Step Study Program -- Guide 4

7/28/2019 Step Study Program -- Guide 4

1/58

'f'vu,PoseDrivenA PURPOSE-DRIVEN' RECOVERY RESOURCE

/oHN BIKERFoREwoRD BY Rrcr< WeRRTN

A recovery program basedon eight principles from the Beatitudes

C)e-f e b r'',LieRecovery'I


2/58

L]PDATED EDITION

e eleb rate Recoveryu

Growing in ChristWhile Flelpirg OthersPeRTICIPANT,S GUIDE 4A recov ery prog ram based oneight principles from the Be atttudes

JOFIN BAKERFoREwoRD BY RrcK WnRRENItzoNDERVAN'I

ZONDERVAN.com/AUTHORTRACKERfollow gour favorite quthors


3/58

CoNTENTSForeword by Rick Warren / 7

Introduction / BThe Road to Recovery:

Eight Principles Based on the Beatitudes / I0Twelve Steps and Their Biblical Comparisons / 1l

Sereniry Prayer / 13Celebrate Recoveryt Small Group Guidelines / 14

Lesson L9: Crossroads / 15Lesson 20: Daily Inventory / 27

Lesson 2I: Relap se / 34Lesson 22: Gratitude / 4I

Lesson 23: Give / 48Lesson 24: Yes / 53

Lesson 25: Seven Reasons \7e Get Stuck / 60Afierword / 63


4/58

TFIE RoAD To RECoVERYEight Principles Based on the Be atttudesBy Pastor Rick Warren

1. Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my ten-dency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.'Hnpp! are tltose who hnou they are Eiritually poor."

(Matthew 5:3)2. Earnestly believe that God exisrs, that I matter to Him, and that Hehas the power to help me recover.'Hnpp! are tltose wlto rnourn, for they shall be comforted."(Matthew 5:4)3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christt care andconffol.

"Hnpp! are the meeh." (Matthew 5:5)4. Openly examine and confess my faults to myselfi to God, and tosomeone I trust.

"Hopp! are the pure in heart." (Matthew 5:8)5. Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life andhumbly ask Him to remove my character defects.*Hnpp! are tltose whose greatest desire is to do what God requires."(Matthew 5:6)6. Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurtme and make amends for harm I ve done to others, except when to doso would harm them or others.'Hnpp! are the rnerciful." (Matthew 5:7)'Hnpp! are the peacemakers." (Maxhew 5:9)7. Reserve adily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, andprayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain thepower to follow His will.8. Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others,both by my example and by my words.*Hopp! are tltose who are persecuted becaase they

do what God requires." (Matthew 5:10)IO


5/58

TWELVE STEPS ANDTHEIR BIBLICAL COMPARI SONS-1. 'W'e admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive

behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.'I hnow that nothing good liues in rne, that is, in my sinful nAhl.re.For I haue the desire to do u.,hat is good, but I cannot cdrry it out."

(Rornans 7:18)2. 'We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore

us to sanity."For it is God utho works in you to will and to act according

to his good parPose." (Philippians 2:13)

3. 'We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God."Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in uieut of God's rnerc!, to ffiryour bodies as liuing samifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spirinal act of worship." (Romans 12:1)

4. Ife made a searching and fearless mord inventory of ourselves."Let t6 examine our wdls and test thern, and let as return

to the Lono." (Lamentations 3:40)5. \7e 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 thatyou may be healed." (Jarnes 5:16)6. \(/e were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

"Humble yourselues before the Lord, and he will ffi you up."(Jarnes 4:10)II


6/58

7. Ve humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings."If we confess our sins, he is faithful and jast and willforgiue usour sins andpurifi usfrom all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)

8. 'S7'e made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing tomake amends to them all.

"Do to otlters as you would haue them do to !ou." (Luhe 6:31)9. IU(/e made direct amends to such people whenever possible, exceptwhen to do so would injure them or others.

"Therefore, ifyou are ffiring your gifi at the ahar and thereremember that your brother has something against you, leaue yourgifi there in front of the ahar. First go and be reconciled to lourbrother; then corne and ffir your gxfi." (Matthew 5:23-24)10.'We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrorig,promptly admitted it.

"So, ifyou think you are standingfirm, be carefulthatyou donlfall!" (1 Corinthians I0:12)I 1. 'We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious

contact with God t prayirg only for knowledge of His will for us andpower to carry that out.

"Let the utord of Christ dwell in you richly.'(Coiossians 3:16)12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to

carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all ouraffairs.

"Brotliers, if someone is caught in a sin, yu who are spiritualshould restore hirn gently. But watch yourself, or you abo

may be ternpted." (Galatians 6:1)* Throughout this material, you will notice several references to the Christ-centered 12 Steps. Our

prayer is that Celebrate Recovery will create a bridge to the millions of people who are ftmiliarwith the secular 12 Steps (I acknowledge the use of some materid from the 12 Suggested Stepsof Alcoholics Anonymous) and in so doing, introduce them to the one and only true HigherPower, Jesus Christ. Once they begin that relationship, asking Christ into their hearts as Lordand Savior, true healing and recovery can begin!

