The document provides information about the Alpha toolkit and resources for evangelization. It outlines: - The Alpha course is a 10-week program used in thousands of Catholic parishes to evangelize adults through talks and small group discussions. - There are also Student Alpha, Alpha Youth, and marriage/parenting courses available. Courses can be adapted for prisons, seniors, military. - Resources include training, manuals, and support to run Alpha successfully as part of ongoing parish evangelization and catechesis.

1. The Alpha Toolkit of
Evangelisation and Family Resources
WELCOME

2. Reading: Jeremiah 29:11-14
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the
Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a
future full of hope. When you call me, when you pray to me,
I will listen to you. When you look for me, you will find me.
Yes, when you seek me with all your heart, you will find me
with you, says the Lord, and I will change your lot.
Silence for a few moments.

3. Jeremiah 29:11-14
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord,
plans for your welfare, not for woe! Plans to give you a future
full of hope. When you call me, when you pray to me, I will listen
to you. When you look for me, you will find me. Yes, when you
seek me with all your heart, you will find me with you, says the
Lord, and I will change your lot.
Reflect:
• As I think about the Church and my Parish, what are my
hopes for the future?
• What are my fears?
.

4. I invite all Christians, everywhere,
at this very moment,
to a renewed personal encounter
with Jesus Christ,
or at least an openness to
letting him encounter them.
…The Lord does not disappoint
those who take this risk;
whenever we take a step
towards Jesus,
we come to realise that
he is already there,
waiting for us with open arms.
Evangelii Gaudium #3

5. Pray together:
Father God, we are gathered together as your people to reflect on
how we might bring your saving Word to your people in our Parishes
and communities.
• Help us to trust in you, that we may learn to trust each other.
• Help us to remember that all we have and are – that this Church
and all who worship in it – are really yours.
• Grant us vision that we may see and use wisely the gifts you have
showered upon us.
• Be with us during Proclaim, Lord, as we seek to discern how to
best meet the challenges which face us.
Send us your Holy Spirit, we pray.
Silence for a few moments to reread the prayer and take it into our hearts.
Glory be to the Father……

8. Link to introductory video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbuFTp0ytc8#t=22

9. The Alpha Toolkit of
Evangelisation and Family Resources

10. • Alpha is a parish tool for evangelisation used by
thousands of Catholic Parishes in over 70 countries.
• Alpha is a proven and inexpensive evangelising initiative
which has been used with great impact in many
different Parishes in Australia – urban and rural
• Alpha works best as part of an ongoing process
of evangelisation and catechesis within a parish.

12. Thresholds of Faith
Curiosity
Trust
Openness
Seeking
Discipleship
Apostolate
Source: Sherry Weddell, Catherine of Siena Institute,
“Forming Intentional Disciples”

13. Kerygma & Thresholds of Faith
Initial Proclamation
The Kerygma
Curiosity
Pre-Evangelization
Catechesis
Trust
Openness
Seeking
Discipleship
Apostolate
Source: Sherry Weddell, Catherine of Siena Institute Don Everts and Doug Schapp’s book - “I Once Was Lost”

14. we have rediscovered the fundamental role of the
first announcement of the kerygma, which needs to
be the centre of all evangelising activity and all
efforts at Christian renewal…..
The first proclamation must ring out over and over:
Jesus Christ loves you;
he gave his life to save you;
and now he is living at your side every day
to enlighten, strengthen and free you.
Evangelii Gaudium #164

15. Initial Proclamation
The Kerygma
Curiosity
Pre-Evangelization
Catechesis
Trust
Openness
Seeking
Discipleship
Apostolate
Kerygma & Thresholds of Faith

16. Alpha is an Effective tool for reaching
‘Disconnected’ Catholics
 A tool for primary evangelisation to invite the lapsed and
those outside the Church to explore the Christian faith
 Presents the Kerygma, the basic proclamation of the Gospel
 Meets a diversity of people where they are
 Acts as a bridge to connect people to the parish
 grows small group communities
 Opens the way to a continuing process of evangelisation and
formation
 Mobilises the laity to serve and evangelise.

17. Explore the Meaning of Life
Alpha is…..
• An opportunity to explore the meaning of life by asking
any question in an open and non-pressured
environment
• 10 or 7 week introduction to Christianity
• a retreat day/weekend with a Holy Spirit focus

18. An Alpha Session
Food Alpha Talk Discussion

19. An Alpha Session
Food
Doesn’t have to be anything fancy,
its about creating space and time
for the guests to settle in

20. An Alpha Session
Alpha Talk
Topics:
1. Who Is Jesus?
2. Why Did Jesus Die?
3. How Can We Have Faith?
4. Why and How Do I Pray?
5. Why and How Should I Read the Bible?
6. How Does God Guide Us?
Retreat Day/Weekend Sessions: The Holy Spirit
7. How Can I Resist Evil?
8. Why Should I Tell Others?
9. Does God Heal Today?
10. What about the Church?
There are various ways to give a talk, and the length of the
talk and number of sessions depends on your guest profile

