PEER TO PEER ALPHA FACILITATOR TRAINING

WELCOME TO THE ALPHA FAMILY ABOVE ALL ELSE AS YOU BEGIN THIS JOURNEY REMEMBER: ALPHA IS NOT A BIBLE STUDY. IT IS A MOVEMENT. YOU ARE ABOUT TO BEGIN A NEW ERA FOR ALPHA IN PRISONS, AS ALPHA HAS ALWAYS BEEN LEAD BY OUTSIDE VOLUNTEERS. YOU THEREFORE ARE SETTING THE EXAMPLE FOR OTHER INMATES ACROSS THE NATION. THANK YOU FOR UNDERSTANDING AND ACTING ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF YOUR DECISION TO BE A PEER FACILITATOR AS YOUR ACTIONS WILL IMPACT LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF OTHER LIVES.

IN THE BEGINNING 1985 – Sandy Miller and Nicky Gumbel, Holy Trinity Brompton: London 1995 – Paul Cowley and Michael Emmitt, UK Prisons 2004 – Paul Cowley and Jack Cowley, United States Prisons 2015 – Alpha in 295 USA Prisons Over 80,000 inmates have experienced Alpha in the USA

THE BASICS MISSION VISION VALUES A – Anyone is welcome L – Learning and Laughter….have fun P – Prison and Prayer H – Helping one another A – Ask anything

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS THE “PROBLEM” WITH PEER FACILITATORS Other Inmates know who you are Difficulty in maintaining your facilitator roll on the yard Using this “position” for your own gain Maintaining control of the group Limited access to Alpha support services

THINK OF YOURSELF AS A SERVANT LEADER 2 TIMOTHY 2: Pursue Humility: Removal of Pride and ego Not about being the center of the show or the man in charge Allowing Jesus to be the center Do not quarrel over words – vs. 14 Worry about yourself – vs. 15 Rightly handle the truth – vs. 15 Focus on what matters – vs. 16 Purify yourself – vs. 21 Pursue Godliness in your own life – vs Be patient and gentle – vs

SMALL GROUP TRAINING YOU ARE FACILITATORS OF SMALL GROUPS, NOT LEADERS. Your attitude should be one of Host to your Guest and Guest come first Attitudes matter therefore you must be real and sincere Prepare – Prepare – Prepare Pray – Pray – Pray Demonstrate respect for others as well as their opinions Allow your guests to discover for themselves Be the encourager, ALWAYS Be committed to your guests Follow the Alpha Course “Receipt” Training Exercises

THE ALPHA RECEIPT “IS THERE MORE TO LIFE THAN THIS”? Guests are invited to attend an Introduction to the Christian faith-All are welcome 8 – 10 guests per small group 2 hour weekly sessions for 17 weeks Large group welcome Singing Prayer, prayer request, praise reports Watch the video talk Break into small groups Return to large group to end session If possible allow guests to bring snacks to share and drinks

THE ALPHA RECEIPT THE FIRST SESSION Welcome your guests – Chaplain should explain the course Certificates of completion will be provided for 90% of attendance No additional guests after the 2 nd session Introduction of Facilitators Each Facilitator should give a brief personal introduction Watch the Paul Cowley video “The God Who Changes Lives” Break into small groups Each guest is given the opportunity to introduce himself Go over small group dynamics Each guest will receive the work sheet for next weeks session Return to large group Let guests know they are appreciated for coming and encouraged to attend next session

THE ALPHA RECEIPT SESSIONS BEGIN Following the Alpha Course Manual for weekly sessions Is There More To Life Than This? Who is Jesus? How Can We Have Faith? Why and How To I Pray? Why and How Should I Read the Bible? How Does God Guide Us? The Holy Spirit Sessions: Should be a different time than regular sessions Who Is The Holy Spirit? What Does The Holy Spirit Do? How Can I Be Filled With The Holy Spirit? How Can I resist Evil? Why and How Should I Tell Others? Does God Heal Today What About The Church? How can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life? Graduation Celebration If possible each guest can invite a family member another inmate

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? BUILDING THE CHURCH BEHIND THE WALLS Follow Up Alpha Courses? The Jesus Lifestyle A Life Worth Living Parenting Course Marriage Course Addiction Recovery Course Start a new Alpha Course? Enlisting small group helpers

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT ALPHA USA: DIVISION OF PRISONS & RE-ENTRY Jack Cowley, Director Bruce Paulus, Deputy Director Lou Ronna Richardson, Office Manager