The response to our session #1 Alpha film series last Wednesday 5th August was excellent. More than 40 participants turned up on Zoom.
Very
encouraging.
Some
participants are new believers in Christ, some have yet to know Jesus Christ.
It is my prayer that through Alpha, they will have a better understanding of
who Jesus is and open their hearts to accept Him as their Saviour and Lord.
After more than 3 hours last week and exhausted, I was prompted to a verse by Apostle Paul’s words in 2 Tim 4:1, 2 (RSV) “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable, convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.”
Yes, we are now
seem to be in unfavourable time of social distancing. Yet, by the grace of God,
Zoom technology opens a platform for us to bring God’s salvation plan to people
who wants to hear. It’s very encouraging that so many people turn up for the
first session!
After the
session ended, during our own debrief, one group shared about some difficult
questions being raised. Yes, Alpha is a place to ask anything, all questions
are important for us to engage, encourage, and convince with PATIENCE. I pray
that these participants will continue to come for the rest of the sessions so
that their minds will be opened through the Alpha films and sharing sessions.
As for us who are the hosts and helpers, I am reminded in 1 Peter 3:15, 16 “but
in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to
anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do
it in with gentleness and reverence.”
In Alpha we
value relationship / friendship more than anything. In all discussions,
gentleness and reverence / respect for one another is of utmost important.
There is no need to correct someone to the extent of “win an argument but loose
a friend”. This reminds me of last year Alpha 2019 when a Cell group leader pop
up into my group near the end of the Alpha (session #12 – Does God heal today)
when I was hosting and facilitating the discussion. She corrected me strongly
on the issue of “Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2Cor 12:7)” not being healed by
God. I had to be meekly laid the issue to rest and cordially continued with the
discussion in order to maintain harmony and uphold the atmosphere of the “relationship”
value of Alpha.
Hopefully, in
this Aipha 2020, long lasting friendships can be forge; be it in zoom online.
Most important, pre-believers can find the meaningful life that Jesus promised
in John 10:10b when He said: “I come that they may have life, and have it
abundantly”
Agape &
Blessings.
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