'f'vu,PoseDriven

A PURPOSE-DRIVEN' RECOVERY RESOURCE

/oHN BIKER
FoREwoRD BY Rrcr< WeRRTN

A recovery program

based

on eight principles from the Beatitudes

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

L]PDATED EDITION

e eleb rate Recoveryu

Growing in Christ While Flelpirg Others

PeRTICIPANT,S GUIDE 4
A recov ery prog ram based on
eight principles from the
Be atttudes

FoREwoRD BY RrcK WnRREN

JOFIN BAKER

I I

tzoNDERVAN'
ZONDERVAN.com/
AUTHORTRACKER
follow gour favorite quthors

CoNTENTS
Foreword by Rick Warren / 7

Introduction /

The Road to Recovery: Eight Principles Based on the Beatitudes / I0

Twelve Steps and Their Biblical Comparisons Sereniry Prayer

/ 1l

/ 13 / 14

Celebrate Recoveryt Small Group Guidelines Lesson L9: Crossroads

15

Lesson 20: Daily Inventory / 27 Lesson

2I:

Relap se

/ 34

Lesson 22: Gratitude / Lesson 23: Give / 48 Lesson 24: Yes

4I

/ 53
/ 60

Lesson 25: Seven Reasons \7e Get Stuck

Afierword / 63

TFIE RoAD To RECoVERY

Eight Principles Based on the Be atttudes
By Pastor Rick Warren

1.

Realize I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.

2.

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

3.

conffol.

4.
5.

"Hnpp! are the meeh." (Matthew 5:5) Openly examine and confess my faults to myselfi
someone

to God, and to

I trust.
"Hopp! are
the

6.

7.
8.

pure in heart." (Matthew 5:8) Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. *Hnpp! are tltose whose greatest desire is to do what God requires." (Matthew 5:6) Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others. 'Hnpp! are the rnerciful." (Matthew 5:7) 'Hnpp! are the peacemakers." (Maxhew 5:9) Reserve adily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. 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

TWELVE STEPS AND THEIR BIBLICAL COMPARI SONS1.

'W'e

admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.

'I hnow that nothing

For

good liues in rne, that is, in my sinful nAhl.re. 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,

you, brothers, in uieut of God's rnerc!, to ffir your bodies as liuing samifices, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your spirinal act of worship." (Romans 12:1)

urge

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
(Jarnes

will

ffi you up."

4:10)

II

7. Ve humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.

"If we
confess

our sins

faithful and jast and willforgiue us andpurifi usfrom all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9)
our sins, he
is

8.

'S7'e

made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. "Do to otlters
as

you would haue them do

to

!ou." (Luhe 6:31)

9. IU(/e made direct amends

"Therefore,

to such people whenever possible, except

when to do so would injure them or others.

ifyou are ffiring your gifi at the ahar and there

remember that your brother has something against you, leaue your gifi there in front of the ahar. First go and be reconciled to lour brother; 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 careful thatyou 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 and power 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 our
affairs. "Brotliers,

if someone is caught in a sin, yu who are spiritual should 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 ftmiliar with the secular 12 Steps (I acknowledge the use of some materid from the 12 Suggested Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous) and in so doing, introduce them to the one and only true Higher Power, Jesus Christ. Once they begin that relationship, asking Christ into their hearts as Lord
and Savior, true healing and recovery can begin!
T2

STRENITY PntvER
If 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 Serenity

God, grant me tlte serenily

to accept the things

cannot change,

the courage to change the things

can,

and the wisd.om to know the dffirence.

Liuing one day at a tirne, enjoying one moment at a tirnei accepting hardship as a pathutay tahing, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is,

to peacei

it; nusting thatYou will rnahe all if I sanender to Your wilh

so that

not lts I utould haue

things right

may be reasonabh hnppl in this life

You

and supremely happy with

Amen.

foreuer

in

the next.

Reinhold Niebuhr

13

CELEBRATE RECoVERY,S

SUALL GROUP GUIDELINES

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

l.
2.
3. 4.

Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings.

