This document provides information for an ALPHA session being held at St. Monica Parish in Berwyn, Pennsylvania. The session will include a meal, introductions, presentations on various topics related to Christianity, and a discussion period. Some of the topics to be covered include prayer, the Holy Spirit, resisting evil, and telling others about faith. The session aims to provide an encounter with the Christian faith through discussion of its key beliefs and principles.

1. Welcome to ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

2. ALPHA: Session #1
Is There REALLY More To Life Than This?

3. Today we will….
Eat (Very important!)
Introductions
Provide materials
Discuss format
Introduce a general pathway
Presentation
Discussion / Q&A

4. Guidelines …
You can choose to ask ANYTHING !
You can choose NOT to ask anything (or
say anything..)
You can write, jot, doodle, scribble ….
…. or not. (S & L atmosphere)

5. Expectations: What Is Alpha?
Encounter with the Christian faith
11 – 15 presentations
Meal (Very important!), presentation,
discussion/Q&A.

6. You’re HERE !
And we are excited
 Name / Place / Job / Why are you here/hope?
 Then ….
 If you could have an endless supply of any food, what would you get?
 f they made a movie of your life, what would it be about and which actor would
you want to play you?
 If you could visit any place in the world, where would you choose to go and why
 If you could have dinner with any living person or persons, who would it be?
 If you could have dinner with any deceased (or resurrected) person or persons, who
would it be?

7. Life …. Is there more?
Direction… For the world that is struggling
Reality ……. In the world that can seem confused
Life …………. In the world that want to thrive!

8. Session #1
And now….. Our video

9. ALPHA - Discussion
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

11. Welcome to ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

12. ALPHA: Session #2
So … who exactly is this Jesus?

13. ALPHA: Check-In:
Ideas? Suggestions. Feedback?

14. Today we will….
Eat (Very important!)
Introductions
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
Guidelines
A story…
Presentation
Discussion / Q&A

15. Remember …
You can choose to ask ANYTHING !
You can choose NOT to ask anything (or
say anything..)
You can write, jot, doodle, scribble ….
…. or not. (S & L atmosphere)

16. Who Is Jesus?
What is your concept of Jesus?
Has that changed over the years?
What evidence do we have of this guy?
Is that evidence convincing?

17. A Story

18. Session #2
And now….. Our video

19. ALPHA - Discussion
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

21. Welcome Back To ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

22. Session #3
Why Did Jesus Have To Die?

23. Today we will….
Feast on a cornucopia of riches
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
Holy Spirit Weekend
A story…
Presentation
Discussion / Q&A

24. Holy Spirit Weekend
Malvern Retreat House
Friday November 8 – Saturday November 9
Friday: Start 6:00 - ish
Saturday: Start 8:00
$30 for day / $60 for both days
Includes talks, meals, discussion, Mass, adoration,
quiet and meditation time
RSVP date Sunday November 27

25. Why Did Jesus Have To Die ?
The Problem – The Solution – The Result = The
The Kerygma vs The Didache
Basic Proclamation
Teachings of the Apostles

26. Session #3
And now….. Our video

27. Why Did Jesus Have To Die ?
Four Elements - A:
The loving plan of God for humanity
Sin and its consequences, especially separation from
God;
God’s answer to our problem - in the sending of his
Son for our salvation
The response this grace calls forth from every person:
to repent, believe in Jesus, & be baptized

28. Why Did Jesus Have To Die ?
Four Elements - B:
God made us for relationship with Him.
We sinned and then broke the relationship we were
intended to have.
Jesus (who is God and man) came to heal that
relationship, through sacrificing his life, rising again,
and giving us the Church.
We have the opportunity to respond, by choosing to
have Jesus be our Lord and Savior.

29. Why Did Jesus Have To Die ?
Seven Elements of the Kerygma:
God loves you and has plan for your life.
Sin will destroy you.
Christ Jesus died to save you.
Repent and believe the Gospel.
Be Baptized and receive the Holy Spirit.
Abide in Christ and his body the Church.
Go make disciples.

