18 Week Step Work Group Guide

A STEP
WORKGROUP
GUIDE

Big Book Format
(last revised August 1, 2008)

We are constantly trying to improve this Step Workgroup Guide with updates and revisions.
To ensure that you have the most recent version, please go to www.stratfordmens.org where, on the
bottom half of the homepage, you will find a hotlink for downloading the most recent version of this Guide.
Or, send us an email at stepworkgroup@aol.com giving the last revised date shown above on your copy..
If there is a more recent update, we will be happy to send it to you by return email.

1
INTRODUCTION

The Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous, contains a detailed account of how the authors recovered from
alcoholism. The essential foundations of that recovery can be described in two basic premises the necessity
of having a vital spiritual experience as a defense against the first drink and the ongoing need to work with
other alcoholics to maintain that defense.

The authors of the Big Book summarized their own vital spiritual experience in the Twelve Steps of
Alcoholics Anonymous found on pages 59-60 of our Book. In addition, the entire front portion of the Big
Book from page xxv though page 164 contains concrete and specific details on how the original members
of AA understood the Steps, how they went about working each of the Steps and what they did to incorporate
the Twelve Steps into their lives.

This Guide presents detailed instructions for organizing and running a 12-Step Workgroup based on the
guidelines and suggestions found in the Big Book. It attempts to organize those guidelines and suggestions
into eighteen comprehensive and manageable segments for use by a small group of recovering alcoholics.

This Guide is written for a Step Work Group, not a Step Study Group. During the meetings, the group will
certainly study and talk about the Steps but the real purpose of the group is to help each individual member put
that study and talk into action. The Big Book famously counsels:

The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. (Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83)

Based on this strong admonition, this Guide attempts to clarify the theory of the spiritual life and to
highlight and suggest ways for actually making the Steps our spiritual program of action (page 85) a
reality in our day-to-day lives.

The format of this Guide was adopted in the belief that it is essential for each recovering alcoholic to take the
Twelve Steps as completely and as thoroughly as possible and that one of the best ways to do this is to take the
Steps in the way that most closely resembles what worked for our founding members. The exercises in this
Guide are designed to help Group members trace exactly the same path to recovery that was blazed by the
earliest members of Alcoholics Anonymous (p. xxii).

Working the Steps alone may be fine. Doing them with another alcoholic is better. But working the Steps with
a group can be a powerful and life-transforming experience. Group discussion will surely increase your
understanding of what is required by each Step and the group will provide tremendous support and
encouragement for carrying out the often difficult actions that the Twelve Steps require.

This Guide is not meant to re-write our book, Alcoholics Anonymous, or to modify, in any way, the
information and instructions that are found there. If you find anything here that you think is contrary to what is
written in the Big Book, please let us know immediately. If, on the other hand, you think that this Guide has
left out some important elements that are found in the Big Book, we would very much like to hear from you.

This Step Workgroup Guide is a work in progress and we actively welcome your suggestions for
improvements. After conducting your own Step Workgroup, we encourage you to send us your comments or
proposed changes for this Guide (see page 107 of this Guide for details).

Pleases send all correspondence regarding this Guide to stepworkgroup@aol.com.

2
ORGANIZING A GROUP

RECRUITING GROUP MEMBERS: If you have never done a Step Workgroup in your area before, finding
ten people willing to make the commitment may prove challenging. But, if AAs in your area have done even
one of these Workgroups in the recent past, you will most likely find it relatively easy to enlist ten new
members. It has been our experience that people who finish this 18-week commitment always give it rave
reviews.

Whatever the degree of difficulty in organizing a Step Workgroup, it is critical that you make sure everyone
who is invited to join the Workgroup is clearly aware of how much dedication and work is involved in this 18-
week commitment. If you havent done one of these Step Workgroups before, we should warn you, ITS A
LOT OF COMMITMENT AND EVEN MORE HARD WORK! It is also critical to point out that each
group member must be able to honestly make the six commitments outlined in the Business section of the
first meeting (see page 4).

IT IS RECOMMENDED that the organizer of the first meeting print up ten or more sets of pages 1 through
13 of this Guide and give them to prospective members.

Giving prospects these thirteen pages will provide them with the important facts they need to know about the
Step Workgroup, allow them sufficient time to consider the degree of commitment and work required and, if
they decide to join, tell them what readings they need to do in preparation for the first meeting.

Again, when distributing these first thirteen pages, please do not be bashful about how much commitment and
work this Step Workgroup is going to be. You cant say this too often its a LOT of commitment and EVEN
MORE hard work. (And the rewards are even greater.)

PRINTING THE WORK BOOKS: If you are organizing a Step Workgroup, print out this PDF file and,
using the instructions below, take that copy to a local printer and print up a sufficient number of Step
Workgroup Guides for everyone in your proposed group. Members should be charged the per-copy cost of this
printing when they are distributed at the first meeting. (NOTE: When I had ten copies of this book printed and
bound according to these instructions at a local Kinkos in December of 2006, the cost was $13.64 per book.)

To Print the Step Workgroup Guide Books:

Print out this PDF file (make sure that the page scaling setting for your printer is set for NONE)

Separate out the front cover

Use this as your original and have the printer make up as many single-sided copies as your group will
need

Print the front cover on card stock and have the book coil bound (sometimes called wire bound)
with an acetate cover in front and black cardstock on the back

(Note: this type of binding will add almost 50% to the price of each book but we feel that the coil
binding is more than worth the added cost because of the ease of use it provides when writing out
homework assignments in the book.)
3
MEETING #1 Organization & Commitments

HOMEWORK to be done before Meeting #1

GROUP MEMBERS WILL REVIEW pages 1 through 13 of this Workgroup Guide.

ALSO READ the Preface and the four Forewords in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

NOTE: All page numbers in this Guide refer to the 4
th
edition of the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous,
published in 2001. If you are using a 3
rd
edition copy, the page references for The Doctors Opinion will be
off by two roman numerals because the 4
th
edition has added a new Foreword that is two-pages long.
Similarly, the page numbers for Appendix II: Spiritual Experience are different in the 3
rd
edition because the
Personal Stories that make up the second half of the Book have been changed.

WORKBOOKS: The organizer of the Workgroup will have a sufficient number of copies of this Guide printed
and bound and offer them to group members at cost during this first meeting. (For details on how to do this, see
page 2 of this Guide.)

Meeting #1 DISCUSSION: How the Group Works

READ AND DISCUSS the SUGGESTED PLAN for the Step Workgroup (as outlined below) and
then call for a group conscience on how your Step Workgroup meetings will be organized and operated.

To form a group of NO MORE THAN TEN PEOPLE. (NOTE: It is strongly suggested that the groups NOT
be co-ed because of 4
th
Step issues.)

The group will then hold an initial meeting to AGREE ON A TIME AND PLACE for all subsequent meetings
and for the length of the meeting (usually 90 minutes).

Be sure to CHECK THE CALENDAR when selecting your dates to avoid (or to compensate for) any holidays
and other significant events in group members lives. (Note: the group as a whole can decide to skip certain
problem dates such as national holidays or days when several members wont be able to attend.)

Each group should decide HOW THE MEETINGS WILL BE OPENED AND CLOSED. Some use the AA
preamble and the prayers that are common in their area for opening and closing meetings. Others avoid these as
being too much like the regular AA meeting format and improvise other ways of opening and closing the Step
Workgroup meetings.

Most groups ROTATE THE CHAIRPERSON from week to week.

Each member COMMITS TO COME TO THE MEETING HAVING READ AND STUDIED those
portions of the Big Book which relate to the Step under consideration and having completed the written
homework as outlined in the HOMEWORK section that precedes each meeting. (Preferably, this work will not
be done in a rush the night before or on the day of the meeting.)

READING THE BIG BOOK IS CENTRAL to this groups approach. This reading necessarily comes before
the writing. Read carefully and critically. If the definition of any word is not clear, please look it up in a
dictionary. Any questions about the readings should be discussed with members of this group or with your
sponsor.
4
Meeting #1 - Discussion

Group members must COMPLETE EACH WRITING ASSIGNMENT. Taking the Steps involves writing.
Writing helps to organize your thoughts. It is amazing what previously unknown facts just show up when you
write them down on paper.

After the initial meeting, NO ONE WILL BE ADDED TO THIS GROUP. If someone has a slip or is not
living up their commitments to the group, the group members must decide if it is in the best interest of the group
to allow them to continue with the group.

It is critical that everyone who attends these Step Workgroup meetings BE AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT IN
THE MEETINGS in short, EVERYBODY must get a chance to talk.

This is an 18-WEEK COMMITMENT. After completing the Steps, the group will DISBAND.

BUSINESS AT THE INTIAL MEETING:

IT IS CRITICAL that the following SIX COMMITMENTS be carefully reviewed, thoroughly understood
and sincerely accepted by all group members. At this first meeting, we usually ask each group member to
individually and publicly state their agreement to these six commitments.

THE SIX COMMITMENTS:

COMMIT to do the reading and the writing for all of the Twelve Steps.

COMMIT to do the Steps as outlined in the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous.

COMMIT to stay with the group through all eighteen meetings.

COMMIT to making telephone or personal contact with one or more members of the group during each week
that the Steps are being taken sharing your problems or experience with the homework assignment for that
week.

COMMIT to attend each meeting except for RARE and EXTREMELY UNUSUAL circumstances. Each
member really needs to be present each week. If a member cannot be present, another member should be called
and advised of the problem so that the group is informed about your absence. (It should be understood that
everyone will probably have one or two absences and that perfect attendance is not absolutely required.)

COMMIT to respect the confidentiality of each group member: What you hear here, stays here!

EXCHANGE phone numbers and addresses. (Some groups also exchange email addresses.)

DISCUSSION AT THE INITIAL MEETING, all group members will then discuss the Preface and the
four Forewords to the Big Book, Alcoholics Anonymous. An open discussion of the Preface and the
Forewords should touch on the following:

The statement (and the italics) in the Foreword to the First Edition that the main purpose of this book is to
show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered from alcoholism.

For claritys sake, this statement should be compared to the language used on page 29 at the end of Chapter Two
where it states: Further on, clear cut directions are given showing how we recovered.
5

DISCUSS the early history of AA as outlined in the Foreword to the Second Edition.

DISCUSS the two key elements necessary for recovery that are mentioned in relation to the story about the
physician at the bottom of page xvi and the top of page xvii.

DISCUSS the introduction of the Twelve Traditions as mentioned on page xix.

REVIEW the homework assignment for Meeting #2.

READ ALOUD the following basic premises that are the underlying foundations of the AA program:

1. Once an alcoholic starts drinking, there is no stopping (The Doctors Opinion and throughout the Big Book) but
the REALLY perplexing question is: Why do alcoholics start drinking in the first place when they have no
alcohol in their body? (pp. 5-6, 22-25 and throughout the Big Book).