Limit

5.

your sharing to three to five minutes. There is NO cross tdk. Cross talk is when two individuals engage in conversation excluding all others. Each person is free to express his or her feelings without interruptions. \7e are here to support one another, not "fix" another. 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. Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group.

r4

Lesso

19

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

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

ThinkAbout
Jesus says,

It

"Ifyou live as I tell you to, . . . you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32, TLB). By working the principles and following Christ's directions, the foundation of your life has been rebuilt. You will undoubtedly see major changes in your life, ifyou havent
already! 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) are where 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 three key 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 than the principle, but in no way do we intend to discount the many benefits ofdaily living Principle 7.

r5

Celebrate Recovery

16

Take 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: "

"If
we say

. . . and when we were

wrong . . ."

that we haae no sins, ute are only fooling ourselues, and refusing 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 ffiring
you suddenly remernber a grudge

afiend

has against you, abandon

your

ffiring,

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

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

'Write

17

Lesson 19: Crossroads

Write About

It

1.

Before you start working on Step 10, take a momenr to reflect and list some of the changes in your life that have come from working the steps

and principles with Jesus

as

your Higher Power.

How has your behavior changed?

o \[hat

specific relationships have been restored or improved?

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

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

Celebrate Re covery

f l8

2.

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 along with the bad. \flrite down victories and areas of needed gro*th. Look for patterns. share them with your sponsor or accountability parrner at the end of the week.

19

Lesson 19: Crossroads

Your Step 10 Journal D^y One

Celebrate Recovery

20

D^y Two

eerrll tr"O,
speorssorC :6r uossef

rT

Celebrate Rec overy

22

D^y Four

e^l{ z{rr-q
speorssorC :6t uossef

Ec

Celebrate Rec overy

24

D^y Six

ueAOS

l"g,

speorssorJ :6r uossaf

Sz

Celebrate Rec overy

z6

4.

\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?

Lesson 20

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

tf you think yzu Are standing firm, be careful that

lou dontfall!" (1 Corinthians 10:12)

Think About It
In Principle 7 and Step 10, we begin to apply what we have discovered in 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 to grow daily in our new relationships with Jesus Christ and others. God has provided us with a daily checklist for our new lifesryle. It's called the "Great Commandment":
"'Loue the Lord your God with all your heart . . . soul and . . .

first and greatest cornrnandrnent. And the second is lihe it: 'Loue your neighbor as yourself 'All the Laut and the Prophas ltang on these two comrnandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
the

mind.'This h

James l:22 encourages us: "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."'When we practice the Great
27

Celebrate Recovery

z8

Commandment, we become doers of Godt \ford, living examples of Christ. 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 proof to 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 admit we 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-the good and the bad. \7e need ro search for where we might have harmed someone or where we acted out of anger or fear. The best way ro do this is to keep a journal! Then the next morning as promptly as we can, we need to admit mistakes and make our amends.
Periodic
Every three months, get away for a "mini retreat." Bring your daily journal with you. Pray and read your daily entries. Ask God to show you areas in your life that you can improve over the next ninety days and the victories that you have made in the last ninety days! The Bible gives us instructions on how to avoid the necessity of making an amends in Step 10:
"Intelligent people think btfore they speak; uhat they say is then more persuasiue. " (Prouerbs I6:23, GIVB) "Let no foul or polluting language, nor euil word nor
unut/tolesome or u)orthless

talk (euer) come out ofyour mout/t, but znb suclt (speech) as is good and benefi.cial to the spiritual 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)

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 knguages without learning them, and could speah in euery language there is in all of heauen and eartlt, but didnl loue otlters,

would. only be mahing noise." (1 Corinthians 13:1, TLB)

Step 10 daily action plan

1.

2. 3. Read and memorize one of the Step l0 verses (see above). 4. \fork all steps and principles to the best of your abiliry.

Continue to take a daily inventory, and when you are wrong, prompdy make your amends. Summarize the events of your day in your journal.

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
today. Thanh You for giuing me the tools to utork rny program and liue my ffi dffirent$t, centered in Your will. Lord, help me to mahe my amends prornptb and ash for forYou

Dear God, thanh

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

It

l.

'Sfhat

of the advantages of each of the three types of inventories in your recovery? How can they help you to "be careful that you dont fall"?
are some

Celebrate Rec overy

30

Ongoing:

o Daily:

o Periodic (monthly,

quarte rly, or annually):

2.

\7hat do the following in this step?

verses mean to you and how can they help you

"From a wise mind comes careful and persuasive speech." (Proverbs 16:23,TLB)

"Dont use bad langu age. S"y only what is good and helpful to those you are talking to, and what will give them a blessing." (Ephesians 4:29,TLB)

3r

I Lesson 2c: Daily Inventory

"The wise man is known by his common sense, and a pleasant teacher is the best." (Proverbs L6:2I,TLB)

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

"If I had a grftof being able to speak in other languages without learnirg them, and could speak in every language there is in all of heaven and 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 though the spirit is willirg enough, the body is weak." (Mark I4:38,TLB)

3.

