Get the Most out of Your Alpha Experience
Published: September 13, 2018
Author: Sidney Webster
What is Alpha?
Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet. It means the first or the beginning. Alpha is also a nine-week course that focuses on introducing the basics of Christianity through videos followed by group discussion. In other words, it is "an opportunity to explore the meaning of life."
The Alpha course focuses on evangelism. It asks participants to attempt to answer questions like, "Who is God?", "What is the purpose of my life?" and "How do I read the Bible?" The program was started in Britain but has traveled all throughout the globe. Several denominations of the church are using Alpha to introduce the basic principles of the Bible to new and unborn Christians. Besides churches, universities, life groups, homes and many other outlets of a community have gone on the venture that is Alpha.
Okay, cool. Now, what about it?
Each Greenville University student is required to obtain 36 chapel credits per semester. They can earn these each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, as well as Thursday night during student-led Vespers. There are also many other random ways to receive chapel credit such as attending a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. This year, Friday chapel was turned into Alpha. It is geared toward new students, but returning students are just as welcomed.
To get the most out of Alpha, you must go in with an open mind. Everyone on the face of the earth has opinions, extreme ones more often than not. Alpha is a chance to learn by hearing the perspectives of others. Going into this experience with set-in-stone beliefs is not frowned upon. However, going into it unwilling to listen to others, is. But, listening is only half the equation. Taking part in the conversations is the other half. Being a valuable listener is crucial, but sharing your own story is just as important. Many people who have experienced Alpha will say that the more you participate, the more you learn. Only like they say, you get out of it what you put into it. Therefore if you put in the effort and thought into the conversations, you will receive a revolutionary way of thinking about life and faith.
Another way to get the most out of Alpha is to follow in the footsteps of others. Bear Grylls, adventure seeker, TV star, and the author encourages people to take part in the Alpha course to change their way of thinking about life. Not only has Grylls served as a trooper in the reserves, but he has completed some of the most dangerous and thrilling outdoor activities including traveling across the North Atlantic Arctic ocean and climbing Mt. Everest. Despite all the bold endeavors he has fulfilled, he says, "Finding a simple faith that empowers my life? To me, that's been my greatest adventure." To hear Grylls himself speak about his faith journey, click here.
Alpha is not something everyone is privileged enough to participate in. If you are a Greenville University student, you get the opportunity to engage in something that has the potential to be life-changing. Go and interact, share, learn, and grow.
