"So if the Son sets you free, you are free indeed."  John 8:36

Laying the
Groundwork

Are You an
Alcoholic?

12 Steps
to a Slip

List of
Dependencies

Relapses

Gleanings

STEP 4

Alcoholics Anonymous
12 Steps

(A.A. World Services, Inc.)
 

Alcoholics for Christ - 12 Step, Christ Centered,
Program for Alcoholics and Substance Abusers

Laying the Groundwork

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable 

1. We admitted that we had become powerless over alcohol or the alcoholic (the substance we had abused or the substance abuser) and that our lives were unmanageable.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Prov 14:12) For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do - this I keep on doing. (Rom 7:19) What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? (ROM 7:24)

Study: Gen 4:7; Prov 14:12; 2 Cor 1:9; John 8:36; ROM 3:10,23; Jas 2:10; ROM 6:23; ROM 7:5,6; ROM 7:5,6; ROM 7:18-20; ROM 7:24,25; ROM 8:1,2; ROM 8,9,10; 1 COR 10:13,14; 1Pet 5:6,7; Pro 3:5-8.

2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. 

2. Came to believe that through Jesus Christ we could be restored to right relationship with God the Father, and subsequent sanity and stability in our lives.
Jesus answered " I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:16)  For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life. (John 6:40) For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. (ROM 10:13)

Study: Isa 1:18-20; Rev 3:20; Rom 10:13; Rom 10:1-4; John 14:1-14; John 3:3-6; John 7:37-39; John 11:25-26; John 6: 40; John 5:37-40; 10:37-39; 2 Cor 4:13,14; Rom 8:11; John 20:29-31; John 17:15-26.

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him. 

3. Made the decision to turn from the things of the past and invite Jesus to be Lord and manager of our lives.
For if you tell others with your own mouth that Jesus Christ is your Lord, and believe in your own heart that God raised him from the dead. You will be saved. For it is by believing in his heart that a man becomes right with God; and with his mouth he tells others of his faith, confirming his salvation.

Study: Math 11:28-30; Prov 16:3; 2 Cor 6:20; John 3:16-18,36; Rom 10:9,10; 1 John 4:15–17; 5:4-5; John 10:17-18;12;24; I Cor 15:22; 2 Cor 5:15-21; Rom 5:17; Phil 3:7-9; Rom 6:12-14; 1 Pet 1:13-16.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. 

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. Eph 5:11)  Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. (Eze 30:31) Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. (2 Cor 7:20-23)

Study: Psl 139:23,240; Eph 4:17-5:21; Gal 5:13-16; Mark 7:20-23; 1 John 1:8; Eze 36:26,27,31; 2 Cor 7:10; Rom 13:11-14; Rom 12:1-3; John 8:34-36; Rom 8:5-9; 2 Cor 6:14-7:1; 1 John 3 19-24; Psl 19:14.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. 

5. Admitted to God, ourselves, and another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John1:8-9) Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (Jas 5:16a) The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Study: Psl 32:1-5; Prov 28:13; Luke 12:2,3; Prov 20:9; John 3:19-21; 1 John 1:8-10; 1 John 2:1,2; Jas 5:16.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. 

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all of our character defects.
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. (1 John 3 :9) Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - which is your spiritual worship. (Rom 12:1)

Study: Gal 1:3-5; Heb 8:10,12; Acts 3:19; John 1:29; Eph 1:7; 1 John 3: 4-6; 1 John 3:9,10; Eph 2:3-5; 2 Pet 2:24; Rom 12:1-2; Eph 4: 31,32; 2 Tim 2:15; Heb 4:13-16.

7. Humbly ask Him to remove our shortcomings. 

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings and to forgive us – believing He would remove them - and receiving His forgiveness.
He who conceals his sin does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. (Prov 28;13) Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my inequity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord" – and you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Psl 32:5) Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Study: Psl 41:4; Psl 51:1-13; Prov 1:7, 15:33,22:4; Math 18:1-4; Luke 18: 10-14; 1 Pet 5:6-7; Math 3:1,2; Prov 20:9,28:13; Psl 32:5; 1 John 1:9.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. 

8. Made a list of all the people we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Fools mock at making amends for sin, but good will is found among the upright. (Prov 14:9) 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. (Math 5:23, 24)

Study: Prov 14:9; John 13:34,35; Math 5:21,22; 1 John 2:9-11; Math 5:23,24; Math 7:12; Mark 11:25; Prov 20:22, 24:29; Luke 6: 27,28; Math 6:14,15; 1 Pet 4:7,8.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. 

9. Made direct amends to such people, wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Give everyone what you owe him; if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect if honor. then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law. (Rom 13;7-8) Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right you are blessed. (1 Pet 3:13)

Study: Eze 33: 14-15; Rom 13; 7,8; Prov 25: 21-22; 1 Pet 3:13; Math 25:40.

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. 

10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. (Rom 12: 3) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Study: 1 Pet 1:22-23; Luke 12:1-3; Eph 4:25-26; 2 Tim 2:23-24; 2 Tim 2:14-16; 1 Cor 13:4-7 7,11; Phil 2:1-4; Rom 12:3; 1 Cor 10:12-13; 1 John 1:9, 2: 1-2; Heb 9:1-3; Phil 2:12 15; 1 Pet 2 16-17; Jas 1:22.

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. 

11. Sought through prayer and meditation on God's word to increase our Fellowship with Him, praying continually for the knowledge of His will for us and the power of His might to accomplish it.
My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight; keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. (Prov 4:20–22) Ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. (Math 7:7,8) Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 The 5:16-18)

Study: Eph 3:14-19; Psl 1:1-3; Psl 40:8,119:10-11, 143:10; Math 12:50; Math 6:5-13, 7:7-8; John 16:23-24; Acts 1:14, 4:29-31; 2 Cor 10:4-5; Math 18:18-20; Eph 6:18; Math 26:41; 1 The 5:16-18.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

 

 

12. Having been spiritually restored and set free from "the sin which does so easily beset us," we attempt to share this freedom and the One who has freed us with those who still suffer, and practice the Lord's principals in all our affairs.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8) Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself or you may be also tempted. (Gal 6:1) The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Pet 4;7-8)

Study: Acts 1;8; 2 Cor 1:3-4; Gal 6:1-2; 1 Pet 5:8-9; Jude 20-23; 2 Tim 4:3-5; Math 10:16-33; Mat 10;7-8; 1 Cor 9:19-23; John 8:31-32; John 15:7-8; John 15:15-17; 1 Pet 4:7-8.

The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, as adapted by adding Biblical Scriptures are reprinted with an adaptation of Biblical Scriptures with permission of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc (A.A.W.S.) Permission to reprint this adaptation of the Twelve Steps does not mean that A.A.W.S. has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication, or that A.A.W.S. necessarily agrees with the views expressed herein. A.A. is a program of recovery from alcoholism only - use of the Twelve Steps in connection with programs and activities which are patterned after A.A., but which address other problems, or in any other non-A.A. context, does not imply otherwise. Additionally, while A.A. is a spiritual program, A.A. is not a religious program. Thus, A.A. is not affiliated with any sect, denomination, or specific religious belief.

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