Introductory
talk for the Beta Course
1.
Short version (480 words)
A short talk which can be used to
introduce Beta to churches, theological colleges or other Christian
organisations, for example during announcements at church . The short
version needs to be accompanied by the
Overhead transparencies (indicated), which enable the speaker to condense the
material.
The short talk can be given on its own
(with the overheads), or can include the Mini-Taster video (3.5 min) at the
point indicated. The Mini-Taster provides a brief overview of the video
teaching sessions and creative reflections using the arts. For groups of over
15, a video projector and external speakers will be required for the
Mini-Taster. For smaller groups in an informal setting such as a living room, a TV (24") and video will
suffice.
2.
Longer version (680 words)
The longer version (680 words) can be
used with or without Overhead transparencies.
At the point indicated, show the Mini-Taster (3.5 min.), and then
continue with the talk. If a longer
session is desired, this can be followed by the rest of the Taster video (23
min.). With the Taster video, the presentation will last around 35-40
minutes. This can be extended by
inviting discussion after people have viewed the Taster. (for example: what was
your response? did anything connect with you?)
(Overhead
1)
Beta
Being
Christian
Becoming
whole
Building
community
is
a 10 week multi-media video based course linking
Christian
faith
personal
development
and
pastoral
care.
Beta,
the second letter of the Greek alphabet, implies a second step.
BEING
in relationship with God through Christ is the first step of the journey
Then
we seek to live our relationship with God in a way which shapes us to BECOME
more and more Christ-like so that we bring wholeness, through BUILDING COMMUNITY, to ourselves, others, our
work, and our world.
It
can be far from easy!
Christians
are supposed to be the redeemed people of God, but
-
how do we live that out?
-
how do I love my neighbour?
-
why do I find it so hard to forgive?
-
why am I depressed or defeated by the stresses in my life?
-
how can I become more whole?
In
Scripture, human beings are portrayed as
-
relational beings
-
made by a relational God
-
made for relationship with himself, with each other and with the world
This
is a recurring theme in the course:
In
relationship we are made whole.
Christ's
body, the Church, is intended to be a community in which individuals and the
very nature of relationship are restored.
Research into why people leave church indicates that when it comes to
pastoral care, what people are looking for, and often not finding, is church as
a caring community.
The
purpose of the Beta course is to help people to grow in healthy relationships
with God through Jesus Christ, within the church, and within our personal
lives. Through this, we become co-workers with God, empowered to reach out to
others in order to bring in his kingdom.
(Overhead
2)
Each
90 minute Beta session includes:
-
Bible study
-
multi-media video based teaching sessions,
with
creative reflections using the arts to help us reflect on the material
-
discussion
-
and prayer.
In
Beta- the Christian faith and psychology are brought into dialogue as we look
at the challenges of our daily lives
(Overhead
3)
Beta
sessions:
Relationships
Christian
community
Sin
and atonement
Forgiveness
and reconciliation
Depression
Loss
and change
Stress
and coping
Suffering
and wholeness
Self
and God: concerning our relationship with God and the fulfilling of our own potential
Beta
has been designed primarily for Christians seeking
to
develop their faith, personal lives and church community,
but
there is no need to exclude seekers. Beta is rich in Bible teaching and can
help people to understand the relevance of the Christian faith to everyday
life.
Beta
courses are led by a facilitator, and training and guidance are provided as
part of the Beta package. A good facilitator is someone experienced in leading
small groups of 8-12 in a home group setting.
Beta
has been run in churches and theological colleges of different denominations,
and has been having a profound impact on people's lives. Through it, people are
helped to expereince the reality that God, in Christ, has entered into our
human condition, enabling us to find his transforming presence in our sorrows
as well as in our joys.
(Overhead
4)
Here
are some quotes from participants:
"This
(course) bridges the gap between what we believe as Christians and what we
actually experience in real life" (businessman)
"Each
session was aimed at ME, (or so it appeared!)" (church member)
"You
are not replacing the church or the Bible with psychology- you are returning to
the church what is rightfully hers". (lay reader)
"We
came to a new depth of fellowship" (minister)
"The
group discussions were so helpful... I was grateful for the very warm welcome I
received." (church member)
"The
'multimedia' approach, using the arts, rooted in psychology and pastoral
ministry... brought me new insight... (minister in training)
"This
course would have been a joy at any time, but at this critical time in my
life... well... WOW." (new
Christian)
In
closing, Beta aims to resource a further step along the Christian journey. A
central principle is that pastoral needs within church and society are best met
through facilitating churches as caring communities.
