How to use Coffee Chats
Coffee Chats is a special blend of conversation and information for those considering the Christian faith. With this easy-to-use online resource at hand, Christ-followers have the opportunity to kick-start a conversation about life, faith and Christianity. This can be one-to-one with a friend or used in a group discussion.
Coffee Chats is a series of short animated films, each film a standalone conversation piece that can be used individually or as a series to encourage people to talk about their beliefs. The informal style means that Coffee Chats can be used in a variety of settings, from the coffee shop or workplace to the church or classroom. It can be emailed to a friend, set up as an online discussion or employed as a means of stimulating a face-to-face chat.
So if you’re searching for a way to kick-start a conversation about spiritual issues, Coffee Chats could be exactly what you’re looking for.
For those buying into the Coffee Chats experience, serving coffee is a great way to set the scene. Whether you’re planning a face-to-face conversation in a coffee shop or offering a hot beverage to a group of friends, it’s the chat in Coffee Chats that’s the ultimate goal. And great conversations start with great questions!
FREE ebook - The Alongsider
Sometimes even using Coffee Chats seems a long way off because of our culture’s attitude to communication and Christianity. If we’re going to be able use those resources, first we need to rediscover how to chat. This is what early Christians did: they gossiped the gospel.
With that in mind The Alongsider paints a suitable backdrop against which an online resource like Coffee Chats can be used. Using broad brushstrokes, it takes the Great Commission of Matthew twenty-eight back to basics and looks at what it means to build a relational bridge that allows Christ-followers to chat with those who are on a quest to find spiritual truth.
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Conversation kick-starters
A set of cards that provide you with a handful of quick conversation kick-starters (that’s much easier to say after a couple of mochas). Used before viewing a particular video, each question is designed to get you and your friends or small group into meaningful conversations about life and spiritual matters.
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Concept cards
Whether embarking on a one-to-one conversation or group discussion, Concept Cards are intended for use prior to watching the first video, ‘Wake Up & Smell the Coffee’.
For those involved in hosting a group, we’d suggest that you photocopy this set of Concept Cards so as to give the whole group the opportunity to choose two cards each. Once all the cards are laid out on a table, the group could then be encouraged to pick two cards that best describe their view of God. Once everyone has made their selection, the host could ask people to talk about their choices. No attempt should be made to either challenge or correct anyone’s choice of cards; a simple ‘thank you’ would be sufficient.
For those involved in a one-to-one conversation, the whole pack of cards could be handed over to your friend along with a request to pick two cards that best describe their personal view of God.
The sole aim of this activity is to give people the opportunity to voice their present view of God. The whole process could then be repeated at the end of using a series of Coffee Chats videos to see if a person’s perception of God has changed.
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Napkin notes
At some time or other we’ve all scribbled a memorable quote or an amazing idea on to a serviette and found it an invaluable asset in reminding us of things we might otherwise forget. This is where the idea of Napkin Notes comes in.
Integral to the Coffee Chats experience, Napkin Notes are a downloadable resource available via the website. They are linked with the overall theme of each animation and offer a number of relevant questions with which to frame a one-to-one conversation or lead a group discussion.
With their down-to-earth approach to spiritual matters, Napkin Notes not only foster thought-provoking conversations, but they provide great opportunities for Christ-followers to share their own faith story.
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Event posters
Our Poster Template allows you to publicise a Coffee Chats event and create an informative and inspiring opportunity for both small and larger groups.
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Lesson Planners
Our Coffee Chats Lesson Planners link with each animation as an added resource for teachers. These create an informative and inspiring learning opportunity for both teacher and student.
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Take the 3 Friends Challenge
When using Coffee Chats to kickstart a conversation about spiritual things, why not consider the 3 Friends Challenge? This circle of friends includes you, a non-Christian friend and an accountability partner who encourages you along the way.