago in preparation.

The first night I prayed during the practice run, I just cried. Im so grateful to God for bringing me to Him, and for the timing of Alpha during my exodus. It was overwhelming to realize how many people were praying diligently for me while attending Alpha. Its such an incredible blessing to give back in that mannner to others! I have never sat for HOURS with others and prayed for the salvation, personal needs, wisdom and discernment etc. of strangers.

AlphaCourse is starting again in Marietta, GA. Anyone local who might like to attend feel free to contact me! It is also going on all over the world. You can google it to find a local course.

I would love to hear if any of you have ever attended Alpha.

Lori
4excape@bellsouth.net
U2bsda
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Username: U2bsda

Post Number: 172
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 9:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lori,

I've never attended one, but I've heard great things about it. Praise God that you have the opportunity to be involved with it!
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 4630
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 10:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lori, I've never attended one either, but they have them every year at our church, and I've heard wonderful things about them.

Colleen
Susan_2
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Username: Susan_2

Post Number: 2385
Registered: 11-2002
Posted on Monday, September 18, 2006 - 10:59 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I have attended several Alpha sessions. I have assisted and volunteered at the church with them. It is a wonderful program and it croses denominational lines. In my community the Lutheran as well as the Methodist and the Prespertarian churches offer the Alpha courses. In fact, so the different denominations don't over flood the community with the courses the folks from the different churches get together and work out which church will offer the course and when. I would reccommend it to everyone.
Mwh
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Username: Mwh

Post Number: 166
Registered: 4-2006


Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 4:34 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

I've never attended a Alpha-session, but I've heard it can be a bit too centered on spiritual gifts rather than the work Jesus did on the cross for our salvation.

I think one should read both sides of this matter, a quick search on the net "alpha course false" will reveal many sites warning of some of the potential dangers of alpha courses.

Christ loves you!!!!
U2bsda
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Username: U2bsda

Post Number: 173
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 8:27 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Here is a link all about the Alpha course. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_course

Apparently some Christians have problems with the lessons on the Holy Spirit, but many report that the lessons cross denominational barriers.
Riverfonz
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Username: Riverfonz

Post Number: 2021
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 9:04 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Mwh,

Thanks for alerting us of the need to be discerning with regard to some of the popular movements in Christianity today.

Stan
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 4635
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 11:21 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Alpha is not taught exactly the same in all churches. In the curriculum, Alpha has a section on the Holy Spirit, as U2 mentioned, that presents the subject with a somewhat charismatic "flavor". But individual churches and facilitators can alter the presentation.

At our church Alpha is taught with a more evangelical than charismatic emphasis on the Holy Spirit. I would not avoid Alpha just because of this particular section. The more important question is: what are the beliefs and emphases of the church that is offering Alpha?

Colleen
Javagirl
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Username: Javagirl

Post Number: 292
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 11:37 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Indeed we need to pray for discernment with all spiritual information that crosses our paths everyday. Thats one of the purposes of the Holy Spirit!

Actually, Alpha only has part of one lesson (Out of 12) on the Holy Spirit. So to say that the Holy Spirit is overemphasized is an error. To leave out any person of the Godhead in an INTRODUCTORY course on Christianity would be more suspect!

There are always people who jump to criticize any poplular christian book, sermon, bible study etc. THe more popular, the more critics! Of course, the Bible is the most popular book of all time, and if we assumed the critics were right, we would never open it!

A bible passage mentioned in Alpha actually helped me in overcoming the sorta paranoid fear I held coming out of adventism. The fear of being decieved again. In Luke 11, Jesus promises that he will not give us a stone, when we ask for bread. He will not give us a scorpion, when we ask for a fish! Thats a promise I claim with all Bible or Christian book study. I pray for truth, and to be protected from error. God is faithful. I trust Him to lead me into all truth, to give me discernment when I ask. What a relief that is. I can consider human opinion, but I dont have to RELY on human opinion or reading the right critic!

P.S. Im still interested in PERSONAL stories or experiences of formers who have attended alpha. And I do welcome your continued prayers for discernment.
Lori
4excape@bellsouth.net
Colleentinker
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Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 4636
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 11:49 am:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lori, you're rightóthe Holy Spirit cannot be left out. And I so agree that we can TRUST God not to give us a stone when we ask for bread. And yes, I recommend Alpha to people.

