Table Training slide show with notes for Alpha course.

2. Introductions
•Name
•Church
•What Alpha means
to me
•Icebreaker
Be succinct – or we’ll be here till next
week!
Welcome to Alpha Leader Training!

3. What is the Purpose of Alpha?
Ultimate Purpose
Everyone
come to
know
Jesus

4. Goal
Gently,
persuasively,
caringly,
sensitively,
respectfully
to listen
and
to love them
What is the Purpose of Alpha?

5. What is the vision of Alpha?
To make
disciples of
Jesus from
all walks of
life to
transform
society one
life, one
church, one
community at
a time.

6. What is the mission of Alpha?
To support
the local church
in its call
to make disciples
of Jesus and
deepen relationships with Jesus and other
Christians by providing the tool of the Alpha
course.

7. Alpha History
Began in England
in 1976 in the
living room of
a clergyman of
the Anglican
Church

8. Alpha History
• Most of its current
form was developed
by Nicky Gumbel, an
Anglican priest at
Holy Trinity
Brompton in England
• At HTB, more than
500 people
participate in each
of three courses
held during the year

9. Alpha History
The Alpha course is
worldwide
• 44,365 courses
• 163 Countries
• Over 13 Million Attendees
• 72 languages – 5 major translations
• 127 denominations

10. Alpha stands for…
Anyone can come

11. Alpha stands for…
Learning and laughter

12. Alpha stands for…
Pasta

13. Alpha stands for…
Helping one another

14. Alpha stands for…
Ask anything

15. Trust the Alpha recipe!
There is a reason for
everything!
Alpha

16. Alpha Schedule
Introductory Dinner -
“Christianity: Boring, Untrue &
Irrelevant?” – soon to be - ”Is
There More to Life than This?”
Alpha #1 “Who is Jesus?”
Alpha #2 “Why Did Jesus Die?”
Alpha #3 “How Can I Be Sure
of My Faith?”
Alpha #4 “Why and How Do I
Pray?”
Alpha #5 “Why and How Should
I Read the Bible?”
Alpha #6 “How Does God
Guide Us?”
Weekend/Day Away
Alpha #7 “How Can I Resist
Evil?”
Alpha #8 “Why and How
Should We Tell Others?”
Alpha #9 “Does God Heal
Today?”
Alpha #10 “What About the
Church?”
Celebration Supper

17. Alpha Small Groups
Table leaders are servant
leaders
- not self-serving leaders!
– not teachers!
Those attending
are guests.

18. Alpha Small Groups
The small groups
are seen as a
fundamental
part of Alpha’s
success across
the world

19. Alpha Small Groups
 Friendships are
developed and this
is the primary
reason people come
back (especially the
skeptics)
 The small group
may stay together
after the conclusion
of the course

20. Alpha Principles
When I came to you, brothers, I did not come
with eloquence or superior wisdom as I
proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For
I resolved to know nothing while I was with you
except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came
to you in weakness and fear, and with much
trembling. My message and my preaching were
not with wise and persuasive words, but with a
demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that
your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but
on God’s power.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5

21. Expectations for
Team
• Continue to develop personal
faith
• Focus on Guests
• Communicate with prayer
partners and leaders
• Prayer

22. Remember:
It’s not about us.
It’s about Him!!

23. Team
Training
Be fully present for Guests
• Develop a community of trust
and honest sharing
• Create an atmosphere of
comfort and confidentially

24. Table Leaders
Heart of Alpha
Should have:
1. Faith in Christ –
committed Christians
2. Strong relational
skills

25. Table Helpers
• Potential
leaders
• Perhaps
returning
guests

26. Ideal Alpha Table Make-Up
2 Leaders
2 Helpers
8 Guests

27. Aims of Small Group Leaders
Discussion
You are the host. They are your
guests. Treat them as such.
• Non-judgmental
• Respectful
• Honest
• Authentic
• Genuine

28. Aims of Small Group
Leaders
• Practical details
• Common errors
– weak leadership
– too dominate leadership
• Ask simple questions
– What do you think?
– What do you feel?
• Be prepared for common questions

29. Aims of Small Group Leaders
Leader is a referee and
does not take sides
in discussions.
There to ensure fair play.

30. Important to set up group
expectations
1. No question or subject
is off-limits.
2. Respect everyone.
3. One person talks
at a time.
4. Be honest.
5. What is said at table, stays at table.

