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02-25-2008, 02:10 PM
THE TWELVE STEP RECOVERY PROGRAM
1. I admit that I am powerless over the effects of my
separation or lack of fellowship with God, and that my life has become
unmanageable.
2. I believe that the power of Jesus Christ, through the working of the
Holy Spirit, will restore me to sanity.
3. I will make a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of
God.
4. I will take a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself.
5. I will admit to God, to myself, and to another human being,the exact
nature of my wrongs.
6. I will become entirely ready to have God remove all of my defects of
character.
7. I will humbly ask Him to remove them.
8. I will make a list of all persons I have harmed, and become willing to
make amends to them all.
9. I will make direct amends to such people wherever possible,except when
to do so would injure them or others.
10. I will continue to take a daily personal inventory, and when I am
wrong, I will try to promptly admit it.
11. I will seek through prayer and meditation to improve my conscious
contact with God, praying only for the knowledge of His will for me and the
power to carry it out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, I will
try to carry this message to others and I will try to practice these
principles in all of my affairs.
ARE YOU READY?
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.
Even though this sentence is read at least once in almost every meeting of
a particular twelve step group, it is usually ignored thereafter, or if
discussed, it's interpretation becomes the view of the individual speaking
at the time.
For myself, if I was desperate, or dying, I would want to know what the
original people meant by it, and what path were they talking about. The
path to the candy store,the path through the woods, or the path to God? I
think anyone with common sense would choose the latter.
And as was stated in the introduction, after researching the spiritual
beliefs of the founders and thus subsequently searching the Holy
Scriptures, I am convinced that the higher power they talk about is Jesus
Christ. And He said: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can get
to the father except through me". John 14:6
If you presently do not have faith in Jesus, or have very little, then you
can ride on my faith until you are through the steps.
The first three steps are about making your peace with God. Step One is
recognizing your brokenness. Step Two is about the birth of faith in you.
And step Three involves a decision to let God be in charge of your life.
Steps Four through Seven are about making peace with ourselves. Step Four
involves self-examination. Step Five is the discipline of confession. Step
Six is an inner transformation sometimes called repentance. Step Seven
involves the transformation or purification of our character. Steps Eight
through Ten are about peace with others. Step Eight involves examining our
relationships and preparing ourselves to make amends. Step Nine is the
discipline of making amends. Step Ten is about maintaining progress in
recovery. Steps Eleven and Twelve help us keep the peace we have
established. Step Eleven involves the spiritual disciplines of prayer and
meditation. Step Twelve is about ministry.
The original founders of these steps said that they tried to find an easier
softer way, but they couldn't. And they beg everyone to be fearless and
thorough from the very start, because half measures will avail you nothing.
Now it is time to ask yourself, who's the boss - you, or the problems you
are facing? Have mostly all phases of your life become unmanageable because
of these problems?
It stands to reason that if you can't manage your life then you need
someone who can. So another words, you need a new manager!
But first, you must ask yourself these questions: 1) What am I willing to
do to get rid of the problem? 2) What am I willing to do to get rid of the
effects the problem has had on my life? 3) When do I want to get better -
to recover?
If your answer is ANYTHING, and you feel you are ready, without question,
to go all the way, then your new manager will be able to take care of your
life.
LET'S BEGIN
STEP ONE
Ask the person to tell you something about themselves and what they believe
their problem or problems are. Try to keep their talk down to about fifteen
minutes.
When they finish, ask them the following question: Do you believe that no
human power can relieve your problem, and that God can and will if He were
sought?
If they answer no, or maybe, then ask them if they are willing to accept
your faith in God in order that they may be helped. If they are not willing
to accept your faith then you cannot go any further,then tell them to come
back to you when they are ready.
If the answer is yes, then tell them you are now going to begin to seek
God.
Hand them the bible and and have them begin reading
Genesis 16:1-15
Judges 16:1-31
Kings 5:1-15
Job 6:2-13
Mark 10:13-16
Acts 9:1-9
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Tell them that if they are to find God, the desire must come from within.
Then ask: __NAME___ do you admit that you are powerless over your
circumstances and that your life is unmanageable? And that you have acted
in a manner that is not very sane?
Then tell them they must come to believe in a power greater than themselves
to manage their life. A power that can bring sanity back to the way they
live.
STEP TWO
Ask them if they are ready to believe in a power greater than themselves.
If the answer is no, then tell them to come back to you when they are
ready. If the answer is yes, then begin reading
Job 14:1-6
Daniel 4:19-33
Mark 5:1-13
Luke 8:43-48
Luke 15:11-24
Romans 1:18-20
Hebrews 11:1-10
STEP THREE
Since you made the decision that you needed to come under new management
because your own managing got you nowhere, you are now ready to turn your
life and your will over to the care of your new power and new manager Jesus
Christ. He will take care of you and manage your life.
