The 12 Steps

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Before you take the 12 Steps…

If you want to learn how to recover from addiction, find someone that has recovered and ask them how they did it.  The 12 Steps are designed to be taken under the guidance of a “Sponsor” or “Mentor” that has taken the steps and is actively living them out in his life on a day-to-day basis, especially Step 12 (carrying the message to others), by sponsoring one or more men himself.  We recommend you find someone that fits these criterion:

 

  • Is a mature, Christ-following man
  • Has at least 90 days of sobriety himself
  • Has taken the 12 Steps of Recovery himself
  • Is willing and able to sponsor someone

 

The 12 Steps are of little to no value when taken ALONE because the very purpose of the steps is to BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS with SELF, GOD and OTHERS.  Want help finding a sponsor that meets the criteria above?  CLICK HERE.

 

Our method of guiding someone through the steps involves reading the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous together (sponsor and sponsee), out loud to each other.  We have found this helps the sponsee build a strong framework within which to work the steps.  It also opens frank discussions between sponsor and sponsee about the nuances of addiction, recovery and how to use the steps in our daily lives.  This is a critical part of effective and healthy spiritual formation.

 

SO – BEFORE YOU BEGIN WORKING THE STEPS:

 

1. Order the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous (4th edition) – ORDER HERE ON AMAZON

 

2, Find a QUALIFIED SPONSOR/MENTOR – If you need help and would like us to refer someone from our network, CLICK HERE

 

 

The 12 Steps to Recovery From Addiction

(Celebrate Recovery version)

 

STEP 1 (HONESTY) – We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.

    • I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.   Romans 7:1

 

STEP 2 (HOPE) – We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

    • For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.   Philippians 2:13 

 

STEP 3 (FAITH) – We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

    • Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.   Romans 12:1

 

STEP 4 (COURAGE) – We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

    • Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.   Lamentations 3:40 

 

STEP 5 (INTEGRITY) – We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

    • Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.   James 5:16

 

STEP 6 (WILLINGNESS) – We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

    • Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.   James 4:10 

 

STEP 7 (HUMILITY) – We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.

    • If we confess our sins, he is faithful and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   1 John 1:9 

 

STEP 8 (DISCIPLINE & ACTION) – We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

    • Do to others as you would have them do to you.   Luke 6:31 

 

STEP 9 (FORGIVENESS) – We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

    • Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.   Matthew 5:23-24

 

STEP 10 (ACCEPTANCE) – We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

    • So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!1 Corinthians 10:12

 

STEP 11 (KNOWLEDGE & AWARENESS) – We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out.

    • Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.   Colossians 3:16

 

STEP 12 (SERVICE AND GRATITUDE) – Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs.

    • Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.   Galatians 6:1

NEXT: Freedom is Within Reach