T2


7/58

STRENITY PntvERIf you have attended secular recovery programs, you have seen the first

four lines of the "Prayer for Serenity." The following is the complete prayer.I encourage you to pray it daily as you work through the principles!

Prayer for SerenityGod, grant me tlte serenilyto accept the things I cannot change,the courage to change the things I can,and the wisd.om to know the dffirence.Liuing one day at a tirne,enjoying one moment at a tirneiaccepting hardship as a pathutay to peaceitahing, as Jesus did,this sinful world as it is,not lts I utould haue it;nusting thatYou will rnahe all things rightif I sanender to Your wilhso that I may be reasonabh hnppl in this lifeand supremely happy with You foreuer in the next.Amen.

Reinhold Niebuhr

13


8/58

CELEBRATE RECoVERY,SSUALL GROUP GUIDELINES

The following five guidelines will ensure that your small group is asafe place. They need to be read at the beginning of every meeting.

l. Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings. Limityour sharing to three to five minutes.2. There is NO cross tdk. Cross talk is when two individuals engagein conversation excluding all others. Each person is free to expresshis or her feelings without interruptions.3. \7e are here to support one another, not "fix" another.4. Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. \What isshared in the group stays in the group. The only exception is whensomeone threatens to injure themselves or others.5. Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recoverygroup.


9/58

Lesso n 19

CROSSROADSPrinciple 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination,Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will formy life and to gain the power to follow His will.Step l0: 'We continued to take persond inventory and when wewere wrong, promptly admitted it.

"So, ifyou think you are standingfrrn, be careful thatyou donTfall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12)

ThinkAbout ItJesus says, "Ifyou live as I tell you to, . . . you will know the truth, andthe truth will set you free" (John 8:32, TLB). By working the principles

and following Christ's directions, the foundation of your life has beenrebuilt. You will undoubtedly see major changes in your life, ifyou haventalready! But now you are at the CROSSROADS of your recovery.First Corinthians I 0: 12 warns us, "So, ifyou think you are standing firm,be careful that you dont fall!" Steps 10 through 12 (Principles 7 and 8) arewhere we will live out our recoveries for the rest of our time here on earth.They are much more than maintenance steps, as some have referred to them.These are the "how I want to live the rest of my life steps and principles."

As we begin to work Step 101, we will see that it is made up of threekey parts, each one corresponding to the acrostic for this lesson, TEN.1. Please note that though Step I 0 and Principle 7 differ somewhat in their focus, both point toward the same

result: the character and image of Christ in our daily life. This chapter will emphasize the step more thanthe principle, but in no way do we intend to discount the many benefits ofdaily living Principle 7.

r5


10/58

Celebrate Recovery / 16Take time to do a daily inventory

1. The wltat: "We continued to take personal inventory . . ."'Let us examine our wals and test them, and let as return

to the LzRD." (Lamentations 3:40)Evaluate the good and the bad parts of our day

2.The wlty: " . . . and when we were wrong . . .""If we say that we haae no sins, ute are only fooling ourselues, andrefusing to accept the mtth . . . we are lying and calling God a liar

for he sals ue haue sinned." (l John l:8-10, TLB)Need to admit our wrongs promptly

3. The then what " . . . promptly admitted it."'This is how I uant lou to conduct yourself in these matters.Ifyou enter loar place of worship and, about to make an ffiringyou suddenly remernber a grudge afiend has against you, abandon

your ffiring, leaue irnrnedianb go to this friend and mahe thingsright. Then and only tlten, corne bach and work thingsout with God.'(Matthew 5:23-24, MSG)

Practice keeping a daily journal for one week. 'Write out your dailyinventory-the good and the bad. Look for negative patterns, issues thatyou are repeatedly writing down and having to promptly make amendsfor! Share them with your sponsor or accountability partner, and set upan action plan for you-with Godt help and power-to overcome them.


11/58

17 / Lesson 19: CrossroadsWrite About It1. Before you start working on Step 10, take a momenr to reflect and listsome of the changes in your life that have come from working the stepsand principles with Jesus as your Higher Power.r How has your behavior changed?

o \[hat specific relationships have been restored or improved?

o How has your relationship with Jesus grown since you began yourjourney of recovery?

o List the new relationships that you have made along your journey.


12/58

Celebrate Re covery f l82. In your own words, what does Step 10 mean ro you?o The wltat: "\7e continued to take a personal invent ory

o The why: " . .. and when we were wrong . . .,,

o The then w/tAt : " prompdy admitted ir."

3. Keep a daily journal over the next seven days. Record the good alongwith the bad. \flrite down victories and areas of needed gro*th. Lookfor patterns. share them with your sponsor or accountability parrnerat the end of the week.


13/58

19 I Lesson 19: CrossroadsYour Step 10 JournalD^y One


14/58

Celebrate Recovery I 20D^y Two


15/58speorssorC :6r uossef I rTeerrll tr"O,


16/58

Celebrate Rec overy f 22D^y Four


17/58speorssorC :6t uossef I Ece^l{ z{rr-q


18/58

Celebrate Rec overy f 24D^y Six


19/58speorssorJ :6r uossaf I SzueAOS l"g,


20/58

Celebrate Rec overy f z64. \7hat did you learn by eping your journal?

5. *What areas did you identify "r strengths?

6. tWrhat areas do you need to work on?

