Invite Someone to Alpha Course!
Jesus said the kingdom of heaven is like a wedding banquet a king prepared for his son. He invited people, but they did not come. Then the king said, "The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find." So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. - Matthew 22:8-10
As a faithful servant, you want to see the King’s table full of guests! This is what Alpha is all about. Below you’ll find some helpful tips and resources to help you invite those who have questions about the faith.
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1. Stop Before You Start
Pause and pray. Ask God who you should invite. We have the opportunity to partner with the Holy Spirit in the conversations that He’s already having with the people around us.
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2. Customize the Convo
In the Bible, Jesus interacted with different people differently. There was no "one-size fits all" conversation. Consider what you know about the past experiences, hesitations, frustrations, and hopes of the person you are going to invite. By taking the time to understand the individual, you increase the chance they’ll say yes to your invitation.
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3. Be Specific & Direct
We often invite people to something without them really knowing it’s an invitation. Consider how many times plans have been made to "hang out sometime" with someone, and it’s never happened. Asking a yes or no question will get a yes or no answer. Provide specific details so they can make an informed decision.
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4. If I...Would You...?
When it comes to inviting, simplicity is best. Rather than having a long, complex conversation that ends in a suggestion, try a series of direct interactions that are clear and concise using the "If I...Would You" framework.
Here’s an example: If I sent you the trailer for Alpha, would you watch it and share your thoughts with me?"
"If I joined you, would you come to this? There will be free Empire pizza, a short film to watch, and great conversation around life’s biggest questions." -
5. Don’t Get Discouraged
A "No" is not necessarily the end of the opportunity. People may say no for a number of reasons, and most of them will have nothing to do with you personally! Accept the no with grace and revisit step 2, considering if there is a different way to approach the individual. Maintaining the relationship is key, so demonstrate that you care more about them than getting a yes from them.