I am 57 and rarely go to church,but i have always belived in god.I belive alot of things that i have read in the bible but not all.I have thought of enroling on the alpha course but i am worried that i may no fit in,I am just an ordinary working class bloke and wonder if i could learn or benifit from it .
2007-01-19 10:43:07 · 13 answers · asked by steve223261 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You need the conviction of God not the Alpha Course. That is very shallow and all about trying to attract people.
You are much better off seeking God for yourself. Anyway God deals with us as individuals. You want to learn to trust God and He honours such. Christian friends are important and helpful and there can be much mutual enjoyment but take care who, don't rush in but weigh things up and see what you think. I like what you say about being a working class bloke. As you read in the Bible you will see that Christ dealt with people just as they were, or should I say are, and even said that the tax gathers (hated outcasts) and harlots would get into heaven before the self righteous Pharisees. I'm sure God hates pretension but He says He is close to and will regard the humble.
The best thing you can do is read the Bible and to think about what you read and look to God for help and understanding and leading. If you honestly seek, God promises to come to you and show you.
You really ought to go to hear the preaching of the Bible but the big problem is that there are many churches that don't remain true to the Bible and the true faith. Why don't you put it all in God's hands and ask Him to show you? Then look around for a church where the Bible is important and is preached.
You could also do some reading, John Bunyan is excellent. Definitely read him, anything and everything by him. Pilgrim's Progress is of course his best known book. For someone modern perhaps Martyn Lloyd Jones, a famous Welsh preacher.
Very readable. You can borrow books as they can be expensive. Try the Evangelical Library, in London, they will help you, and books can be posted.
On line you can listen to and obtain sermons which can help a great deal. You could try the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Elephant & Castle, London, the preaching is worth listening to.
Keep it simple, place all these things in God's hands and look to see His provision. He will guide and provide and you will begin to experience faith and trusting in Him. Check everything against the Bible for it is His word and provision for us to keep us from being misled.
If you really want to go on an Alpha course, well why not? But I definitely recommend the things I have suggested with or without an Alpha course.
I would like to encourage you towards God, that you keep seeking Him for if you do so you will find Him. I did and have and can only say that He is more wonderful than words can express. Problems and difficulties don't just disappear, maybe sometimes it's harder, but having Him, knowing Him makes all the difference. Like you I suppose I have always believed in God but through a crisis in my life I sought Him and came to know the reality of Jesus Christ such that it was like being brought to life. Before I knew of God, now I know God. For me it didn't happen straight away but over a period of time.
Definitely begin and continue to seek Him.
2007-01-19 12:51:29 · answer #1 · answered by Judd M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well I'm a christian and think the Bible more informative than any people on a course (read the gospel of John). However I have heard that you get food, and it may be socially beneficial. You however are just as capable of learning from your Bible as any other person. Oh bog this sounds negative, I don't want to be negative I just don't like the basis for the Alpha courses. The Bible is clear on how you come to Jesus. It's not a life style change but a life change.
2007-01-19 10:58:17 · answer #2 · answered by : 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Go to the Alpha course. You will meet people, make new friends. At the end is a dinner honoring your graduation and you make even more friends as you are introduced to the church.
You will learn a lot. I pray you do go.
There are very few people who are not working class blokes. Jesus was one-he was a carpenter from Bethlehem. I too am a working-class bloke.
2007-01-19 10:51:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
If you are a sincere seeker ... hopefully, you:
1) believe God is the Creator -- of everything
2) Jesus is His son, and our elder brother and Saviour
3) the Bible is the word of God
4) the Ten Commandments comprise our instruction manual (just like the ones you get when you purchase a new car, TV, washer/dryer, lawn mower) ... and they are meant to be followed -- forever
With all this in the back of your mind, I highly recommend the Alpha course as a keen "Social experience" and a "Motivational method" of realizing sincere Christians should not be stereo-typed as a bunch of dull Bible thumpers!
Keep your heart and mind open, and always remember ... the best mentor we have is Jesus Christ: we should try to emulate him day-by-day.
2007-01-19 11:01:34 · answer #4 · answered by jamesgoya 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I'm not sure what an alpha course is but a better knowledge of God and His philosophy is always a benefit. Perhaps those in the course will want to "fit in" with you.
Regards
DL
2007-01-19 10:53:58 · answer #5 · answered by greatest_i_amm 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Learning anything is always a good thing. I've never heard of Alpha courses. Going to Church and Bible studies worked for this ole bloke. I learn alot from christian radio and TV also. OH, ...God is always capital G ;)
2007-01-19 10:48:43 · answer #6 · answered by iamME 3 · 5⤊ 1⤋
You may find alot of it quite boring.
The atmosphere will no doubt be friendly, but if you are a working class bloke, you may find the views not very practical.
Thy serve food, its in a home setting. The videos are nice. But for any real concrete information you will have to go to your own personal research. They seem to work primarily on emotions, rather than facts. You can 'graduate' the course meaning you are a nice person now. Get lots of clappy wappys, and cuddly wudlys, and lots of smiling "Jesus loves me this I know" people. But any 'meat' and realism is absent, and not what these courses are intended for.
2007-01-19 10:49:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
clearly you are ready , stop the worry ,have no fear you will love it
and learn ,and any benifit can come from the socialisation with l;ike minds ,or the studdy or the learnings as well as the teachings ,students impart into each other
there are many positives and only one negative who is wispering fears into your ear
tell satan to get behind you and walk forward
dont look back.
2007-01-19 10:50:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Alpha course is an excellent introduction to Christianity. My wife went on one 10 years ago when she became Christian and she thoroughly recommends it.
Don't worry about fitting in Steve, if you're an honest seeker then you'll fit in fine.
God bless, Pete.
2007-01-19 10:48:26 · answer #9 · answered by Pete J 3 · 7⤊ 1⤋
The Alpha course is very informative and the table hosts are well educated in the bible and able to answer any questions you may have. All are welcome and all fit in ... Jesus is for everybody.
Peace :-)
2007-01-19 10:48:14 · answer #10 · answered by me 6 · 6⤊ 1⤋