Sugestion: Ids a Healthy Habit!Keeping a daily journal is a key tool to help you stay on track on your

road to recovery. Youve done it for seven days, why stop now?


21/58

Lesson 20

DAILY INVTNTORYPrinciple 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination,Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will formy life and to gain the power to follow His will.Step 10: We continued to take personal inventory and when wewere wrong, prornptly admitted it.

uSo, tfyou think yzu Are standing firm, be careful thatlou dontfall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Think About ItIn Principle 7 and Step 10, we begin to apply what we have discoveredin the first six principles and nine steps: \7e humbly live in reality, not

denial; we have done our best to make amends for our past; we desire togrow daily in our new relationships with Jesus Christ and others.God has provided us with a daily checklist for our new lifesryle. It'scalled the "Great Commandment":

"'Loue the Lord your God with all your heart . . . soul and . . .mind.'This h the first and greatest cornrnandrnent. And the secondis lihe it: 'Loue your neighbor as yourself 'All the Laut and theProphas ltang on these two comrnandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)James l:22 encourages us: "Do not merely listen to the word, andso deceive yourselves. Do what it says."'When we practice the Great

27


22/58

Celebrate Recovery / z8Commandment, we become doers of Godt \ford, living examples ofChrist. Our walk lines up with our talk! The aposde Paul lived that way.He says in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 (TLB), "Our very lives were further proofto you of the truth of our message."There are three ways to do a Step 10 inventory.Ongoing

\fle can do this periodically throughout the day. The best time to admitwe are wrong is the exact time that we are made aware of it! Vhy wait?\[e need to make amends ASAP!Ve will sleep a lot better at night!Daily

At the end of each day we need to look over our daily activities-thegood and the bad. \7e need ro search for where we might have harmedsomeone or where we acted out of anger or fear. The best way ro do thisis to keep a journal! Then the next morning as promptly as we can, weneed to admit mistakes and make our amends.Periodic

Every three months, get away for a "mini retreat." Bring your dailyjournal with you. Pray and read your daily entries. Ask God to show youareas in your life that you can improve over the next ninety days and thevictories that you have made in the last ninety days!The Bible gives us instructions on how to avoid the necessity of mak-ing an amends in Step 10:

"Intelligent people think btfore they speak; uhat they sayis then more persuasiue. " (Prouerbs I6:23, GIVB)

"Let no foul or polluting language, nor euil word norunut/tolesome or u)orthless talk (euer) come out ofyour mout/t,but znb suclt (speech) as is good and benefi.cial to thespiritual progress of others." (Ephesians 4:29, AB)

'A uise, mAture person is known fo, his understanding.The more pleasant his raords, the more persuasiue he is. "(Prouerbs l6:21, GNB)


23/58

z9 / Lesson zo: Daily Inventory'A word of encouragernent does utonders!" (Prouerbs 12:25, TLB)

"If I had a gifi of being able to speah in other knguageswithout learning them, and could speah in euery languagethere is in all of heauen and eartlt, but didnl loue otlters,I would. only be mahing noise." (1 Corinthians 13:1, TLB)

Step 10 daily action plan1. Continue to take a daily inventory, and when you are wrong,

prompdy make your amends.2. Summarize the events of your day in your journal.3. Read and memorize one of the Step l0 verses (see above).4. \fork all steps and principles to the best of your abiliry.The key verse for this lesson is Mark 14:38: "'Watch and pray so that

you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."Principle TtPtayet

Dear God, thanh You for today. Thanh You for giuing me thetools to utork rny program and liue my ffi dffirent$t, centered in Yourwill. Lord, help me to mahe my amends prornptb and ash for for-giueness. In all my rektionships today help rne to do rn! part in mah-ing them heahhy and growing. In Jesus' narne I pray, Amen.

Write About Itl. 'Sfhat are some of the advantages of each of the three types of inven-tories in your recovery? How can they help you to "be careful that youdont fall"?


24/58

Celebrate Rec overy f 30o Ongoing:

o Daily:

o Periodic (monthly, quarte rly, or annually):

2. \7hat do the following verses mean to you and how can they help youin this step?"From a wise mind comes careful and persuasive speech." (Proverbs16:23,TLB)

"Dont use bad langu age. S"y only what is good and helpful to thoseyou are talking to, and what will give them a blessing." (Ephesians4:29,TLB)


25/58

3r I Lesson 2c: Daily Inventory"The wise man is known by his common sense, and a pleasant teacheris the best." (Proverbs L6:2I,TLB)

'Anxious hearts are very heavy but a word of encouragement doeswonders!" (Proverbs L2:25, TLB)

"If I had a grftof being able to speak in other languages without learn-irg them, and could speak in every language there is in all of heavenand earth, but didn't love others, I would only be making noise."(1 Corinthians I3:1 , TLB)

"Vatch with me and pray lest the T.-pter overpower you. For thoughthe spirit is willirg enough, the body is weak." (Mark I4:38,TLB)

3. What is your daily action plan for Step 10?


26/58

Celebrate Recovery f 3z4. \)7hat are the recurring events o issues that you are constantly need-ing to make amends for?

. '!7ith your family?

o Vith your friends?

o \(/ith those you work with?

o With those in your church or recovery program?


