Editing Alpha course (section)

== Structure ==

Alpha is organised as a series of sessions over 10 weeks, including a day or weekend away. Each session starts with a meal, followed by a talk and then discussion in small groups. The talks aim to cover the basic beliefs of the Christian faith.

In April 2016, Alpha introduced the Alpha Film Series, where traditional Alpha content is shown in a series of films, featuring stories and interviews. This series is mainly presented by Nicky Gumbel, Toby Flint (a curate at Holy Trinity Brompton) and [[Gemma Hunt]]. Interviewees include [[Bear Grylls]], [[Jackie Pullinger]], and [[Raniero Cantalamessa]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alpha launches documentary film series |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2016/22-april/news/uk/alpha-launches-documentary-film-series |website=www.churchtimes.co.uk}}</ref>

=== Religious education for schools ===

In conjunction with [[Youth for Christ]], Alpha International produces two study programmes designed for children aged 11–14, ''exploRE: The Christian Faith'' a 12-week programme on the Christian faith, and ''exploRE: The Life of Jesus'', a 14-lesson study of Jesus' birth, life, death and resurrection. The capitalised RE is a reference to [[religious education]], part of the British curriculum. The materials are aimed at religious education teachers.

=== Relationship programmes ===

Several relationship-oriented programmes have emerged alongside Alpha that are now separately run by a sister organisation called Relationship Central. The Marriage Course is a seven-session course for married couples, consisting of a "candlelit meal and/or coffee, tea and dessert at a romantic table for two while listening to practical talks that are informative and fun, either given live or played on DVD", while the Marriage Preparation Course follows a similar format over five sessions in preparation for married life.<ref name="course">{{Cite web |title=The Marriage Courses |url=http://relationshipcentral.org/marriage-preparation-course |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100331055743/http://relationshipcentral.org/marriage-preparation-course |archive-date=31 March 2010 |access-date=14 June 2010}}</ref> Unlike Alpha, there are no group sessions - the couple are to spend the time together, and relationship details are not shared with a counsellor or other participants.<ref name=course/> The Marriage Course was adopted by the [[British Army]] and an additional session on enforced separation (e.g. as a result of operational deployment) was added by a military couple working in co-operation with Relationship Central. In 2012, DVD versions of the Parenting Children Course (for parents or caregivers of children aged 0–10) and the Parenting Teenagers Course (11-18) were released. Unlike the Marriage Course, the parenting courses use a similar format to Alpha: a meal followed by a talk and group discussions.

The website says about these courses that while they are "based on Christian principles", they are "designed for all couples with or without a church background".<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is The Marriage Preparation Course? |url=https://themarriagecourses.org/try/the-marriage-preparation-course |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013703/https://themarriagecourses.org/try/the-marriage-preparation-course |archive-date=8 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=TheMarriageCourses.org |publisher=Alpha International}}</ref> The courses are authored by Nicky Lee and Sila Lee, staff at Holy Trinity Brompton and authors of ''The Marriage Book'' and ''The Parenting Book''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Parenting Course |url=https://www.htb.org/parenting |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013702/https://www.htb.org/parenting |archive-date=8 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=HTB.com}}</ref>

=== Caring for ex-offenders ===

Caring for ex-offenders is a follow-up to the Alpha for Prisons course, supporting released prisoners by providing them with material assistance including accommodation, work, food, and pastoral support through church life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About us |url=http://caringforexoffenders.org/welcome/aboutus/default.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100520014559/http://caringforexoffenders.org/welcome/aboutus/default.htm |archive-date=20 May 2010 |access-date=14 June 2010 |website=CaringForExOffenders.org}}</ref> It operates in Britain, [[Canada]], [[South Africa]] and the [[United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=CFEO Network |url=https://caringforexoffenders.org/international |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013702/https://caringforexoffenders.org/international |archive-date=8 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=CaringForExOffenders.org}}</ref>

=== St Paul's Theological Centre ===

[[St Paul's Theological Centre]] is Alpha/Holy Trinity Brompton's theological institution, with aims to provide lay and clerical training in theology and resources for theological training in churches across the world, as well as theological guidance for Alpha.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About SPTC |url=http://sptc.htb.org/about |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508013711/http://sptc.htb.org/about |archive-date=8 May 2019 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=SPTC.HTB.org |date=7 October 2014 |publisher=SPTC}}</ref>