31. Aims of Small Group Leaders
There to draw out
thoughts, feelings,
and ideas.
Get Searching Issues
and read it.

32. Aims of Small Group Leaders
Model Bible study
1. Only when the most reluctant person is
ready
2. Start with questions
3. Prepare carefully
4. Have group read Bible
passage
1. Give short introduction
2. Get people talking
3. Encourage everyone
4. DON’T be like school!!!
5. Pitch low

33. Aims of Small Group Leaders
Develop lasting
friendships with
the Body of Christ
Get to know each
person well.
Key – 5 or 6
significant
Christian
friendships.

34. Aims of Small Group
Leaders
Learn to
minister to
one another

35. Aims of Small Group Leaders
Train
others
to lead

36. Aims of Small Group
Leaders
Show skit.

37. Pastoral Care
Summary of Alpha: LOVE!!
1.God loves you – message of the
Bible
2.We love God – 1st commandment
3.Love others – 2nd commandment
Heart of Christianity

38. Aim of Pastoral Care
• Love who God sends us
• Lifelong process to personal spiritual
maturity
• Don’t hurry the process.
• Small groups and relationships are
KEY!!

39. Aim of Pastoral Care
Be patient. Lots is going
on.
• Hearing the gospel.
• Seeing Jesus Christ in
your lives.
• Experience Jesus Christ.
• Experiencing Christian
community.
• Not just one
relationship.

40. Methods of Pastoral Care
Give Guests
opportunities
• Encourage growth in:
• To study
• To pray
• Personal
relationship with
Christ
• Relationships within
the Body of Christ

41. Alpha General Attitudes
Be an encourager
• 1 Thessalonians 5:11
• Therefore encourage one another and
build each other up, just as in fact you
are doing.
Understanding
Affirmation
Validation
Appreciation
Acceptance

42. Alpha General
Attitudes
Be a listener
• James 1:19
• My dear brothers, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen,
slow to speak and slow to become
angry.
No religious conversation during meals.
Draw them out.

43. Alpha General
Attitudes
Be a listener
• Listening empowers
people.
• Opinions are valued.
• Gives dignity.

44. Alpha General
Attitudes
Be a peacemaker
• Matthew 5:9
• Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they will be called sons of God.

45. Alpha General Attitudes
Don’t argue.
Diffuse arguments
between guests.
Validate points
made by each.
No arguing allows
people to change
with greater
comfort.

46. Alpha Commitment
Colossians 1:29
To this end I labor,
struggling with all his energy,
which so powerfully works in
me.

47. Alpha Commitment
Our Responsibility:
Prayer
Overcoming tiredness
Hard work
Loving everyone
Effort
Overcoming
disappointment
Late nights
Concentrating on guests

48. Alpha Commitment
•God’s Grace
•Allow the Spirit of
God to speak to
you during the
talks and fill
you during
worship and
ministry
moments.

49. Alpha Commitment
Ask for the Holy Spirit
to be present.
Be ready to serve.

50. Some Listening Facts
•We can
effectively hear
125-250 words
per min.
•We can
effectively think
1,000-3,000
words per min.

51. Some Listening Facts
•85% of what we
learn is by
listening
•45% of our day is
spent listening
•75% amount of
time preoccupied,
distracted or
forgetful

52. What does the Bible
say about listening?
Proverbs 18:13
He who answers before
listening—
that is his folly and
his shame.

53. What does the Bible
say about listening?
James 1:19
My dear brothers, take
note of this: Everyone should
be quick to listen, slow to
speak and slow to become
angry,

54. What does the Bible
say about listening?
Proverbs 18:2
A fool finds no pleasure in
understanding
but delights in airing his
own opinions.

55. Invisible Barriers
Jumping to Conclusions
or Causes
•Shuts down communication
•Tell someone their motive
•Make judgment
about their
relationship
with Jesus

56. Invisible Barriers
Jumping to
Conclusions or
Causes
•Judging can make
guest frustrated
and decide to not
return
•Guests don’t feel
valued

57. Invisible Barriers
Impatience
•Fidgeting
•Interrupting
•Finishing sentences
•Guests don’t feel valued

58. Invisible Barriers
Hot Buttons
•Cause emotional
responses.
•If they hit a hot
button for me and I
respond, it becomes
about me.