27/58

PnTNCTPLE TAVrRSES'As God's messenger I giue each ofyo, God's utarning: Be honest inyour estimatt ofyourselues, medsuring your ualue b! how much

faith God has giuen yoLt." (Romnns 12:3, TLB)"Cling tightly to your faith in Christ and aluays keepyzur conscience clear doing uthat you know is rigltt. "(1 Timothy l:19, TLB)

"Cross-exAmine m4 O Lord, and see t/tat this is so; testmy motiues and ffictions too." (Psalm 26:2, TLB)

,"We can justtfi zur euery/ deed. but God looks dt our motiues."(Prouerbs 21:2, TLB)'A sensible mnn watches for problems a/tead and prepares to meett/tem. The simpleton neuer looks, and sffirs the consequences."

(Prouerbs 27:12, TLB)"Keep a close watc/t on all you do and think. Stoy true to what

is right and God utill bless lou and use you to help zthers. "(1 Timothy 4:16, TLB)"So be careful. Ifyou are thinking, 'Ol,t, I would neuer behaue lihesflas'-let this be a warningto you. Foryou too mayfall into sin."(1 Corinthians 10:12, TLB)

"Come to terms quickly uith lour enem! before it is too lnte. "(Mattheu 5:25, TLB)"My brothers and sisters, uthen lou haue many kinds of troubles,lou should be full ofjoy, because )/ou know that tltese noubles test

your faith, and this utill giue you patience. " (James I :2-3, NCV)'A relaxed attitude lengthens A man:s life; jealousy rots it autty. "

(Prouerbs 14:30, TLB)33


28/58

Lesson 2r

ruLAPSEPrinciple 7: Reserve a daly time with God for self-examination,Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will formy life and to gain the power to follow His will.Step 11: \7e sought through prayer and meditation to improveour conscious contact with God, pra.rng only for knowledge ofHis will for us and power to carry that out.

"Let tlte word of Christ dwell in you richly.' (Colossians 3:16)

ThinkAbout ItThe best ways to prevent relapse can be summarized in the acrostic

REIAPSE.Reserve a daily quiet time

Principle 7 sums it up best: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His willfor my life and gain the ltouter to follow His will.

'Vatch and pray so that you will notfall into ternptation.The spirit is willing but the body is uteAh." (Marh 14:38)

EvaluateYour evaluation needs to include your physical, emotional, relational,

and spiritual health. And dont forget the vdue of doing a "H-E-A-R-T"check. Are you


29/58

35 I Lesson zr: RelaPSeHurtingExhaustedA"S.yResentfulTenseSpecial instructions for this step are found in Romans 12:3-17 (TLB):"Be honest in your estimate of yourselves. . . . Hate what is wrong. Stand

on the side of the good. Love each other. . . . Be patient in trouble. . . . Dothings in such away that everyone can see you are honest clear through."Listen to Jesus

\fle need to take a dme-out from the worldt "ratrace" long enough tolisten to our bodies, our minds, and our souls. 'We need to slow downenough to hear the Lordt directions.

"Test euerytlting that is said to be sure it is true, and if it is,tlten accept it." (1 Thessalonians 5:21, TLB)

"Let eueryone be sure that he is doing his uery best, for then he uillhaue the personal satisfaction of uorh well done and wonl need tocorn?are hirnself with sorneone eke." (Gaktians 6:4, TLB)

"Listen to the Lord. Hear what he is telling you."Qsaiah l:10, TLB)

Alone and quiet timeJesus Christ spent time alone with His Father. You need to do the

same. Set edaily appointment time to be alone with God. Listen carefully;learn how to hear God!

*Be still, and know that I arn God.'(Psalm 46:10)Plug into Godt power through prayer

Godt guidance and direction can start when your demands stop! Bespecific in your prayil requests; pray about everything, asking for Godtperfect will.


30/58

Celebrate Recovery I 36"DonT uorry about anything; instead, ?rd! about euerything; tell

God your needs and don'tforget to thank him for y'tis Ansuters."(Philippians 4:6, TLB)Slow down long enough to hear God's answer

'W'e can become impatient.'We want our prayers answered now! \(eneed to remember that our timing can be flawed, while Godt timing isperfect!

"Listen to me. Keep silence and I utill teach you utisdom!"(Job 33:33, TLB)

"Ifyou do this you will experience God's peace, which is far rnorewonderful than the hurnan mind can understand. His peace utillkeep your thoughts and yoar ltearts quiet and at rest as lou trust in

Christ Jesus. " (Philippians 4:7, TLB)Enjoy your growth

Rejoice and celebrate the small successes along your road to recovery!Always remember you're on a journey, a journey of several steps. Main-taining an "attitude of gratitude" is like taking spiritual vitamins.

Share your victoris5-n6 matter how small-with others in yourgroup. Your growth will give others hope!"Be joyful alwayt pray dt all times, be thanhful in all circum-

stnnces. This is what God wants fro* lou in you, Itft in union withChristJesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16, GM)

Here are a few final suggestions for preventing relapse:1. Pray and read your Bible daily. Establish a specific time of day to

have your "quiet time."2. Make affendirg your recovery meeting a prioriry. Stay close to yoursupport team.