2. We are convinced that because of a peculiar mental twist (p. 33), we are without defense against the first
drink (pp. 24, 43 and elsewhere) and it is the mental states that precede a relapse into drinking [that]
obviously is the crux of the problem (p. 35).

3. We can only call this peculiar mental twist, this defenselessness, this insidious insanity of that first drink (p.
8), plain insanity (p. 37) and admit that our behavior has been strangely insane (p. 38) when it comes to the
first drink. For alcoholics, there is a subtle insanity which precedes the first drink (p. 40).

4. The only way we can be restored to sanity is by having a vital spiritual experience (p. 27), we must pursue
the spiritual remedy (p. xvi), we must find a spiritual basis of life or else (p. 44 and throughout the Big
Book), our defense must come from a Higher Power (p. 43). [NOTE: Most found the foundation of this vital
spiritual experience in God but there was little consensus on a definition of God and some pursued completely
different spiritual paths. This prompted the founders to add the italicized phrase as we understood Him to the
3
rd
and 11
th
Steps.]

5. The Twelve Steps outline how we have acquired this vital spiritual experience, this spiritual basis for our lives.
The Twelve Steps represent the spiritual answer and program of action (p. 42) that has saved us.

6. Further, to preserve the ongoing effectiveness of this spiritual solution, it is imperative to work with others
because faith without works is dead (p. 14) and When all other measures failed, work with another
alcoholic would save the day (p. 15).

7. Finally, our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people around us
(p. 77). The Big Book could not be clearer that having a vital spiritual experience results not only in the fact
that we are able to stop drinking but also that we gradually turn away from selfishness and self-centeredness
(the root of our troubles p. 62) and begin to focus our lives on the ways in which we can be useful to others
(p.19 and more than seventy other places in the Big Book see pages 108-110 of this Guide for a comprehensive list).

6
MEETING #2 The First Step (The Doctors Opinion + Bills Story)


READ The Doctors Opinion (pp. xxv-xxxii) and Bills Story (pp. 1-16) in the Big Book.

UNDERLINE or highlight what seems important to you.

CAREFULLY NOTE theitalics in the text (authors use italics to indicate greater importance).

Having read these two chapters, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY WRITING brief
answers to each one.

PLEASE NOTE: this Workbook provides some space for you to write your answers below the questions, but do not
feel limited by the space provided. You can also write on the blank pages opposite each page or even in a separate
notebook.

1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words powerless and
unmanageable.

THE DOCTORS OPINION presents a medical diagnosis of alcoholism and makes suggestions regarding the cure.

2. In their commentary on the Doctors letter, the authors of the Big Book say any picture of the alcoholic which
leaves out this physical factor is incomplete (p. xxvi). How important do you think this factor is and why?

3. In their commentary on the letter, the authors of the Big Book almost casually mention that the alcoholics mind
is abnormal (p. xxvi). What does this mean to you?

7
Meeting #2 - Homework

4. What is the allergy that the doctor is talking about and how does it work? (pp. xxviii-xxx)

5. The doctor calls alcoholics people who are restless, irritable and discontented even before they drink (p.
xxviii). Is this an accurate description of yourself before AA? If so, provide some examples. How about now?

6. The doctor claims that these feelings of being restless, irritable and discontented are relieved by a few
drinks which produce a sense of ease and comfort (pp. xxviii-xxix). Does this pattern sound familiar to you?
How did taking a few drinks affect you?

7. These few drinks then lead to the phenomenon of craving which leads to more drinking. This escalation is
beyond [the alcoholics] mental control (pp. xxix-xxx). Can you identify with this pattern of drinking? How did
it work in your experience?

8. The doctor says that allergic types can never safely use alcohol in any form at all (p. xxviii) and that relief is
dependent on entire abstinence (p. xxx). Are you thoroughly convinced that total abstinence is the only
solution to your drinking problem? If so, why do you now believe that you cant take even ONE drink?

8

9. The doctor says that an entire psychic change must occur (p. xxix). What is a psychic change?

10. Whats needed to have one of those?

11. The doctor mentions five types in his classification of alcoholics (p. xxx). What are they and where do you
think you might fit into this outline?

12. What did you find in this chapter that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

[NOTE: this same question will recur in most weekly homework assignments. We know that some AAs do not feel it is
appropriate to question the wisdom of the Big Book but we also know that unless people get a chance to openly state and
discuss their disagreements with our basic text that those disagreements may well linger as reservations to the program
and may eventually lead to the next drink. We therefore feel it is best to openly acknowledge these issues rather than to try
to pretend that they do not exist.]

13. What was of particular significance to you in this chapter?

9

BILLS STORY is the personal history of Bill Wilson, mentioned in The Doctors Opinion as one of the leading
contributors to this book [who] came under our care (p. xxvii).

14. Did your drinking life have a roller coaster effect (up and down) like Bills or was your progression into
alcoholism more or less straight downhill?

15. How many times did you quit forever (p. 5)? How well did that work?

16. Did you ever have suicidal thoughts (p. 6)? If so, how close do your think you really ever came to suicide?

17. Were you ever hospitalized or treated medically for your alcoholism (p. 7)? If so, list some details of that
treatment.

18. Why is self-knowledge (p. 7) not a successful way to treat alcoholism?

10

19. How had Bills friend been raised from the dead when his human will had failed (p. 11)?

20. What statement by his old school friend hit Bill hard (p. 12)? Why was this statement so important to Bill?

21. What were the four essential requirements needed for Bills recovery (pp. 13/ 14)?

22. What is the importance of Faith without works was dead (p. 14)?

23. What is the ultimate thing that helps alcoholics to stay away from the next drink (when all other measures fail
p. 15)?

11


25. List five ways in which you were powerless over alcohol.

26. What were the five worst things that you have done as a result of being powerless over alcohol?
[NOTE: These five worst things will only be shared at a group level if YOU decide that it is appropriate to do
so. This list is primarily for YOU to get in touch with the problems and the evils that alcohol caused in your life.]

27. If you are still TRULY powerless over alcohol then that truth should result in several practical and concrete
actions in your life. List five suggestions that you have followed since joining AA (for instance, gotten the
booze out of the house, stayed out of bars, etc.) because you are powerless over alcohol.

12

28. Are there any practical and concrete suggestions for action that you have been given during your time in AA
that you have NOT taken (for instance, getting the booze out of the house, staying out of bars, etc.)? If so, what
are they?

29. The 12
th
Step says having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps and the Appendix in our
Book on Spiritual Experience notes that most of our [spiritual] experiences are [of] the educational
variety because they develop slowly over a period of time.

Has this exercise on the 1
st
Step contributed to or helped you develop your spiritual awakening?

If so, how?

READ through the outline for Meeting #2 on the next page and then review what you have written so far this week
in preparation for that meeting.

13
MEETING #2 - Discussion

The First Step (The Doctors Opinion + Bills Story)

STEP ONE: WE ADMITTED WE WERE POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL THAT OUR LIVES HAD
BECOME UNMANAGEABLE.

DISCUSSION TEXTS: The Doctors Opinion and Bills Story.

1. OPEN THE MEETING by going around the table and having each group member quickly report on whether they
(a) did the reading, (b) did the writing and (c) were in contact with other group members discussing these exercises
during the past week.

2. THEN HAVE A BRIEF DISCUSSION of any problems or interesting experiences people might have had in the
past week regarding what was discussed in last weeks meeting. (approximately 10 minutes)

3. DISCUSS any of the first 23 numbered questions from last weeks writing assignment that may have caused you
difficulty or raised questions in your mind. [NOTE: there is not enough time in the meeting to discuss ALL of these
homework questions thoroughly. So, it is recommended that the group confine discussion to those questions that people had
trouble with (or that they found particularly interesting) before moving on to questions 24-28. It is, however, important that
everyone be given a chance to share on these questions during the meeting.]

DISCUSS with the group in so far as you feel it is appropriate at a group level your answers to questions 24,
25, 26, 27 & 28 from the homework assignment.

Whatever is brought up, BE SURE TO DISCUSS each members answer to the questions: What did you find in
these readings that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

14
MEETING #3 The First Step (There is a Solution + More about Alcoholism)


READ There is a Solution (pp. 17-29) and More About Alcoholism (pp. 30-43) in the Big Book.

UNDERLINE or highlight what seems important to you.

CAREFULLY NOTE theitalics in the text (authors use italics to indicate greater importance).

NOTE: There are elements in these readings (most especially in There is a Solution) that speak directly to Step
Two. We will be revisiting those portions of that chapter in the fourth meeting when we discuss Step Two. While
doing this weeks readings, please keep your focus on the 1
st
Step.

After reading the two chapters, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY WRITING brief
answers to each one:

THERE IS A SOLUTION (hint: its spiritual)

1. Define the three types of drinkers mentioned on pages 20-21. Do you identify with any of these types? What
kind of drinker were you?

2. Can you identify with the picture of an alcoholic on page 21 that starts Here is the fellow? If so, write down
three ways that you identify.

3. What is the riddle that the authors of the Big Book can not answer? (p. 22)

15

4. What does it mean when it says on page 23, Therefore, the main problem of the alcoholic centers in his mind
rather than in his body? Did you think that alcoholism was a physical addiction?

5. When the Big Book says that we are without defense against the first drink (p. 24), does that mean
COMPLETELY defenseless? Write a detailed statement defining the degree of your defenselessness.


MORE ABOUT ALCOHOLISM

7. Do you still entertain the idea that someday you will be able to control and enjoy [your] drinking (p. 30)? Were
you EVER successful (however limited) in controlling your drinking? If so, provide some details here about
how you did this.

8. Why does the Big Book say that alcoholism is a progressive illness (p. 30)?

16

9. How many of the methods for controlling drinking mentioned on page 31 have you tried?

10. In the story about the man of thirty that starts on page 32, do you find the comment, Once an alcoholic
always an alcoholic (p. 33) convincing? If so (or, if not) write down five reasons for your answer.

11. Note the distinction between real alcoholic and potential alcoholic on pages 33 & 34. See also the reference
in Bills Story on page 2. What is the difference between a real and a potential alcoholic and how is it
relevant to you?

12. Does J ims story (pp. 35-37) convince you that he was insane when he poured the whiskey into his milk? What
is the plain insanity mentioned on page 37? Can you identify with this kind of plain insanity during your
own drinking career?

17

13. Have you had an experience like Freds (pp. 39-43) where you knew you werent going to drink and then
somehow found yourself drunk? If yes, what happened? How did you explain it to yourself at that time?

14. One more time, the text mentions that at certain times there is no effective mental defense against the first
drink (p. 43). Does it really mean NONE? If so, why?