31. Welcome Back To ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

32. Session #4
How Can I Have Faith?

33. Session #4
FAITH:
- What is it?
- How do we get it?
- How do we keep it?

34. Today we will….
Dine on delightful delicacies
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
Holy Spirit Weekend
A story…
Presentation on FAITH
Discussion / Q&A

35. Holy Spirit Weekend
Malvern Retreat House
Friday April 5 – Saturday April 6
Friday: Start 6:00 - ish
Saturday: Start 8:00
$30 for day / $60 for both days
Includes talks, meals, discussion, Mass, adoration,
quiet and meditation time
RSVP date Sunday March 17

36. Faith – It’s actually quite rational.
Word of God or the Bible (You
know …that thing you’re not allowed to read)
Works of God (Jesus’
miracles; current occurrences)
Witness of the Holy Spirit
(Early Church & Current Testimonies)

37. Faith
Relationship + Belief + Something Deeper
And now, Toby Flint and Gemma Hunt

38. Faith
Small Group Discussion

39. ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

41. Welcome Back To ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

42. Session #5
WHY – AND HOW – DO I PRAY?

43. Today we will….
Munch on a magnificent meal
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
Holy Spirit Weekend
A story…
Presentation on PRAYER
Discussion / Q&A

44. ALPHA
First … a story

45.  What is Christian Prayer?
Why bother to pray?
Does God always answer prayer?
How do I pray
When should I pray?
Session #5 WHY – AND HOW – DO I PRAY?

46. Why –And How – Do I Pray?
Every try praying? What happened?
Over 40% of Catholics are not sure about a
“personal relationship. So what do you think about
God answering prayer?
Ever have a “coincidence” happen to you related to
prayer?
Various reasons for prayer were provided. Which
one struck you the most?

47. ALPHA
Now, our presentation for today

49. Welcome Back To ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

50. Session #7
HOW DOES GOD GUIDE US?

51. Today we will….
Eat Epicurean Excellence!
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
Holy Spirit Weekend: Final Thoughts?
A story…
Presentation on GOD GUIDING US
Discussion / Q&A

52. Holy Spirit Weekend
 Malvern Retreat House
 Friday April 5 – Saturday April 6
 Thoughts on:
 Talks
 Meals
 Staff support
 Grounds
 Cost
 Discussions
 Mass
 Adoration
 Quiet and meditation time

53. How Does God Guide Us?
Why even involve God in our decisions?
What God used to guide us:
Commands of Scripture
Compelling Spirit
Common Sense
Counsel of the Saints
Circumstances and Signs

54. HOW DOES GOD GUIDE US?
A story …..

55. Session #7
And now….. Our video

56. ALPHA
Group Discussion

57. ALPHA
Holy Spirit Weekend Retreat
St. Monica Parish

58. Friday
5:00 pm Arrive, Settle in, Familiarity with
Meeting Room and Retreat Center
5:30 pm Episode 8 – Introduction to the Weekend
5:45 pm Dinner
6:45 pm Episode 9 - “Who is The Holy Spirit”
7:15 pmSmall Group Discussion
8:15 pmComments & Closing Prayer

59. Saturday Morning
 8:30 am Arrive and Enjoy Breakfast
9:00 am Episode 10 – “What Does The Holy Spirit Do?”
9:30am Break
9:45am Episode 11 – “How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?”
10:15am Small Group Discussion
10:50am Break
11:00am Mass
11:50am Lunch

60. Saturday Afternoon
12:30 pm Your Choice(s), Adoration, Confession, Meditative Walk
2:00 pm Episode 12 – “How Can I Make the Most of the Rest
of My Life?”
2:30 pm Small Group Discussion
3:00 pm Adoration and Prayer for the Holy Spirit
4:00 pm Large Group Discussion, Share
4:30 pm Wrap Up Summary, Final Prayer and Sending Forth

61. Logistics
 You’re in ST. JOSEPH HALL
Bathrooms:
Ladies – down the hall, on the left
Men – Up the stairs, straight in front of you.
Soft drinks in the refrigerator
Coffee also available tomorrow.
 Map of Grounds