31/58

37 I Lesson zr: RelaPSeSpend time with your family (if they arc safe). If they are not,spend time with your church family.Get involved in service. Volunteer!

WriteAbout Itl. W'hat are some of the ways (tools) that you have developed in yourrecovery to prevent relapse?

2. Do a H-E-AR-T check right now. Are youHurting?

Exhausted?

Angry?

Resentful?

Tense?

3.4.


32/58

Celebrate Re covery f 383. Specifically, what do you do when you are

Hurting?

Exhausted?

A"gry?

Resentful?

Tense?

4. Rate your listening skills from I to 10, l0 being the best.. \U7'hat are some ways that you think you could improve your listen-ing skills with others?

o What are some ways that you could improve your listening skillswith God?


33/58

39 / Lesson zr: Relapse5. Describe what a "quiet rime" means ro you and why it is important.

6. How could you improve you r pnyer time? Be specific.

Vhen do you pray?

Vhere do you pray?

7. After you pray, do you slow down long enough to hear Godt answer?\Jflhat does the word "meditation" in this step mean to you?

8. \7hat are some of the other things that you do in your recovery to helpyou on your journey and prevent relapse?


34/58

Celebrate Recovery / 4og. I thinkwe all agree that recovery is a joy, but it also requires hard work.

\rhat do you do to celebrare your recovery-even thesmall victories?


35/58

Lesso n 22

GRATITUDTPrinciple 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination,Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will formy life and to gain the power to follow His will.Step 1 1: Ve sought through pruyer and meditation to improveour conscious contact with God, praytn* only for knowledge ofHis will for us and power to carry that out.

"Let the word of Christ &tell in you richly.' (Colossians 3:16)

ThinkAbout ItOne of the greatest ways to work PrincipleT andto prevenr relapse is

to maintain an "attitude of gratitude."In your prayers this week focus on your gratitude toward GOD, OTH-

ERS He has placed in your life, your RECOVERY, and your CHURCH.Be thankful to God

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in euerything, by prayerand petition, with thanhsgiuing, present your requests to God. "

(Philippians 4:6)"Let us giue thanks to the Lonn for his unfailing loueand uonderful deeds for men. " (Psalm 107:15)

4r


36/58

Celebrate Recovery I 42Be thankful for others

"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other in stepwith each ot/ter. None of this going offand doingyour own thing.And cuhiuate thanhfulness. Let the word of Christ-the Message

-haue the run of the ltouse." (Colossians 3:15-16, MSG)Be thankful for your recovery

'As for us, ute haue this large croud of witnesses Around u,s. So t/ten,Iet us rid ourselues of eaerything that gets in the wa!, and the sinwhich holds on to us so tightly and let us run with determination

the race that lies before us." (Hebrews 12:1, GM)Be thankful for your church

"Enter the Tbmple gates with thanksgiuing." (Psalm 100:4, GNB)

Principle 7b PtayerDear God., htb me set aside all the hassles and noise of the world.

to focus and listen just to You for the next feu., minutes. Htb me getto know You better. Htlp me to better und.erstand. Your plan, Yourpurpose for my life. Fat/ter, hrb me liue utithin today, seeking Yourtaill and liuing this day as You would haue me.It is my prdyer to haue others see me as Yours; not just in my wordsbut, more importantb, in my actions. Thank Youfor Your loue, YourgrAce, Your perfectforgiueness. Thank youfor all those You haue placed,in my hfe, for my program, m! recuaery, and. my church family. Yourwill be done, not mine. In Your Son's nAme I pray, Amen.


37/58

43 / Lesson zz: GratitudeVriteAbout It1. \Vhy do you think it is important for you to maintain an "attitude of

gratitude" in your recovery?

2. In what three areas of your recovery are you especially thankful forGodt power? Try to think of areas of growth or positive change in youthat only God could have accomplished.e.

3. Name three people God has placed in your recoverywho you are grate-ful for and why.a.

b.

b.


38/58

Celebrate Recovery f M4. \X/hat three areas of your recovery ministry small groups, or other

events are you thankfi.rl for? \7hy?l.

5. List three things that you are thankful for in your church. Be specific.a.

b.

b.


39/58

45 / Lesson 22: Gratitude6. Congratulations! You have just completed your first gratitude list.

Review it. How does it make you feel?

7. Let the individuals on your list know what an impact they have hadon your recovery, and thank each ofthem personally!


40/58

PruNCIPLE 7B VrRSES"Tlte uthole Bible was giuen to us by inspiration fro* God and isuseful to teac/t us wltat is true and to make us realize what is utrongin our liues; it straightens us out and helps us do what is rigltt. "(2 Timothy 3:16, TLB)

"Nout your attitudes and thoughts must all beconstantb changing for the better. "(Ephesians 4:23, TLB)

"Be still, and knout that I am God. " (Psalm 46: I0)'70b, listen to this: Stop and notice God's mirAcles."

