The Next Step is Here! The Alpha Course is great, but what do you do after Alpha?

The Next Step: How to Walk with God

How can you draw close to God in your daily life?

This course series is designed for those who have taken Alpha and wondered… what now?

However, anyone who wants to draw in closer to God is welcome.

You can attend the whole series or just one class.

Sundays, 6:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., Trinity Café
Childcare is provided

May 4, 2008: A Relationship with Jesus - Steve Whitney
What does that even mean? We understand friendships with a flesh-and-blood people, but how can you have a relationship with someone you can't even see? We'll look at some ways to do that, share some resources, and debunk some myths along the way. Then we'll hear the real-life story of Carole Dunsmore and her personal relationship with God. Of course, your questions and thoughts will also shape the evening. It promises to be a great way to start our Next Steps journey together.

May 11, 2008: The Holy Sprit – Dr. Thomas Michael Smith
The class will provide an overview of the person and work of the Holy Spirit with an emphasis upon empowering the body of Christ to be functional in the world, that is, to do the work Christ has called us to accomplish.

May 18, 2008: Spiritual Gifts – Linda Whitney
It’s very exciting to learn that each one of us has been given a unique Spiritual Gift. This class will help you identify your special gift and begin to understand what having that particular gift might mean for your life.

June 1, 2008: Prayer (listening/ contemplative) – Eleanor Whitney
“ I’d do what God wants if only he would tell me what that is!” Nicky Gumbel points out that over time we can become “familiar” with the voice of God – and therefore know better what God might be saying to us. On this evening we will discuss and explore some ways of listening for the voice of God through prayer. We will also discuss some of the images we have of God and how those affect our spiritual life.

June 8, 2008: The Word – Dr. Thomas Michael Smith
The class will discuss both the creation of Holy Scripture and the major views about Scripture. Mention will be made of why there are different versions of the Bible, how the original languages come to be translated, and the technical distinctions between lower and higher criticism. The issue of biblical interpretation is complex but the philosophies underlying how we understand the Word are at the root of issues within the PCUSA (Presbyterian Church USA) today.

June 15, 2008: Prayer (active) - Debra Johnson
The simplest way to describe active prayer is communicating with God through words and/or actions. It can take many, many forms and has throughout the history of the Christian Church. It may be done privately or in groups. We will explore a simple form of daily prayer you can begin using immediately as well as several types of more formalized prayer: acclamation, blessing, confession, praying the psalms, intercession, healing Prayer, and two forms of repetitive prayer borrowed from the ancient Eastern and Western Christian traditions: The Jesus Prayer and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy. You will leave with a packet of ideas to help you enrich your own or your small group's prayer life.

June 22, 2008: How God Speaks - Dave Dove
This teaching will focus on hearing God’s voice. From the written Word of God to dreams and visions, to the random circumstances of life, this session will teach you how to connect with God in a personal and compelling way.

June 29, 2008: The Refiner’s Fire - Debra Johnson
How does God form Christ-like character in us? It's a process with a fancy theological name: sanctification. Although the process itself is simple, it does not necessarily feel 'easy' while it is happening. There are positive habits we can cultivate to help us on the journey, and the Holy Spirit promises to guide and empower us each step of the way. Occasionally we will face "make or break" moments in our Christian walk. We will explore how to recognize those moments and thrive as we respond to our Savior's urgent requests.

July 6: Shield of Faith – Dave Dove
Gird your loins for this glimpse into the realm of the powers and principalities that exist all around us. Learn some of the biblical principles involved in participating with Jesus as He seeks to bring freedom to the captives and leads us all into a greater understanding of the unseen but powerful world of the spirit.

July 13: Service and Stewardship – Dr. Thomas Michael Smith
This class is about growth. The goal is to get at the worldview present in each generation that suggests we are passive recipients of God's grace or the notion that God is the sole actor in human history. When people understand at a deep and profound level the incredible opportunity for spiritual, emotional, relational growth and the impact the church can have in society, this topic no longer causes anyone any pause!

July 20: Spreading the Good News– Wave Armijo and Alisha David
Are you prepared to do the one thing we are all called to do – spread the Good News of the Gospel? Learn how to salt your daily conversations to draw out those who are seeking. Learn about how Jesus and Christians are viewed in our post-modern society and how our societal change affects the strategies for spreading the Good News. Develop your own stories of faith in order to become a conversational storyteller able to share the gospel in a personal and loving way.