We don’t often think of Alpha as a resource to help those who already know Jesus. We have the mentality that, if you’ve met God, you don’t need to meet him again.
But there’s actually a lot of richness in going through the process as a disciple who may not be asking these big life questions.
Here are some of the benefits:
1. Your own faith is strengthened.
It’s easy to separate everyone into two categories: those who have faith and those who do not.
And of course, there is a difference in knowing Jesus and loving him. But oftentimes, the Lord wants to call us to a deeper relationship with him. He calls us not once, but again and again.
I once received an email from a young woman who attended Alpha because she was the sponsor of an RCIA candidate. “Josh,” she told me, “I went to Alpha to support my friend who isn’t Catholic. But I realized while doing Alpha that I needed it for me.” No matter where you are in your faith, you can continually experience the joy of the Gospel.
The effort to make Jesus known, whether we feel equipped or not, is something that I believe God blesses. When we are sharing the name of Jesus and responding to the Lord’s invitation to mission, we grow more and more intimate with God.
2. You make deep friendships.
I heard the testimony of a man from London who was of a Muslim background but identified as an atheist. He went to Alpha because, in his words, “eating in London is mad expensive.”
He also came to argue his point of view with Christians. He would pitch his atheist position to his small group members. But every week, he found himself challenged by the patience and friendliness of his small group in the face of his antagonism towards their beliefs. They accepted him as he was, despite their differences. He caught himself wondering why he felt the need to change anyone at all.
He made friends at Alpha. While he didn’t come to faith (he identified as “undecided” by the end of Alpha), the friendship and acceptance left an impression on him. At the end, he stood up in front of a church full of people, inviting them to do Alpha.
Alpha is a relational tool. It’s a bridge to create friendships that overcome differences and bridge commonalities. If you want to make friends with people outside the Church, Alpha is a great way to make meaningful and lasting friendships.
3. You can help other disciples become missionary disciples.
One of my favourite things about Alpha is that it is great for people who are less confident, maybe even scared of evangelization, to ease into it.
Because of the video curriculum, leading Alpha means you simply have to show up and host a conversation—not dictate it.
You don’t have to have all the answers. You don’t have to make sure it goes a certain way. You can actually say, “I don’t know the answer. What does anyone else think?”
There is also a role called Small Group Helper, which is someone who is largely there to help the small group by praying, listening, and sometimes making small talk. The Helper role is great for disciples who are hesitant about leading an Alpha.
Wherever you’re at, there’s a place for you at Alpha.
If you’re considering running an Alpha, we’ll help you get started.