21. An Alpha Session
Discussion
• small groups of 8 to 12 people,
• leaders from your Alpha Team
facilitate
• discussion of the content of the
talk and any questions/comments
guests have about Christianity

22. An Alpha Session
Courses can run in the morning, afternoon or evening.
This is an example of an evening session:
7.00 pm – Food (supper or a light meal)
7.35 pm – Welcome and notices
7.40 pm – Songs of Praise
7.50 pm – Talk
8.30 pm – Coffee
9.45pm - Small Groups
9.15 pm – Finish
The Holy Spirit day or weekend occurs halfway through the
course. (usually between Session 6 and Session 7.)

23. The Alpha Course
No Pressure, No Follow-up, No
Charge
 No Pressure: Create a relaxed environment where everyone feels
welcomed. Make sure guests never feel pressured into saying or
doing anything.
 No Follow-up: if a guest doesn't return don’t call or email to check
why (unless you know them personally). It is very normal for some
guests to drop out.
 No charge: although a small donation is invited from guests for the
cost of food (leave a bowl out with suggested donation amount)

24. Small Groups on Alpha

25. Small Groups on Alpha
Small groups are the most important aspect of an Alpha session.
Purpose:
• Develop genuine relationships with our guests
• Allow guests to freely express their thoughts and feelings
• Introduce guests to prayer and the bible as appropriate

26. Small Groups on Alpha
• Are unlike other Christian based small groups
• Model is host/guest
• Allow guests to freely express their thoughts and
feelings
• Non-Christian conversation about Christianity
• 12 people is ideal – no less than 8 people

27. Small Groups on Alpha

28. Small Groups on Alpha
The Leader’s and Helpers
• Affirm and listen to guests
• Facilitate balanced discussion
• Don’t talk too much
• Don’t answer guests questions or be the ‘expert’
• Resist the temptation to correct a different belief or theology
• Pray for guests before the session and during the week.

29. Small Groups on Alpha
Responding to Questions and Comments:
• What do you think?
• How do you feel?
• What does anyone else think/feel?
The key is to keep discussion going between your guests

30. Who is Jesus?
Vox Pop Interview Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOBCzf41FPY
&index=2&list=PLC1EED7x3f1k5uf99Oo-
HoXXsvyp3HWM6

31. Who is Jesus?
Alpha Student: Week 1
Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyNUll5bIYA

32. Small Alpha Group Role Play
Discuss
• 3 logical possibilities about Jesus’ claim to be God:
o Not true and knew it – lying
o Not true and didn’t realise – deluded
o It is true – Jesus is God.

33. Small Groups on Alpha
Responding to Questions and Comments:
• What do you think?
• How do you feel?
• What does anyone else think/feel?
The key is to keep discussion going between your guests

34. The Alpha Toolkit of
Evangelisation and Family Resources

35. The Alpha Course:
• The Alpha Course:
10 week course for adults with talks by Nicky Gumbel.

36. The Alpha Course:
• The Alpha Course:
10 week course for adults with talks by Nicky Gumbel.
• Student Alpha:
o 7 week course for adults,
with a more ‘contemporary’
feel,
o talks by Jamie Haith.
o can be downloaded for free
from the Alpha Website,
or if you prefer you can buy
DVDs.

37. The Alpha Course:
• The Alpha Course:
10 week course for adults with talks by Nicky Gumbel.
• Student Alpha:
7 week course for adults, with a more ‘contemporary’ feel, with talks by Jamie Haith.
• The Alpha Youth Film Series:
o Alpha’s Youth Film Series is twelve episodes designed to engage high
school students in some of life’s biggest questions.
o It was filmed all over the world in cities like London, New York,
Vancouver, and Jerusalem. It’s Alpha for a new generation.
o Several brief 5-10 min talks followed by opportunities for discussion
o Register a course and download for free from Alpha Website, not
available for purchase.

38. The Alpha Course:
• The Alpha Course:
10 week course for adults with talks by Nicky Gumbel.
• Student Alpha:
7 week course for adults, with a more ‘contemporary’ feel, with talks by Jamie Haith. .
• The Alpha Youth Film Series:
12 session course ideal for secondary aged students.
• Alpha can be run in a variety of different
contexts,
for example
• in prisons,
• business offices during lunchtime (Alpha Express DVDs),
• for seniors (large type manuals)
• the armed forces.
Additional resources and information are available to assist you.
Please ask by contacting the Alpha Office by phone or email

39. The Alpha Course:
• The Alpha Course:
10 week course for adults with talks by Nicky Gumbel.
• Student Alpha:
7 week course for adults, with a more ‘contemporary’ feel, with talks by Jamie Haith. .
• The Alpha Youth Film Series:
12 session course ideal for secondary aged students.
• Alpha can be run in a variety of different contexts, for example in prisons, business offices, for seniors and in
the armed forces.
• Alpha resources are available in a number of
languages.
o Alpha has been run in 169 countries around the world
o Scripts of talks, audio tracks or subtitles are available in
many languages.
o Ask, and give us plenty of time to find resources for you.

