Courses

‘Christianity Explored’ is an informal way to investigate what it means to be a Christian, to discover what personal faith in God looks and feels like, or to brush up on the basics. It explores who Jesus is, why he came and what it means to follow him. You will be able to ask any question in a warm, friendly and accepting environment.

· You don’t need to know anything about the Bible.

· You won’t be asked to read aloud, pray or sing.             

· You can ask any question you want.

 Each evening will start at 7.00p.m. with a meal, then a short presentation on the week’s subject, with plenty of time for group discussion and questions. Each evening will aim to conclude at 9.00p.m. The course lasts over twelve weeks and is completely FREE.

Our current course started with an Introductory Guest Supper at 7.00p.m. on Monday 25th January 2010. To register for future courses please contact the Church Office via our email or by telephone 01258 459756.

Journeys

Journeys is a five-week study programme, designed especially for you if you are a spectator, looking in on the Christian faith and wanting to know and explore more. You may not be sure that God even exists yet alone has any concern for your life and experience, so Journeys is just the thing for you. The Christian faith is examined through the eyes and lives of people who have unexpectedly come to experience God’s power and influence over their lives.
There is ample opportunity to question and discuss some foundational aspects of faith. Every effort is made to ensure that participants feel relaxed and that their opinions and experiences are valued.

 The sessions cover the following topics:-

• Is there a spiritual side to me?
• If God and heaven exist, what are they like?
• Does this faith thing work in real life?
• Does God have real power to change things?
• Crossing the line – what’s that like?

Journeys is hosted by a New Zealand investigative journalist, Rob Harley and the powerful stories come from people he has researched in New Zealand. This is a probing and thought provoking look at what personal faith in God is all about in practice.

Alpha

 If you are enquiring about or just getting going in the Christian faith, we would like to invite you to join the next Alpha Course. Alpha is an opportunity to explore the meaning of life. The sessions normally run on Wednesday evenings for ten weeks. The course consists of a series of talks that address questions such as ‘What is the point to life?’ or ‘What happens when we die?’

The evening starts with a supper, followed by coffee and the talk. The participants then go into small groups for discussion. During this group time there is ample opportunity to ask and discuss any questions that are of personal concern and interest and learn together. 

Anyone wanting to find out about the course is invited to an introductory Guest Supper. There is no obligation to return and join the course, but all those who wish to, can register straight away.

Who is Alpha for?

Alpha is for everyone! It particularly caters for people who are interested in investigating Christianity, or may be newcomers to BEC, have very recently become a Christian or need to brush up on the basics.

What will it cost?

There is no charge for the Alpha course, though we invite participants to contribute towards the cost of the food provided, if they so wish.

This course is not currently running

The course normally starts with a Guest Supper with the subject

 - “Christianity - Boring, Untrue, Irrelevant ?”

Subjects covered in the course

• ‘Who is Jesus?’
• ‘Why did Jesus die?’
• ‘How can I be sure of my faith?’
• ‘Why and how should I read the Bible?’
• ‘Why and how do I pray?’
• ‘How does God guide us?’
• ‘How can I resist evil?’
• ‘Why and how should I tell others?’
• ‘Does God heal today?’
• ‘What about the church?’
• ‘How can I make the most of the rest of my life?’

Alpha Saturday

• ‘Who is the Holy Spirit?’
• ‘What does the Holy Spirit do?
• ’
‘How can I be filled with the Holy Spirit?’

To register for the next Alpha Course we run, please contact the church office via our email link  or phone 01258 459756.

The Marriage Course

The Marriage Course is designed for any couple who have been married for as little as one year or many years. The very practical approach ensures that whether your marriage is struggling or really good, there are helpful pointers to make it even better. The purpose of this course is to provide couples with advice and helpful guidelines on how to build or re-build a healthy marriage that lasts a lifetime.

This video-led course generally includes a meal with a romantic ambience and each couple sitting at their own table. The material covered, the exercises undertaken and any discussion is exclusively between the marriage partners, so everything is entirely confidential. Each session is entertaining and fun, whilst being very helpful and instructive.

The sessions covered in the course are:-

• Building Strong Foundations
• The Art of Communication
• Resolving Conflict
• The Power of Forgiveness
• Parents and In-laws
• Good Sex
• Love in Action

This course generally runs once a year or as needed and there are plans to run a further course this year.

Marriage Preparation Course

This course is designed for those people who are contemplating marriage and may have asked to be married in Blandford Evangelical Church. The sessions look at the main concepts of the Marriage Course, but from a pre-marriage perspective.

A very helpful additional tool is the use of the on-line Relationship Inventory designed by Prepare/Enrich UK. This inventory gives couples a snapshot view of their relationship with its strengths and areas in which it can grow further. The inventory report is interpreted by trained Prepare/Enrich practitioners and brings clarity to what makes the relationship work or work better and gives encouraging reassurance for the couple.

Practical guidance and help is also given on preparing for the marriage ceremony itself.