16. List any doubts that you might still have regarding your current powerlessness over alcohol. If you dont think
you have any doubts, list at least three times in your recovery that you have acted as if you werent powerless
over alcohol.

17. Write down ten things that were unmanageable in your life when you were drinking. One sentence will be
enough on each (for instance: Fear of not having enough money; I was afraid of women; I couldnt make
my relationship with my parents work like I wanted it to etc.).

18

18. One way to get in touch with the influence of alcohol in your life is to take the 20 Question Test. How many of
the following questions would you answer positively?

1. Do you lose time from work due to your drinking?
2. Is drinking making your home life unhappy?
3. Do you drink because you are shy with other people?
4. Is drinking affecting your reputation?
5. Have you ever felt remorse after drinking?
6. Have you gotten into financial difficulties as a result of your drinking?
7. Do you turn to lower companions and an inferior environment when drinking?
8. Does your drinking make you careless of your family's welfare?
9. Has your ambition decreased since drinking?
10. Do you crave a drink at a definite time daily?
11. Do you want a drink the next morning?
12. Does drinking cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
13. Has your efficiency decreased since drinking?
14. Is drinking jeopardizing your job or business?
15. Do you drink to escape from worries or troubles?
16. Do you drink alone?
17. Have you ever had a complete loss of memory as a result of your drinking?
18. Has your physician ever treated you for drinking?
19. Do you drink to build up your self-confidence?
20. Have you ever been in a hospital or institution on account of drinking?

19. So are you COMPLETELY convinced that you are powerless over alcohol and that your lives had become
unmanageable? If not, what reservations do you still have?

20. The 12
th

st

If so, how?

19

The First Step (There is a Solution + More about Alcoholism)

STEP ONE: WE ADMITTED WE WERE POWERLESS OVER ALCOHOL THAT OUR LIVES HAD
BECOME UNMANAGEABLE.

DISCUSSION TEXTS: There is a Solution and More About Alcoholism



3. DISCUSS any of the first 14 numbered questions from last weeks writing assignment that may have caused you
difficulty or raised questions in your mind. [NOTE: there is not enough time in the meeting to discuss all of these
homework questions so it is recommended that you confine your discussion to those questions that people had trouble with (or
that they found particularly interesting) before moving on to questions 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19.]

DISCUSS with the group in so far as you feel it is appropriate at a group level your answers to questions 15
through 19 from the homework assignment.

Whatever is brought up, BE SURE TO DISCUSS each members answer to the questions: What did you find in

4. FINAL DISCUSSION: Having carefully examined and discussed these first four readings in the Big Book, is
everyone in the group COMPLETELY convinced that they are powerless over alcohol and that their lives had
become unmanageable? At this meeting, we usually ask each group member to individually and publicly state just
how powerless they are over alcohol and how unmanageable they think their lives were (and are).

20
MEETING #4 THE SECOND STEP


RE-READ There is a Solution (pp. 17-29) and More About Alcoholism (pp. 30-43) this time, paying special
attention to 2
nd
Step issues.

READ We Agnostics (pp. 44-57) in the Big Book.

READ Appendix II: Spiritual Experience (pp. 567-568) in the Big Book.

After reading these four selections, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY WRITING
brief answers to each one:

1. If we are being restored to sanity, what kind of insanity did we have?
[Hint: it is NOT the crazy things you did while you were drunk. Pages 37 and 40 in the Big Book are
just two places where you will find correct answers.]

2. Write out in detail at least one experience from your drinking life when you insanely picked up the first drink
despite your past history and your most fervent intentions.

3. How has the Book made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the non-alcoholic (p. 44)?

4. What does the Big Book suggest as the basis for the solution to this insanity (p. 44)?

5. Do you accept the fact that you have to find a spiritual basis for life or else? (p. 44)? What does that
REALLY mean to you?

21

6. Can you identify with the statement: Our human resources, as marshaled by the will, were not sufficient; they
failed utterly. Lack of power, that was our dilemma (p. 45)?

If yes, list five concrete examples.

7. Note that the main object [of this book] is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve
your problem (p. 45). Have you been able to find a Power greater than yourself?

If so, how has that Power specifically helped you to solve your problem?

8. How do you respond to the question: Do I now believe, or am I even willing to believe that there is a Power
greater than myself? (p. 47)? Why do you feel that way?

9. In our personal stories you will find a wide variation in the way each teller approaches and conceives of the
Power which is greater than himself. Whether we agree with a particular approach or conception seems to make
little difference. Experience has taught us that these are matters about which, for our purpose, we need not be
worried. They are questions for each individual to settle for himself. (p. 50)

Have you settled these questions for yourself? If yes, describe how you approach and conceive of a Power
greater than yourself.

[NOTE: the answer to this question is critical to each individual but it is important that the discussion of the answers to this
question NOT become a group discussion about who is right and who is wrong. As quoted above, the Big Book explicitly
states whether we agree with a particular conception seems to make little difference. NO arguments. Just respectful
listening and understanding.]

10. Did your ideas work before? Will the God idea work now (p. 52)? List three examples.

22

11. On page 53 it says: we had to fearlessly face the proposition that either God is everything or else He is nothing.
God either is, or He isnt.

Have your been confronted with the question of faith (p. 53)? How have you resolved it?

12. What are the six promised results of believing in a Higher Power (along with doing certain simple things)?
(See p. 50.)

13. Appendix II: Spiritual Experience was added to the second printing of the first edition of the Big Book (1941).
Why did the writers of the Big Book find it was necessary to add this new section?

14. What exactly do the writers mean when they talk about the educational variety (p. 567) of a spiritual
experience or a spiritual awakening?

15. Have you noticed a profound alteration in [your] reaction to life (p. 567)? If so, list five concrete examples of
this alteration.

23

16. What did you find in these chapters and in the Appendix that you could not agree with or that you could not
accept?

17. The chapter We Agnostics might be summarized in three words: OPEN YOUR MIND!

What do you think of this summary and why?

18. OPEN YOUR MIND! also applies to believers - the Big Book is explicit about the need for believers to find
a new concept of God to help them deal with their alcoholism:

This physician had repeatedly tried spiritual means to resolve his alcoholic dilemma but had failed. But
when the broker gave him Dr. Silkworths description of alcoholism and its hopelessness, the physician
began to pursue the spiritual remedy for his malady with a willingness he had never before been able to
muster. (p. xvi)

while his religious convictions were very good, in his case they did not spell the necessary vital spiritual
experience (p. 27).

Well, thats exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than
yourself which will solve your problem (p. 45).

call to his attention the fact that however deep his faith and knowledge, he could not have applied it or
he would not drink (p. 93).

If you are already a believer but have been unable to stop drinking in the past, how have you changed your
concept of God so that, with His help, you are now able to stay away from the first drink?

24

19. What are the things that get in the way of you believing in a Power greater than yourself that can restore you to
sanity? (Your self-reliance? your intellect? your pride? your arrogance? etc.)

NOTE: Even if youve always believed in God, what has gotten in the way of your God helping you to stay
sober?

20. List at least three reservations that you might still have about the God issue. (Even if you believe in God it
may not mean that you really trust Him, etc.)

21. The 12
th

Has this exercise on the 2nd Step contributed to or helped you develop your spiritual awakening?

If so, how?

25

THE SECOND STEP

STEP TWO: CAME TO BELIEVE THAT A POWER GREATER THAN OURSELVES COULD RESTORE
US TO SANITY

DISCUSSION TEXT: There is a Solution, More About Alcoholism, We Agnostics and Appendix II: Spiritual
Experience.



3. READ ALOUD THE FOLLOWING NOTE: During this and all of the following discussions we will have on the
Twelve Steps, please be mindful of what our Book says at the top of page 47: When, therefore, we speak to you of
God, we mean your own conception of God. This applies, too, to other spiritual expression which you find in this
book. Do not let any prejudice that you may have against spiritual terms deter you from honestly asking yourself
what they mean to you.

4. DISCUSS with the group your answers to the first question: If we are being restored to sanity, what kind of
insanity did we have?

DISCUSS any of the next fourteen questions (2-15) from last weeks writing assignment that may have caused you
difficulty or raised questions in your mind. [NOTE: there is not enough time in the meeting to discuss all of these
homework questions so it is recommended that you confine your discussion to those questions that people had trouble with (or
that they found particularly interesting) before moving on to questions 16-20.]

DISCUSS with the group your reaction and your answers to questions 17 and 18 from last weeks homework
assignment the Open Your Mind questions.

DISCUSS with the group in so far as you feel it is appropriate at a group level your answers to questions 19,
20 & 21 from the homework assignment.

Whatever is brought up, BE SURE TO DISCUSS each members answer to the question: What did you find in

26
MEETING #5 - THE THIRD STEP (Selfishness is the Problem)


READ Chapter Five, How It Works (pp. 5863) through the part which concludes Step Three, and consider how it
applies to your life for next weeks discussion.

After doing this reading, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY WRITING brief

1. The book says that we must have rigorous honesty (p. 58). Do you think that you can be rigorously honest
about yourself BY yourself? Explain what you mean by that.

2. The Big Book famously says that half measures availed us nothing (p. 59). How willing are you to go to any
lengths (p. 58) for your recovery? (Are you 25% willing? 50%? 100%? If you are less than 100% - Why?)

[NOTE: People frequently feel uncomfortable when asked to put down a concrete number for a question like this. Quite
frankly, its supposed to make you feel uncomfortable and we are aware that this is not an easy question to answer.
However, it has been our experience that having to write down a specific percentage here (and elsewhere with similar
questions later in this Guide) has forced each of us to think more clearly and more honestly about our answer to these
questions Since our program demands rigorous honesty (p. 58), we would encourage you to work through your
discomfort and reluctance and make your best effort at providing an honest answer to this percentage question.]

3. The a, b, cs listed on page 60 have been called a summation of the points made in the first 57 pages of the
Big Book. Rewrite the a, b, cs in your own words.

a.

b.

c.

27

4. What is the first requirement (p. 60) for turning your will and your life over to the care of God as you
understand Him? What does that REALLY mean to you in relation to your life today?

5. The three paragraphs on the actor (pp. 60-61) are among the most famous in the Big Book. What lies at the heart
of the actors problems?

6. Do you currently suffer from the delusion mentioned on page 61? If so, list five instances from your life today
to illustrate this.

7. Selfishness self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles (p. 62). How could selfishness cause
all of this trouble? Isnt booze the problem? Explain in detail.

28

8. Can you see the effects of self-centeredness in your drinking life? If so, list five examples from your drinking
days.

9. Write down five examples of self-centeredness in your life TODAY.

10. So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making (p. 62). Write down two troubles in your life
today and the understanding that you now have of how your self-will has contributed to the creation of those
problems.

11. According to the Big Book, how important is it that we be rid of this selfishness (p. 62)? What happens if we
do not get rid of it?

