About step programs I guess it is time for my next blog post. A question has come up that I feel that I must address. I have heard this before but this time it affect me in a more personal way. Can what you are doing possibly work if it is not the original twelve step program. There is on the surface reason for the question but if you look deeper at the question it does present a more pressing problem for Christians. Upon further reflection the question even violates the steps of the twelve step program itself. First I going to post copies of the steps of three organizations so you all have reference to what we are disusing.
First up is Alcoholics Anonymous
Service Material from the General Service Office
THE TWELVE STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become
unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to
sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature
of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make
amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do
so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly
admitted it.
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.
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.
Next I post Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery 12 Steps Twelve Steps and Their Biblical Comparisons 1
We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18
2
We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13
3
We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
4
We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40
5
We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16
6
We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
7
We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
8
We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31
9
We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24
10
We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12
11
We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16
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 our affairs. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Last I post L.I.F.E. Priciples
Seven Principles for L.I.F.E. Following are the principles we follow as a path for healing our sexual woundedness, sin, and addiction:
1. We admit that we have absolutely no control of our lives. Sexual sin has become unmanageable.
2. We believe in God, accept the grace offered through His Son, Jesus Christ, and surrender our lives and our wills to Him on a daily basis.
3. We make a list of our sins and weaknesses and confess those to a person of spiritual authority.
4. We seek accountability and to build our character as children of God.
5. We explore the damage we have done, accept responsibility, and make amends for our wrongs.
6. In fellowship with others we develop honest, intimate relationships, where we celebrate our progress and continue to address our weaknesses.
7. As we live in sexual integrity, we carry the message of Christ’s healing to those who still struggle, and we pursue a vision of God’s purpose for our lives.
Now that we have posted the steps its time to continue. I said earlier that I thought their might be a conflict of principle. Here is what I mean. I each of the group statements we see in the first two steps, first admitting that we are helpless to control our own thoughts and actions, and second admitting either God or some form of higher power. In later steps we are told to ask and rely on this God or higher power to aid us in our recovery. When we believe that our healing can only be achieved through the program that has helped us and that no other program has merit we have given the program the authority of the higher power or God. This might work in an AA program where the individual determines that his or her higher power is but in the other two Christian based programs it can not work. Evan in the AA program if the a person has determined that on a higher power other than the program it sets up doubt in the ability of the power a person is asking for help.
The real ability of any program to help lies in its ability to bring people into a belief structure opposed to their old ways of thinking. Believe it or not there is psychology behind how these programs work. Further more it is the specifics of psychological principles as outlined in the Bible. AA was founded on biblical principles and the broadened to help or invite those who were not Christian to a place to get help. It is well documented that the founder was kicked out of his church for this.
While AA has had some success only a small percentage of those being helped achieve lasting results. A one time AA member saw the program and as a Christian based program that had been highjacked and no longer properly functioning. This is not a quote but rather my impression of what I have learned about the start of Celebrate Recovery and its start. While in some ways I believe this to be true I still believe and I think that those who started the latter believe that many of the Biblical principles are still at work in the AA program. I believe that a principle of the Bible works for all not just believers. Many rich people who do not believe in Jesus give to charities and are rewarded according to the precepts as recorded in the Bible. Like wise following recovery principles such as forgiveness and confession will also reap their Biblical result.
Celebrate Recovery has a much better track record than AA. Why would this be? I believe it is the extra benefit of honoring God as the trinity. This allows for the relationship of Father God and adopted son. God can then help us in ways he could not before and the steps of reliance on him become more than just words. Belief cam cause us to change our behaviors. But as a Christian we know that there is more to this world than what can be seen felt and measured. Satan and his forces of evil are very real and want nothing more than to see us fall again. This demon knows all our weaknesses and will constantly put temptations in our paths. With a relationship with God we have some protection from this spiritual onslaught. Focus on the Bible is what makes Celebrate different than AA. The steps are the same except for wording that reflects this.
On to the L.I.F.E program while it appears to have eliminated some of the steps all it really did is combine a few. The creator of the L.I.F.E. Program was also involved with a twelve step program at one time. I believe it was SA. A twelve step program designed just for those who suffer from the various forms of sexual addiction. Evan out side the Church there was a realization that sexual addiction required something a little different. Dr. Laaser saw that as groups were meeting and new members were coming those who came toward the beginning of round of step teaching had to wait many weeks before it got back to the beginning so they could start at the beginning. He decided to develop this system whereby there was a much smaller wait in cycling the principles. Seven principle with three teaching lessons each. Each seven weeks starts fresh but members can focus on their teaching in the small group time and the level they are at in their recovery. It is also more than just meetings as workbooks and home work are part of the learning process. In reality all of the twelve steps of the other two programs are their either combined into a principle or in the homework assignment of one of the lessons.
In the end they are all similar. They all help as many people as they can. But in the end it all boils down to believing in a life style with a heart that will not allow a person to go back to old hurtful habits. For the Christian that means having a heart to do things Jesus would have you do. For others this means living abetter life with fewer problems. For the Christian it means the difference between eternity in heaven or hell. But then the higher the stakes the more the motivation to change. Any program we may participate in is just a tool to help us get to those beliefs. It is the ability to believe that is important no matter how we get to the belief. A program in itself can not make a person believe. They merely help a person see the need for change and some tools to accomplish changing. As a pastor I have had the chance to evangelize a time or two. On one occasion a gentleman started yelling at me, I don't need your brain washing. It occurred to me he was right. That was just what we were trying to do as Christians. Wash away wrong patterns of thinking and replace them with ways of thinking in alignment with what the Bible teaches.
