Alpha Guide - Softcover

Gumbel, Nicky

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1938328825 ISBN 13: 9781938328824

Publisher: Harperchristian Resources, 2017

Synopsis

The Alpha Guide is a companion to either the Alpha Film Series or Alpha with Nicky Gumbel. This guide is divided up by session with an easy-to-read outline so that guests can follow along during each talk. With simple bullet-point organization and plenty of room for notes, the guide functions as an invaluable resource to the guest during Alpha, and as a reference tool for individual reflection long after Alpha. It is considered an essential resource for Alpha guests as well as the host and helpers on Alpha.

Alpha creates an environment of hospitality where people can bring their friends, family, and work colleagues to explore the Christian faith, ask questions, and share their point of view. Alpha makes it easy to invite friends to have spiritual conversations which explore life's biggest questions in a safe and respectful way.

Alpha's approach to hospitality, faith, and discussion is designed to welcome everyone, especially those who might not describe themselves as Christians or church-goers. Each session includes time for a large group meal, short teaching, and small group discussion.

About this title

About the Author

Nicky Gumbel is the pioneer of Alpha. He studied law at Cambridge and theology at Oxford, practiced as a lawyer and is now the senior pastor of HTB in London, one of England's most vibrant churches.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

Alpha Guide

By Thomas Nelson

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2016 Alpha International
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-938328-82-4

Contents

Welcome, 5, 
Session 1 Is There More to Life Than This?, 7, 
Session 2 Who Is Jesus?, 11, 
Session 3 Why Did Jesus Die?, 19, 
Session 4 How Can I Have Faith?, 23, 
Session 5 Why and How Do I Pray?, 29, 
Session 6 Why and How Should I Read the Bible?, 33, 
Session 7 How Does God Guide Us?, 39, 
Session 8 Who Is the Holy Spirit?, 45, 
Session 9 What Does the Holy Spirit Do?, 51, 
Session 10 How Can I Be Filled with the Holy Spirit?, 55, 
Session 11 How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?, 61, 
Session 12 How Can I Resist Evil?, 65, 
Session 13 Why and How Should I Tell Others?, 71, 
Session 14 Does God Heal Today?, 75, 
Session 15 What About the Church?, 79, 
Endnotes, 83, 

CHAPTER 1

Session 1

Is there more to life than

What, if any, has been your experience of Christianity?

• Boring?

• Untrue?

• Irrelevant?

At the heart of the Christian faith is the person of Jesus Christ. Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35)

1. JESUS SAID, "I AM THE WAY."

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?

C. S. Lewis: "I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

Jesus is the lens through which we see God. He is the way to God.

Jesus is also the lens by which we see the world in a totally different dimension and clarity.

2. JESUS SAID, "I AM THE TRUTH."

C. S. Lewis: "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."

• Truth — understood intellectually (head knowledge)

• Truth — experienced as a relationship (heart knowledge)

3. JESUS SAID, "I AM THE LIFE."

"I have come that [you] may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

Jesus came to deal with:

• The things that spoil our lives

• Our guilt

God loves you and He came, in the person of His Son, Jesus, to set you free to enjoy life to the full.

Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth and the life."

(JOHN 14:6)

RECOMMENDED READING

What's So Amazing About Grace?

Philip Yancey

The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming

Henri J. M. Nouwen

Does Religion Do More Harm Than Good?

Nicky Gumbel

CHAPTER 2

Session 2

Who is Jesus

Did Jesus exist?

• Evidence outside the New Testament about Jesus includes:

– Tacitus and Suetonius, Roman historians

– Josephus, Jewish historian

• Evidence within the New Testament

How do we know that what was written down in the New Testament has not been changed over the years?

Was Jesus fully human?

• He had a human body.

– tired (John 4:6)

– hungry (Matthew 4:2)

• He had human emotions.

– anger (Mark 11:15–17)

– love (Mark 10:21)

– sadness (John 11:32–36)

• He had human experiences.

– temptation (Mark 1:13)

– learning (Luke 2:46–52)

– work (Mark 6:3)

– obedience (Luke 2:51)

Was He more than a man, a great human, a religious teacher? (Matthew 16:13–16)

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1. WHAT DID HE SAY ABOUT HIMSELF?

