Alpha at Fielder Church

Connect

1. Take time for introductions, but keep things moving along. A simple opening question could be, “Where is everyone from?” 
2. Explain to guests what they can expect, including the general flow of the night and what time it ends. Many people have worked all day, so it is very important to respect the ending time.
3. During the small group time on the first night, there is less discussion about the talk and more time spent getting to know each other. We suggest a combination of icebreakers and questions.
4. Create a fun, enjoyable environment so that people want to come back!

Icebreakers

The Desert Island Game (optional)

You suddenly find yourself on a desert island. Assume your cell phone won’t work. What is one material possession that you would want to have with you and why? 

This is a game that everyone participates in.

Keep it lighthearted and fun.

Main Idea

This video is meant to kick off the conversation. It’s the beginning of a potentially long journey of introducing truth after truth about Jesus to those who are not yet followers of Him. The goal of this is not to explain everything all at once, but to get the conversation going!

Alpha Video

Is there more to life than this? (English Video)

Is there more to life than this? (Spanish Video)

Discussion

How did you end up at Alpha tonight?

• This is a question that every guest is invited to participate in. 
• Start with the person that you think will be most honest about their struggles with faith. This naturally sets the bar low and allows for others to talk more. If you unintentionally start with someone who’s a Christian, everyone might think they have to say they’re a Christian.
• For example, avoid starting with, “I’ve been a missionary in Africa for the last 10 years spreading the love of Jesus, and I want to help others love Jesus, too…” This will make it difficult for others to follow.
• Shepherds, please answer this question, but be sensitive to not say anything that indicates, “You love to share Jesus with people who don’t know him” or a similar sentiment.

Tell us something interesting about yourself.

• The host should be the first one to answer this. Lead by example, and keep it both brief and interesting. We don’t have time for people’s life stories, but you can share a fun fact to get to know each other better.

From now on, no more selecting people by name to answer questions. Every question, including this one, is asked to the group.

If it turned out that God did exist after all and you could ask one question, what would it be?

• Remember, at Alpha, all perspectives are welcome, which is why we frame the question this way.
• Encourage people to contribute. Be supportive of their answers.
• Try not to focus too much on one answer, as it may make others feel theirs isn’t important. Ask follow-up or clarifying questions if needed. Try to do as little as possible.
• As they give their answers, you may want to write them down.
• Thank guests for sharing their questions. You can mention that you will keep a record to see if any questions are answered by the end of Alpha.

Plan

No matter what they say on the first night, don’t assume that anyone has a strong faith life.  

If your group gets through the icebreaker and three questions and you still have time, you can discuss the video, or simply talk about the activities people have going on that week and end early.

As a leader, do not use “church talk.” This is crucial! Make sure it is an inviting and safe atmosphere for people to ask questions and explore faith.

As you finish the session, thank them for coming and contributing to the conversation, no matter how much or how little they did. Don’t ask too much of them after this first session. If this is their first time dipping their toes into Christianity, then this might be a lot for them. No homework yet!

Conclude

Connect

Recap people’s names from last week. 

 Review Alpha Ground Rules:

• You don’t have to talk if you don’t want to, but we’d love to hear everyone’s thoughts. 
• Any question or comment is welcome. Please be brief and respectful.
• Respect each other by listening and allowing different opinions. Feel free to ask each other follow-up questions if you’d like to hear more from them.
• Please keep all information confidential when you leave this group.

It is important to encourage anyone who shares by saying, “That’s a really interesting point” and “Thank you so much. What do other people think?” This draws out people and keeps the conversation moving. 

The most important thing is that people feel loved and respected. One of the ways we do this is to listen. Genuinely listening to what others are saying shows that we are interested while helping the guests get to know each other.

Your job is to draw out people’s honest thoughts, fears, and apprehensions. Even if someone is a “regular churchgoer,” they may have never had a safe place to voice questions like, “How do we know Jesus really lived? What proof is there?”

Main Idea

The topic, “Who is Jesus?,” can be more intellectual than next week’s session, “Why did Jesus die?” where we cover things like suffering and forgiveness. This can be one of the hardest sessions of Alpha. We are welcoming new guests and jumping straight into a conversation about Jesus. Every session is easier from here.

Alpha Video

Who is Jesus? (English Video)

Who is Jesus? (Spanish Video)

Discussion

1. What did you think (or feel) about the talk tonight?
2. This question was asked, “What makes you happy?” What sorts of things make you happy in life?
3. What do you think about Jesus? What thoughts do you have about him?
4. If you had a chance to meet Jesus, how would you feel and what would you say to him? What would you want that encounter to be like? 

Additional questions (if needed):

5. Before you heard the talk tonight, what was your concept of Jesus? Has it changed? If so, in what way?
6. What aspects of the evidence presented tonight did you find convincing/not convincing? 

Plan

We are not here to answer questions tonight. The guests are still getting a feel for the group, and they are going to be naturally looking for the “authority” who is the “leader.” We need to make sure that the hosts and helpers are not establishing themselves as the “answer people.” We are here to facilitate the conversation so that the guests feel safe to share. 