First up is Alcoholics Anonymous
Service Material from the General Service Office
THE TWELVE STEPS OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become
unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to
sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we
understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature
of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make
amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do
so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly
admitted it.
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.
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.
Next I post Celebrate Recovery
Celebrate Recovery 12 Steps Twelve Steps and Their Biblical Comparisons 1
We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18
2
We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13
3
We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
4
We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Lamentations 3:40
5
We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16
6
We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
7
We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
8
We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31
9
We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:23-24
10
We continue to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 1 Corinthians 10:12
11
We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. Colossians 3:16
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 our affairs. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Last I post L.I.F.E. Priciples
Seven Principles for L.I.F.E. Following are the principles we follow as a path for healing our sexual woundedness, sin, and addiction:
1. We admit that we have absolutely no control of our lives. Sexual sin has become unmanageable.
2. We believe in God, accept the grace offered through His Son, Jesus Christ, and surrender our lives and our wills to Him on a daily basis.
3. We make a list of our sins and weaknesses and confess those to a person of spiritual authority.
4. We seek accountability and to build our character as children of God.
5. We explore the damage we have done, accept responsibility, and make amends for our wrongs.
6. In fellowship with others we develop honest, intimate relationships, where we celebrate our progress and continue to address our weaknesses.
7. As we live in sexual integrity, we carry the message of Christ’s healing to those who still struggle, and we pursue a vision of God’s purpose for our lives.
Now that we have posted the steps its time to continue. I said earlier that I thought their might be a conflict of principle. Here is what I mean. I each of the group statements we see in the first two steps, first admitting that we are helpless to control our own thoughts and actions, and second admitting either God or some form of higher power. In later steps we are told to ask and rely on this God or higher power to aid us in our recovery. When we believe that our healing can only be achieved through the program that has helped us and that no other program has merit we have given the program the authority of the higher power or God. This might work in an AA program where the individual determines that his or her higher power is but in the other two Christian based programs it can not work. Evan in the AA program if the a person has determined that on a higher power other than the program it sets up doubt in the ability of the power a person is asking for help.
The real ability of any program to help lies in its ability to bring people into a belief structure opposed to their old ways of thinking. Believe it or not there is psychology behind how these programs work. Further more it is the specifics of psychological principles as outlined in the Bible. AA was founded on biblical principles and the broadened to help or invite those who were not Christian to a place to get help. It is well documented that the founder was kicked out of his church for this.
While AA has had some success only a small percentage of those being helped achieve lasting results. A one time AA member saw the program and as a Christian based program that had been highjacked and no longer properly functioning. This is not a quote but rather my impression of what I have learned about the start of Celebrate Recovery and its start. While in some ways I believe this to be true I still believe and I think that those who started the latter believe that many of the Biblical principles are still at work in the AA program. I believe that a principle of the Bible works for all not just believers. Many rich people who do not believe in Jesus give to charities and are rewarded according to the precepts as recorded in the Bible. Like wise following recovery principles such as forgiveness and confession will also reap their Biblical result.
Celebrate Recovery has a much better track record than AA. Why would this be? I believe it is the extra benefit of honoring God as the trinity. This allows for the relationship of Father God and adopted son. God can then help us in ways he could not before and the steps of reliance on him become more than just words. Belief cam cause us to change our behaviors. But as a Christian we know that there is more to this world than what can be seen felt and measured. Satan and his forces of evil are very real and want nothing more than to see us fall again. This demon knows all our weaknesses and will constantly put temptations in our paths. With a relationship with God we have some protection from this spiritual onslaught. Focus on the Bible is what makes Celebrate different than AA. The steps are the same except for wording that reflects this.
On to the L.I.F.E program while it appears to have eliminated some of the steps all it really did is combine a few. The creator of the L.I.F.E. Program was also involved with a twelve step program at one time. I believe it was SA. A twelve step program designed just for those who suffer from the various forms of sexual addiction. Evan out side the Church there was a realization that sexual addiction required something a little different. Dr. Laaser saw that as groups were meeting and new members were coming those who came toward the beginning of round of step teaching had to wait many weeks before it got back to the beginning so they could start at the beginning. He decided to develop this system whereby there was a much smaller wait in cycling the principles. Seven principle with three teaching lessons each. Each seven weeks starts fresh but members can focus on their teaching in the small group time and the level they are at in their recovery. It is also more than just meetings as workbooks and home work are part of the learning process. In reality all of the twelve steps of the other two programs are their either combined into a principle or in the homework assignment of one of the lessons.
In the end they are all similar. They all help as many people as they can. But in the end it all boils down to believing in a life style with a heart that will not allow a person to go back to old hurtful habits. For the Christian that means having a heart to do things Jesus would have you do. For others this means living abetter life with fewer problems. For the Christian it means the difference between eternity in heaven or hell. But then the higher the stakes the more the motivation to change. Any program we may participate in is just a tool to help us get to those beliefs. It is the ability to believe that is important no matter how we get to the belief. A program in itself can not make a person believe. They merely help a person see the need for change and some tools to accomplish changing. As a pastor I have had the chance to evangelize a time or two. On one occasion a gentleman started yelling at me, I don't need your brain washing. It occurred to me he was right. That was just what we were trying to do as Christians. Wash away wrong patterns of thinking and replace them with ways of thinking in alignment with what the Bible teaches.
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