You know, I'm struck by the fact that deception always mimics something REAL. The fact that spiritual manifestations can be false also means that there are TRUE manifestations. The bottom line is we must be submitted to Jesus, and He will teach us more and more about Himself and reveal Himself to us increasingly as we learn to trust Him.

I'm also interested to hear people's experiences with Alpha.

Colleen
Dane
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Username: Dane

Post Number: 130
Registered: 4-2004
Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 2:22 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Last year I reviewed the entire Alpha course for our church. The only problem I had with it was part of the section on the Holy Spirit. In the full-blown course a weekend is spent on the Spirit in relation to charismatic gifts. One of the leading promoters of the course is Nicky Gumbel who is a curate at the Holy Trinity Brompton Church (Anglican) in England. Gumbel tells the audience that he can teach them to speak in tongues. This is not shown on the DVD set that I reviewed. My understanding of Spiritual gifts is that the Spirit decides who gets which gifts and we are not to seek specific gifts. So this part of the Alpha course is not biblical IMO.
Dane
Riverfonz
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Username: Riverfonz

Post Number: 2022
Registered: 3-2005
Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 6:03 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Dane,
Thanks for pointing that out.

(Removed text--beyond the scope of the public forum.)

I will post some concerns I have in the members only area.

Stan

(Message edited by admin on September 19, 2006)
Seekr777
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Username: Seekr777

Post Number: 587
Registered: 1-2003


Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 9:16 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lori,

I checked today if any Alpha courses were in my area. I found one which will be having it's third meeting tomorrow night. I called the church and they told me it was still open for new people. I'm prayerfully considering attending.

Here is the web address for the church which is holding the class.

http://www.granitecreek.org/

Richard

rtruitt@mac.com


Javagirl
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Username: Javagirl

Post Number: 296
Registered: 6-2005
Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 12:28 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Colleen,
The email and phone feedback I have recieved from 2 other formers (who also post on this forum) regarding Alpha was very positive as well. In my case, and the case of the others, they were so blessed, that they have been involved in one way or another for more than one course.

I have yet to meet anyone who has actually ATTENDED an alpha course who had any concerns at all about the course and the teachings.

Richard,
If you attended starting week three, that was "why did Jesus have to die" That was a powerful week for me as a former. Last week was week 3 here, and already 2 people in the course have responded to God's voice, and recieved salvation. Its such an incredible blessing. Get week 2 tape if you can, "Who is Jesus". It borrows from CS Lewis approach--Jesus was either crazy, a liar, or WHO He said he was---which you have probably heard, but even so, it was powerful as well.

Im loving being on the prayer team. One prayer focus for me is the homeless attendees. We have a table for some homeless men, who are straight off the streets nearby (In other words, not from a shelter or program, some young guy from our alpha group just drives by and picks them up from their home under the bridges!) Cant wait to see what GOd does with this group. Please join with me in prayer re these guys.
Lori
4excape@bellsouth.net
Colleentinker
Registered user
Username: Colleentinker

Post Number: 4701
Registered: 12-2003


Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 1:47 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lori, I'm not surprised and am very happy to hear about the positive feedback you've received regarding Alpha.

How amazing and wonderful about the homeless men being brought to the group! I'm glad you're part of the group's prayer team.

With prayers for you and for those homeless men,
Colleen
U2bsda
Registered user
Username: U2bsda

Post Number: 201
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 8:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

What a great report Lori!
Seekr777
Registered user
Username: Seekr777

Post Number: 593
Registered: 1-2003


Posted on Monday, October 02, 2006 - 9:55 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)

Lori, I've been very blessed being at the meetings. Week 3 was wonderful. I've heard it all before but I can never hear to much about His sacrifice and the awesome gift we have been given.

I'm at a table with a GREAT bunch of people. Some have been to Alpha before and for others it is all new. One of the members heard me talking with some of the people and wanted to make sure I'd met the pastor. All three of the pastors I met were very spirit filled and just overflowed with a love for others and of their Savior. I talked to one for some time at the meeting and the church is very much founded on Scripture and very Biblically rooted in their beliefs.

The Sunday church I'm also attending is great and I'll look up the web address of it so you can hear the sermon from this last Sunday. I was so blessed and stirred as he opened scripture and the freedom we have in the Spirit.

In Him,

Richard

rtruitt@mac.com

PS: Our meeting on Soul Sleep went well this last Saturday and we met afterward for fellowship and prayer into the evening. Sorry for the disjointedness of my post but I'm very tired and need to get to bed. :-)





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