gilgal
courses
Courses at Gilgal
The Alpha Course, Puzzling Questions and Imagine Heaven are three courses that IQVIA run periodically. Currently we run these three courses that are aimed at informing those people that are searching for answers to investigate further without having to commit themselves to changing their life. All courses equip you with the facts and details about the Christian Faith so you can make the choice for yourself - it has to be your decision and nobody will pressure you otherwise. For more details see below..
The Alpha Course is probably the best known of all the Christian Faith courses having been established in 1977 at Holy Trinity Church Brompton, London. It poses the question “Is there more to life than this?” and is designed to provide answers to the most commonly asked questions about the Christian Faith – Who was Jesus? Why should I have faith? How do I resist evil? Who and what is the Holy Spirit? etc.
Its aim is to provide answers to questions that will equip people to decide for themselves the path they want to chose in life and whether that path includes a faith in Jesus Christ. We all have a choice and it is ours to take freely without pressure.
Format:
The course runs over 13 weeks and explores individual elements of the Christian Faith. It is a video led course with time given over to group discussion and questions after each video. You can ask what you want – no subject is off-limits. We can’t guarantee to be able to answer all your questions but we will do our best – even if we have to go away and find out the answer and revisiting it the following week.
If it is an evening course we will usually provide a group meal prior to each session.
Where & When?
The Alpha course usually runs once or twice a year depending on numbers wanting to participate. If demand is high the course will run in our church hall, though we will run smaller groups if required which will be held in the course leaders home.
This year’s Alpha Course begins on 21st September 2023. A simple meal in our church cafe at 7pm will be followed by a 20 minute video and then some discussion in small groups.
All are welcome. Anyone interested should email cathrynhodges@hotmail.com or gordonandjoycelovering@hotmail.co.uk
Puzzling Questions is for those whose world view simply doesn’t include anything about the Christian Faith, or any other faith for that matter, but feel they need to explore life’s deeper questions. It could be that they are searching for some spiritual answers, but do not know where to start.
Questions like: –
- Who am I and why am I here?
- Is there a God?
- Why does He allow suffering?
- Is there life after death?
- How can I be happy?
Puzzling Questions is a six week video-based course that explores some of these deeper questions, but it is much more informal than Alpha, tending to work better in small groups. Each video cosists of interviews, public opinion (Vox-pop), a poem and music. After each video there is group discussion and a chance to expand on each subject. Light refreshments are served during each session.
When?
We will announce the date of the next Puzzling Questions course very shortly. Use the ‘Contact us‘ form to book your place on the next course or to receive more information.
Imagine Heaven Course
Have you ever wondered what will happen to you after you die?John Burke has been exploring the research about people’s near-death experiences for many years, and has written the book Imagine Heaven explaining the findings.This course, which we ran for the first time in Summer 2022, is ideal if you are new to exploring Christianity for the first time, looking for a meaning to life and pondering what is beyond the grave. This six part video course is designed to provoke discussion and exploration around life after death. It discusses what lies ahead in the context of what the Bible teaches us about the afterlife and how Jesus wants a relationship with everyone of us if we are willing to accept it.Post COVID, now is a perfect time to engage in discussion about life, death, and the future with some fascinating insights into the possibilities of what lies beyond this life. Developed in partnership with New Wine Cymru, the course is very informal and all questions are encouraged.Gilgal Baptist Church is running the next Imagine Heaven in July 2023 and runs for 5 weeks after the first session. The venue will be the cafe area at the church in Park Avenue.To reserve your place on the course contact Cathryn at faith@gilgal.co.uk or call on 07968 178589.