What Step Studies Provide...
For some of us the word “study” in “Step Study” and presence of “lessons” leads to viewing the Participant Guides primarily as devices for learning about recovery. Learning the principles and steps of recovery is important. Each lesson contains an acrostic with supporting Scriptures to help us think about the truths to be applied in their lives. But a Step Study goes far beyond communicating content. Book learning is not what this is about.
If recovery was simply a matter of obtaining the right information and hearing the right Bible verses Celebrate Recovery could be reduced to the lessons shared in the Large Group time. In reality, recovery requires each participant to move through the steps as the Holy Spirit carries out His unique work of healing the heart.
Paul assures us that to each believer “the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” These spiritual gifts are perfectly distributed among believers by the Holy Spirit “just as he determines” (1 Corinthians 12:7-9). We all need to trust Christ before we can share our gifts with each other to grow in him.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
Make no mistake. This is Celebrate Recovery and we know that our higher power is Jesus Christ and it is through his healing power that we are able to recover. The belief that God exists, we matter to him and he has the power to help us recover is crucial to our life eternal and required for the transformation of our lives by him during our life in this world.
As we move into step two and three it becomes apparent by the steps themselves that we need to come to a realization that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. In the words of Bill Wilson, That one is God, may you find him now. We must turn our lives and our wills over. Give up all control, put down our pride and ego’s and reservations that we can still do it ourselves.
If anyone here today does not believe deep down in your heart the fact that Christ came and died for us and rose again to fulfill the scriptures of the prophets or if anyone believes but is confused, questioning or missing that personal relationship that is so desired by Christ, for him to work in our lives. Please let us know and after the meeting and we can talk and get you hooked in with the ones who can lead you through your doubts.
If recovery was simply a matter of obtaining the right information and hearing the right Bible verses Celebrate Recovery could be reduced to the lessons shared in the Large Group time. In reality, recovery requires each participant to move through the steps as the Holy Spirit carries out His unique work of healing the heart.
Paul assures us that to each believer “the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” These spiritual gifts are perfectly distributed among believers by the Holy Spirit “just as he determines” (1 Corinthians 12:7-9). We all need to trust Christ before we can share our gifts with each other to grow in him.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
Make no mistake. This is Celebrate Recovery and we know that our higher power is Jesus Christ and it is through his healing power that we are able to recover. The belief that God exists, we matter to him and he has the power to help us recover is crucial to our life eternal and required for the transformation of our lives by him during our life in this world.
As we move into step two and three it becomes apparent by the steps themselves that we need to come to a realization that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. In the words of Bill Wilson, That one is God, may you find him now. We must turn our lives and our wills over. Give up all control, put down our pride and ego’s and reservations that we can still do it ourselves.
If anyone here today does not believe deep down in your heart the fact that Christ came and died for us and rose again to fulfill the scriptures of the prophets or if anyone believes but is confused, questioning or missing that personal relationship that is so desired by Christ, for him to work in our lives. Please let us know and after the meeting and we can talk and get you hooked in with the ones who can lead you through your doubts.
Step Study Guidelines
1. Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings.
Not your spouse’s, boyfriend’s, or your family members’ hurts and hang-ups, but your own. Focusing on yourself will benefit your recovery as well as the ones around you. Stick to “I” or “me” statements, not “you” or “we” statements. Limit your sharing to 3–5 minutes, so that everyone has an opportunity to share; and to ensure that one person does not dominate the group sharing time.
2. There is NO cross talk.
Cross talk is when two people engage in conversation excluding all others. Each person is free to express his or her feelings without interruptions. Cross talk is also making distracting comments or questions while someone is sharing, speaking to another member of the group while someone is sharing or responding to what someone has shared during his or her time of sharing. Additional types of cross talk would be handing a tissue or tissue box while someone is crying during their time of sharing. This interrupts feelings. Remember, there is healing in tears!
3. We are here to support one another, not “fix” one another.
This keeps us focused on our own issues. We do not give advice or solve someone’s problem in our time of sharing or offer book referrals or counselor referrals! We are not licensed counselors, psychologists, or therapists, nor are the group members. Celebrate Recovery groups are not designed for this. It is up to the participants to include outside counseling to their program when they’re ready.
4. Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements.
What is shared in the group stays in the group. The only exception is when someone threatens to injure themselves or others. We are not to share information with our spouses/family/coworkers. This also means not discussing what is shared in the group among group members. This is called gossip.
5. Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group.
Therefore, we ask that you please watch your language. The main issue here is that the Lord’s name is not used inappropriately. We also avoid graphic descriptions. If anyone feels uncomfortable with how specifically a speaker is sharing regarding his/her behaviors, then you may indicate so by simply raising your hand. The speaker will then respect your boundaries by being less specific in his/her descriptions. This will avoid potential triggers that could cause a person to act out.
Not your spouse’s, boyfriend’s, or your family members’ hurts and hang-ups, but your own. Focusing on yourself will benefit your recovery as well as the ones around you. Stick to “I” or “me” statements, not “you” or “we” statements. Limit your sharing to 3–5 minutes, so that everyone has an opportunity to share; and to ensure that one person does not dominate the group sharing time.
2. There is NO cross talk.
Cross talk is when two people engage in conversation excluding all others. Each person is free to express his or her feelings without interruptions. Cross talk is also making distracting comments or questions while someone is sharing, speaking to another member of the group while someone is sharing or responding to what someone has shared during his or her time of sharing. Additional types of cross talk would be handing a tissue or tissue box while someone is crying during their time of sharing. This interrupts feelings. Remember, there is healing in tears!
3. We are here to support one another, not “fix” one another.
This keeps us focused on our own issues. We do not give advice or solve someone’s problem in our time of sharing or offer book referrals or counselor referrals! We are not licensed counselors, psychologists, or therapists, nor are the group members. Celebrate Recovery groups are not designed for this. It is up to the participants to include outside counseling to their program when they’re ready.
4. Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements.
What is shared in the group stays in the group. The only exception is when someone threatens to injure themselves or others. We are not to share information with our spouses/family/coworkers. This also means not discussing what is shared in the group among group members. This is called gossip.
5. Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group.
Therefore, we ask that you please watch your language. The main issue here is that the Lord’s name is not used inappropriately. We also avoid graphic descriptions. If anyone feels uncomfortable with how specifically a speaker is sharing regarding his/her behaviors, then you may indicate so by simply raising your hand. The speaker will then respect your boundaries by being less specific in his/her descriptions. This will avoid potential triggers that could cause a person to act out.