The both of you get down on your knees. They place both of their hands on
the bible. You place one of your hands on top of their hands and the other
hand on top of their head. You say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, this
is _NAME_ (he)(she) is coming to you in all humility to ask you to guide
and direct (him)(her).
_NAME__ realizes that (his)(her) life is messed up and
unmanageable. _NAME__ is coming to you Lord in all humility
to ask to be one of your children - to work for you, to serve and dedicate
(his)(her) life to you and to turn (his)(her) will over that(he)(she) may
be an instrument of your love.
You have them repeat the following prayers along with you.
God the Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth. Jesus Christ, I ask you to come into my heart. I give you my life
and my will, and pray that your perfect will be done for me today.
God, I offer myself to thee - to build me and to do with me as thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do thy will. Take away
my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would
help of thy power, thy love, and thy way of life. May I do thy will always.
Lord Jesus Christ, I know you love me because you died on the
cross bearing my sins. Thank you Lord, for revealing to me my
lost sinful condition. I confess that I am a sinner, dead in sin, and
cannot save myself. I do now, by faith, gladly accept you as my personal
savior, and thank you Dear Lord for eternal salvation.
Lord, I ask that you guide and direct me, and that I have decided to turn
my life and will over to you. To serve you and to dedicate my life to you.
I ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Numbers 23:18-24
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 61:1-8
Isaiah 54:4-8
Matthew 11:27-30
Acts 17:23-28
James 4:7-10
STEP FOUR
The attached fourth step format is just that - a format. Some
categories may take several pages and others may take only one. It usually
depends upon how honest you are and how much you can recall. The inventory
should take no longer than a month to complete. You may read or give the
inventory to a priest,rabbi,minister, trusted friend, or nobody. The
important thing is that you do it before you go on to the next step. If you
have trouble doing it,then say this prayer: "Jesus, I can't do this, I do
not want to do this,please do it for me!".
This is just a format. You can arrange your format in anyway you wish. The
only exception is that you must use the same
topics in the format. For example; Under the category Sex Partners, you
must list everyone that you can remember, the name of the person is what is
required, if you wish to expand on it and tell stories about each one, then
it is up to you. You can do this Step in only a couple of pages or you can
write a book. It is all up to you and how you want to do it. My inventory
was twenty pages. The “Shout Out” column is for what you are feeling as you
are remembering and making each entry. For example; if you are feeling
anger, then put that down in the “Shout Out” column. The key hear is to see
what emotion is brought up in you by what person or event.
Friends or Family that you lived with.
People that you worked with and socialized with.
Your means of Support.
Lies that you told or Truths withheld.
Resentments toward People and or Institutions.
Sex Partners.
Fears and Obsessions
Events that were too embarrassing to remember.
SHOUT OUT
Events that you wished had never happened, and no one was to ever know.
Now that you took a searching and fearless moral inventory, is there
anything that is "burning you", something that you did that you have never
told anyone about?
There are 21 character defects I am going to ask you about. Look at your
Fourth Step and tell me if the particular defect applies to you. It is not
necessary to go into detail on every one of the defects, however, that is
all up to you. All is asked is that you be honest and admit your defects to
yourself,to me, and to God, ("For where two or more have gathered together
in my name, there I am in their midst".) Matthew 18:20 By admitting your
defects, you will be taking Step Five.
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Genesis 38:1-30
Hosea 11:8-11
Amos 7:7-8
John 8:3-11
Acts 26:12-18
Romans 2:14-15
Galatians 6:7-10
LIST OF DEFECTS
1. Self - Pity
2. Self - Justification
3. Self - Importance
4. Self - Condemnation
5. Dishonesty
6. Impatient
7. Resentments
8. False Pride
9. Jealousy
10. Envy
11. Laziness
12. Procrastination
13. Insincerity
14. Negative Thinking
15. Immoral Thinking
16. Criticizing
17. Fear
18. Greed
19. Stealing
20. Lust
21. Loose Talk & Gossip
Now that you've admitted these defects, don't you want to get rid of them?
These same defects caused your life to be unmanageable. How can you ask God
to get rid of the things you did in your past? YOU CAN'T!! You can ask Him
to get rid of the defects which caused you to act in the manner you did.
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Genesis 23: 1-4
Genesis 35:19-21
Psalm 51: 16-19
Isaiah 55:1-9
Jonah 4:4-8
John 5: 1-15
Romans 6: 5-11
Philippines 3:12-14
Practically everybody wishes to be rid of his most glaring and destructive
defects. No one wants to be so proud that he is scorned as a braggart, nor
so greedy that he is labeled a thief. No one wants to be angry enough to
murder, lustful enough to rape, gluttonous enough to ruin his health. No
one wants to be agonized by chronic envy or paralyzed by sloth.Of course,
most of us don't suffer these effects at these levels, and because of that
we are apt to congratulate ourselves. Yet can we? After all, hasn't it been
self-interest that has helped caused our demise? Not much spiritual effort
is involved in avoiding things which will bring us punishment anyway. But
when we face up to the less violent aspects of these very same defects,
where do we stand then? Change is the characteristic of all growth. From
dishonesty to honesty, from conflict to serenity, from hate to love, from
childish dependence to adult responsibility. Therefore,step six can be seen
as our willingness to discard bad or ineffective principles in favor of
good ones that work.