59. Invisible Barriers
Hot Buttons
•Focus should
be on guests.
•Think soccer
ball.

60. Invisible Barriers
Anxiety
•Allows focus to shift
to us again!
•We worry about:
•Questions we don’t
know the answer to
•Asking good questions
•Domination
•Dead air

61. Invisible Barriers
Defensiveness
•We become
preachy and
argumentative

62. Invisible Barriers
Defensiveness
•Key
•Breath slow long
and deep
•Talk to self –
NOT ABOUT ME!
•Need to know what
to say to them

63. Invisible Barriers
Insensitivity
•Must be aware of the
feelings of others
•Must not ignore any
sharing
•Pay attention to the
message we are sending
•Focus on us or guest?

64. Oswald Chambers
said:
We often represent Jesus in
a spirit that is not his. We
harm Him by our advocacy for
Him.

65. Alpha Guest on First Night
How do they feel?

66. Alpha Guest on First Night
What are they looking for?

67. Greatest Gift
•Listening ear, eye
contact, and good
body language.
•It gives them
value.
•Allows for sharing
•Gives a place for
Jesus Christ to
touch them.

68. Communication Pie
What you say
7%
Tone of voice
38%
Body Language
55%

69. 5 Keys to Communicating
ervant attitude
S

70. 5 Keys to Communicating
ye contact
E

71. 5 Keys to Communicating
elaxed posture
R

72. 5 Keys to Communicating
aluing differences
V

73. 5 Keys to Communicating
mbody Jesus’s love
– Love them thru me
E

74. 5 Keys to
Communicating
ervant attitude
ye contact
elaxed posture
aluing differences
mbody Jesus’s love – Love them
thru me
S
E
R
V
E

75. If We Listen
Effectively
•Realize that the first thing out of our
mouth isn’t want they want to talk about.
•Must make them feel safe.
•Validate their feelings.
•Understand.
•Allow them to share at the deepest level.

76. Feeling Chart
Remember:
S – Sensitive Seating
O – Openness
L – Leaning
A – Appropriate eye
contact
R - Relax
Nonverbal Warmth
Also Consider:
T – Touch
E – Environment
A – Accommodating
Attitude

77. Questions
•Not a sales pitch
•Not memorized set of questions
•Putting caring for them into
words.

78. Basic Reflective
Listening Formula
Tentative Opening + Feeling + About/Because/When + Thought
It sounds like you feel mad about
I hear you saying that you feel sad because of
If I hear you correctly you feel glad when
You seem to be saying you feel afraid about
I think I hear you saying you feel confused because of
I’m not sure I am follow you feel ashamed about
Am I hearing you say you feel lonely when

79. Basic Reflective
Listening
•Careful not to give advice.
•Practice with others figuring out what they are
really saying.
•Not being manipulative – just trying to
understand
•Hearing and understanding leads to compassion.
•Compassion keeps us from trying to be right
and lets us sit with them.

80. Characteristics of
Wondering Questions
1. Non-threatening
• No right or wrong
• Only opinions

81. Characteristics of
Wondering Questions
2. Communicates humility
3. Allows people to discover
the truth for themselves
• Caring for someone with
no ulterior motive

82. Characteristics of
Wondering Questions
4. Causes people to ask questions
• We are all seekers
• Must listen first – but discern
what people are wondering about

83. Characteristics of
Wondering Questions
4. Causes people to ask
questions
• Initiate a wondering
dialogue – be curious
about them
• Search for underlying
questions
• Think Columbo

84. When they ask
the hard question
•Try to find out the underlying question
•Don’t debate – that comes from
emotional base
•Stay away from theology
•“I was wondering why that question &
why that question right now?”

85. When they ask
the hard question
•Important to decide when & if to send
the question back to the table.
•End with “I wonder if you can continue
to participate in the course and if you
don’t find the answers you seek, we’ll
talk.”
•Write the question down so they know
you won’t forget to get back to it.