What is your daily action plan for Step

10?

Celebrate Recovery

3z

4.

\)7hat are the recurring events ing to make amends for?

issues that you are constantly need-

'!7ith your family?

o Vith

your friends?

o \(/ith those you work

with?

o With those in your church or recovery program?

PnTNCTPLE TAVrRSES
'As God's messenger I giue each ofyo, God's utarning: Be honest in your 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 keep yzur conscience clear doing uthat you know is rigltt. " (1 Timothy l:19, TLB)
"Cross-exAmine

my motiues and
can

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

justtfi zur euery/ deed. but God looks dt our motiues."

(Prouerbs

,"We

21:2, TLB)

'A sensible mnn watches for problems a/tead and prepares to meet t/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 lihe

sflas'-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, should be ofjoy, because lou full )/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

Lesson 2r

ruLAPSE
Principle 7: Reserve a daly time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.
Step 11: \7e sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, pra.rng only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.
"Let tlte word of Christ dwell in you richly.' (Colossians 3:16)

ThinkAbout

It

The 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 selfexamination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for 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)
Evaluate
Your 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

35

Lesson zr: RelaPSe

Hurting
Exhausted

A"S.y
Resentful Tense
Special 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. . . . Do things 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 to 'We need to slow down listen to our bodies, our minds, and our souls. enough to hear the Lordt directions.
"Test euerytlting

tlten accept

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

it

is,

"Let eueryone be sure that he is doing his uery best, for then he uill haue the personal satisfaction of uorh well done and wonl need to corn?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 time

Jesus 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! Be specific in your prayil requests; pray about everything, asking for Godt perfect will.

Celebrate Recovery

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!

\(e
is

need to remember that our timing can be flawed, while perfect!

"Listen to me. Keep silence and
(Job

Godt timing

I utill teach you utisdom!"

33:33, TLB)

"Ifyou do this you will experience God's peace, which is far rnore wonderful than the hurnan mind can understand. His peace utill keep 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. Maintaining an "attitude of gratitude" is like taking spiritual vitamins. Share your victoris5-n6 matter how small-with others in your group. Your growth will give others hope! alwayt pray dt all times, be thanhful in all circumstnnces. This is what God wants fro* lou in you, Itft in union with ChristJesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16, GM)
"Be joyful

Here

are a few

final suggestions for preventing relapse:

1. 2.

Pray and read your Bible daily. Establish a specific time of day to have your "quiet time."

Make affendirg your recovery meeting

prioriry. Stay close to your

support team.

37

Lesson zr: RelaPSe

3. 4.

Spend time with your family (if they arc safe). spend time with your church family. Get involved in service. Volunteer!

If they are not,

WriteAbout

It

l.

W'hat are some of the ways (tools) that you have developed in your recovery to prevent relapse?

2.

Do a H-E-AR-T check right now. Are you Hurting?

Exhausted?

Angry?

Resentful?

Tense?

Celebrate Re covery

f 38

3.

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
with God?

skills

39

/ Lesson zr: Relapse

it
is important.

5.

Describe what a "quiet rime" means ro you and why

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 help you on your journey and prevent relapse?

Celebrate Recovery

4o

g.

I thinkwe all agree that recovery is a joy, but it also requires hard work. \rhat do you do to celebrare your recovery-even the small victories?

Lesso

n 22

GRATITUDT
Principle 7: Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.
Step 1 1: Ve sought through pruyer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praytn* only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.
"Let the word of Christ

&tell in you richly.'

(Colossians

3:16)

ThinkAbout

It

One 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, OTHERS He has placed in your life, your RECOVERY, and your CHURCH. Be thankful to God
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in euerything,
and
by prayer

petition, with thanhsgiuing, present your (Philippians 4:6)

"Let
us giue thanks

requests to God.

"

to the Lonn for his unfailing loue and uonderful deeds for men. " (Psalm 107:15)

4r

Celebrate Recovery

42

Be thankful for others

"Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other in step with 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,

in the wa!, and the sin which holds on to us so tightly and let us run with determination
Iet us rid ourselues of eaerything that gets 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 Ptayer
Dear 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 get to know You better. Htlp me to better und.erstand. Your plan, Your purpose for my life. Fat/ter, hrb me liue utithin today, seeking Your taill and liuing this day as You would haue me. It is my prdyer to haue others see me as Yours; not just in my words but, more importantb, in my actions. Thank Youfor Your loue, Your grAce, Your perfectforgiueness. Thank youfor all those You haue placed, in my hfe, for my program, m! recuaery, and. my church family. Your will be done, not mine. In Your Son's nAme I pray, Amen.