Are you ENTIRELY ready (not almost, just about,not some) to get rid of
these defects? Are you ready to get rid of them ALL, even the ones that are fun?
Remember, you turned your life and will over to Him in Step Three.
STEP SEVEN
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Isaiah 57:12-19
Jeremiah 18:1-6
Luke 11:5-12
Luke 18:1-14
Romans 3:23-28
Philippines 2:5-9
1John 5:11-15
Now you must humbly ask that your defects be removed, those that you
admitted to in Step Five.
Both on Knees:
Lord, here is your child, _Name__, (he) (she) is coming to you in all
humility to humbly ask your forgiveness, believing that anything (he) (she)
asks in prayer, (he)(she) humbly shall receive.
Repeat After Me:
I __Name__, humbly ask you oh Lord, to remove my shortcomings and forgive
me of my sins and ask in all humility that you will remove my defects
because I am one of your children and I truly believe.My Defects are: (Read
the List Admitted To)
Thank you Jesus, Thank You Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Amen, Amen, Amen.
My creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad.
I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which
stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me
strength, as I go out from here to do your bidding. Praise God, thank you
Jesus, Praise God, thank you Jesus, Praise God, thank you Jesus!
STEP EIGHT
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Exodus 22: 10-15
Leviticus 4: 1-28
Leviticus 16: 20-22
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12
Matthew 18: 23-35
2 Corinthians 2: 5-8
Galatians 6: 7-10
Now go back to the Fourth Step and look for all people you have harmed,
starting with yourself, family, friends, employers, etc. Write down next to
the persons name what character defect or defects were operating in your
relationship with them. You have the list of defects you admitted to in
your Fifth Step.
You must become willing to make amends to all of the people on your list.
If there is a certain person or persons in whom you are not willing to make
amends to, then you must pray and ask God for the willingness. You must
become willing before you can go any further in the steps.
Once you have the willingness to make amends to them all, then we will get
together and discuss each one of them.
STEP NINE
Go over all the people or institutions that are in the eight step list you
created.All amends that are possible, must be made before you can go any
further in the steps.This is the step, that separates the men from the
boys,(or women from the girls),and the amount of finished amends that you
do will have a direct effect on how well you recover and stay recovered.
If at all possible, the amends must be done directly to the
person or institution, no phone calls, or letters. An important part of the
healing power in this step, is when you see the reaction of those whom you
have harmed, by showing them that you are taking responsibility for your
actions.
Whether the person harmed you (real or imagined) is not
important. You are the person who needs to get well. There is no
justification for your previous wrong doing towards them.
There are some reasons why an amends cannot be made directly in person;
1)the person is dead-pray to God for forgiveness.2)you owe more money than
you can pay back at this time-try to begin by paying off small debts, then
pay small amounts on each of the larger ones until they are finally paid
off. 3)the person lives too far away and you have no means to get to
them-pray to God for forgiveness, but keep the person on your list in case
the day comes when you will have the means to go to them. 4)if making
amends would harm the person-if you do not feel spiritually fit to make a
certain amends, then do not do it. Pray about it, and also talk about it to
your sponsor, friend, priest, counselor, or Rabbi. For example; if you
cheated on your wife, and you know that confessing to her will hurt her and
possibly breakup your marriage, then you are better off if you begin to
walk the walk instead of talking the talk. 5)if making amends would harm
others-for example; if you believe that your amends may put you in jail and
that would mean your wife and children would be without a father and
provider-then try to make the amends anonymously by making contributions to
them, or by leaving the money in their mailbox, or you can give something
to your favorite charity. These type of situations will not prevent you
from finishing the rest of the steps.
As you can see, this is one of the most sensitive and difficult steps.
Besides the Fourth, this is the step that most people balk at the most. But
remember, the willingness to make the amends is usually the hardest hurdle
to overcome.
The following three things must be done before venturing out on any amends.
1)Make sure the person or others will not be harmed by your amends. 2)Talk
to someone about the amends. Because what comes to us alone may be our own
rationalization and wishful thinking. 3) Say the following prayer.