Conclude

Connect

1. Use the beginning of small group time to build connections and relationships. Introduce people to each other, and welcome new guests. Keep the conversation non-religious, and work to engage guests in conversation with each other.
2. The goal is not to go through all of the questions in order. The goal is to engage and stimulate conversation about the topic!
3. Remember, no teaching in groups. The goal is to encourage guests to talk, so help them feel safe to express themselves in an open and honest way. We want to hear what they believe during the small group time.
4. Throw questions back to the group, such as, “Interesting! What does everyone else think?” A few key lines you may want to use to guide the group: “The problem of suffering is definitely a difficult one. In a later session of Alpha, we will talk about that a bit more deeply as well. What do you all think?” or, “I’m sorry you experienced that. It must have been very difficult.”
5. Trust the process!
6. Keep upping your hospitality game! What else could your team do?

Icebreaker

If you could go anywhere in the world for the weekend, where would you like to go?

Alpha Video

Why did Jesus die? (English Video)

Why did Jesus die? (Spanish Video)

Main Idea

In the topic, “Why did Jesus die?”, we’ll be talking about the cross and examining areas of guilt, forgiveness, and addiction.

Discussion

1. How do people feel about the idea of forgiveness? What is it?
2. What did you think about the stories of forgiveness during the video?
3. Have you ever had to forgive anyone? How did you do it? (This is more personal but it’s often easier to talk about someone else doing wrong to you).
4. Has anyone ever forgiven you? What did it feel like? (This is often more difficult, but sometimes you find people are able to open up and talk about things they’ve done wrong).
5. Where does guilt come from? What’s the difference between false and real guilt, and why is that significant?

If you find conversations stalling, ask these questions:

• Is there anything shared in the video that made you think or feel different than you did before you watched it?
• After watching this video are there things you are feeling comforted by, resistant to, or curious to learn more about?
• What aspect of the video or our conversations stand out as having the most impact to you personally?

Plan

Continue to pray for the people that you are leading through this group! They just heard the truth of the Gospel, the reality that Jesus died for our salvation and that free gift is offered to them. Pray that God moves in their hearts and continues to draw them closer to Himself.

Also make yourself available to your people. They may have questions following this session that you don’t have time to get into during the time together. Be open to following up outside of group time and help your people fall deeper in love with Jesus.

Conclude

Connect

• Encourage them to consider what obstacles might keep them from having faith. 
• Remember that this is a week for guests to reflect out loud. You are not trying to push people toward any conclusion or correct any ideas they may have. Just listen and encourage. Trust that Jesus IS at the door of their heart!

Icebreaker

What is your favorite meal now, or what was your favorite meal growing up? (During the discussion time you can reference this meal with the scripture, Revelation 3:20, that was shared in the video: “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person…”).

Alpha Video

How can I have faith? (English Video)

How can I have faith? (Spanish Video)

Main Idea

 This week we are looking at the evidence for believing in Christianity. Many will still be exploring faith, so continue to let them ask questions and allow the group to respond.

Discussion

1. What does it mean to have faith in something or someone? 
2. How can you have faith in something you cannot see? 
3. How do you feel/what do you think about the idea of a relationship with God? 
4. Encourage guests to consider what obstacles might keep them from having faith. 
5. Consider discussing the picture of the famous painting, “The Light of the World” by Holman Hunt, that was referenced in the video. Here is a link to the painting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Light_of_the_World_(painting).

Here are a few questions to consider with this painting:

• What time of day do you think it is? 
• What could it mean that the vines are growing up over the door? 
• Any thoughts on why Jesus isn’t actually looking at the door? 
• If you could put yourself in this painting, what would you be doing? 

Plan

Remind them to process through these questions outside of the group time. Encourage them to write down their thoughts in a journal so that they can cover what they were processing the next time that you all meet up.

Conclude

Connect

1. The key tonight is to pitch the questions low. Don’t start by saying, “Isn’t prayer exciting?!” Some will find it exciting but not everyone will, so pitching the bar low is crucial. Ask, “Has anyone ever tried praying?” or “Has anyone ever known anyone who has tried praying?”
2. Remember that most people have something to say on the subject, so give space for people to talk about their experiences.
3. You may want to consider praying at the close of your group tonight. If you think your group is ready to pray, you can say, “I will begin our time of prayer, and I have asked Tom [choose one of the helpers in advance] to end the prayer time.” Then, keep your prayer very basic, such as, “Lord, I thank you for the beautiful weather today.” 
4. The goal is for everyone to see that prayer can be simple. You don’t need fancy words, a long prayer, or a certain voice. Keep your prayer very basic.
5. There is no pressure with Alpha, so everyone is free to pass if they don’t feel comfortable praying.
6. One helper should hold back and not pray out loud, just in case one guest also does not pray out loud. This will help the guest to not feel alone. 

Icebreaker

How do you prefer to communicate with people: phone, text, Instagram, or another way?

Alpha Video

Why and how do I pray? (English Video)

Why and how do I pray? (Spanish Video)

Main Idea

 This week, we are looking at “Why and how can I pray?” “Prayer isn’t part of our relationship with Jesus, it is our relationship with Jesus. Without prayer we are religious but we don’t have a relationship: a conversational, interactive relationship with the living God.” Pete Greig.