43

Lesson zz: Gratitude

VriteAbout It

1.

\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 for Godt power? Try to think of areas of growth or positive change in you that only God could have accomplished.
e.

b.

3.

Name three people God has placed in your recoverywho you are grateful for and why.
a.

b.

Celebrate Recovery

fM

4.

\X/hat three areas of your recovery events are you thankfi.rl for? \7hy?
l.

ministry small groups, or other

b.

5.

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

b.

45

Lesson 22: Gratitude

6.

Review

Congratulations! You have just completed your first gratitude list. it. How does it make you feel?

7.

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

PruNCIPLE 7B VrRSES
"Tlte uthole Bible was giuen to us by inspiration fro* God and is useful to teac/t us wltat is true and to make us realize what is utrong in 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 " constantb changing for the better. (Ephesians 4:23, TLB)

be

"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 Wice behind lou say, '1V0, this is the uay; walk here."' (Isaiah 30:2 l, TLB)
w/to do not follow euil menls aduice, uho do not hang Around with sinners, scffing at the things of 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
*So

*Ol,t,

the joys of those

l:l-2,

TLB)

nzw you cnn look forward soberly and intelligentb to more of God's hind.ness to you when Jesus Christ returnl Obey God

because

you Are his children; don't slip back into )/our old wdydoing 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

*Watch

with me and pray lest the Tbmpter oaerpzwer yzu. For though the spirit is utilling enough, the body is weak. " (Mark 14:38, TLB)
"Be glod

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

"You Are liuing a brand new more and more of

kind tf ltft that is continually learning 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 suppb of utisdom to all who ask him; he will not resent it." (James 1:5, TLB)

47

Lesso

n 23

Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by -y example and by -y words.
"Hopp! Are t/tose who
Are persecuted because they do

uhat God requires," (Mdtthew 5:10)

Step 12: Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these try to caffy this message to others, and practice these principles in all our affairs.
steps, we "Brot/ters,

in A sin, you who are spiritual But utatc/t lourself, o, you also should restore him gently. ma! be tempted," (Galatians 6:1)
is caught

tf someone

Think About It
"Freely you /taue receiued.,

frttb

giue. " (Matthew 10:B)

\fhat
God first

does

it mean to GIVE?

By placing God first in your life, you

have is a

will

realize that everything you

gift from Him. You realize that your recovery is not dependent on materid things. It is built upon your faith and your desire to follow Jesus Christt direction.
+8

49

Lesson 23: Gwe

-IHzJ did not eaen keep back his own Son, but offiod him

for

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 you

will hate one and

loue the other or else the other wa! Around.

"

(Manhew 6:24, TLB)

I becomes we
I
The 12 Steps do not begin with the word "I." The first word in Step 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

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

uith

(Manhew zz:SV-59)
"Ttuo dre better

of than

one, because together they can utorh more

up.

ffictiuely lfone of themfalls doutn, the other can help him

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 share our experience and victories. "This is how it was for me. . . ." "This is what happened to me. . . ." "This is how I gained the strength. . . ." "There's hope for you."
giue thanhs to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the rnerciful Father, the Godfrorn whorn all help cornes! He helps us
us

"Let

in all our troubles, so that

u)e Are able to help those who haue

u.,e

all

hinds of troubles, using the same help that

ourselues ltaue

receiuedfrom God.'(2 Corinthians 1:3, GNB)

Celebrate Rec overy

So

Exampl. of your actions

In James l:22 it says we are to be "doers of the word." But to be of help to another, we are to "carry the message in all our affairs." You have all heard the term "Sunday Christians." Let us not become just "Friday night recovery buffs."
"My children, our loue should not

just utords and talk; it must true loue, which shows itself in action." (1 John 3:18, GNB)
be

be

The Lord spreads His message through the eight principles and the Christ-centered 12 Steps. \(/e are the instruments for delivering the Good News. The way we live will confirm to others the sincerity of our commitment to our Lord, to the program, and to them!Thatt Principle 8.
"No one lights a lamp and then couers it with a washtub or shoues it under the bed. No, you set it up on a lamp stand so those who enter tlte roorn can see their way. . . . WeTe not hiding things; weTe bringing euerlthirg out into the open. So be careful that you donT become
misers. . .