12. Do you REALLY believe that your selfishness can kill you? If so, how? And, if you do agree with this, how
willing are you to be rid of this selfishness? (Are you 25% willing? 50%? 100%? If you are less than 100% -
Why?)

29

13. Have you had much success with reducing self-centeredness by wishing or trying on [your] own power? (p.
62) What does the Big Book suggest as a solution? Does that seem like a workable solution to you?

14. What did you find in this reading that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

15. The 12
th

rd

If so, how?

30

THE THIRD STEP (Selfishness is the Problem)

STEP THREE: MADE A DECISION TO TURN OUR WILL AND OUR LIVES OVER TO THE CARE OF
GOD, AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM.

DISCUSSION TEXT: How It Works (pp. 58-63)



3. NOTE that this weeks discussion of the text will focus on the problem (selfishness self-centeredness!). Next
week, we will discuss the solution and actually take the 3
rd
Step by saying the prayer on page 63.

Before taking the 3
rd
Step, we must first realize and then admit that our lives have been driven by a hundred
forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity (p. 62); that we have been living a life characterized by
self-will run riot (p. 62).

We must come to realize that self-centeredness is the root of our troubles (p. 62) noting that this is meant
to apply to both our drinking days and also to our current sober life.

Also note that this reading introduces two themes that will recur constantly throughout the rest of the Big Book
the notion that selfishness is central to our problem and that becoming useful to others is what we
should be striving for. This analysis of our problem and the proposed solution are KEY elements of AAs basic
message.

4. DISCUSS with the group in so far as you feel it is appropriate at a group level your answers to the questions
from the homework writing assignment. [NOTE: there is not enough time in the meeting to discuss all of these homework
questions so it is recommended that you confine your discussion to those questions that people had trouble with or that they
found particularly interesting.]

Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing questions 1, 2, 7, 9, 11
& 15.

this reading that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

31
MEETING #6 THE THIRD STEP (God is the Solution)


RE-READ Chapter Five, How It Works (pp. 58 63) through the part, which concludes Step Three and consider
how it applies to your life for next week discussion.


1. As a double-check on how well you understood the lessons from Meeting #5, make a list of the ways in which
you were selfish or self-centered today. (If you cant come up with at least three, please revisit the honesty
question with your sponsor.)

2. The Third Step calls for a decision. What is the best definition that you can find for the word decision?

3. The Big Book claims that we need to make TWO decisions if we are to have Gods help (p. 62). What is the
first of these decisions?

4. Give five examples of how you play God in your life behaviors that you either need to quit or that you are
working on quitting or that you have already quit. (For example, are you a giver or a taker? Do you insist on
getting your own way? Do you try to control and to manipulate people? Do you lie, steal, act out angrily and
violently or indulge in sexual misbehavior, etc?)

32

5. How willing are you to quit playing God? (Are you 25% willing? 50%? 100%? If less than 100%, Why?)

6. What is the second decision that we need to make if we are to have Gods help (p.62)?

7. On page 59, our Big Book claims that the original members asked [for] His protection and care with complete
abandon.

Using one or more dictionaries, write out the best definitions you can find for ask, protection, care,
complete and abandon.

8. How close are you to complete abandon when it comes to turning your life and your will over to the care of
God as you understand Him? (Are you 25% of the way there? 50%? 100%? If less than 100%, Why?)

33

9. Note the promises described at the bottom of page 62 and the top of page 63 (that will follow the taking of the
3
rd
Step). Rewrite all of these promises in your own words.

10. Are these promises things that you would like to come true in your life today? Why?

11. Given these promises, one concrete indicator of the success or failure with the 3
rd
Step aside from not drinking
is the amount of TURMOIL that you have in your day-to-day life. How much turmoil is there in your life
today? In the last week? The last month? In this past year? Write down at least three specific examples.

12. How can the 3
rd
Step provide you with relief from this turmoil? Do you REALLY believe this?

34

13. In AA, you frequently hear people suggesting that you turn it over. How do you actually DO that?

14. The 3
rd
Step Prayer that appears on page 63 could be called the terms of surrender. Please comment.

15. Are you willing to make a decision, take this Step and say this prayer as written on page 63? If not, please
explain why?

16. Whether you are comfortable with the wording of the 3
rd
Step prayer or not, it should be helpful to clarify what
the prayer really says.

So, if the wording of the 3
rd
Step Prayer DOES suit you, rewrite it in your own words.

And, if the wording of the prayer does NOT suit you, for whatever reason, write down your own re-wording of
the prayer so that it DOES suit you as suggested on page 63 of the Big Book: The wording was, of course,
quite optional so long as we expressed the idea, voicing it without reservation.

As you do this, make sure that your paraphrased or rewritten version includes all of the points made in the
original 3
rd
Step Prayer below.

God, I offer myself to Thee to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.

Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.

35

Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy
Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.

May I do Thy will always!

17. Are you willing to say the 3
rd
Step prayer with the group? If not, why not?


19. The 12
th

rd

If so, how?

36

THE THIRD STEP (God is the Solution)

STEP THREE: MADE A DECISION TO TURN OUR WILL AND OUR LIVES OVER TO THE CARE OF
GOD, AS WE UNDERSTOOD HIM.




3. NOTE that our discussion at last weeks meeting focused on the problem (selfishness self-centeredness).
Having identified and accepted the problem, we are ready to focus on the solution making a decision to turn our
will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him and then actually saying the 3
rd
Step prayer.


Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing questions 5, 8, 11, 13 &
16.


5. SINCE this 3
rd
Step is such a critical part of our spiritual solution, each group should feel free to decide whether or
not they would like to repeat this meeting if it is felt that doing so would be helpful in gaining a more complete
understanding for what is truly involved in taking this 3
rd
Step.

6. AT THE CONCLUSION OF YOUR DISCUSSION, it is recommended that the group say the 3
rd
Step Prayer
together. NOTE: Most groups do this by kneeling together, but, because of differing religious traditions, this is not
always the case. Whether to kneel or not is a decision that must be made by each group and by each individual.

AA 3
rd
STEP PRAYER: God, I offer myself to Thee to build with me and to do with me as Thou
wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that
victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of
life. May I do Thy will always!

37
MEETING #7 THE FOURTH STEP (Resentments)


READ Chapter Five, How It Works from the bottom of page 63 to the end of the second full paragraph on page
67 of the Big Book. This reading deals with the 4
th
Step in general and the resentments part of our 4
th
Step work in
particular. Come to the meeting fully prepared to discuss this text.

SPEND SOME TIME THINKING during this coming week about how you would go about writing your
resentments list using the guide provided by the Big Book. (See also the outline for the resentment portion of the 4
th

Step on pages 42-45 and/or get a copy of the Word file for this 4
th
Step outline from whoever organized your Step
Workgroup.)

COME TO THE NEXT MEETING PREPARED to actually begin writing your 4
th
Step resentment list.


1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words searching,
fearless, moral, and inventory.

2. The Big Book states on page 64 that Our liquor was but a symptom. So we had to get down to causes and
conditions. Isnt alcohol the problem? Do you really believe that liquor was but a symptom? Why? Or, why
not?

3. Our Big Book states when the spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically (p. 64).

Has this been your experience? Is that the order in which your recovery occurred first spiritual and then mental
and physical? Provide details from your own experience.

38

4. Before you start your 4
th
Step inventory, do you firmly believe that self, manifested in various ways, was what
had defeated us (p. 64)? How can self defeat self?

5. What is the number one offender (p. 64)? The Big Book says it causes a disease and a malady. What is
diseased? What has this malady?

6. What are the five reasons that the Big Book proposes are the cause of our anger? (pp. 64-65)

7. What are the plain results of a life which includes deep resentments (p. 66)?

8. Even more seriously, our Book claims that this business of resentment is infinitely grave. We found that it is
fatal (p. 66). How could resentments KILL us?

39

9. The Big Book notes that if we were to live, we had to be free of anger. (p. 66) First resentments, now anger!
How can you live your life without ever getting angry? Explain in some detail.

10. What kind of attitude does the Big Book propose that we take towards the people who wronged us (p. 66)?
What does the Big Book suggest as a remedy (p; 67)?

11. Finally, whose inventory is this anyway? (see p. 67)

12. What did you find in these readings that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

13. The 12
th

th

If so, how?

40

THE FOURTH STEP (Resentments)

STEP FOUR: MADE A SEARCHING AND FEARLESS MORAL INVENTORY OF OURSELVES.



past week with their 3
rd
Step work (approximately 10 minutes).

from the homework writing assignment. [NOTE: Because most of this meeting will be devoted to actually beginning our
resentments list, there is nowhere near enough time to discuss all of these homework questions. It is therefore recommended that
you confine your discussion to those questions that people had trouble with or that they found particularly interesting.]
(approximately 15 minutes)


4. After this discussion, the group should then BEGIN TO ACTUALLY WORK ON THEIR INDIVIDUAL
RESENTMENT INVENTORIES:

It is important that group members get started on this list while at this meeting. Remember, its a program of action!
Each group member should write down some of their resentments on paper according to the format explained below.
We would suggest, after writing for a few minutes, that you go around the table and ask each group member to talk
about an example or two from their list that they might be willing to volunteer. This frequently is helpful in getting
others started on their own list.

5. BEGIN YOUR INVENTORY BY MAKING 3 COLUMNS, just as it is in the Book (also, see the outline for the
4
th
Step immediately following the instructions for this meeting). NOTE: a digital file of this outline can be provided to
you by the organizer of your Step Workgroup if you want to do your final 4
th
Step work on a computer (which certainly makes
it much easier to read!).

Im resentful at: The Cause: Affects my:

1.

2.

3.

4.

41

People make this list in a variety of ways. Some do it as a free-flowing stream of consciousness. Other start with
their childhood and then work forward while some like to start now and work backward. Others begin with their
strongest resentment and work their way down from there. Whatever works for you its just important that you
DO it.

THE FIRST COLUMN is relatively simple and straightforward but if the word resentful confuses you, think
about the fact that the word actually means to re-feel an old anger. We all get angry but when we are angry about
something from the past, that is a resentment. When all else fails, try substituting people who piss me off for
Im resentful at.

THE SECOND COLUMN, The Cause, is what was done to you by the person or institution.

THE THIRD COLUMN, Affects, can be trickier. As it says in the Big Book (pp. 64-65) the things that these
resentments affect normally fall into one of six categories. Those categories are our:

Self-esteem (also called Pride)
Pocketbooks (Money)
Security
Ambitions
Personal relations
Sexual relations

SHARE any questions or problems that you might have in making your list with the group in so far as that is
appropriate on a group level. It is amazing how helpful this can be to other people in the group. Hearing comments
about someone or something who is going on the list will often help others in the group with their own lists.