Discussion

1. What did you think or feel about the talk?
2. Have you ever tried praying, or do you know anyone who has tried praying?
3. How did it go?
4. What do you think about the idea of God answering prayer?
5. Have you ever prayed and a coincidence happened?
6. In the talk, various reasons for praying are given. Which of these do you relate to and why?

Plan

Encourage your group to consider praying after the session is over. If they are comfortable, ask them to try to pray a couple of times before the next you meet and report back!

Conclude

Connect

1. Remember to pitch the questions low. Don’t start by saying, “Isn’t it exciting? Isn’t reading the Bible amazing?” That is starting out with too high of expectations.
2. Start by asking simple questions, such as, “Has anybody tried reading the Bible? What did you think?” The lower the pitch, the bigger the range of possible answers and potential conversations.
3. This is a great place for you to share if you have struggled with reading the Bible. You will encourage conversation if you (briefly) share about those times of doubt or struggle.
4. If you sense your group is ready, end the night with prayer. The lead host can begin, and each person will have the opportunity to pray. They can simply say “pass” if they don’t feel comfortable praying. Hosts and helpers, remember to keep your prayers short.

Icebreaker

What is your favorite book and why?

Alpha Video

Why and how should I read the Bible? (English Video)

Why and how should I read the Bible? (Spanish Video)

Main Idea

This week, we are looking at “How and why should I read the Bible?”

Discussion

1. What did you think or feel about the talk?
2. Has anyone ever tried reading the Bible? What was your experience?
3. How do you feel about the idea of God speaking through the Bible?
4. Does anyone have any practical suggestions about how to read the Bible? (At an appropriate point in the discussion, you might recommend the Bible in One Year app: Bible In One Year.)

If you find conversations stalling, ask these questions:

• Is there anything shared in the video that made you think or feel different than you did before you watched it?
• After watching this video are there things you are feeling comforted by, resistant to, or curious to learn more about?
• What aspect of the video or our conversations stand out as having the most impact to you personally?

Plan

Encourage them to try to read the Bible at least once before the next session. The Gospels are a great place to start since the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the central point in the Christian faith. Ask them to write down their thoughts and to share the next time you meet.

Conclude

Connect

1. Give your guests plenty of time to process through this session. The Holy Spirit is often overlooked, even by devoted Christians, so this will be a foreign concept to many.
2. Those who have a background with a different faith will have an easier time with the concept of the Holy Spirit. Be aware of who is in the room and what areas they may need more help with understanding.

Icebreaker

Would you say that you are patient or that you hate waiting? What’s something in your life that you have really had to wait for?

Alpha Video

Who is the Holy Spirit? (English Video)

Who is the Holy Spirit? (Spanish Video)

Main Idea

This week, we are looking at “How and why should I read the Bible?”

Discussion

1. What did you think about the video? Did anything stand out to you?

2. How would you explain who the Holy Spirit is? What do you think about the idea that the Holy Spirit is a person?

3. How do you feel about the idea of relating to God through the Holy Spirit? How would you say you currently relate to the Holy Spirit? What might it look like to have a closer relationship with the Holy Spirit?

4. What do you think about the idea of having a “soft heart and hard feet,” instead of a “hard heart and soft feet”?

Plan

Ask them to pray specifically to the Holy Spirit in their personal time until the next session. Highlight the importance of the Holy Spirit in the trinity and how it has an incredibly important role in the Christian faith. Take time to meet with them outside of the group time to answer any questions they may have.

Conclude

Connect

1.  Just as we have done in the weeks before, we want to set the bar very low. Start with general questions about decision-making. Ask about big decisions they have made, then move the discussion to help them become more aware of how God may have been guiding them. The video does a great job of highlighting this, even if there is an acknowledgment that we all mess up at times. We can affirm God guiding us during the small group time.
2. People can share any way they want, but the idea of limiting it to the last few weeks helps to focus on what God has been doing during this Alpha.
3. If anyone on the team has found God leading them through a difficult time, sharing your struggle can encourage conversation. Briefly share how you saw God guiding you.

Icebreaker

Have you ever gotten lost? What happened?

Alpha Video

How does God guide us? (English Video)

How does God guide us? (Spanish Video)

Main Idea

 This week we are looking at “How does God guide us?” Be attentive to the creative ways he has revealed his plan to your guests.

Discussion

1. What did you think or feel about the talk?
2. Over the last few weeks, has anyone had a sense that God might be guiding them?
3. How do you feel about the idea of God having a plan for your life?
4. What are the ways that God may speak to people today? Have you ever experienced this?
5. What are some things that we can do if we have made mistakes in our lives?

Additional Question: What is a risk you could take to make yourself a better person or the world a better place? Encourage guests that God often speaks to people through these desires or ideas.

Plan

Ask the people in your group to take some time to write in a journal the ways that God could possibly have been guiding them in their life throughout the next week. In the valleys and the mountaintops, how could God have been present throughout all of it?

Conclude