Lord, make me a channel of they peace-that where there is hatred, I may
bring love-that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of
forgiveness- that where there is discord, I may bring harmony-that where
there is error, I may bring truth-that where there is doubt, I may bring
faith, that where there is despair, I may bring hope-that where there are
shadows, I may bring light-that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted
understand, than to be understood-to love, than to be loved. For it is by
self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. it
is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
Bible Reading For Step Nine
2 Samuel 9:1-9
Ezekiel 33:10-16
Matthew 5:23-25
Luke 19:1-10
Philemon 1:13-16
1Peter 2:18-25
OUR FATHER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
May your name be kept holy,
May your kingdom come,
May your will be done,
On this earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today, the food we need,
And forgive us our wrongs,
As we forgive,
The wrongs that others have done us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one,
For thine is the kingdom,
The power
And the glory,
Forever and ever,
Amen
Step Ten
Practice taking your personal inventory nightly-did you harm anyone, had
you done something wrong? Do you deserve a gold star or a black mark? Ask
forgiveness honestly,and all is forgiven by the Lord-clean slate.
If you were wrong, try to promptly admit it. Try to deal with your life by
using the Four Absolutes; Absolute Love, Absolute Honesty, Absolute
Unselfishness,Absolute Purity.
Did you act out of love? Were you honest? Were you unselfish? Were your
motives pure?
Remember, we still have free will and the right to choose. We can bring
back any of our character defects that God had healed us of in the Seventh
Step. The purpose of this step is to recognize them as quickly as possible
when they do occur.
Take a look at the character defect list again. Put a positive attribute
next to them. These are the things you should be striving for in your
relationships.
We should have no fear of doing this. Our growth as individuals has
depended upon this healthy process of trial and error. And good intentions,
good thoughts, and good acts are also there for us to see. Even when we
have tried hard and failed, we may see this as one of the best things of
all.
Tenth Step Bible Reading
Romans 5:3-5
Ephesians 4:26-27
1Timothy 4:7-8
2Timothy 2;1-8
James 1:21-25
1John 1:8-10
Step Eleven
Prayer is talking to God-Meditation is listening to Him.Pray, go to church,
and read the Bible. Get to know the Word of God so that you will better
understand it when you meditate. Meditation is one of first requirements in
our quest for spiritual growth.
How do you Pray? I pray in a variety of ways. My prayers usually start out
with words to God, or regular prayers like the Our Father, Act of
Contrition, and Serenity Prayer. Then I may read a passage of scripture and
meditate on it for a few minutes until I start praising and thanking Him. I
also start out praying on my knees.
How do you Meditate? I prefer to be lying down. I keep my legs straight and
my arms by my side. I then begin to breathe deeply for a few minutes. I try
to allow God to take any thoughts or feelings I may have, and replace them
with His.Before I knew who God was,I used to do this and ask Him to reveal
Himself to me. So, I know that meditation is a good way to seek God, and to
get your prayers answered.
Pray, Meditate, and seek the guidance of God. “Thy will, not mine be done”.
Step Eleven Bible Readings
2 Samuel 22:1-33
Psalm 27:1-6
Psalm 65:1-4
Psalm 105:1-9
Psalm 119:1-11
Psalm 49:3
Psalm 63:5-6
Psalm 119:97
Psalm 119:99
Psalm 119:148
Genesis 24:63
Josh 1:8
1Timothy 4:15
Isaiah 40:28-31
John 3:18-21
Step Twelve
This program is not dependent upon winning friends and influencing people.
If a person balks, or begins to ask questions, then they are not
ready.However, you can tell them that if they are willing to go through the
rest of the steps-blindly without question, then you can continue. If they
are still hesitant, then stop and tell them you will continue when they are
ready. If you believe that a person is ready to go through these steps-then
you must not hesitate.
There are Four Phases to the Steps: Step One: Admission, Steps Two-Seven:
Submission,
Steps Eight & Nine: Restitution, Steps Ten, Eleven & Twelve: The Living
Steps,
construction and maintenance.
A spiritual awakening is “THE RESULT” of working, doing, and living, “ALL”
of the 12
steps; then you have a message to carry to others. There is no message
unless you have
done the first Nine Steps and are Living in the last three.
You can’t give away what you don’t have, you must try to practice these
principles in all
your affairs.
Now its your responsibility to give this message to others as you have
received it-not changed, watered down, or how others may want it in their
lives.
There is no easier softer way---this is it. This is the PROGRAM OF RECOVERY
as it
was in the 1930’s in Ohio.
You can and do recover. You don’t have to stay sick---You can and do get
well!!!!
Step Twelve Bible Readings
Isaiah 61:1-3
Mark 16:14-18
John 15:5-15
Acts 8:26-40
1timothy 4:14-16
Titus 3:1-5
1Peter 4:1-4
THIS IS THE SOLUTION. THIS IS HOW IT WORKS
Received in email
1. I admit that I am powerless over the effects of my
separation or lack of fellowship with God, and that my life has become
unmanageable.