40. The Alpha Course:
• The Alpha Course:
10 week course for adults with talks by Nicky Gumbel.
• Student Alpha:
7 week course for adults, with a more ‘contemporary’ feel, with talks by
Jamie Haith.
• The Alpha Youth Film Series:
12 session course ideal for secondary aged students.
• Alpha can be run in a variety of different contexts,
e.g. in prisons, business offices, for seniors and the armed forces.
• Alpha resources are available in a number of languages
• “Alpha for Our Mob”
in development, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

41. How to Start a Course in Your Parish
• Identify someone who has a passion for evangelisation,
• Run a pilot course – invite a mixture of ages etc.
OR send a team to another course in another Parish/Church
• DVDs and materials – decide which course
• Decide on dates & register your course
• Advertise
• Organise catering
• Venue – place for Small Groups as well as meal – Parish or
home or Café etc.
• Music
• Decide date and venue for Holy Spirit Day/Weekend
• Team training

42. Training
Three training sessions:
Two sessions before the course:
 Facilitating small groups
 Providing pastoral care
One session in week before the Holy Spirit Day/Weekend
 Prayer Ministry
Available on DVD or by free download from Alpha website:
 www.alpha.org.au

44. • Alpha’s Youth Film Series is twelve episodes designed to engage
high school students in some of life’s biggest questions.
• It was filmed all over the world in cities like London, New York,
Vancouver, and Jerusalem. It’s Alpha for a new generation.

45. Session Topics
Life: Is This It?
Jesus: Who is Jesus?
Cross: Why Did Jesus Die?
Faith: How Can I have Faith?
Prayer: Why and How Do I Pray?
Bible: Why and How Do I Read the Bible?
Follow: How Does God Guide us into Full Life?
Spirit: Who is the Holy Spirit and What Does He do?
Fill: How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?
Evil: How Can I Resist Evil?
Healing: Does God Heal Today?
Church and Telling Others: What about the Church and Telling Others?

46. Trailer for Alpha Youth Film Series:
Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBOsssUc78k&list=UUskgr0UectL84iILPkRmrsQ
• What would you say to anyone who is thinking about trying Alpha?
Ben: I think I’d say, ‘You have approximately 570,000 hours left to live,
why not spend less than 24 of them with us on Alpha, exploring life’s
biggest questions?’

48. • Download free training videos, Alpha guest manuals,
promotional materials
• Alpha Youth Series available for free download
• Student Alpha (Jamie Haith) available for free download
• Sign up for coaching Emails and hints for each week of your
course
• Back-up and support from our staff if needed
• Make your course available to people in your area who do not
come to your Parish yet …. we get many phone/internet
requests for courses

49. australia.alpha.org

51. australia.alpha.org
Many resources available or free download

55. • The Alpha course works best as part of an ongoing process
of evangelisation and catechesis within a parish.
• There is a range of different follow-up materials and courses
available to help people grow in their faith.
• Many parishes have adopted or developed post-Alpha groups
that retain the key ingredients of Alpha: friendship, food,
worship, teaching, Bible study, discussion and prayer.

56. Below are some of the resources that have been used as follow up
to Alpha in Catholic parishes:
• RCIA
• Catholicism 201 by Fr James Mallon
• Called and Gifted Workshop, Catherine of Siena Institute
• Little Rock Scripture Study
• Catholicism by Fr Robert Barron
• Great Adventure Catholic Bible Study by Jeff Cavins
• CaFE (Catholic Faith Exploration) Series
• Youcat
• Retreats
Other Parishes use the positive experience of Small
Groups people have had on Alpha, to encourage the
formation of ongoing Small Church Communities

57. Alpha Leadership Development
guest helper leader facilitator
Helps form passionate and competent lay
leadership in the Parish.

59. Initial Proclamation
The Kerygma
Curiosity
Pre-Evangelization
Catechesis
Trust
Openness
Seeking
Discipleship
Apostolate
Kerygma & Thresholds
Marriage and Parenting Courses

60. Alpha Marriage and Parenting Courses
‘Life’ courses – ‘pre-evangelisation’ courses
• The Pre-Marriage Course
• The Marriage Course
• The Parenting Children Course
• The Parenting Teenagers Course
Relationship Central www.relationshipcentral.org

61. Parenting Teenagers Course
Parenting Teenagers Talk 1 Sample:
Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEGkuiekvdY

62. Alpha Marriage Course
Marriage Course Sample:
Youtube link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hv
vno7GTpAw

63. Please stay in touch!
Alpha in a Catholic Context
Office: 1800 811 903
Mobile: 0402 217123
Web: australia.alpha.org
Email: lorraine.mccarthy@alpha.org.au