62. Topics This Weekend:
 Friday:
 EPISODE 08: Introduction To Holy Spirit Weekend
 EPISODE 09: Exactly Who IS The Hoy Spirit?
 Saturday:
 EPISODE 10: And What Does The Holy Spirit Do?
 EPISODE 11 How Can I Br Filled With The Holy Spirit?
 EPISODE 12 How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of mY Life

64. Welcome to ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

65. ALPHA: Session #12
How Can I Resist Evil?

66. Today we will….
 Feast on Fabulously Fine Food.
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
A story…
Presentation on EVIL AND SATAN
Discussion / Q&A

67. Check-In
How are we doing ?

68. EVIL
• DOES THE DEVI EXIT?
• WHAT ARE SATAN’S TACTICS?
• HOW CAN WE DEFEND OURSELVES?
• WHAT IS OUR “POSITION” IN TERMS OF SATAN AND
EVIL?

69. Questions:
1. Before today, what was your concept of the devil? Did it
change?
2. Why do you think that bad thing happen?
3. Why do you believe that the world is in such a mess?
4. Do you believe in the supernatural, black magic, the
occult, voodoo, tarot cards, etc..
5. What is the Church’s official position on this?

70. The Good News …. !
1. Focus on Christ
2. Right Relationships
3. Reaching Out To Others
4. Trusting the Trinity (especially in difficult times)
5. Win the “Battle of the Brain”
6. Beat a Path to That Bible

71. ALPHA
Presentation …

72. ALPHA
Group Discussion

73. Final Thought…Matthew 16:17-19
How Can I Resist Evil?

74. Matthew 16:17-19 English Standard Version (ESV)
17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you,
Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not
revealed this to you, but my Father who is in
heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on
this rock I will build my church, and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it

76. Welcome to ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

77. ALPHA: Session #13
How – And Why – Should I Tell Others ?

78. Today we will….
 Mastricate on a Magnificent Meal.
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
A story…
Presentation on TELLING OTHERS.
Discussion / Q&A

79. Today …
1. Presence
2. Persuasion
3. Proclamation
4. Power
5. Prayer
6. Persistence
 Make it short
 Make it personal
 Keep Christ central
 Format:
 Your former life (briefly!)
 Relationship to Christ: How it happened
 What it has meant since then
 Write it out first

80. Questions…
 Have you told friends, family, colleagues, etc… about attending
Alpha?
If so, what was their reaction?
If not, why not?
 Pretend you didn’t know anything about Christ or Christianity….
How would you have like to be told about it?
How would you not have like to be told about it?
 What do you feel abou the idea of “telling others?”

81. Session #13
And now….. Our video

82. Welcome to ALPHA
Group Discussion

84. Alpha Session #14:
Does God Really Heal Today?

85. Today we will ….
Bite on a breathtaking brunch.
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
A story…
Presentation on GOD’S HEALING TOUCH.
Discussion / Q&A

86. Overview: Healing in the Bible
 Old Testament …
Promises of God
Character of God
Examples of God’s
healing
 Ministry of Jesus …
His teachings
His healings
His commissions  Early Church …
St. Irenaeus
Origen
Augustine

87. Welcome to ALPHA
A Story ….

88. Questions:
Have you ever witnessed a miraculous
healing?
Would anyone like a prayer for healing
today?
Do you know someone who needs a
prayer for healing?
Prayer for anything/anyone else?

89. Welcome to ALPHA
How ‘bout a movie?

90. Welcome to ALPHA
Group Discussion

92. Welcome to ALPHA
St. Monica, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

93. Yeah… what about it?

94. Today we will ….
Sup on a sumptuous smorgasbord
CHECK-IN: ideas, suggestions, feedback?
A story…
Presentation on WHAT ABOUT THE CHURCH?
Discussion / Q&A

95. Is The Church ….
Services / Mass
The Clergy
A Denomination
A Building

96. The Church …
People of God (Vatican II)
Family of God
Body of Christ
Holy Temple
Bride of Christ

97. Discussion Points …
What has been your experience of church?
Have you experienced anything special in another
church?
Anything / anyone you would like to pray about?

98. Welcome to ALPHA
Video time !

99. Welcome to ALPHA
Group Discussion

100. ALPHA: St. Monica Parish
And now …..

103. ALPHA
Thank You For Coming