Got Questions? Alpha is Here.
Monday Nights in North Raleigh
Starting at 5:30pm
Alpha Course
Do you want to grow closer to God?
Have you ever had questions about the Christian faith?
Do you want to get to know more people at Asbury?
Do you want to better understand your
purpose in life?
If you answer yes to any of those questions, ALPHA might be for you. Alpha is a 10-week topical examination of the Christian faith. There are several great things about Alpha. We eat a hot meal together, watch a video teaching, and talk about our questions of life in small groups. The meal is provided by the church. This ministry is great for all ages and especially families with kids, as we will provide child care.
Next Session begins January 22, 2023!
ALPHA will be held on Monday nights in the North Building Worship Center. Dinner will be served at 5:30pm. Come and experience what ALPHA is all about! Meet new friends and enjoy a catered dinner each week. We look forward to seeing you there.
Connect in Community
What is Alpha?
Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith, typically run over eleven weeks. Each talk looks at a different question around faith and is designed to create conversation. Alpha is run all around the globe, and everyone is welcome.
Where does Alpha meet?
We will meet on campus at Asbury on Monday nights in the North Building Worship Center. We'll have dinner together there as well as our large group talk. Small groups will meet throughout campus.
What does an Alpha night look like?
Food – Whether it’s a group of friends gathered around a kitchen table, or a quick catch-up over coffee and cake, food has a way of bringing people together. It’s no different at Alpha. We start with dinner, because food is a great way to encourage community and get to know each other.
Talk – The teaching talks are designed to engage and inspire conversation. They explore the big issues around faith and unpack the basics of Christianity, addressing questions such as Who is Jesus? and How can we have faith?
Conversation – Probably the most important part of any Alpha: the chance to share thoughts and ideas on the topic, and simply discuss it in a small group. There’s no obligation to say anything and there’s nothing you can’t say. It’s an opportunity to hear from others and contribute your own perspective in an honest, friendly and open environment
What about my kids?
We believe life is better connected so we provide childcare on site during Alpha, including everything from a nursery for our littlest to a homework room for students. We view it as an investment in you and your family.
Alpha is all about the Questions
...and we search for answers together each week.
Is there more to life than this?
The first-order questions of life:
• Is there more to life than this?
• What am I doing on earth?
• What is the point of life?
• What is the purpose of my life?
• Where am I heading?
Who is Jesus?
Dig in to Evidence outside the New Testament about Jesus includes: – Tacitus and Suetonius, Roman historians – Josephus, Jewish historian and Evidence within the New Testament
Why did Jesus die?
Discuss sin, the cross, and the solution provided to all.
How can I have faith?
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT)
A Christian is a Christ-ian: someone who follows and puts their faith in Jesus Christ. How that happens varies enormously. For some there is a definite moment; for others it is a more gradual process. When you receive Christ, you become a child of God. (John 1:12) God wants you to be sure of your faith.
Why and how do I pray?
Prayer is the most important activity of our lives. “For through [Jesus] we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:18)
• To the Father – “… to your father” (Matthew 6:6) – “… in heaven” (v.9)
• Through the Son – “I have called you friends” (John 15:15)
• By the Spirit – “… the Spirit helps us” (Romans 8:26)
Why and how do I pray?
God heals explicably—through the medical profession.
God heals inexplicably and directly.
“When we prayed for no one, no one was healed. Now we pray for lots of people and some are healed.” (JOHN WIMBER)
Why and how should I read the Bible?
The Bible is the most…
• Popular
• Powerful
• Precious (Psalm 19:10) … book in the world.
“Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4).
How does God guide us?
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.’” (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
Why involve God in the decisions we make?
• God promises to guide us. – (Psalm 32:8) – (John 10:3–4, 27)
• God has a good plan for our lives. – (Jeremiah 29:11) – (Romans 12:2) – (John 10:10, 15)
Who is the Holy Spirit and how can I be filled with it?
What the Holy Spirit does and brings to our lives is all about love. Every Christian has the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9) but not every Christian is filled with the Spirit.
Five categories of people:
1. Longing (Pentecost—Acts 2:2–4)
2. Receptive (Samaria—Acts 8:14–23)
3. Hostile (Paul—Acts 8:1, 3; 9:1–2)
4. Uninformed (Ephesus—Acts 19:1–6)
5. Unlikely (Gentiles—Acts 10:44–47)
How can I resist evil?
Where does evil come from?
Triple alliance:
World—the enemy around
Flesh—the enemy within
Devil—the enemy above
How can I resist evil?
Where does evil come from?
Triple alliance:
World—the enemy around
Flesh—the enemy within
Devil—the enemy above
Why and how should I tell others?
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18–20)
Why tell others?
• Jesus told us to
• For the needs of others – spiritual hunger in the world
• It’s good news: “Gospel” = Good News
• Two opposite dangers – Insensitivity – Fear How do we tell others
Why Alpha?
"Great people, food, environment and if you are observant you will see God at work."
"It’s a time to totally focus on what it means to be a Christian and to learn how to be a better Christian"
"A great time away to further your relationship with Christ and getting to know each other"
"If you need a spiritual shot in the arm or a starting off point for new believers this will complete your alpha experience!"
"It was a great experience. The lessons were taught in a casual atmosphere that made learning about Jesus and the Holy Spirit easy and enjoyable. I became acquainted with people at church that I’d never had the opportunity to talk with before. New friendships were formed and old friendships were deepened in our journey to God."