(Job 37:14, IVCV)'And ,flou leaue God's paths and go astrq/, you will hear a Wicebehind lou say, '1V0, this is the uay; walk here."'(Isaiah 30:2 l, TLB)

*Ol,t, the joys of those w/to do not follow euil menls aduice,uho do not hang Around with sinners, scffing at the thingsof God. But they delight in d.oirug euerything God wants t/tem to,

and day and night are alutays meditating on his laus and.thinking about uays to follout him more closely."(Psalm l:l-2, TLB)*So nzw you cnn look forward soberly and intelligentb to moreof God's hind.ness to you when Jesus Christ returnl Obey God

because you Are his children; don't slip back into )/our old wdy-doing euil because )/ou kneu no better." (l Peter I:13-14, TLB)"Watclt )/our step. Stick to tlte path and. be safe. DonT sidetrach;pull back yourfootfrom danger." (Prouerbs 4:26-27, TLB)

+6


41/58

*Watch with me and pray lest the Tbmpter oaerpzwer yzu. Forthough the spirit is utilling enough, the body is weak. "(Mark 14:38, TLB)

"Be glod for all God is planning for you. Be patientin trouble, and praytrf"l AlutAys. "(Romans 12:12, TLB)

"You Are liuing a brand new kind tf ltft that is continually learningmore and more of uhat is right, and trying constAntb to be more

and more like Christ utho created. this new life utithin !0u."(Colossians 3:10, TLB)"Ifyou want to knout uthat God wants you to do, ask him, and he

will gladb tell you, for he is always ready to giue a bounttf"l suppbof utisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it."(James 1:5, TLB)

47


42/58

Lesso n 23

Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this GoodNews to others, both by -y example and by -y words."Hopp! Are t/tose who Are persecuted because they douhat God requires," (Mdtthew 5:10)Step 12: Having had a spiritual experience as the result of thesesteps, we try to caffy this message to others, and practice theseprinciples in all our affairs.

"Brot/ters, tf someone is caught in A sin, you who are spiritualshould restore him gently. But utatc/t lourself, o, you alsoma! be tempted," (Galatians 6:1)

Think About It"Freely you /taue receiued., frttb giue. " (Matthew 10:B)

\fhat does it mean to GIVE?God first

By placing God first in your life, you will realize that everything youhave is a gift from Him. You realize that your recovery is not dependenton materid things. It is built upon your faith and your desire to followJesus Christt direction.

+8


43/58

49 I Lesson 23: Gwe-IHzJ did not eaen keep back his own Son, but offiod himfor us all! He gaae us his Son-will he ruot also frtth giue

us all things?' (RomAns B:32, GNB)"Yott. cannot serue two mnsters: God. and money. For youwill hate one and loue the other or else the other wa! Around. "(Manhew 6:24, TLB)

I becomes weThe 12 Steps do not begin with the word "I." The first word in StepI is "we." The road to recovery is not meant to be traveled alone.o'Loue the Lord your God utith all your heart and with all your soul

and uith all your rnind.' This is the f.rst and greatest cornrnand-rnent. And the second is like it: 'Loue your neighbor as yourself,"'

(Manhew zz:SV-59)"Ttuo dre better of than one, because together they can utorh moreffictiuely lfone of themfalls doutn, the other can help him up.But ifsomeone is alone . . . there is no one there to help hirn. . . .Two men can resist an attach that would defeat one mnn Alone."

(Ecclesiastes 4:9- I 2, GNB)Victories shared

God never wastes a hurt! Principle 8 gives us the opportunity to shareour experience and victories. "This is how it was for me. . . ." "This is whathappened to me. . . ." "This is how I gained the strength. . . ." "There'shope for you."

"Let us giue thanhs to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,the rnerciful Father, the Godfrorn whorn all help cornes! He helps us

in all our troubles, so that u)e Are able to help those who haue allhinds of troubles, using the same help that u.,e ourselues ltauereceiuedfrom God.'(2 Corinthians 1:3, GNB)


44/58


45/58

5r / Lesson 2l: Give2. How has your aftempt to put God first in your life changed your

understanding of the word "give"?

3. Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us that "two are better than one." List specificinstances in your own recovery that you have seen this verse in action.

4. '\Jf.hat are some of your recent victories that you could share with anewcomer?

5. In James l:22 weare told to be "doers ofthe'W'ord.' How can you bea doer ofthe \7ord. among family and friends?


46/58

Celebrate Rec overy f 52o in your recovery group?

. in your church?

o on the job?

o in your communiry?


47/58

Lesson 24

Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this GoodNews to others, both by -y example and by -y words.

*Hoppy Are t/tose utho Are persecuted, because they dowhat God requires.' (Manhew 5:10)

Step 12: Having had a spiritual experience as the result of thesesteps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice theseprinciples in all our affairs.

"Brot/ters, tf someone is caught in A sin, lou uho Are spiritualshould restore him gently. But watc/t )/ourself, o, lou alsomay be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

ThinkAbout It\Zhen you reach this step you are ready to say YES to service.

Yield myself to GodPrinciple 8 sums up the X Yield myself to God to be used to bring

this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.Tf a Christian is ouercorne by sorne sin, . . . humbly help hirn bach

onto the right path, rernernbering that the next time it might be oneofyou who is in the urong. Share each other's troubles and prob-lerns, and so obey our Lord's command." (Gaktians 6:1-2, TLB)

53


48/58

Celebrate Recovery / 54Example is what is important

Your walk needs to match your talk because your lifestyle reflects whatyou believe. Does your lifestyle show others the patterns of the world-selfishness, pride, and lust-or does it reflect the love, humiliry and ser-vice ofJesus Christ?