2. I believe that the power of Jesus Christ, through the working of the
Holy Spirit, will restore me to sanity.
3. I will make a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of
God.
4. I will take a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself.
5. I will admit to God, to myself, and to another human being,the exact
nature of my wrongs.
6. I will become entirely ready to have God remove all of my defects of
character.
7. I will humbly ask Him to remove them.
8. I will make a list of all persons I have harmed, and become willing to
make amends to them all.
9. I will make direct amends to such people wherever possible,except when
to do so would injure them or others.
10. I will continue to take a daily personal inventory, and when I am
wrong, I will try to promptly admit it.
11. I will seek through prayer and meditation to improve my conscious
contact with God, praying only for the knowledge of His will for me and the
power to carry it out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, I will
try to carry this message to others and I will try to practice these
principles in all of my affairs.
ARE YOU READY?
Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.
Even though this sentence is read at least once in almost every meeting of
a particular twelve step group, it is usually ignored thereafter, or if
discussed, it's interpretation becomes the view of the individual speaking
at the time.
For myself, if I was desperate, or dying, I would want to know what the
original people meant by it, and what path were they talking about. The
path to the candy store,the path through the woods, or the path to God? I
think anyone with common sense would choose the latter.
And as was stated in the introduction, after researching the spiritual
beliefs of the founders and thus subsequently searching the Holy
Scriptures, I am convinced that the higher power they talk about is Jesus
Christ. And He said: "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can get
to the father except through me". John 14:6
If you presently do not have faith in Jesus, or have very little, then you
can ride on my faith until you are through the steps.
The first three steps are about making your peace with God. Step One is
recognizing your brokenness. Step Two is about the birth of faith in you.
And step Three involves a decision to let God be in charge of your life.
Steps Four through Seven are about making peace with ourselves. Step Four
involves self-examination. Step Five is the discipline of confession. Step
Six is an inner transformation sometimes called repentance. Step Seven
involves the transformation or purification of our character. Steps Eight
through Ten are about peace with others. Step Eight involves examining our
relationships and preparing ourselves to make amends. Step Nine is the
discipline of making amends. Step Ten is about maintaining progress in
recovery. Steps Eleven and Twelve help us keep the peace we have
established. Step Eleven involves the spiritual disciplines of prayer and
meditation. Step Twelve is about ministry.
The original founders of these steps said that they tried to find an easier
softer way, but they couldn't. And they beg everyone to be fearless and
thorough from the very start, because half measures will avail you nothing.
Now it is time to ask yourself, who's the boss - you, or the problems you
are facing? Have mostly all phases of your life become unmanageable because
of these problems?
It stands to reason that if you can't manage your life then you need
someone who can. So another words, you need a new manager!
But first, you must ask yourself these questions: 1) What am I willing to
do to get rid of the problem? 2) What am I willing to do to get rid of the
effects the problem has had on my life? 3) When do I want to get better -
to recover?
If your answer is ANYTHING, and you feel you are ready, without question,
to go all the way, then your new manager will be able to take care of your
life.
LET'S BEGIN
STEP ONE
Ask the person to tell you something about themselves and what they believe
their problem or problems are. Try to keep their talk down to about fifteen
minutes.
When they finish, ask them the following question: Do you believe that no
human power can relieve your problem, and that God can and will if He were
sought?
If they answer no, or maybe, then ask them if they are willing to accept
your faith in God in order that they may be helped. If they are not willing
to accept your faith then you cannot go any further,then tell them to come
back to you when they are ready.
If the answer is yes, then tell them you are now going to begin to seek
God.
Hand them the bible and and have them begin reading
Genesis 16:1-15
Judges 16:1-31
Kings 5:1-15
Job 6:2-13
Mark 10:13-16
Acts 9:1-9
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
Tell them that if they are to find God, the desire must come from within.
Then ask: __NAME___ do you admit that you are powerless over your
circumstances and that your life is unmanageable? And that you have acted
in a manner that is not very sane?
Then tell them they must come to believe in a power greater than themselves
to manage their life. A power that can bring sanity back to the way they
live.
STEP TWO
Ask them if they are ready to believe in a power greater than themselves.
If the answer is no, then tell them to come back to you when they are
ready. If the answer is yes, then begin reading
Job 14:1-6
Daniel 4:19-33
Mark 5:1-13
Luke 8:43-48
Luke 15:11-24
Romans 1:18-20
Hebrews 11:1-10
STEP THREE
Since you made the decision that you needed to come under new management
because your own managing got you nowhere, you are now ready to turn your
life and your will over to the care of your new power and new manager Jesus
Christ. He will take care of you and manage your life.
The both of you get down on your knees. They place both of their hands on
the bible. You place one of your hands on top of their hands and the other
hand on top of their head. You say the following prayer: Lord Jesus, this
is _NAME_ (he)(she) is coming to you in all humility to ask you to guide
and direct (him)(her).