6. AFTER you have finished these 3 columns, the next step is to put out of your mind the wrongs that others have
done to you and begin to look for your own mistakes. What did I contribute? What was MY part in this resentment?

To do this, MAKE A FOURTH COLUMN and take each one of those relationships you have listed or each one of
those institutions, people, or principles and ask yourself: Where had [I] been selfish, dishonest, self-seeking and
frightened (p. 67). In short, what was MY contribution to this resentment? Where [have I] been selfish,
dishonest, self-seeking or frightened (p. 67) in relation to this person, place or institution?

42
4a. Resentments

RESENTFUL AT:
(people, institutions,
principles)
THE CAUSE: AFFECTS MY: (self-
esteem, pocketbook,
security, ambitions,
personal relations, sexual
relations)
MY CONTRIBUTION / FAULT: (for instance:
selfish? dishonest? self seeking? frightened?)

43
RESENTFUL AT:
principles)
esteem, pocketbook,
relations)

44
RESENTFUL AT:
principles)
esteem, pocketbook,
relations)

45
RESENTFUL AT:
principles)
esteem, pocketbook,
relations)

46
MEETING #8 THE FOURTH STEP (Fears)


CONTINUE TO WRITE until you complete the resentments list for this 4
th
Step. This should be finished before
Meeting #8 is held.

READ Chapter Five, How It Works from the last paragraph on page 67 to the end of the last full paragraph on
page 68 of the Big Book. This reading deals with the fears part of our 4
th
Step work. Come to the meeting fully
prepared to discuss this text.

SPEND SOME TIME THINKING during this coming week about how you would go about writing your fears
list. (See also the outline for the fears portion of the 4
th
Step on pages 49-52 and/or get a copy of the Word file for
this 4
th
Step outline from whoever organized your Step Workgroup.)

th
Step fears list.


1. The Big Book states on page 67 that fear touches about every aspect of our lives. Make a list of those areas of
your life that are NOT touched by fear.

2. Has fear been an evil and corroding thread (p. 67) in your life? Write at least two instances where this has been
true.

47

3. What does the Big Book suggest as the cause of these fears? (see p. 68) Write the details of two incidents from
your own life where this was true for you.

4. What does the Big Book propose as a solution to our fears? (see p. 68)

5. Do you think that this solution will work for you? If so, why? If not, why not?

6. What did you find in these readings that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

7. The 12
th

th

If so, how?

48

THE FOURTH STEP (Fears)




th
Step resentment inventory (approximately 10 minutes).

fears list, there is nowhere near enough time to discuss all of these homework questions. It is therefore recommended that you
confine your discussion to those questions that people had trouble with or that they found particularly interesting.]
(approximately 15 minutes)


4. Next, BEGIN TO ACTUALLY WORK ON YOUR FEAR INVENTORIES:

J ust for clarity sake, it may be helpful to note here that generally resentments are all about the past and fears are
all about the future.

5. START YOUR FEARS INVENTORY BY MAKING 3 COLUMNS. The first column lists your fear, the second
asks the questions why do I have this fear? and the third wants to know can I turn this fear over to God? (See
the outline that follows this meeting format.).

Write down EVERYTHING that you are afraid of: PEOPLE (the police, your father, your boss, etc.), PLACES
(heights, jail, etc.) and THINGS (spiders, snakes, success, failure, etc.).

SHARE any questions or problems that you might have in making your list with the group in so far as that is
about someone or something that is going on the fears list will often help others in the group with their own lists.
49
4b. Fears

FEARS WHY DO I HAVE THIS FEAR? HAVE I ASKED GOD TO
REMOVE THIS FEAR?

50
REMOVE THIS FEAR?

51
REMOVE THIS FEAR?

52
REMOVE THIS FEAR?

53
MEETING #9 THE FOURTH STEP (Sexual History Inventory)


CONTINUE TO WRITE until you complete the fears list for this 4
th
Step. These should be finished before
Meeting #9 is held.

READ How It Works from the last paragraph on page 68 to the end of the second full paragraph on page 70 of the
Big Book. This reading deals with the sexual history inventory part of our 4
th
Step work. Come to the meeting fully
prepared to discuss this text.

SPEND SOME TIME THINKING during this coming week about how you would go about writing down your
sexual history inventory list. (See also the outline for the sexual inventory portion of the 4
th
Step provided on pages
57- 61 and/or get a copy of the Word file for this 4
th

th
Step sexual history inventory
list.

After doing the reading described above, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY
WRITING brief answers to each one:

1. What is the controversy that AA wants to stay out of (p. 69)?

2. What is the one thing that the Big Book says that we all have regarding sex? (p. 69) Is this true for you?

3. What are the nine questions that the Big Book suggests we ask ourselves regarding our past sexual conduct? (p.
69)

4. What does the Big Book suggest as the primary test for our sexual conduct? (p. 69)

54

5. How can sex NOT be selfish? Explain.

6. What is the goal of doing this sexual history inventory and how do we get there? (p. 69)

7. What must we do if we fall short of the chosen [sexual conduct] ideal? (p.70)

8. What four things does the Big Book suggest that we pray for regarding our sexual conduct? (p.70)

9. When all else fails, what does the Big Book propose as a solution to our sexual problems? (p. 70)

10. The 12
th

th

If so, how?


55

THE FOURTH STEP (Sexual History Inventory)




past week with their fears list (approximately 20 minutes).

sexual history inventory, there is nowhere near enough time to discuss all of these homework questions. It is therefore
recommended that you confine your discussion to those questions that people had trouble with or that they found particularly
interesting.] (approximately 20 minutes).


SEXUAL HISTORY INVENTORY (approximately 50 minutes)

4. A WORD OF CAUTION: It is possible for this sex inventory meeting to degenerate either into a bull session
about everyones sexual escapades or into a shame session about the past. Both of these should be avoided at all
costs. The sex inventory is not meant to focus on either exploits or shame. It has to do with our most personal and
intimate inter-personal relationships and it is important to treat this topic with the proper consideration and respect.

5. NEXT, BEGIN TO MAKE THE LIST. Start out by writing down ALL of the people and things that you have had
sexual relations with. This list must be searching, fearless and honest and complete. If the best you can do is the
fat person in Orlando or the ugly person in Denver, then write that down.

This list needs to be a complete and honest inventory of our sexual past the place where we write down those
things in our sex conduct that we wouldnt tell (or havent told) ANYONE. That is, it doesnt make any difference
who the sex was with or what the sex conduct was. Whoever it was, whatever it was, PUT IT ON THE LIST. ALL
OF IT!

Those of us who have led very sexually active lives or even those who have been moderately active, are probably
going to find out shortly after we begin the list that many of our relationships are carbon copies of each other.
Therefore, it will not take some of us too long to be saying Do I have to do this for EVERYBODY especially
since most of them look the same? The answer is Yes, you do. All of them!

56

6. After writing down your list of names, GO BACK AND REVIEW YOUR CONDUCT in each of those sexual
relations. The instructions for this are on page 69 of the Big Book and they suggest that we ask ourselves the
following questions (also, see the form that follows immediately after this meeting outline):

Have I been selfish in this relationship?
Have I been dishonest in this relationship?
Have I been inconsiderate in this relationship?
Have I hurt someone in this relationship?
Have I unjustifiably aroused jealousy in this relationship?
Have I unjustifiably aroused suspicion in this relationship?
Have I unjustifiably aroused bitterness in this relationship?
Where was I at fault in this relationship?
What should I have done instead in this relationship?

7. NOTE that page 61 in this Guide asks for detailed answers to two very important questions raised in the Big Book. If
there is time and to the degree that you consider the topic to be appropriate at the group level DISCUSS some
possible answers to these questions.

SHARE any questions or problems that you might have making your list with the group in so far as that is
about someone or something who is going on the list will often help others in the group with their own lists.
57

4c. Sexual History Inventory

SEX PARTNER or
CONDUCT
Selfish Dishonest Incon-
siderate
Whom did I hurt? Aroused
J ealousy
Aroused
Suspicion
Aroused
Bitterness
Where was I at fault? What should I have
done instead?

58
SEX PARTNER or
CONDUCT
siderate
J ealousy
Aroused
Suspicion
Aroused
Bitterness
done instead?

59
SEX PARTNER or
CONDUCT
siderate
J ealousy
Aroused
Suspicion
Aroused
Bitterness
done instead?

60
SEX PARTNER or
CONDUCT
siderate
J ealousy
Aroused
Suspicion
Aroused
Bitterness
done instead?

61
A. WRITE OUTWHATYOUR SANE AND SOUND IDEAL WILL BE FOR YOUR SEXUAL CONDUCTIN THE FUTURE. WHATDO YOU WANT THIS
AREA OF YOUR LIFE TO BE LIKE?

B. CAN YOU HONESTLY SAY THATYOU ARE WILLING TO BEGIN TO GROW TOWARD THIS IDEAL? HOW WILLING ARE YOU?

62
MEETING #10 THE FOURTH STEP (Harms)


CONTINUE TO WRITE until you complete the sexual history inventory list for this 4
th
Step. This should be
finished before next weeks meeting. (NOTE: With the help of the first three questions in this weeks homework
assignment, be sure to complete the answers to the two questions on page 61 of this Guide.)

READ the last two paragraphs of How It Works (from the last full paragraph on page 70 to the end of the chapter
on page 71 of the Big Book). This reading deals with the harms parts of our 4
th
Step work. Come to the meeting
fully prepared to discuss this text.

SPEND SOME TIME THINKING during this coming week about how you would go about writing your harms
list. (See also the outline for the harms portion of the 4
th
Step on pages 65-67 and/or get a copy of the Word file for
this 4
th

th
Step harms list.

After doing the reading described above, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY
WRITING brief answers to each one:

1. Having reviewed your sexual history inventory, write out your sane and sound ideal for your future sexual
conduct on page 60 of this Guide. What would you like this area of your life to be like? (See the three full
paragraphs on page 69 for suggestions on how to do this.)

2. Can you honestly say that you are willing to grow toward that ideal? (p. 69). How willing?

3. Can you honestly and earnestly pray for the right ideal, for guidance in each questionable situation, for sanity,
and for the strength to do the right thing? (p. 70) How honestly? How earnestly?

4. Our final 4
th
Step inventory list is mentioned at the end of the last full paragraph on page 70: We have listed the
people we have hurt by our conduct

This sentence prompts the following question: Are there some people that you have harmed that do not already
show up on your resentment, fears or sexual history inventory lists?

What kind of people would these be? (J ust one example might be people you stole money from.)

63

5. Read the third and fourth sentence in the third paragraph on page 76 where it talks about the 8
th
Step: We have
a list of all persons we have harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. We made it when we took
inventory.

Does this mean that you actually make your 8
th
Step list while doing your 4
th
Step?