. Generosiry

begets generosity. Stinginess impoueris/tes.

"

(Luke B:16-18, MSG)

Write About

It
l0:8-"Freely you have received,
freely

1.

\il7hat does Matthew

give"-

mean to you?

5r

Lesson

2l: Give

2.

How has your aftempt to put God first in your life changed your understanding of the word "give"?

3.

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

4.

'\Jf.hat

are some of your recent victories that you could share

with

newcomer?

5.

In James l:22 weare told to be "doers ofthe'W'ord.' How can you be a doer ofthe \7ord

among family and friends?

Celebrate Rec overy

52

o in your

recovery group?

in your church?

on the job?

o in your

communiry?

Lesson 24

Principle 8: Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by -y example and by -y words.
*Hoppy
Are t/tose utho Are persecuted, because they do

what God requires.' (Manhew 5:10) Step 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.
"Brot/ters,

tf someone

is caught

in

A sin,

lou uho Are spiritual

should restore him gently. But watc/t )/ourself, o, lou also may be tempted." (Galatians 6:1)

ThinkAbout It
\Zhen you reach this step you are ready to Yield myself to God
Principle 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.
say YES

to service.

Tf a Christian is ouercorne by sorne sin, . . . humbly help hirn bach onto the right path, rernernbering that the next time it might be one ofyou who is in the urong. Share each other's troubles and problerns, and so obey our Lord's command." (Gaktians 6:1-2, TLB)

53

Celebrate Recovery

54

Example is what is important

Your walk needs to match your talk because your lifestyle reflects what you believe. Does your lifestyle show others the patterns of the worldselfishness, 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 and in trut/,r." (l John 3:15) Serve others
'S7.hen
as Jesus

uith actions

Christ did

you have reached Principle 8, you are ready to pick up the "Lordb towel," the one with which He washed the disciples' feet in the upper room.
'And since I, the Lord and Tbacher, haue washed yourfeet, you ought to uash each
other's

feet.
done

loa an example to follow: to you." (John 13:14-15, TLB)

haue giuen

do as

haue

HowYou Can SayYES

I. Be an accountabiliry pdrtner. Look for someone in your small group who will agree to encourage and support you as you work through the
principles. You agree to do the same for that person. You hold one another accountable for working an honest program.
2. Be a sponsor. Sponsors are people who have worked the principles or

the steps. Their job is to guide newcomers on their journey through the program, to give a gentle nudge when they are procrastinating or slow
them 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 many opportunities for service in this recovery ministry and in your church.

55

Lesson

z{:Yes

You have come to the fork in your road to recovefy.

(,r%

SERVICE

I
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 whom 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?

Celebrate Recovery

f 56

2.

\7'hat are some ways you can pick up the I-ordt towel (|ohn 13:1415) today and start serving others?

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

to you?

say

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

means in your recovery.

it

unless you give

it

away"

57

Lesson z4: Yes

6.

Create your own acrion plan for Principle 8.

I am going to explore opportunities

a,

ro serve in the following areas:

b.

PruNCIPLE 8 VTRSES
ute /taue-he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Cltrist, the source of euery mercy, and the one taho so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. And *hy does he do this? So that wlten others Are troubled,

"Wtat A wond.erful God

needing our symPathy and encouragement, u)e cAn pass on to them 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 haue seen God doingfor )/ou.. May his miracles ltaue a deep and Permanent tffit, upon your liues! Tell your children and your grandchildren about the glorious miracles /te did." (Deuteronomy 4:9, TLB) "fn the sdme uay, faith by itself tf it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (fa*es 2:17)
"Liue and act in a way uorthy
those w/to haue been cltosen such wonderful blessings as t/test. " (Ephesians 4: TLB)

l,

for

"Bofi we Christians /taue no ueil ouer our faces; we can be mirrors 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 otber in 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 them

out. . . . 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

"DeAr brotlters,

tf a Christian is oaercome by some sin,

yuu who

godb should gentb and humbb htb him back onto the right patlt, remembering that next time it might be one oflou who is in the u)rong. " (Galatians 6:1, TLB)
Are

"Two cAn accomplish mrre than tuice as much as one, for the resuhs cnn be muclt better. If one follt, the other pulls

him up; but if a mAn follt when he is alone, he?s in trouble. . . . And one standing alone cAn be attacked and drtated, but two
cAn 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

Lesso

n 25

SEVEN RTASONS WE GET STUCK

fu you complete your journeyyotrwill
discover the rewards of spon-

soring newcomers. Your role as a sponsor will be to help others along their journey on the road to recovery by guiding them through the principles and steps. Your task is not to pick them up and carry them through the steps, but to stand alongside them as they complete their journey. At times, you may need to slow them down when they are moving through the steps too quickly; or you may need to speed them up when they get stuck along the side of the road. There ate seven major areas in which I have seen individuals get "stuck" at some point in their recoveries. It is important that you are familiar with each of them so you help them get "unstuck."