• Teaching centered on himself

– "I am the bread of life." (John 6:35)

– "If the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (John 8:36, NLT)

– "I am the light of the world." (John 8:12)

– "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6)

– "Come to me...." (Matthew 11:28–29)

– Receive me — receive God. (Matthew 10:40)

– Welcome me — welcome God. (Mark 9:37)

– "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:9)

• His indirect claims

– To forgive sins (Mark 2:5)

– To judge the world (Matthew 25:31, 32, 40, 45)

• His direct claims

– Messiah (Mark 14:61–62)

– Son of God (Mark 14:61)

– God the Son (John 20:26–29)

– "I and the Father are one." (John 10:30)

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

Author of The Chronicles of Narnia and Oxford historian C. S. Lewis wrote:

"A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be (insane) ... or else he would be 'the Devilof Hell.' You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else (insane) or something worse ... but let us not come up with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to."

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2. WHAT EVIDENCE IS THERE TO SUPPORT HIS CLAIMS?

• His teaching (Mark 12:31; Luke 6:31; Matthew 5:44)

• His life/works (John 2:1–11; 10:37–38)

• His character (Luke 23:34)

• His fulfilment of Old Testament prophecy

• His conquest of death

Evidence for the resurrection:

• His absence from the tomb

– Theories:

Jesus did not die (John 19:33–34) Disciples stole the body Authorities stole the body Robbers stole the body (John 20:1–9)

• His presence with the disciples

– Did they hallucinate?

– Number of appearances over a six-week period 11+ appearances 500+ people

– Nature of appearances (Luke 24:36–43)

• Immediate effect

– Birth and growth of Christian church

• Effect down the ages

– Experience of Christians down the ages

– Over 2,300 million Christians in the world today

RECOMMENDED READING

Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis

The Case for Christ Lee Strobel

Orthodoxy G. K. Chesterton

Jesus Is Judah Smith

CHAPTER 3

Session 3

Why did Jesus die

Why is the cross the symbol of Christianity?

"... the Son of God ... loved me and gave himself for me."

(GALATIANS 2:20)

1. THE PROBLEM

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).

• Pollution of sin (Mark 7:20–23)

• Power of sin (John 8:34)

• Penalty for sin (Romans 6:23)

• Partition of sin (Isaiah 59:2)

2. THE SOLUTION

• "The self-substitution of God" (1 Peter 2:24)

• Agony of the cross (Isaiah 53:6)

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

3. THE RESULT

The cross shows:

– You are infinitely valuable to God.

– Jesus is the supreme example of love. (John 15:13)

– God is not aloof from suffering.

– The powers of evil have been defeated: the resurrection wasn't the reversal of a defeat; it was the manifestation of a victory.

• The partition has been removed (2 Corinthians 5:19)

– Reconciliation with God and in other relationships

• The penalty has been paid

– Justified ("Just-as-if-I'd never sinned")

• The power of sin has been broken

– "If the Son sets you free, you are truly free." (John 8:36, NLT)

• The pollution has been removed

– "... the blood of Jesus, ... purifies us from all sin." (1 John 1:7)

– When you are forgiven, you want to forgive.

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RECOMMENDED READING

The Cross of Christ John Stott

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Nicky Gumbel

Unreachable Darrell Tunningley

Mud, Sweat and Tears Bear Grylls

Why Jesus? Nicky Gumbel

The Hiding Place Corrie Ten Boom

CHAPTER 4

Session 4

How can 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.

"I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life."

(1 JOHN 5:13)

Faith is not a blind leap, but a step based on evidence.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

1. THE WORD OF GOD

We must not only trust our feelings, which can be changeable and may even be deceptive at times, but instead rely on God's promises.

• "... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ." (Romans 10:17)

• "I will come in." (Revelation 3:20)

• "I am with you always." (Matthew 28:20)

• "I give them eternal life." (John 10:28)

2. THE WORK OF JESUS

You come exactly as you are. It's not about what you do or what you can achieve; it's about what has been done for you by Jesus on the cross.

• Free gift of God (Romans 6:23).

• It's free but not cheap: it cost Jesus His life.

• We receive it through repentance (turning away from sin) and faith (trust).

___________________________________________________________

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3. THE WITNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

When someone becomes a Christian, God comes to live inside them by His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9).

• He transforms us from within.

– Our characters (Galatians 5:22–23)

– Our relationships

• He brings a deep personal conviction that we are God's children.