6. The last two paragraphs in this chapter offer a recap of the benefits of doing a 4
th
Step inventory. Make a list of
these benefits.


8. The 12
th

th

If so, how?


64

THE FOURTH STEP (Harms)




past week with their sexual history inventory list (approximately 20 minutes).

harms list, there is nowhere near enough time to discuss all of these homework questions. It is therefore recommended that you
confine your discussion to those questions that people had trouble with or that they found particularly interesting.]
(approximately 20 minutes).

Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing in so far as it is
appropriate at a group level questions 1, 2 & 3.


4. READ OUT LOUD and DISCUSS: How It Works, the third full paragraph on p. 70 of the Big Book. Also read
page 76 of the Big Book, where the authors talk about the 8
th
Step saying: We have a list of all persons we have
harmed and to whom we are willing to make amends. We made it when we took our inventory. So, this part of
your inventory is going to be the list that you will use when we get to your 8
th
and 9
th
Steps.

5. BEGIN TO MAKE YOUR LIST by referring back to the other lists that you have already made. Who from your
resentments list belongs on the harms list? Who from the fears list? Who from the sexual history inventory list?
(Also, see the outline that immediately follows the format of this meeting.)

THEN GO BACK AND THINK OF OTHER PEOPLE whom you have harmed that did not show up on any of
these other lists. It is certainly possible to have hurt another person and not to have harbored a resentment or a fear
or to have had a sexual relationship with them.

SHARE with the group, as openly as possible, those people who are going on your list especially the ones who
didnt show up on any of your prior lists. Doing this will help everyone to be more searching and fearless as they
compile their own lists.
65

4d. Harms List (Eighth Step Questions)

WHOM HAVE WE HURT SPECIFIC REASON? (if possible you dont need to go into elaborate and
long-winded details)
Willing Might be
Willing
Never An amend would or might
cause harm to another
OR
what has already been done
on this amend:

66
Willing Might be
Willing
OR
on this amend:

67
Willing Might be
Willing
OR
on this amend:

68
MEETING #11 THE FIFTH STEP


CONTINUE TO WRITE until you complete your harms list for this 4
th
Step. This should be finished before next
weeks meeting.

REVIEW all four of your inventory lists and then honestly ask yourself the question on page 75: Is [my] work
solid so far? (Note: One question that may clarify this for you is to ask yourself: Have I written down
EVERYTHING that I never told anyone before?)

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT to take the 5
th
Step during the seven days immediately following the next meeting.

READ Into Action, Chapter Six of the Big Book from the top of page 72 to the bottom of page 75. This reading
deals with the 5
th
Step which we will discuss next week. Come to the meeting fully prepared to discuss this text.

After doing the reading, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY WRITING brief answers
to each one:

1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words exact, nature
and wrongs.

2. What have we been trying to get by making this personal inventory? (p. 72)

3. What is the best reason for not skipping the 5
th
Step? How do the authors of the Big Book know this? (pp. 72-73)

4. What three things are essential to have learned enough of to protect yourself from drinking again? What
action is necessary to ensure that you have learned enough of these things? (p. 73)

69

5. How do you think doing a 5
th
Step would lead you to learn enough about these three things?

6. How do the three AA virtues willingness, honesty and open mindedness (see p. 568) apply to this Step?

7. On page 73, our Big Book talks about the alcoholic as an actor. What is the actors problem? Can you identify
with these three paragraphs? If so, provided some examples from your own life. If no, explain why not.

8. The Big Book says that when we share our 5
th
Step, we must be entirely honest with somebody if we expect to
live long or happily in this world (pp. 73-74). In the same vein, a frequently-heard AA saying claims that you
are only as sick as your secrets!

How can secrets and a lack of total honesty impact your life and cause you to be unhappy or sick? Give at least
three examples from you own experiences.

9. Most of page 74 is devoted to the question of how to go about choosing someone to hear your 5
th
Step. Why do
you think that some much time and attention went into this discussion in 1939, when the Big Book was first
written?

10. Once you select someone to hear your 5
th
Step, how long should it take to do a 5
th
Step? What two things does
the Big Book suggest that you should explain to whoever is going to hear your 5
th
Step before you begin? (p. 75)

70

11. There is one key sentence in the Big Book (p. 75) describing how we should approach the 5
th
Step and what we
are meant to do while we take this Step.

Locate and then rewrite that sentence below exactly as it appears in the book.

Next rewrite that sentence using your own words.

12. Consult at least one dictionary and then write out the best definition you can find of the word every.

13. What are the eight things the Big Book mentions that can result from completing this 5
th
Step withholding
nothing (p. 75)?

14. What does the Big Book recommend that we do immediately after we have taken this 5
th
Step? (p. 75)


16. The 12
th

th

If so, how?

71

THE FIFTH STEP

STEP FIVE: ADMITTED TO GOD, TO OURSELVES, AND TO ANOTHER HUMAN BEING THE EXACT
NATURE OF OUR WRONGS.

DISCUSSION TEXT: Into Action (pp. 72-75)


past week with their harms list (approximately 20 minutes).


Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing questions 8, 11, 13, 14
& 16.


4. IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, it is highly recommended that you do your 5
th
Step work (outside of this meeting) with
someone who has gone (or is going) through this Step Workgroup format they will understand exactly what you
are trying to accomplish. Failing that, most people take this Step with their sponsor. [We are aware that the Book
provides detailed criteria for choosing someone outside of AA to share your 5
th
Step with (pp. 74-75), but it should be noted that
when the Book was published in April of 1939 there were only TWO AA groups in existence so going outside of the
fellowship was a necessity for anyone reading the Book then. That is rarely the case today.]

TELL THE GROUP who you will be sharing your 5
th
Step with along with the day and the time you have already
agreed upon to do this.

72
MEETING #12 THE SIXTH STEP


TAKE THE 5
TH
STEP with your sponsor or a member of this Group (or of other Step Workgroups) or some other
appropriate person BEFORE NEXT WEEKS MEETING.

WHEN TAKING THIS STEP, try to follow as closely as possible the directions given on page 75 of the Big
Book:
Prepare for a long talk
Take the time to explain to your partner what [you] are about to do and why [you] have to do it
Pocket [your] pride
During your discussion, be sure to illuminate every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past
Withhold nothing

DO NOT DESTROY your 4
th
Step inventory at this point. You will need to have it handy when taking Steps 6, 7, 8
& 9.

AFTER TAKING THE 5
TH
STEP, go somewhere quiet for one hour and review what you have done up to this
point. Do this by carefully rereading and reviewing everything that you have written down so far as homework for
this Step Workgroup. Ask yourself, have I omitted anything? and is [my] work solid so far? (p. 75). Are there
STILL some things I havent told anyone?

READ the first paragraph on page 76 of the Big Book. Come to the meeting fully prepared to discuss this text.

to each one:

1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words entirely,
ready, remove, defect, and character.

2. What is indispensable for doing the 6
th
Step and how can you get some of that if it is lacking? (see the top of
page 76)

73

3. On page 13 of the Big Book, Bill describes his first experience with the 6
th
Step when he was in the hospital
recovering from alcoholism. Read that page, locate and then write down the sentence where he became
willing.

Now, rewrite that sentence using your own words.

4. J ust how entirely ready are you to have ALL of your defects of character removed? (Are you 25% ready?
50%? 100%?)

If you are less than 100% ready, explain why in some detail.

5. Are there any defects of character that you really want to hang onto? If not, are you SURE of that?

If you do have any defects that you think you would be more comfortable keeping, what are they? (If more than
five, just list the five that you feel most attached to.)

Now, write down the main reason why you think you want to hang onto each of these defects for instance,
What would you lose?

Despite all that, could you be willing to have these defects of character removed in order to stay sober?

74

6. Do you REALLY believe that God, as you understand Him, can remove your defects of character? How
confident are you in that belief? (Are you 25% confident? 50%? 100%?)

If you are less than 100% confident, explain why in some detail.

7. J ust how quickly do you expect God to accomplish this removal?

Is that a reasonable expectation?

8. What did you find in this reading that you could not agree with and that you could not accept?

9. The 12
th

th

If so, how?

75

THE SIXTH STEP

STEP SIX: WERE ENTIRELY READY TO HAVE GOD REMOVE ALL THESE DEFECTS OF
CHARACTER.

DISCUSSION TEXT: Into Action (p. 76)


2. THEN HAVE A BRIEF DISCUSSION of your experience with the 5
th
Step Was it a good experience? What did
you get out of doing your 5
th
Step? (approximately 15 minutes)


Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing questions 4 through 7.
(approximately 30 minutes).


4. NEXT, BEGIN TO MAKE A WRITTEN LIST OF YOUR DEFECTS. It is difficult to be honest about your
willingness until you have been honest about what your character defects really are.

Start your list by consulting THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS (pride, greed, anger, lust, gluttony, envy, sloth) as
general categories but be sure to list SPECIFIC instances of how these defects manifest themselves in your life (I
am prideful when I). Avoid just writing I am guilty of gluttony. Write down something specific about your
obsession with chocolate ice cream.

In addition, look at THE TRADITIONAL VIRTUES of CHRISTIANITY (Faith, Hope & Charity), of AA
(Openness, Honesty & Willingness) and of ANTIQUITY (Courage, J ustice & Temperance) to see where your
behavior has been contrary to these virtues.

Finally, go back to your 4
th
Step and look at the fourth column on the resentments list and the last two columns on
your sexual history inventory list. These should provide you with a number of specific examples of how your
character defects have exhibited themselves in your day-to-day life.

SHARE with the group, as freely as you can, your insights about your defects. You will be amazed at how quickly
and easily everyones list will grow once you start to do this.

5. NEXT, WRITE DOWN OPPOSITE EACH OF THESE DEFECTS THE AMOUNT (PERCENTAGE) OF
WILLINGNESS that you think you have for that character defect to be removed. Putting down a concrete number
will help you get in touch with the degree of willingness that you really have.
76

6. List of Defects of Character

GENERAL DEFECTS PLUS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE % of Willingness

77
GENERAL DEFECTS PLUS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE % of Willingness

78
MEETING #13 THE SEVENTH STEP


CONTINUE TO WORK ON YOUR LIST of character defects and to quantify how willing you are to be free of
each one of them.

READ the second paragraph on page 76 of the Big Book. Come to the meeting fully prepared to discuss this text.

to each one:

1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words humbly and
shortcomings.

2. The second paragraph on page 76 starts off When ready What exactly do you think that means? How do
you know if youre ready?

3. Can you write down one example from the past week where you thought you acted humbly? (If not, write
down the most recent instance you can remember.)

79

4. Explain what you think the difference is between being humble and being humiliated?

5. Are you willing to say the 7
th
Step prayer with the group? If not, why not?

6. What did you find in this reading that you could not agree with and that you could not accept?

7. The 12
th

th

If so, how?

