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- An Official Follow-up to the Alpha Course
- A Life Worth Living is an nine-week course based on the book of Philippians
- Each talk explains how it is possible to live the Christian life positively, practically and joyfully.
For many, the Alpha Course represents the first steps in the Christian Life, and many new
Christians will end the course asking, "What happens next?" A Life Worth Living is
aimed specifically at those who are starting out in the Christian life and is an excellent
follow-up course to Alpha.
"As a church leader, we used it because it is a perfect bridge for
someone who has recently taken the alpha course. It follows the same format as Alpha,
(dinner, Nicky on video and a small group discussion) but it is a more in depth study of a
book of the Bible Philippians. So when they finish this course they are much more
accepting to what church people would call a Bible study."
 A Life Worth Living Book
"The
purpose of this book is to introduce, in a simple and practical way, a key letter in the
New Testament to those who are starting the Christian life and beginning to read the Bible.
It is intended to be read in conjunction with the Bible passages, either by an individual or
as a group study,
with one person preparing the Bible study using the book as a
resource.
In Alpha Questions of Life, I set out the material we use on Alpha, a course for
nonchurchgoers, those seeking to find out more about Christianity, and those who have
recently come to faith in Jesus Christ, At the end of the Alpha course, people often ask,
'What do I do now?' One of the things I encourage them to do is to study the letter of
Philippians. The material in this book is based on a number of talks I have given on that
subject."
--
Nicky Gumbel
 A Life Worth Living Leader's Guide
A step by step guide designed to assist leaders and helpers in running the A Life Worth
Living course. It contains notes on Leading a Group, Preparing a Talk, (if you wish to
deliver the talk live rather than use the DVD), Suggested Format for an Evening
and sample
discussion questions for each session of the course.
 A Life Worth Living Course Manual
A manual designed to accompany the A Life Worth Living book and DVD Set. Based on Paul's
letter to the Philippians, A Life Worth Living is a nine-week Bible study examining the
changed life of a Christian. Chapters include: New Heart; New Purpose; New Attitude;
New
Responsibilities; New Friendships; New Confidence; New Ambitions; New Resources; and
New
Generosity. Great to use as a follow up study to an Alpha course.
 A Life Worth Living DVD
A Life Worth Living is an nine-week course based on Paul's letter to the Philippians.
Each talk explains how it is possible to live the Christian life positively, practically and
joyfully and is aimed specifically at those who are starting out in the Christian life.
Filmed at Holy Trinity Brompton church in London, and presented by Nicky Gumbel, A Life
Worth Living is designed to be used as a follow-up to the Alpha course, and is ideal for use
in small groups. New Heart (38:30min); New Purpose (38:32 min); New Attitude (34:55); New
Responsibilities (35:14); New Friendships (36:11); New Confidence (38:30); New Ambitions
(36:32); New Resources (37:09); and New Generosity (37:54)
Please note: The Life Worth Living DVD is in English only with no subtitles, nor does
it have closed caption.
 A Life Worth Living Starter Kit w/DVD
Everything you need to run the A Life Worth Living course for 10 guests is included in this kit . It contains: (1) DVD Set, (2) A Life Worth Living books, (2) Leader's Guides, and (10) Guest Manuals. | |
"In the future, scientists may be able to prolong life, but will it be worth living" writes
Nigel Hawkes in The Times in London. An Oxford professor claims it may be possible to
prolong life for many people to the age of 115. But Nigel Hawkes is right to ask, "Will it
be worth living?" Increased lifespan is of little value unless it is for a life worth
living.
The apostle Paul did not see the prolonging of life as a major objective. Indeed, he
regarded death as something of even greater worth (Philippians 1:21). Yet for him, Jesus
Christ had made life profoundly worth living. In the letter to the Philippians, Paul writes
directly and indirectly about why this is the case and how it can be for his readers as
well.
In this book, we will look at some of the new things Jesus Christ brought to Paul's life
and to the lives of the Philippians, which made their lives so supremely worth living. Jesus
Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). What He did for Paul and
his readers He can do today for you and for me.
Before we look at this in detail, it is helpful to see the historical background into which
Paul is writing and five remarkable features of this letter.
First, the place was remarkable. Paul chose the strategic city of Philippi for the
first European "church plant" in A.D. 52. In modern times, he might have chosen Geneva,
Strasbourg, Berlin, Brussels, or even London. Philippi, now a ruin in northeastern Greece,
was strategic city in the ancient world.
In another sense, all Christians find themselves in a "strategic place". All of us
surrounded by people who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ: our family, our
neighbors, our colleagues, our friends, and anyone else we bump into in the course of our
everyday lives.
Second, there was a remarkable combination of people. One of the glorious features of
the Christian faith is that it brings together, in a unique way, people of different
nationality, background, race, color, sex and age.
Third, the purpose was remarkable. Philippians is a letter of encouragement. Paul was
not correcting any doctrinal error nor berating them for the immorality. It was really a
"thank you" letter. The language is unclouded by any shadow of disappointment or
displeasure. It is written quite informally. Paul does not impose his authority, as he often
did, by calling himself the apostle Paul, but simply "Paul." He goes on in warm, personal,
loving, and thankful words to bring encouragement to the church.
Fourth, Paul's pleasure was remarkable. Joy, in all its fullness, is only found in
Jesus Christ (John 15:11). The word "joy" in noun or verb form, appears sixteen times in the
epistle. Paul was under house arrest in Rome, attached by three feet of chain to a Roman
soldier. He was unjustly accused and awaiting trial and possible execution. Yet his joy was
overflowing. Again, in our day, we need a revival of the association of joy with Christians
and the church.
Fifth, the preamble is remarkable. Paul does not put himself above the rest of the
Philippi in any way. One might have expected him to write, "Saint Paul to the servants of
God at Philippi." Instead, he writes, "Slave Paul to the saints at Philippi." Paul regards
every Christian at Philippi as a saint. "Saint" in the New Testament is a way of describing
all Christians rather than a title reserved for special holy people. He adds, almost as an
afterthought, the bishops and deacons. Incidentally, both terms are taken from secular use
and simply mean "leaders" and "helpers." Paul did not see the church as a hierarchical
structure. We need to beware of developing worldly hierarchies in the church. We are all
saints, and we are all ordinary Christians. This letter is relevant to all of us.
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