Beta
is produced by (Overhead 5)
two
Christian psychologists based at the University of Cambridge,
(Dr.
Add your own closing comments such as:
For
more information speak to __________________
or
visit the Beta website
(Overhead
6)
www.beta-course.org
You
are warmly invited to sign up for a find Out More Session -a time:
-
for people to enjoy a meal or refreshments together
-
to see excerpts from each of the video teaching sessions
- and to decide whether or not they want to
sign up for the rest of the Beta course.
The
Find Out More Session will be held at__________________________
word
count (680)
(to
make this talk shorter, you can omit reading out the text on the Overheads.
Word count 480)
(Overhead
1) Beta
Being
Christian
Becoming
whole
Building
community
is
a 10 week multi-media video based course
linking
Christian
faith
personal
development
and
pastoral
care
Beta,
the second letter of the Greek alphabet, implies a second step.
BEING
in relationship with God through Christ is the first step of the journey
Then
we seek to live our relationship with God in a way which shapes us to BECOME
more and more Christ-like
So
that we bring wholeness, through **BUILDING COMMUNITY, to ourselves, others,
our work, and our world
It
can be far from easy!
Christians
are supposed to be the redeemed people of God
How
do we live that out?
How
do I love my neighbour?
Why
do I find it so hard to forgive?
Why
am I depressed or defeated by the stresses in my life?
How
can I become more whole?
In
Scripture, human beings are portrayed as
Relational
beings
Made
by a relational God
Made
for relationship with himself, with each other and with the world
This
is a recurring theme in the course:
In
relationship we are made whole
Christ's
body the Church is intended to be a community in which individuals and the very
nature of relationship are restored
As
we grow in healthy relationships within the church, as co-workers with God, we
are empowered to reach out to others in bringing in his kingdom.
(Overhead
2)
Each
90 minute Beta session includes:
-
Bible study
-
video based teaching sessions,
with
creative reflections using the arts to help us reflect on the material
-
discussion
-
and prayer.
In
Beta- the Christian faith and psychology are brought into dialogue as we look
at the challenges of our daily lives
(Overhead
3)
Beta
sessions:
Relationships
Christian
community
Sin
and atonement
Forgiveness
and reconciliation
Depression
Loss
and change
Stress
and coping
Suffering
and wholeness
Self
and God: our relationship with God and the fulfilling of our own potential
Beta
has been designed for:
-
Christians seeking to develop their faith, personal lives and church community
While
some familiarity with the Christian faith is assumed Beta, seekers
non-Christians need not be turned away. Beta is rich in Bible teaching and can
help people to understand the relevance of the Christian faith to everyday
life.
Beta
courses will be led by a facilitator, and training and guidance are provided as
part of the Beta package.
Good
facilitators are someone experienced in leading small groups of 8-12 in a home
group setting.
Beta
has been run in churches and theological colleges of different denominations.
(Overhead
4)
Here
are some Quotes from participants:
"This
(course) bridges the gap between what we believe as Christians and what we
actually experience in real life" (businessman)
"Each
session was aimed at ME, (or so it appeared!)" (church member)
"You
are not replacing the church or the Bible with psychology- you are returning to
the church what is rightfully hers". (lay reader)
"We
came to a new depth of fellowship" (minister)
"The
group discussions were so helpful... I was grateful for the very warm welcome I
received." (church member)
"The
'multimedia' approach, using the arts, rooted in psychology and pastoral
ministry... brought me new insight... (minister in training)
"This
course would have been a joy at any time, but at this critical time in my
life... well... WOW." (new
Christian)
In
closing, Beta aims to provide a further step along the Christian journey. A
central principle is that pastoral needs within church and society are best met
through facilitating churches as caring communities.
Beta
is produced by Christian psychologists based at the University of Cambridge,
(Overhead 5)
(Dr.
Add
your own closing comments such as:
for
more information speak to __________________
or
visit the Beta website
(Overhead
6)
www.beta-course.org
You
are warmly invited to sign up for a find Out More Session which is a time:
-
for people to enjoy a meal or refreshments together
-
to see excerpts from each of the video teaching sessions
- and to decide whether or not they want to
sign up for the rest of the Beta course.
The
Find Out More Session will be held at__________________________
word
count (680)
(to
make this talk shorter, you can omit reading out the text on the Overheads.
Word count 480)