– Faith to knowledge (Romans 8:15–16)

Here is a very simple prayer that you can pray to open the door of your heart to Jesus Christ and invite Him to come into your life by His Spirit:

Lord Jesus Christ, I am sorry for the things I have done wrong in my life (take a few moments to ask his forgiveness for anything particular that is on your conscience). Please forgive me. I now turn from everything that I know is wrong. Thank you that you died on the cross for me so that I could be forgiven and set free. Thank you that you offer me forgiveness and the gift of your Spirit. I now receive that gift. Please come into my life by your Holy Spirit to be with me forever. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen.

RECOMMENDED READING

The Reason for God Tim Keller

Is Faith Irrational? Nicky Gumbel

One Step Beyond: One Man's Journey From Near Death to New Life Gram Seed

CHAPTER 5

Session 5

Why and how do I pray

1. WHAT IS CHRISTIAN PRAYER?

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)

2. WHY PRAY?

• Develops a relationship with God

• Rewards of prayer (Matthew 6:6)

– Presence of God

– Peace (Philippians 4:6–7)

– Perspective

– Power

• Results of prayer (Matthew 7:7–11)

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

"When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don't, they don't."

WILLIAM TEMPLE, THE FORMER ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

3. DOES GOD ALWAYS ANSWER PRAYER?

• Yes — you receive what you prayed for, sometimes immediately.

• No — sometimes an obvious reason why not; other times we may not understand straight away why the answer is no.

• Wait — for the right timing.

4. HOW DO WE PRAY?

• Thank you — count your blessings, not your problems.

• Sorry — confess your sins (John 13:6–10).

• Please —"Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:11): ask for any- thing you need.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

5. WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?

• Anywhere, anytime

– (Ephesians 6:18)

• Alone (Matthew 6:6)

– Regular pattern

– Best part of the day (Mark 1:35)

• With others

– There's power in praying together

– "Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven." (Matthew 18:19)

Three simple tips:

• Keep it real

• Keep it simple

• Keep it going

RECOMMENDED READING

God on Mute Pete Greig

Too Busy Not to Pray Bill Hybels

What About Other Religions? Nicky Gumbel

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___________________________________________________________

CHAPTER 6

Session 6

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).

1. BRINGING REVELATION – GOD HAS SPOKEN

• Bible: collection of books by 40+ authors over 1600 years

• Inspired: God-breathed

"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)

But what about difficulties in the Bible?

• Jesus is the interpretive key

• It's authoritative (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

• Practical wisdom:

– Guidelines for living

– Guidance for good decisions

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

2. BUILDING RELATIONSHIP – GOD SPEAKS

The Bible is like a love letter from God:

• To those exploring faith (Romans 10:17, John 20:31)

• To those who are Christians

– Become like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18)

– Joy and peace in the midst of a storm (Psalm 23:5)

– Guidance (Psalm 119:105)

– Health/healing (Proverbs 4:20–22)

– Defense against spiritual attack (Matthew 4:1–11)

– Power (Hebrews 4:12)

– Cleansing (John 15:3)

"Reading the Bible generates life. It produces change. It heals hurts. It builds character. It transforms circumstances. It imparts joy. It overcomes adversity. It defeats temptation. It infuses hope. It releases power. It cleanses the mind."

RICK WARREN

3. HOW CAN WE HEAR GOD SPEAK THROUGH THE BIBLE?

• Make a plan

– Find a time

– Find a place ("a solitary place," Mark 1:35)

• Find a pattern

– Ask God to speak:

Read a short passage

Bible reading notes

Bible in One Year app – bibleinoneyear.org

– Ask yourself:

What does it say to me?

What does it mean to me?

How does it apply to me?

• Respond in prayer

• Put it into practice (Matthew 7:24)

___________________________________________________________

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RECOMMENDED READING

Why Trust the Bible? Amy Orr-Ewing

30 Days Nicky Gumbel

The Bible (The Message is an acceptable paraphrase)

NIV Alpha Bible in One Year

Read the daily Bible in One Year commentary by Nicky Gumbel at bibleinoneyear.org or download the app from the App Store.

(Continues...)

Excerpted from Alpha Guide by Thomas Nelson. Copyright © 2016 Alpha International. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harperchristian Resources
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1938328825
• ISBN 13: 9781938328824
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 96