_NAME__ realizes that (his)(her) life is messed up and
unmanageable. _NAME__ is coming to you Lord in all humility
to ask to be one of your children - to work for you, to serve and dedicate
(his)(her) life to you and to turn (his)(her) will over that(he)(she) may
be an instrument of your love.
You have them repeat the following prayers along with you.
God the Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth. Jesus Christ, I ask you to come into my heart. I give you my life
and my will, and pray that your perfect will be done for me today.
God, I offer myself to thee - to build me and to do with me as thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do thy will. Take away
my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would
help of thy power, thy love, and thy way of life. May I do thy will always.
Lord Jesus Christ, I know you love me because you died on the
cross bearing my sins. Thank you Lord, for revealing to me my
lost sinful condition. I confess that I am a sinner, dead in sin, and
cannot save myself. I do now, by faith, gladly accept you as my personal
savior, and thank you Dear Lord for eternal salvation.
Lord, I ask that you guide and direct me, and that I have decided to turn
my life and will over to you. To serve you and to dedicate my life to you.
I ask all this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Numbers 23:18-24
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Psalm 61:1-8
Isaiah 54:4-8
Matthew 11:27-30
Acts 17:23-28
James 4:7-10
STEP FOUR
The attached fourth step format is just that - a format. Some
categories may take several pages and others may take only one. It usually
depends upon how honest you are and how much you can recall. The inventory
should take no longer than a month to complete. You may read or give the
inventory to a priest,rabbi,minister, trusted friend, or nobody. The
important thing is that you do it before you go on to the next step. If you
have trouble doing it,then say this prayer: "Jesus, I can't do this, I do
not want to do this,please do it for me!".
This is just a format. You can arrange your format in anyway you wish. The
only exception is that you must use the same
topics in the format. For example; Under the category Sex Partners, you
must list everyone that you can remember, the name of the person is what is
required, if you wish to expand on it and tell stories about each one, then
it is up to you. You can do this Step in only a couple of pages or you can
write a book. It is all up to you and how you want to do it. My inventory
was twenty pages. The “Shout Out” column is for what you are feeling as you
are remembering and making each entry. For example; if you are feeling
anger, then put that down in the “Shout Out” column. The key hear is to see
what emotion is brought up in you by what person or event.
Friends or Family that you lived with.
People that you worked with and socialized with.
Your means of Support.
Lies that you told or Truths withheld.
Resentments toward People and or Institutions.
Sex Partners.
Fears and Obsessions
Events that were too embarrassing to remember.
SHOUT OUT
Events that you wished had never happened, and no one was to ever know.
Now that you took a searching and fearless moral inventory, is there
anything that is "burning you", something that you did that you have never
told anyone about?
There are 21 character defects I am going to ask you about. Look at your
Fourth Step and tell me if the particular defect applies to you. It is not
necessary to go into detail on every one of the defects, however, that is
all up to you. All is asked is that you be honest and admit your defects to
yourself,to me, and to God, ("For where two or more have gathered together
in my name, there I am in their midst".) Matthew 18:20 By admitting your
defects, you will be taking Step Five.
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Genesis 38:1-30
Hosea 11:8-11
Amos 7:7-8
John 8:3-11
Acts 26:12-18
Romans 2:14-15
Galatians 6:7-10
LIST OF DEFECTS
1. Self - Pity
2. Self - Justification
3. Self - Importance
4. Self - Condemnation
5. Dishonesty
6. Impatient
7. Resentments
8. False Pride
9. Jealousy
10. Envy
11. Laziness
12. Procrastination
13. Insincerity
14. Negative Thinking
15. Immoral Thinking
16. Criticizing
17. Fear
18. Greed
19. Stealing
20. Lust
21. Loose Talk & Gossip
Now that you've admitted these defects, don't you want to get rid of them?
These same defects caused your life to be unmanageable. How can you ask God
to get rid of the things you did in your past? YOU CAN'T!! You can ask Him
to get rid of the defects which caused you to act in the manner you did.
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Genesis 23: 1-4
Genesis 35:19-21
Psalm 51: 16-19
Isaiah 55:1-9
Jonah 4:4-8
John 5: 1-15
Romans 6: 5-11
Philippines 3:12-14
Practically everybody wishes to be rid of his most glaring and destructive
defects. No one wants to be so proud that he is scorned as a braggart, nor
so greedy that he is labeled a thief. No one wants to be angry enough to
murder, lustful enough to rape, gluttonous enough to ruin his health. No
one wants to be agonized by chronic envy or paralyzed by sloth.Of course,
most of us don't suffer these effects at these levels, and because of that
we are apt to congratulate ourselves. Yet can we? After all, hasn't it been
self-interest that has helped caused our demise? Not much spiritual effort
is involved in avoiding things which will bring us punishment anyway. But
when we face up to the less violent aspects of these very same defects,
where do we stand then? Change is the characteristic of all growth. From
dishonesty to honesty, from conflict to serenity, from hate to love, from
childish dependence to adult responsibility. Therefore,step six can be seen
as our willingness to discard bad or ineffective principles in favor of
good ones that work.
