The word "Alpha" comes from the first letter of the Greek alphabet and symbolizes a beginning or starting point of a journey.
In the Bible, Jesus refers to himself as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8,11; 21:6; 22:13).
Some people ask why Alpha starts with "Who is Jesus?" and not "Who is God?" The Bible tells us it is through a relationship with Jesus that we can get to know God, and experience his forgiveness, love, and acceptance (John 1:14, John 14:6-9, Matthew 11:27).
Alpha is the first step to exploring the big questions of life and discovering who Jesus is. It’s an understanding of but also an encounter with the person of Jesus that is the most important part of what we believe.
Alpha covers the basics of the Christian faith with a simple overview. It's just the beginning!
Top Tip: Alpha is best experienced in a group format. The discussion and exploration together is truly a unique experience. Alpha is recognized globally and the videos are available in over 80 languages!
What does Alpha cover?
The videos explain our relationship with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The first half of Alpha looks at who Jesus is, why he died, and how we can communicate with God. The Weekend Away is about halfway through the course and covers 4 talks including who the Holy Spirit is, what he does, and how the Holy Spirit can help us live a life with purpose, peace, and power. (The Alpha Youth Series is slightly different.)
The video teaching in the second half of Alpha explores the new life of a Christian, including topics such as evil, healing, and the role of the Church. This provides valuable information for those who have questions or preconceived ideas about the Christian lifestyle and it's helpful for new Christians too.
Top Tip: The videos about the Holy Spirit are always shown before the video about evil. This sequence is strategic because we want Alpha guests to feel confident in the power and protection of God before learning about the devil and spiritual warfare. Please be mindful of this when planning your Alpha Weekend.
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