80

THE SEVENTH STEP

STEP SEVEN: HUMBLY ASKED HIM TO REMOVE OUR SHORTCOMINGS.

DISCUSSION TEXT: Into Action (p. 76)


th
Step work (approximately 15 minutes)

found particularly interesting.] (approximately 20 minutes)


4. HAVE A DISCUSSION about humility, being humble and what that means in the context of this Step. Talk about
the differences between humility and being humiliated. COMPARE the word definitions that you discovered
during your homework assignment.

5. DISCUSS the 7
th
Step Prayer (p. 76), noting especially that it is not a prayer for PERSONAL benefit, but rather a
prayer that is meant to result in benefits for others:

AA 7
th
STEP PRAYER: My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray
that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you
and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen

6. As with the 3
rd
Step Prayer, IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THE GROUP SAY THE 7
th
STEP PRAYER
TOGETHER. NOTE: Most groups do this by kneeling together, but, because of differing religious traditions, this is
not always the case. Whether to kneel or not is a decision that must be made by each group and by each individual.

81
MEETING #14 THE EIGHTH & NINTH STEPS


READ from the third paragraph on page 76 to the first full paragraph on page 84 of the Big Book. Come to the
meeting fully prepared to discuss this text.

CONSULT the harms list that you made for your 4
th
Step inventory. Now that you have had the benefits of doing
the 5
th
, 6
th
and 7
th
Steps, review your harms list to see if there are any other people that you now think should be on
this list.

To get in touch with the degree of your willingness, SEPARATE PEOPLE ON THIS LIST INTO THREE
GROUPS: willing to make amends, might be willing and never.

BRING your newly-edited 4
th
Step harms inventory to the next meeting.

After doing the reading noted above, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY WRITING

STEP EIGHT

1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words harm,
willing and amends.

2. What exactly does it mean when it says except when to do so would injure them or others? What constitutes
an injury? Explain your answer in detail.

Define others. Does it include me? If so, why? If not, why not?

82

3. Do you think that your own name belongs on this list of all persons we had harmed or is this list just meant for
other people? Give at least three reasons for your answer.

4. Does God belong on your list? Give a least three reasons for your answer.

5. As you begin to make your list of all persons we had harmed, do you think that this list should necessarily
include all people close to us mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, wives, and children?

If no, give some of your reasons.

6. Write down the names of at least four people who did NOT show up on the first three 4
th
Step lists you have
already done (resentments, fears, sexual history inventory) but who still belong on your harms list and why.

83

7. What does it really mean to you on a practical level when you say that you are willing to make amends to
a particular person?

a. How humble are you willing to get? Give at least one example

b. Does that mean traveling long distances? (Give an example of when travel would be necessary.) How far?
(Try to imagine a case where you might use distance as an excuse for not making amends.)

c. Paying large amounts of money? How large?

d. How do you plan to make amends to people who have died?

f. How do you plan to make amends to people that you cant locate?

STEP NINE

8. What is the real purpose of putting our lives in order? (top of page 77)

What does that real purpose mean to you in your own words?

9. How does the Big Book advise us to handle the question of God and spirituality when making our amends? (pp.
76-77)

84

10. How much of the money that we stole do we have to pay back? Why? (p. 78)

11. What are the general principles that can guide us when faced with the consequences of a criminal offense?
(pp. 78-80) [NOTE: there are at least four.]

12. What are the general principles that can guide us when faced with domestic troubles caused by our past
sexual behavior? (pp. 80-83)

13. On page 82, the book mentions that We feel a man is unthinking when he says that sobriety is enough. If
stopping drinking isnt enough, then what is?

14. There is a quote on page 83 of the Big Book: The spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. What does
making amends have to do with your spiritual life?

85


15. The Promises are listed on pages 83 and 84 and we are told that we will be amazed before we are half way
through. Are the authors of the Big Book talking about being half way through the 12 Steps or half way
through the 9
th
Step?

Explain in detail why you think that.

16. How many promises are there?

17. Rewrite each of the promises in your own words.

18. How many of these promises have already come true for you?


20. The 12
th

th
and 9
th

If so, how?

86

THE EIGHTH & NINTH STEPS

STEP EIGHT: MADE A LIST OF ALL PERSONS WE HAD HARMED AND BECAME WILLING TO
MAKE AMENDS TO THEM ALL.

STEP NINE: MADE DIRECT AMENDS TO SUCH PEOPLE WHEREVER POSSIBLE, EXCEPT WHEN TO
DO SO WOULD INJURE THEM OR OTHERS.



th
Step work (approximately 10 minutes).


Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing questions 7, 10, 11 &
20. (approximately 30 minutes).


STEP EIGHT (approximately 25 minutes)

4. DISCUSS with the group, as openly as possible, whatever questions or confusions may come up regarding people
who should or shouldnt be on your harms list.

Then DISCUSS your willingness to make these amends. How many people on your list are in the Might be
Willing category? How many in the Never category?

Finally, DISCUSS the necessity of praying to become willing for the people whom you are not willing to make
amends to and of continuing these prayers as a part of your regular, daily routine until that willingness comes.

STEP NINE (approximately 25 minutes)

5. DISCUSS with the group, as openly as possible, exactly how you intend to make amends to some of these people
(face-to-face, monetary, honest letter, etc.). If there are some people who you are uncertain about how to make
certain amends or how to make certain amends without hurting others, bring this up with the group.

6. COMMIT to the group that you will work with your sponsor before making amends and continually keep him or
her current on your ongoing progress with your 9
th
Step list.

7. If there is any time remaining, DISCUSS the quote from page 83 of the Big Book: The spiritual life is not a theory.
We have to live it. What does that REALLY mean to you?

87
MEETING #15 THE TENTH STEP


GO THROUGH your 8
th
Step harms list and determine who you will make amends to and how you will go about
making those amends.

CONSULT WITH YOUR SPONSOR or spiritual advisor on all of these decisions before you make any of these
amends.

Continue to PRAY FOR WILLINGNESS to make amends to anyone that you are reluctant to make amends to.
They should be explicitly included in your daily prayer life.

WORK THE 9
TH
STEP, making amends wherever possible.

READ about the 10
th
Step from the middle of page 84 to the bottom of page 85 in the Big Book. Come to the
meeting fully prepared to discuss this text.

After doing the reading noted above, go back and ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY WRITING

1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words continued,
wrong and promptly.

2. What are the promises of the 10
th
Step? (see the middle and the bottom of page 84 and page 85)
NOTE: there are at least six of them.

3. When our book says that sanity will have returned (p. 84), what kind of sanity are they talking about?

88

4. Why does the 10
th
Step read and when we were wrong promptly admitted it rather than when we were sorry
promptly admitted it?

5. How many times during this past week did you say the words I was WRONG? How many times in the past
month or the past year? Do you ever use that word?

Explain in detail.

6. Can you honestly say that you are working this Step if you NEVER say the words: I was wrong?
Explain your answer.

7. What four things does the Big Book suggest we continue to watch for when reviewing our behaviors? (p. 84)

8. What four things does the Big Book suggest we do when one of these crop up? (p. 84)

89

9. Our Big Book famously claims that we have ceased fighting anything and anyone. Do you think this is
REALLY possible? Please provide a detailed answer.

10. Do a quick inventory and write down as many instances as you can remember from the past seven days when
you were fighting something or someone.

11. What exactly is the spiritual program of action mentioned on page 85?

What actions are spiritual?

12. What is our daily reprieve from alcohol dependent upon? (p. 85)

90

13. Exactly how are you supposed to go about maintaining your spiritual condition? (p. 85)

14. Explain the proper use of the will mentioned on page 85. Can you give one or two examples of how this might
have worked in your life during the past week?

15. Having done this reading, how do you think on a practical and concrete level you can incorporate the 10
th

Step into your life going forward?


17. The 12
th

th

If so, how?

91

THE TENTH STEP

STEP TEN: CONTINUED TO TAKE PERSONAL INVENTORY AND WHEN WE WERE WRONG
PROMPTLY ADMITTED IT.



2. THEN HAVE A BRIEF DISCUSSION with each group member commenting on their progress with their ongoing
9
th
Step amends. (approximately 20 minutes)


Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing questions 6, 9, 11, 13,
15 & 17.


4. NOTE: Although it is found in the reading devoted to the 11
th
Step, the first full paragraph on page 86 of the Big
Book provides concrete suggestions on how to do a nightly review of your day.

READ this passage aloud to the group.

5. DISCUSS with the group your commitments to a program of action that incorporate the 10
th
Step into your daily
life. Perhaps you would consider committing to taking a nightly inventory? Perhaps you might also want to commit
to reporting back to the group next week on how many times you actually said I was wrong during the previous
seven days. Whatever your commitments, please be specific and concrete about these actions.

92
MEETING #16 THE ELEVENTH STEP


PUT INTO ACTION your 10
th
Step commitments, making them a part of your daily life.

READ from the bottom of page 85 to the end of the chapter. Come to the meeting fully prepared to discuss this text.

to each one:

1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words prayer and
meditation.

2. What are the promises that the Big Book makes regarding the 11
th
Step? (see pp. 87-88)

(NOTE: there are at least nine of them.)

3. The Big Book claims that prayer works if only we do two things. What are those two things? (pp. 85-86)

Explain those two things in your own words if you were to do them each day, what would they look like,
how would they feel? What concrete actions are we talking about?

4. Summarize in your own words what the Big Book suggests we do each night before retiring. (p. 86)

93

5. Summarize in your own words what the Big Book suggests we do during our meditation each morning when we
awake. (p. 86)

6. Referring to daily meditation, the Big Book says: We relax and take it easy. We dont struggle. We are often
surprised how the right answers come after we have tried this for a while. (p. 86) How much time do you think
you should devote to this practice of relaxing quietly and waiting for the right answers to come each day? Is 5
minutes enough time? 10 minutes? 30 minutes?

Whatever that number is, are you actually willing to devote that much time to daily meditation?

If you dont already have a discipline of quiet time each day, please take whatever amount of time you are
willing to commit to this practice daily and actually do it RIGHT NOW! (If right now isnt convenient, for
whatever reason, please be sure to do this meditation practice at least once before the next Step Workgroup
meeting.

7. The Big Book suggests that we conclude the period of meditation with a prayer. (p. 87) What three specific
things are we told to ask for in this prayer?

8. That same paragraph says you can easily see why praying for our selfish ends has wasted a lot of time and
doesnt work. Can you easily see why this doesnt work? Explain your answer in some detail.

9. Can this only be done as a solitary exercise or could others be included?

Have you ever included members of your family in your prayer and meditation life?

What were the results of doing that?