Are you ENTIRELY ready (not almost, just about,not some) to get rid of
these defects? Are you ready to get rid of them ALL, even the ones that are fun?
Remember, you turned your life and will over to Him in Step Three.
STEP SEVEN
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Isaiah 57:12-19
Jeremiah 18:1-6
Luke 11:5-12
Luke 18:1-14
Romans 3:23-28
Philippines 2:5-9
1John 5:11-15
Now you must humbly ask that your defects be removed, those that you
admitted to in Step Five.
Both on Knees:
Lord, here is your child, _Name__, (he) (she) is coming to you in all
humility to humbly ask your forgiveness, believing that anything (he) (she)
asks in prayer, (he)(she) humbly shall receive.
Repeat After Me:
I __Name__, humbly ask you oh Lord, to remove my shortcomings and forgive
me of my sins and ask in all humility that you will remove my defects
because I am one of your children and I truly believe.My Defects are: (Read
the List Admitted To)
Thank you Jesus, Thank You Jesus, Thank you Jesus, Amen, Amen, Amen.
My creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad.
I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which
stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me
strength, as I go out from here to do your bidding. Praise God, thank you
Jesus, Praise God, thank you Jesus, Praise God, thank you Jesus!
STEP EIGHT
Go back to the bible and begin reading
Exodus 22: 10-15
Leviticus 4: 1-28
Leviticus 16: 20-22
Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12
Matthew 18: 23-35
2 Corinthians 2: 5-8
Galatians 6: 7-10
Now go back to the Fourth Step and look for all people you have harmed,
starting with yourself, family, friends, employers, etc. Write down next to
the persons name what character defect or defects were operating in your
relationship with them. You have the list of defects you admitted to in
your Fifth Step.
You must become willing to make amends to all of the people on your list.
If there is a certain person or persons in whom you are not willing to make
amends to, then you must pray and ask God for the willingness. You must
become willing before you can go any further in the steps.
Once you have the willingness to make amends to them all, then we will get
together and discuss each one of them.
STEP NINE
Go over all the people or institutions that are in the eight step list you
created.All amends that are possible, must be made before you can go any
further in the steps.This is the step, that separates the men from the
boys,(or women from the girls),and the amount of finished amends that you
do will have a direct effect on how well you recover and stay recovered.
If at all possible, the amends must be done directly to the
person or institution, no phone calls, or letters. An important part of the
healing power in this step, is when you see the reaction of those whom you
have harmed, by showing them that you are taking responsibility for your
actions.
Whether the person harmed you (real or imagined) is not
important. You are the person who needs to get well. There is no
justification for your previous wrong doing towards them.
There are some reasons why an amends cannot be made directly in person;
1)the person is dead-pray to God for forgiveness.2)you owe more money than
you can pay back at this time-try to begin by paying off small debts, then
pay small amounts on each of the larger ones until they are finally paid
off. 3)the person lives too far away and you have no means to get to
them-pray to God for forgiveness, but keep the person on your list in case
the day comes when you will have the means to go to them. 4)if making
amends would harm the person-if you do not feel spiritually fit to make a
certain amends, then do not do it. Pray about it, and also talk about it to
your sponsor, friend, priest, counselor, or Rabbi. For example; if you
cheated on your wife, and you know that confessing to her will hurt her and
possibly breakup your marriage, then you are better off if you begin to
walk the walk instead of talking the talk. 5)if making amends would harm
others-for example; if you believe that your amends may put you in jail and
that would mean your wife and children would be without a father and
provider-then try to make the amends anonymously by making contributions to
them, or by leaving the money in their mailbox, or you can give something
to your favorite charity. These type of situations will not prevent you
from finishing the rest of the steps.
As you can see, this is one of the most sensitive and difficult steps.
Besides the Fourth, this is the step that most people balk at the most. But
remember, the willingness to make the amends is usually the hardest hurdle
to overcome.
The following three things must be done before venturing out on any amends.
1)Make sure the person or others will not be harmed by your amends. 2)Talk
to someone about the amends. Because what comes to us alone may be our own
rationalization and wishful thinking. 3) Say the following prayer.
Lord, make me a channel of they peace-that where there is hatred, I may
bring love-that where there is wrong, I may bring the spirit of
forgiveness- that where there is discord, I may bring harmony-that where
there is error, I may bring truth-that where there is doubt, I may bring
faith, that where there is despair, I may bring hope-that where there are
shadows, I may bring light-that where there is sadness, I may bring joy.