You have not completely worked the previous principle

Perhaps you are

trying to move through the principles too quickly.

with the Spirit."

Slow down! Give God time to work! Remember, this program is a process.
"Since we liue by the Spirh, let us keep in step

(Gaktians 5:25)

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

6o

6r

Lesson zJ: Seven Reasons We Get Stuck

"For good judgment dnd comrnon sense, trust cornpletely; d.on\ euer trust in

in the Lord In euerything you do, lourself put Godfirst, and he utill direct you and crown your tffirtt 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 be

forgiven.
"Br.tt

,f *t

confess

our sins to him, /te cAn be depended on to

(1 John

forgtrt

us . .

from euer! u)rong."

l:9, TLB)

"So oue(Iowing is his

hindnes toutards us that he took away all oar sins through the blood of his Son, by whom we Are snued." (Ephesians l:7, TLB)

Have you forgiven yoursel0 Remember,

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

You really have not forgiven others who have harmed you
You 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 personally utill pick you up, and
rnake you stronger
set

isfull of

kindness through Christ, utill giue you his eternal glory. He you

tltan euer."

(I

frmly

in pkce and

Peter

5:10-11, TLB)

You

are afraid

of the risk in making the necessary change

You 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 resist change (growth) because of the fear of the unknown.

Celebrate Recovery

6z

for I arn with you. Do not be disrnayed. . . . I will strengthen !ou; I will help you; I will uphold yu with m1 uictorious right hand." (Isaiah 4l:10, TLB)
"Fear not,

'That is uthy ue cnn say utitltout any dnubt orfear, 'The Lord is my Helper and I am not afraid of anything that mere rnan cAn do to me."' (Hebrews 13:6, TLB) You are not willing to "own" your responsibility
You need to take responsibiliry for your past in a broken relationship, with a distant child or parent, and so forth.
"Examine rne, O God, and know m! mind; test rue, and discouer . . .

a damaged friendship,

if there is any euil in me and guide me in the euerlasting

(Psalm 139:23, GNB)

way."

You have not developed an effective support team

Do you have a sponsor or an accountability partner? Do you have the phone numbers of others in your small group? Have you volunteered for a commitment to your recovery ministry?
"Be utith uise men and become utise. Be and. become euil." (Prouerbs

with euil men l3:20, TLB)

freedom: not freedom to d.o urong, but freedom to loue and serae each another. " (Galatians 5:13, TLB)
been giuen

"Dear brothers, you /taue

"sltare each other's troubles and problerus, and so obey

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

ApTERwoRD
CONGRAIUIAIIONS! You have completed all eight principles and all 12 Steps! I do not have to tell you that was not an easy accomplishment!There are many rewards found in this Christ-centered program. It is important that you share your "miracle" with others. You are a living
example of God's grace.

pray for your continued growth in Christ, your

recovery, and your service to others. Below please find Celebrate Recovery's

DailyAction Plan for Serenity.

In His steps,
John Baker

Celebrate Recouery's Daily Action Plan

1.

for Serenity

Daily, continue to take an inventory. Vhen you are wrong, promptly admit it. 2. Daily, srudy God's Vord and pray asking God to guide you and help you apply His teaching and will in your life. 3. Daily, work and live the eight principles to the best of your abiliry, always looking for new opportunities to help and serve others-not just at your recovery meetings but in all areas of your life.

63

R"rtL.

I'm not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my 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 to

Christ's care and control.
"Happy are the meeh."

Op"nly

and to someone

"*"-ine I trust.

and confess my faults to God, to myself

the

'Happy are

pure inheart,"

Voluntarily submit to
defects.

every change God wants to make

in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character

"Happy are those whose gredtest desire k to do what God requires."

Eudrrate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I've done to others, except when to do so would harm
them or others.
"Happy are the merciful." "uappy are the pedcemdhers."

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