Alpha is a series of sessions exploring the Christian faith usually held over a period of 11 weeks that is run worldwide and is open to everyone. It has been in Malta for over 15 years, and an introduction to the next series of sessions will be held on April 12 at 7.30pm at the MSSP Oratory, Birkirkara.
Alpha sessions generally have three key things in common: food, a talk and good conversation. Each session starts with a light meal and a 30-minute talk delivered live or as a video. The talks explore big issues regarding faith and are designed to engage and inspire conversation. They address questions such as ‘Who is Jesus?’, ‘How can we have faith?’, ‘Why and how do I pray?’ and ‘How does God guide us?’
Probably the most important part of the sessions is the chance participants are given to share their thoughts and ideas on the topic, and discuss in a small group in an honest, friendly and open environment. There is no obligation to say anything and there is nothing participants cannot say.
Henry David Thoreau once wrote: “Most men live lives of quiet desperation.” One ex-participant commented: “The Alpha course helped me discover new ways of looking at aspects of Christian faith I didn’t understand or hadn’t questioned. We are all searching for meaning and purpose in our lives. We try to find this in our careers, family, ambitions and possessions. Yet if we are really sincere and take a deeper look into ourselves, we realise none of these things truly satisfy, or answer our deeper questions, such as ‘Why am I here?’ and ‘Who am I really?’
To date, over 29 million people have tried Alpha in 169 countries, and it has been translated into 112 languages, including Maltese. For more information, visit www.alpha.org.mt.