%rouse the loue that comes frorn d pare lteart, a clear conscience,and a genuinefaith." (1 Timothy 1:5, GNB)"Let us not loue with utords or tongue but uith actions

and in trut/,r." (l John 3:15)Serve others as Jesus Christ did

'S7.hen you have reached Principle 8, you are ready to pick up the"Lordb towel," the one with which He washed the disciples' feet in theupper room.

'And since I, the Lord and Tbacher, haue washed yourfeet, you ought touash each other's feet. I haue giuen loa an example to follow: do as I haue

done to you." (John 13:14-15, TLB)HowYou Can SayYES

I. Be an accountabiliry pdrtner. Look for someone in your small groupwho will agree to encourage and support you as you work through theprinciples. You agree to do the same for that person. You hold one anotheraccountable for working an honest program.

2. Be a sponsor. Sponsors are people who have worked the principles orthe steps. Their job is to guide newcomers on their journey through theprogram, to give a gentle nudge when they are procrastinating or slowthem down when they are rushing through a step. Sponsors do so by shar-ing their personal journey on their road to recovery.

3. Be inuolued in Celebrate Recouery and your church. There are manyopportunities for service in this recovery ministry and in your church.


49/58

55 I Lesson z{:YesYou have come to the fork in your road to recovefy.

Remember, "You cant keep it unless you give it away!"Principle 8 Prayer

Dear Jesus, As it would, please You, bring me someone tod,ay whomI can serl)e. Amen.

'Write About It!1. If you knew that you couldnt fail, what would you like to do most for

God in helping others?

(,r%

SERVICEI


50/58

Celebrate Recovery f 562. \7'hat are some ways you can pick up the I-ordt towel (|ohn 13:14-

15) today and start serving others?

3. 'What does the illustration of the fork in your road to recovery sayto you?

4. In the words of Step l2,how will you "practice these principles in all[y]o* affairs"?

5. Describe what the phrase "You cant keep it unless you give it away"means in your recovery.


51/58

57 / Lesson z4: Yes6. Create your own acrion plan for Principle 8.

I am going to explore opportunities ro serve in the following areas:a,

b.


52/58

PruNCIPLE 8 VTRSES"Wtat A wond.erful God ute /taue-he is the Father ofour Lord Jesus Cltrist, the source of euery mercy, and the one taho

so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships andtrials. And *hy does he do this? So that wlten others Are troubled,

needing our symPathy and encouragement, u)e cAn pass on tothem this same htlp and comfort God has giuen us. "(2 Corinthians l:3-4, TLB)

"But watch out! Be uery careful neuer to foryt what lou haueseen God doingfor )/ou.. May his miracles ltaue a deep andPermanent tffit, upon your liues! Tell your children andyour grandchildren about the glorious miracles /te did."

(Deuteronomy 4:9, TLB)

"fn the sdme uay, faith by itself tf it is not accompaniedby action, is dead." (fa*es 2:17)"Liue and act in a way uorthy { those w/to haue been cltosen forsuch wonderful blessings as t/test. " (Ephesians 4: l, TLB)

"Bofi we Christians /taue no ueil ouer our faces; we can bemirrors that brightly reflect the ghry of the Lord."(2 Corinthians 3:18, TLB)

"fn response to all he has done for !ts, let us outdo each otberin being htlpf"l and kind to eaclt other and in doing good. "(Hebrews 10:24, TLB)

"Wten God's children dre in need, lou be the one to help themout. . . . DonT just pretend that you loue otlters; really loue t/tem.Hate what is rurong. Stand on t/te side of the good."

(Romans 12:13, 9, TLB)

S8


53/58

"DeAr brotlters, tf a Christian is oaercome by some sin,yuu who Are godb should gentb and humbb htb him backonto the right patlt, remembering that next time it might be

one oflou who is in the u)rong. " (Galatians 6:1, TLB)"Two cAn accomplish mrre than tuice as much as one,

for the resuhs cnn be muclt better. If one follt, the other pullshim up; but if a mAn follt when he is alone, he?s in trouble. . . .And one standing alone cAn be attacked and drtated, but twocAn stand back-to-back and conquer; three is eaen bener

for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken."(Ecclesiastes 4:9- I 2, TLB)

59


54/58

Lesso n 25

SEVEN RTASONSWE GET STUCKfu you complete your journeyyotrwill discover the rewards of spon-

soring newcomers. Your role as a sponsor will be to help others along theirjourney on the road to recovery by guiding them through the principlesand steps. Your task is not to pick them up and carry them through thesteps, but to stand alongside them as they complete their journey.

At times, you may need to slow them down when they are movingthrough the steps too quickly; or you may need to speed them up whenthey get stuck along the side of the road. There ate seven major areas inwhich I have seen individuals get "stuck" at some point in their recover-ies. It is important that you are familiar with each of them so you helpthem get "unstuck."You have not completely worked the previous principle

Perhaps you are trying to move through the principles too quickly.Slow down! Give God time to work! Remember, this program is a process.

"Since we liue by the Spirh, let us keep in step with the Spirit."(Gaktians 5:25)

Perhaps you are trustingJesus with the "big" things, but you still thinkyou can handle the "small" things.

