The Weekend Away
The weekend away is a crucial part of the course.
This is the time that we devote to teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit in the individual lives of those on the course. It is possible to cover this material in a single day – a Saturday held locally can work well but a weekend is a good chance to cement friendships and take a break away. The weekend can be held anytime after the fifth week of the course
- Start talking about the Weekend Away from Week 3. Announce dates, venue and cost from week 4-6.Invite Alpha graduates to share their Weekend testimonies to motivate guests to sign up.
- Do a Weekend rather than a Day Away. The two days spent together with other guests often creates strong bonds that make guests want to come back for the course after the Weekend.
- Arrange for one-on-one session after the second talk (“What does the Holy Spirit do?”). This gives guests an opportunity to clarify doubts and also for small group hosts to lead the guests to pray the salvation prayer.
Suggested programme:
| Friday | |
| 6.30pm onwards | Arrive |
| 8.30pm | Supper |
| 9.45pm | Worship and a short introduction to the weekend |
| Saturday | |
| 8.30am | Breakfast |
| 9.00am | Leaders’ meeting |
| 9.30am | Worship |
| Talk 1 – ‘Who Is the Holy Spirit?’ | |
| 10.45am | Coffee |
| 11.15am | Talk 2 – ‘What Does the Holy Spirit Do?’ |
| 12.00 noon | Small group discussion. |
| This is a good time to look at 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 and the subject of spiritual gifts. It is a good opportunity to talk about the gift of tongues – this gets the subject in the open and allows people to discuss their confusion and fears on the subject. Sometimes, one member of the group is able to share a positive experience and it helps people feel much more comfortable when the gift of tongues is discussed on Saturday evening. | |
| 1.00pm | Lunch |
| Free afternoon Activities can be organised – e.g. sports, walks etc. | |
| 4.00pm | Tea |
| 5.00pm | Worship |
| Talk 3 – ‘"How Can I Be Filled with the Spirit?’ | |
| 7.00pm | Supper |
| 8.30pm | Entertainment |
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If you have a small number on your weekend, you might like to play a game (e.g. Pictionary) which can be played by everyone. If you have larger numbers, you might prefer to have a cabaret-style entertainment evening. A variety of sketches and songs, where participation is optional and without anything distasteful or religious, contributes to people’s enjoyment of the weekend and you may find some very talented people on your course! |
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| Sunday | |
| 9.00am | Breakfast |
| 9.20am | Leaders’ meeting |
| 9.45am | Small group discussion |
| An opportunity for each guest to talk about what they have seen and heard so far. | |
| 10.30am | Worship |
| Talk 4 – ‘How Can I Make the Most of the Rest of My Life?’ | |
| Holy Communion | |
| 1.00pm | Lunch |
| Free afternoon Hopefully everybody meets again at the evening services at church | |