86. When they ask
the hard question
You have the privilege of meeting people
where they are worried.
That is the place where they long to
meet Jesus

87. It’s a Process
• Conversion Process
(Vision New England)
• 86% of new converts came to faith in
Christ over a period of time.
• 32% over several months to a year
• 54% journey to salvation took place over
several years
• 14% one point conversion
“Vision New England Recent Convert Study”, Jan. 2007, Vision New England, Acton, Main.

88. Makes a difference
in how we approach
Where are they on
the path?

89. The better we listen
the better we can
serve.

90. Knowing where someone is
on their path can help us
minister to them.

91. Distrust to Trust
Self-righteous

92. Distrust to Trust
Judgmental

93. Distrust to Trust
Believe
in fairy
tales

94. Distrust to Trust
Narrow minded

95. Distrust to Trust
Naive

96. Distrust to Trust
Think they
are better
than me

97. Distrust to Trust
Have an agenda

98. Distrust to Trust
Watch out!

99. Distrust to Trust
Evangelists

100. Distrust to Trust
Starting not
on even
playing
field,
but in a hole

101. Distrust to Trust
Trust is a gift
of the heart
and one of
the most
precious
gifts of life.

102. Distrust to Trust
Coming to
faith gains
traction
when trust
is
established.

103. Distrust to Trust
Relationships,
genuine friendships are currency

104. Without trust
Lostness can feel like
wise skepticism

105. Without trust
No trust
– no belief

106. Happened to Paul, too!
Acts 17:18
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to
debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this
babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to
be
advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul
was
preaching the good news about Jesus and the
resurrection.
Philippians 2:6
Who, being in very nature God, did not consider
equality
with God something to be used to his own advantage;

107. Jesus Built Trust, Too
Jesus didn’t come and
preach from on high,
but to work along side us.

108. Jesus didn’t come and
preach from on high
to become friends and build trust.

109. Five Kingdom Habits
to Build Trust

110. 1. Pray

111. Intercede
for
them

112. Help me to see them
as You do, God.

113. Feeling
defensive –
pray!!

114. Five Kingdom Habits
to Build Trust
2. Learn

115. When they
don’t trust us,
we must
choose to
learn about
them.

116. Understand
world from
their
perspective

117. Sympathize
with them

118. Learn about their distrust

119. Mark 5
– story
of
bleeding
woman

120. Listen to
their whole
story

121. Five Kingdom Habits
to Build Trust
3. Bond

122. When they don’t trust us,
we must choose
to bond with them.

123. Jesus
came to
live
among us
and share
our lives

124. Share

125. Best tool –
time

126. Five Kingdom Habits
to Build Trust
4. Affirm

127. When they don’t trust us,
we must find something to
affirm.

128. Not blind
and
indiscriminate
affirmation
of everything

129. Look for real good
and affirm it

130. Acts 17
– to
Athenians
practicing
idol worship

131. Affirm
How does Paul react?
Acts 17:22
Paul then stood up in the
meeting of the Areopagus
and said: “People of Athens!
I see that in every way you
are very religious.

132. We fear
affirming
sin
so we say
nothing.

133. Find the positive aspect

134. Aloofness can
come across
as judgment

135. Build trust

136. Five Kingdom Habits
to Build Trust
5. Welcome

137. When they don’t trust us, we must
assure them they are welcome.

138. John 1
“Come and see.”

139. Open the
arms
of
hospitality

140. Be Authentic

141. People can
smell a
fake a mile
away!

142. Become a
student of
people

143. Practice giving your heart away

144. Antidotes to Christian Clichés

145. Pray
• Not tell people
you are
praying for
them.
• Be like Nike –

146. Listen more
Talk less

147. Stop trying to fix everything.
• I love WD-40
and duct tape,
too. But . . .
• Listen
• Just be
present while
they wrestle,
grieve and
reflect

148. See yourself in the
“Other”
• Remember the Greatest
Commandment was not to convert
people, but to love them.

149. Quality over quantity
• Invest time in
people!
• Not drive-by
evangelism.

150. Share generously of
yourself
• Be willing to be vulnerable.
• Share your story when appropriate.

151. Be open to the possibility that
you’re wrong
• Everyone’s faith
is evolving
• The disciples who
lived with Jesus
changed what
they believed.
• Be open. Your
guest could teach
you something!