6o


55/58

6r / Lesson zJ: Seven Reasons We Get Stuck"For good judgment dnd comrnon sense, trust in the Lord

cornpletely; d.on\ euer trust in lourself In euerything you do,put Godfirst, and he utill direct you and crown yourtffirtt with success." (Prouerbs 3:5-6, TLB)You have not accepted Jesus' work on the cross for your forgiveness

You may have forgiven others, but you think your sin is too big to beforgiven.

"Br.tt ,f *t confess our sins to him, /te cAn be depended on toforgtrt us . . . from euer! u)rong." (1 John l:9, TLB)

"So oue(Iowing is his hindnes toutards us that he took away alloar sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we Are snued."

(Ephesians l:7, TLB)Have you forgiven yoursel0Remember,

'rherefore'o'!:;:';;::,;::::n';;:';::rforthoseu';ho

You really have not forgiven others who have harmed youYou must "let go" of the pain of past harm and abuse. Until you are

able to release it, forgive it, it will conrinue to hold you as its prisoner.'Afier you haue sffired a little while, our God, who isfull ofkindness through Christ, utill giue you his eternal glory. He

personally utill pick you up, and set you frmly in pkce andrnake you stronger tltan euer." (I Peter 5:10-11, TLB)

You are afraid of the risk in making the necessary changeYou may be paralyzed by the fear of failure. You may fear intimacy

because of the fear of rejection or of being hurt again. You may resistchange (growth) because of the fear of the unknown.


56/58

Celebrate Recovery f 6z"Fear not, for I arn with you. Do not be disrnayed. . . .I will strengthen !ou; I will help you; I will uphold yuwith m1 uictorious right hand." (Isaiah 4l:10, TLB)'That is uthy ue cnn say utitltout any dnubt orfear,

'The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anythingthat mere rnan cAn do to me."' (Hebrews 13:6, TLB)

You are not willing to "own" your responsibilityYou need to take responsibiliry for your past in a broken relationship,

a damaged friendship, with a distant child or parent, and so forth."Examine rne, O God, and know m! mind; test rue, and discouer . . .if there is any euil in me and guide me in the euerlasting way."

(Psalm 139:23, GNB)You have not developed an effective support team

Do you have a sponsor or an accountability partner? Do you have thephone numbers of others in your small group? Have you volunteered fora commitment to your recovery ministry?

"Be utith uise men and become utise. Be with euil menand. become euil." (Prouerbs l3:20, TLB)

"Dear brothers, you /taue been giuen freedom: not freedomto d.o urong, but freedom to loue and serae each another. "(Galatians 5:13, TLB)"sltare each other's troubles and problerus, and so obey

our Lord)s commAnd..' (Galatians 6:2, TLB)


57/58

ApTERwoRDCONGRAIUIAIIONS! You have completed all eight principles andall 12 Steps! I do not have to tell you that was not an easy accomplish-

ment!There are many rewards found in this Christ-centered program. Itis important that you share your "miracle" with others. You are a livingexample of God's grace. I pray for your continued growth in Christ, yourrecovery, and your service to others. Below please find Celebrate Recovery'sDailyAction Plan for Serenity.

In His steps,John Baker

1.

Celebrate Recouery's Daily Action Plan for SerenityDaily, continue to take an inventory. Vhen you are wrong,promptly admit it.Daily, srudy God's Vord and pray asking God to guide youand help you apply His teaching and will in your life.Daily, work and live the eight principles to the best of yourabiliry, always looking for new opportunities to help and serveothers-not just at your recovery meetings but in all areas ofyour life.

2.3.

63


58/58

R"rtL. I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless tocontrol my tendency to do the wrong thing and thatmy life is unmanageable.

"Happy are those uho hnow they are spiritually poor."Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him,

and that He has the power to help me recover."Happy are those who mourn,for thq shallbe conforted."

Consciously choose to commit all my life and will toChrist's care and control."Happy are the meeh."

Op"nly "*"-ine and confess my faults to God, to myselfand to someone I trust.'Happy are the pure inheart,"

Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to makein my life and humbly ask Him to remove my characterdefects."Happy are those whose gredtest desire k to do what God requires."

Eudrrate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness tothose who have hurt me and make amends for harmI've done to others, except when to do so would harmthem or others.

"Happy are the merciful." "uappy are the pedcemdhers."R...n. .t Jrrilr rirrc u itlr (l,ril lirr 'cii' .rrinrinrrrion liibl-

r c.rdirrq iinJ pr.i\ ( i' in rrr.lt'r' i() lirr)\\ (locl ;urrl I Iir rr illlirr nr1 lili'.rnrl 1o srrin rll('r)o\\cr to lirllorr I li. irillYicl.l ,r,rr.'1f'ro (l,rd to bc usccl ro br ing riris (lrrocl \cu.

to othcrs l.roth bi rui crrrnrpl. .rrie1 br nrr rrrird.'II,+1rl'LIr( f/lo-.,'ttllo,it-,'1,ii..i,ttlc,li,ic,tttit thL1'Jo',t'lt,tt(io,iri'r7rriri.,

Documents

Step Study Program -- Guide 4