Welcome to Alpha Training

Welcome to Alpha Training

Leading Small Groups

Welcome to Alpha Training

Welcome to Alpha Training

First, some preliminaries

Welcome to Alpha Training

Follow the Recipe !!

Always!!

Welcome to Alpha Training

No Cynicism!!

Always Good Humor !!

Remember !!

Study & PreparationWhat to read/study

Directors, Leaders And Helpers Should Prayerfully Read And Study In Advance Of Presenting The Course:

KEY: ALPHA requires study to do well!

The Director’s GuideSearching IssuesQuestions of Life

A Quick ReviewThe Mechanics of Alpha

The Importance Of The Director’s ManualLet’s Review An Alpha Brochure TogetherWhat About Technology??What About Music?? How much? When? What About Food??

-Methods Of Managing Food IssuesWhat About Use Of The Bible?

KEY: ALPHA requires planning just like your daughter’s wedding!

Now, let’s get on with it!

Small Groups #1

To Minister To One Another

KEY: ALPHA is all about creating community.

The Five Objectives Of The Small Groups

To Learn How:

To DiscussTo Model Bible studyTo Pray TogetherTo Develop Lasting Friendships Within The Body Of Christ

Small Groups #2

Alpha Is A Forum In Which Questions Can Be Freely Asked.

No Spirit Of Judgment

Any Question Or Comment Can Be Made (within bounds of propriety)

A ‘Safe Harbor’ For All Guests

An Environment Free Of Confrontation

KEY: ALPHA is all about making friends.

Small Groups #3

A Place Where:

Relationships Are Formed/Made

The Holy Spirit Is Entrusted With:

-Convicting-Teaching-Correcting

KEY: Friends bring friends and their family.

Small Groups #4

A Place Where:

Leadership Is Neither Too Strong Nor Too Weak

The Role IS NOT ‘Teacher-Pupil’

The Role IS One Of ‘Host-Guest’

There Is Mutual Respect For Each Other

KEY: People come to church for many reasons, but stay only if they make friends.

Small Groups #5

Table Staffing:

The Ideal Is 2 Leaders/2 Helpers Per Table

The Ideal Is 8-12 Guests Per table

In The Beginning Not Often Realizable

Most Often, 1 Leader, 1 Helper Is Start-Up Model

KEY: Alpha is sustainable, only if you have replaceable parts.

Small Groups #6

Table Staffing:

The Leader(s) Takes Responsibility (Active Host)

The Helper(s) Provide Support (Inactive Host)

The Leader Asks Questions, Keeps Talks Focused

The Helper Is The Guest-Servant Of All

KEY: Relax, and be yourself!

Small Groups #7 Objectives/Strategies:

Get The Guests To Talk, To Express Their ViewsUtilize Questions Like:

-What Do You Think?, or-What Do You Feel?, or-During The Talk, Nicky Said This,

‘What Do You Think?’Avoid Discussions About Church Doctrine; Avoid Technical Questions

KEY: Most people will not listen until they are first heard!

Small Groups #8

Objectives/Strategies:

Move At The Rate Of The Slowest Person

At The End, Summarize What You Have Heard

Try To Model Bible Study When Possible

Expect Some Amazing Responses

Expect Some Amazing Results

KEY: Alpha is process. Time becomes an ally. Always be encouraging.

Small Groups #9

Objectives/Strategies:

Do Not Ask Direct Questions

There Are No Wrong Answers

Guests Don’t Want To Be Back In School

Obvious Heretical Concepts Should Be Gently Corrected.

The Truth Is Not To Be Compromised

KEY: People can say the darnest things.

Small Groups #10

Results Of Small Group Discussions:

The Discussion Groups Will Form Powerful Bonds

They Will Want To Stay Together

Facilitating This In A Fractured Church Can Be Very Difficult;

- What Is Our Response?

KEY: Alpha requires your perseverance to succeed.

Small Groups #11

PRAYER: In The Beginning:

We Do Not Pray Before Meals: Why?

We Do Not Pray Before Discussions: Why?

When, Then, Do We Pray?

When We Do Pray, Our Prayers Are Not Long And Learned: Why?

KEY: Prayer: Everything points to the HSW and the healing prayer night.

Small Groups #12

PRAYER MINISTRY

Teaching Guests To Minister To Each Other Is An Important Objective Of The Course.

This Is The Most Difficult Task In The Course: Why?

KEY: God will be present to encourage you. Trust in Him!

Small Groups #13

Leadership Training

Important To Identify Leaders/Helpers Of The Next Course Early On

This Should Be Done No Later Than Week 6

Credentials Are Not Important; A Willingness To Learn, Humility, And A Love Of People Is Enough

KEY: We do not need Alphaholics, we need Leaders and Helpers!

Small Groups #14

The Retreat

An Extremely Important Part Of Course

Different Models; Saturday; Fri-Sat; Overnight F-S-Sun

Prepare Guests Early On For The Importance Of The Retreat;

Without A Retreat, A Great Deal Is Lost

KEY: Learning about the Holy Spirit; a WOW for most!

When to Present AlphaThe Two-Three-Four Model

Alpha Can Be Presented:Two times a year – Fall & Winter

(September and January Starts)Three Times A Year – Fall, Winter, & Spring

(September, January and March Starts)Four Times A Year –F/W/S/SAdvantages/Disadvantages Of Each Model

-Throughput; Team Training; Burnout

KEY: ALPHA requires commitment and a team. However, do not over commit.