Lord, grant that I may seek rather to comfort than to be comforted
understand, than to be understood-to love, than to be loved. For it is by
self-forgetting that one finds. It is by forgiving that one is forgiven. it
is by dying that one awakens to Eternal Life.
Bible Reading For Step Nine
2 Samuel 9:1-9
Ezekiel 33:10-16
Matthew 5:23-25
Luke 19:1-10
Philemon 1:13-16
1Peter 2:18-25
OUR FATHER
Our Father, who art in heaven,
May your name be kept holy,
May your kingdom come,
May your will be done,
On this earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today, the food we need,
And forgive us our wrongs,
As we forgive,
The wrongs that others have done us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one,
For thine is the kingdom,
The power
And the glory,
Forever and ever,
Amen
Step Ten
Practice taking your personal inventory nightly-did you harm anyone, had
you done something wrong? Do you deserve a gold star or a black mark? Ask
forgiveness honestly,and all is forgiven by the Lord-clean slate.
If you were wrong, try to promptly admit it. Try to deal with your life by
using the Four Absolutes; Absolute Love, Absolute Honesty, Absolute
Unselfishness,Absolute Purity.
Did you act out of love? Were you honest? Were you unselfish? Were your
motives pure?
Remember, we still have free will and the right to choose. We can bring
back any of our character defects that God had healed us of in the Seventh
Step. The purpose of this step is to recognize them as quickly as possible
when they do occur.
Take a look at the character defect list again. Put a positive attribute
next to them. These are the things you should be striving for in your
relationships.
We should have no fear of doing this. Our growth as individuals has
depended upon this healthy process of trial and error. And good intentions,
good thoughts, and good acts are also there for us to see. Even when we
have tried hard and failed, we may see this as one of the best things of
all.
Tenth Step Bible Reading
Romans 5:3-5
Ephesians 4:26-27
1Timothy 4:7-8
2Timothy 2;1-8
James 1:21-25
1John 1:8-10
Step Eleven
Prayer is talking to God-Meditation is listening to Him.Pray, go to church,
and read the Bible. Get to know the Word of God so that you will better
understand it when you meditate. Meditation is one of first requirements in
our quest for spiritual growth.
How do you Pray? I pray in a variety of ways. My prayers usually start out
with words to God, or regular prayers like the Our Father, Act of
Contrition, and Serenity Prayer. Then I may read a passage of scripture and
meditate on it for a few minutes until I start praising and thanking Him. I
also start out praying on my knees.
How do you Meditate? I prefer to be lying down. I keep my legs straight and
my arms by my side. I then begin to breathe deeply for a few minutes. I try
to allow God to take any thoughts or feelings I may have, and replace them
with His.Before I knew who God was,I used to do this and ask Him to reveal
Himself to me. So, I know that meditation is a good way to seek God, and to
get your prayers answered.
Pray, Meditate, and seek the guidance of God. “Thy will, not mine be done”.
Step Eleven Bible Readings
2 Samuel 22:1-33
Psalm 27:1-6
Psalm 65:1-4
Psalm 105:1-9
Psalm 119:1-11
Psalm 49:3
Psalm 63:5-6
Psalm 119:97
Psalm 119:99
Psalm 119:148
Genesis 24:63
Josh 1:8
1Timothy 4:15
Isaiah 40:28-31
John 3:18-21
Step Twelve
This program is not dependent upon winning friends and influencing people.
If a person balks, or begins to ask questions, then they are not
ready.However, you can tell them that if they are willing to go through the
rest of the steps-blindly without question, then you can continue. If they
are still hesitant, then stop and tell them you will continue when they are
ready. If you believe that a person is ready to go through these steps-then
you must not hesitate.
There are Four Phases to the Steps: Step One: Admission, Steps Two-Seven:
Submission,
Steps Eight & Nine: Restitution, Steps Ten, Eleven & Twelve: The Living
Steps,
construction and maintenance.
A spiritual awakening is “THE RESULT” of working, doing, and living, “ALL”
of the 12
steps; then you have a message to carry to others. There is no message
unless you have
done the first Nine Steps and are Living in the last three.
You can’t give away what you don’t have, you must try to practice these
principles in all
your affairs.
Now its your responsibility to give this message to others as you have
received it-not changed, watered down, or how others may want it in their
lives.
There is no easier softer way---this is it. This is the PROGRAM OF RECOVERY
as it
was in the 1930’s in Ohio.
You can and do recover. You don’t have to stay sick---You can and do get
well!!!!
Step Twelve Bible Readings
Isaiah 61:1-3
Mark 16:14-18
John 15:5-15
Acts 8:26-40
1timothy 4:14-16
Titus 3:1-5
1Peter 4:1-4
THIS IS THE SOLUTION. THIS IS HOW IT WORKS
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