152. Apologize
• A simple apology for the hurt
caused by other Christians.
• Name the wrong-doing and validate
the hurt.

153. Own your love
• Saying, “God loves
you” or “Jesus loves
you” can feel
impersonal.
• Why not “I love
you”?
• But only if true.
• “You are loved.”

154. Make sure your life reflects
your faith
• Don’t validate
belief that
Christians are
hypocrites.
• Don’t write a
check with
your mouth
that your life
can’t cash.

155. Provoke Curiosity
Encourage Questions
• Jesus asked 183 questions
in the Gospels
• Answered only 3
• Answered 307 questions
with another question

156. Jesus
didn’t have
Q & A
sessions.
He has
Q & Q
sessions!

157. Think about
the box
that the world
puts
“nice Christians”
in

158. Be a catalyst of curiosity

159. Point the way

160. Choosing
to change
scary and
difficult

161. Mark 10

162. Need to see the world
in a whole new way

163. May have
to deal with
issues that
have been
ignored for
years

164. Can open a
beautiful
door, but
can feel
horrific

165. Be Patient as the
Journey Unfolds

166. Need to know you
are their friend.

167. Patience
gives the
gift of
space and
permission
to explore

168. Let’s review .
. .

169. 1. Unprepared Leaders: To
prepare for discussion times, TL
and ATL can use:
A. Their Bible
B. Searching Issues
C. Prayer and the Holy Spirit
D. Jay Leno’s monologues
E. ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT D

170. 2. Allowing a Guest to Dominate: To
prevent a guest from talking too
much:
A. Gently redirect conversation.
B. Offer to talk or pray with them later.
C. Privately thank them for sharing and
ask them to help you draw others out.
D. Use plenty of duct tape.
E. ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT D

171. 3. Letting discussion get off
track: To prevent digressions:
A. Ask helpers to refocus the talk with
brief comments or questions.
B. Refer back to the talk’s topic
C. Offer to talk more about a guest’s
concerns later on - during the break,
if necessary.
D. Bring a podium and pound on it loudly
whenever necessary.
E. ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT D

172. 4. Forgetting the Basics: Don’t
forget to begin small group
discussions with:
A. “What do you think?”
B. “What do you feel?”
C. Allowing the Spirit to move!
D. Sumo wrestling.
E. ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT D

173. 5. Allowing “bashing” or hurtful
comments: If guests begin bashing
other denominations, lifestyles,
beliefs, etc.:
A. Speak privately to them if you need to.
B. Rely on ALT to steer the group back to
productive talk.
C. Be peacemakers and pray for the
“dividers.”
D. Send them to the principal’s office.
E. ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT D

174. 6. PREACHING & TEACHING: This
one is huge! Leaders should:
A. Let the speakers, clergy and the
Holy Spirit do the teaching.
B. Guard the small group time so all
Guests can share and participate.
C. Lay down their pride and be willing
to look “stupid” if necessary.
D. Keep your sermons to the first 45
minutes of group time.
E. ALL OF THE ABOVE EXCEPT D

175. I Corinthians 1: 26-31
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.
Not many of you were wise by human standards; not
many were influential; not many were of noble birth.
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame
the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to
shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this
world and the despised things that are not – to nullify
the things that are, so that no one may boast before
him. It is because of him that you are in Christ, Jesus,
who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our
righteousness, holiness, redemption. Therefore as it is
written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

176. 1 Peter 4:8-11
Above all, love each other deeply, because love
covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality
to one another without grumbling. Each one
should use whatever gift he has received to serve
others, faithfully administering God's grace in its
various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it
as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone
serves, he should do it with the strength God
provides, so that in all things God may be praised
through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the
power for ever and ever. Amen.

177. Handouts Available
• Prayer suggestions
• Reminders for Leaders and Helpers
• Common Small Group problems and
possible solutions
• Tips for overcoming challenging situations
• Reflective Listening tips
• Listening Skills tips, practice & self-
evaluation
• Training reviews

178. To get access to Lisa’s
training materials:
Send Lisa an email requesting the
materials. She will share a folder of
Alpha training materials
electronically. Feel free to download
them and modify to meet the Alpha
needs at your church.
lisa_mcculloch53@hotmail.com