Welcome to Alpha Training In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

Welcome to Alpha Training Pastoral Care In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

Welcome to Alpha Training AIM In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

WE AIM TO INCLUDE ALL! Even though we had some standing as Christ’s apostles, we never threw our weight around or tried to come across as important, with you or anyone else. We weren’t aloof with you. We took you just as you were. We were never patronizing, never condescending, but we cared for you the way a mother cares for her children. We loved you dearly. Not content to just pass on the Message, we wanted to give you our hearts. And we did. 1 THESSALONIANS 2:7-12 In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

GOD IS LOVE God Loves You; Proven By the Cross God Gave Us the Gift of the Holy Spirit - We Are Important to Him ! We Then Return God’s Love - It Is An Intimate Relationship We Then Love One Another, -Having Been Loved Into Life KEY: You must first love yourself; with all your warts, before you can love others. Only the Fatherhood of God makes this kind of love possible.

Alpha = Creating Relationships The Alpha Course Is All About Creating Relationships We Offer Intimacy And Kindness To Our Guests: -To Exemplify His Love For Us -To Exemplify His Love For Others There Is a Risk! -Rejection -Unjust Characterization By Others KEY: ALPHA means you no longer believe in a ‘holy huddle”. It’s OK to embrace the outcast person.

Alpha Is Not Good Works! We Must Be Motivated By: A Belief That Jesus First Came To Save A Belief That Sin Is Serious, But That There Is A Remedy An Acknowledge That The Remedy Is His; A Confidence That He Will Meet Us, And Assist Us, To His Greater Glory KEY: The mystics say, God does not need us, yet, can do nothing without us. God is a ‘slave’ to His own Love for us.

Integrity Of Heart The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less. That’s what I’m working so hard at, day after day, year after year, doing my best with the energy god so generously gives me. Colossians 1:23-29 KEY: ALPHA is a place where we pass on survival skills, -for the uninitiated.

Small Groups A Place Where: Everyone Is Looked After Leadership Takes On The Responsibility To Pray For Guests Leadership Encourages Dependence on God, And Not An Attachment To Leadership KEY: Good parents encourage their children to be independent, but subject to rightful authority.

Small Groups Video Discussions Are Like A Deluge -LOTS Of Water -LOTS Of Run Off Discussion Groups Are Like Watering Your Favorite Plant -Personal, And Up Close -Time To Prune, Observe KEY: Truth across the table works best.

Small Groups A Place Were We Can: Trust The Process -Evangelization Is A Process Recognize Time As Another Helper -There Are 15 Sessions KEY: We must recognize that that while God keeps raising the standard, He is patient with us, and bears with us in our weakness. We must be like-minded.

METHOD A Proclamation Of The Gospel In An Environment Of Trust: A Gradual Introduction To The Message Of The Cross A Gradual Introduction To The Power of Prayer A Gradual Introduction To The Power/Role Of Scripture A Gradual Introduction To the Power/Role Of The Holy Spirit

METHOD While Prayer Is Not At First Highlighted; There Are Opportunities For Prayer: Each Video Ends With Prayer; Some With An Invitation To Pray The Prayer of Jesus Grace At Meals Can Be Gradually Introduced As Prayer Opportunities Of Individual Prayer May Present Themselves KEY: To pray with a person for healing (interior or physical) takes courage, but to the other, it is a great encouragement.

METHOD The Jesus Prayer: Use The “Why Jesus” Booklet An Effective Prayer; Yet: -Requires Understanding Of Its Purpose -Requires A Recognition That This Is Only The Beginning Does Not Dispense With The Need For Reconciliation With The Church Community And With Others KEY: The key to acceptance of Christ is often found in the forgiveness of others.

BE AN ENCOURAGER! God didn’t set up up for an angry rejection but for salvation by our Master, Jesus Christ. He died for us, a death that triggered life. Whether we’re awake with the living , or asleep with the dead, we’re alive with him! So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, not one left out, no one left behind. I know you're already doing this, just keep on doing it.. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:12 In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

BE A LISTENER! Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you are a listerner when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don’t act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea of who they are, what they look like. James 1:19 In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

BE A LISTENER! Consider Your Guests To Be Of Greater Value Than Yourself Remember, Wounded People Often Have No Voice -Empower Them By Listening Express A Genuine Interest In The Comments of Your Guests In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

BE A PEACEMAKER! You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family. Matthew 5:9 In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations KEY: Try to reconcile differences; relieve tensions, and diplomatically explore reasons for differences.

BE A PEACEMAKER! Remember, A Legalistic Attitude Breeds Contempt, And Hardness Of Heart Try To See Others As Jesus Sees Them: -perfected in Heaven -free of guilt and shame Remember, Do Not Criticize Other Religious Traditions Try To Be In Unity With One Another, Let This Be Seen In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

COMMITMENT We Need God’s Grace To Meet Our Responsibilities We Need To Pray We Need To Come Early We Need To Work Hard, -Every Week We Need To Overcome Discouragement -Some People Will Leave In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

COMMITMENT We Need God’s Grace To Meet Our Responsibilities We Need To Obey The 100% Rule -The Best Food, -The Best Coffee -Always Warm And Welcoming We Need To Use All The Gifts God Has Given Us -In Submission To One Another -In Harmony And In Love In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

CATHOLICS In this training we shall discuss: Talk One: Leading Small Groups Talk Two: Talk Three: Additional Discussion Items: -the importance of following the ‘Recipe’ -the importance/use of music -how to mange the food requirement -Catholic issues -issues within video presentations

Catholic Issues Perspective Where Is The Blessed Mother? (Mariology) What About Church Authority? (Ecclesiology) What About The Sacraments? (Sacramentology) Ministry In The Holy Spirit, What’s THAT !! KEY: ALPHA requires follow-up planning.