94

10. The Book has a concrete suggestion for what to do if we are agitated or doubtful during the day. What is that
suggestion? (pp. 87-88)

Do you ever do this? Does it work for you?

11. According to the Big Book, what is the problem with alcoholics?

What is the solution? (p. 88)

12. What kind of regular practice of prayer and meditation would you be willing to commit to starting next week?
Describe what you would like to do in detail.

13. What did you find in that reading that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

14. The 12
th

th

If so, how?

95

THE ELEVENTH STEP

STEP ELEVEN: 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.



9
th
Step amends and then sharing briefly any important or interesting experiences you might have had in the past
week while attempting to put your 10
th
Step plan into action (approximately 20 minutes).


Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing questions 4, 5, 6, 12 &
14.


4. Having done these readings and completed the group discussion, what specific regimen of prayer and meditation
are you willing to commit to?

DISCUSS with the group your commitments to a program of action that incorporate the 11
th
Step into your daily
life. Please be specific and concrete about these commitments.

5. NOTE: Many groups set aside five minutes for a period of silent meditation at the end of their meeting so that all
of the members gat a chance to practice the discipline of sitting quietly.

96
MEETING #17 TWELFTH STEP (Spiritual Awakening, Carrying the Message)


PUT INTO ACTION your 11
th
Step program of prayer and meditation.

READ the Appendix II: Spiritual Experience (pp. 567-568) and Working with Others (pp. 89-103) in the Big
Book. Come to the meeting fully prepared to discuss these texts.

to each one:

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING

1. Consult at least one dictionary and write down the best definition(s) you can find for the words spiritual and
awakening.

2. What are the promises that the Big Book makes regarding the 12
th
Step? (see p. 89)

NOTE: there are at least five of them.

3. NOTE that this Appendix II: Spiritual Experience was added to the Big Book in 1941 when they issued the
second printing of the book. The other major change made in that second printing was to change the wording of
the 12
th
Step from Having had a spiritual experience as a result of these steps to Having had a spiritual
awakening as a result of these steps.

Why do you think that they made these changes? (see p. 567)

97

4. What is the difference in your mind between having a spiritual experience and having a spiritual
awakening?

5. What is the most important result of the personality change that a spiritual awakening provides for an
alcoholic? (p. 567)

6. What is the most profound effect when someone undergoes a spiritual experience of the educational variety?
(p. 567)

7. Give three recent examples from your own life of your profound alteration in [your] reaction to life because of
your spiritual awakening. (p. 567) Be specific and concrete, rather than general and abstract.

98

8. What do most AA members think of as the essence of spiritual experience? (p. 568)

What does that REALLY mean to you in your own day-to-day life? Please provide some concrete details.

9. Do you think you have had a spiritual awakening because of your work on the 12 Steps in the past few
months?

Provide three examples of how this specifically manifests itself in your life today.

10. According to the Appendix II, what is the only thing that can keep an alcoholic from recovery? (p. 568)

11. Rewrite the Herbert Spencer quote found at the end of Appendix II in your own words.

99

WORKING WITH OTHERS

12. The 12
th
Step says that we tried to carry this message. What do you think this message is? Please be specific
in your answer.

13. What does the Big Book claim will keep you sober when other activities fail? (p. 89)

14. What does the Big Book advice us to do if our prospect doesnt really want to quit drinking? (pp. 90 & 95)

15. What is the Big Books opinion on hospitalization for the newly sober? (p. 91)

What do you think that means to us today when dealing with someone who wants to get sober?

100

16. When confronted by someone who may want to stop drinking, does the Big Book suggest that we listen to their
story or that we tell them our own story? (pp. 91-93)

Why do you think the Book offers that advice?

17. Do we just tell them the story of our drinking or should we also talk about our recovery? (p. 94)

18. What is the main thing that a new person must be willing to believe in if they are to get sober? (p. 93)

19. At this stage of our recovery, what is our job now? (p. 102)

20. How have your own experiences of carrying the message compared with what is described in the Big Book?

21. The Big Book says that Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery. (p. 97) Do you think that your
recovery has been founded on this principle of helping others? Is so, how? If not, how might it be improved?

101

22. Have you been diligent in pursuing this aspect of your program?

Why or why not?

23. The last paragraph on page 103 is written entirely in italics. Rewrite this paragraph in your own words.

24. There are a number of other ways besides working directly with new people that we can carry the message.
Make a list below of as many ways as possible that you can think of doing this.

25. Going forward, what do you plan to do differently to be more available to alcoholics who need your help?

26. What did you find in these two readings that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

27. The 12
th

th

If so, how?

102

TWELFTH STEP (Spiritual Awakening, Carrying the Message)

STEP TWELVE: 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.

DISCUSSION TEXT: Working with Others (pp. 89-103) and Appendix II: Spiritual Awakening (pp, 567-568)


9
th
Step amends and then sharing briefly any important or interesting experiences you might have had in the past
week while attempting to put your 10
th
and 11
th
Step resolutions into action (approximately 20 minutes).


Whatever questions the group decides to focus on, be sure to spend some time discussing questions 2, 3, 5, 7, 9,
12 & 27.

these two readings that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

4. DISCUSS with the group what commitments you are now willing to make (question #25) so that you will be more
available and more active in working with others.

103
MEETING #18 THE TWELFTH STEP (Practicing These Principles)


CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT the spiritual awakening that you may have had as the result of doing these
Twelve Steps and the commitments that you have made to working with others.

SIT QUIETLY FOR AT LEAST AN HOUR AND REVIEW all of the work you have done so far during this
Twelve Step Workgroup. (Note: leafing through this Workbook to see the ground that you have covered so far
should be helpful during this exercise.)

After doing this, ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS BY WRITING brief answers to each one:

1. On page 103 of the Big Book it says: After all, our problems were of our own making. Bottles were only a
symbol. Besides, we have stopped fighting anybody and anything. We have to!

Please write some detailed comments on this quote. For instance:

a. Are all of your problems of your own making? If yes, explain how this is true and how knowing this helps
you. If not, please list three problems that are not of your own making.

b. Do you really believe that bottles are only a symbol of the turmoil that you caused in your life while
drinking? Is so, explain. If not, explain.

c. Have you stopped fighting? Anyone and anything? REALLY? Give at least three examples each of
either success or failure in stopping fighting.

104

2. On page 19 of the Big Book, it says that elimination of our drinking is but a beginning. A much more important
demonstration of our principles lies before us in our respective homes, occupations and affairs. Do you think that
you have gone beyond the elimination of your drinking and begun to demonstrate these principles in these three
areas of your life?

If so, provide at least one concrete example of how your behavior has changed for each of these areas.

3. Made a list of what you consider to be the principles of AA the principles that you are being asked to practice in
all your affairs. (If youre having trouble with this, one way to attempt doing this might be to write down the
numbers 1-12 and then try to decide what principle is involved in each of the 12 Steps.)

4. Do you practice these principles in ALL of your affairs?

If not, why not? Give concrete examples.

105

5. Make a list of ten things that you think you have gained from participating in this Step Workgroup.

6. Earlier in our readings, we learned that selfishness and self-centeredness are the root of our troubles (p. 62), that
we must be rid of this selfishness or it kills us (p. 62) and that our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of
maximum service to God and the people about us (p. 77).

Throughout the Big Book it is noted that one of the most concrete litmus tests of our spiritual transformation (and
therefore our sobriety) is whether or not we are living a life that is focused on being useful to others [see the list of
quotes that appears in this Step Workgroup Guide on pages 108-110.]

a. Do you think you are doing a good job of this today?

b.. If yes, give at least three examples from the past week of things that would qualify as being useful to
others things that you would not have been doing a year ago.

c. If no, write down why you think you have not been successful with this lately?

106

7. Carefully review the list on pages 108-110 in this Step Workgroup Guide. Are you convinced that being useful to
others constitutes a vital and essential element of the AA program? Explain your answer.

8. Review the seven basic premises listed on page 5 of this Guide. Having carefully read through the Big Book and
completed this Step Workgroup, do you agree that these are the underlying foundations of the AA program?

If not, exactly how do you think this list should be modified?

9. The 12
th
Step says having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps and the Appendix in our Book
on Spiritual Experience notes that most of our [spiritual] experiences are [of] the educational variety because
they develop slowly over a period of time.

Have these 18 meetings of the Workgroup on the Steps contributed to or helped you develop your spiritual
awakening?

If so, how?

10. Would you be willing to repeat this Workgroup exercise?

a. If yes, why? If no, why not?

b. If yes, how soon would you be willing to start over again?

11. What would you suggest be changed in this Workgroup book if you were to do this again?

107

THE TWELFTH STEP (Practicing These Principles)

STEP TWELVE: 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.


9
th
Step amends and then sharing briefly any important or interesting insights or experiences you might have had in
the past week regarding having had a spiritual awakening and carrying the message. (approximately 20 minutes).


these two readings that you could not agree with or that you could not accept?

4. COMMIT individually to continue with the changes that you have made in your life because of the work you have
done with this Step Workgroup.

5. COMMIT as a group to stay in touch with each other and to support and encourage each other regarding this
ongoing Step work most especially with any unfinished 9
th
Step work.

6. CONSIDER the suggestion that one way to maintain your awareness of what the Steps require of us on a daily basis
is to READ pages 86-88 in the Big Book as part of your daily routine.

7. DESIGNATE someone in the group to prepare a list of your Step Workgroups comments and suggestions for
improving this Guide and then send it to us at stepworkgroup@aol.com.

8. NOTE: Some groups commit to meet one final time in a reunion meeting six weeks (or so) after this 18
th
meeting.
The reunion meeting allows everyone to catch up and to report on their progress with the Steps most especially on
any unfinished 9
th
Step work. Suggested topics for discussion at this meeting would include:

What new practices or perspectives have you been able to incorporate into your life because of the Step
Workgroup?
Are there any commitments that you made during the Step Workgroup that have not yet been done?
Have you continued to stay in active contact with members of the Step Workgroup?
Discuss the importance and implementation of the 12 Steps as a way of life.
Has the program become your program?
108
72 Big Book References to Being Useful to Others

Many of these references refer specifically to working with another alcoholic,
but over half of them are more general in nature and recommend
that we apply the principle of usefulness to everyone we come in contact with.

Page, Line # Quote
Page xiv, L5 We simply wish to be helpful to those who are afflicted.
Page xiv, L9 We should like to helpful to such cases.
Page xvi, L10 he was convinced of the need for moral inventory, confession of personality defects,
restitution of those harmed, helpfulness to others
Page xvi, L16 only an alcoholic could help an alcoholic.
Page xxvi, L28 we work out our solutions on the spiritual as well as an altruistic plane
Page xxvii, L28 Theunselfishness of these men as we have come to know them, the entire absence of
profit motive, and their community spirit, is indeed inspiring to one who has labored long
and wearily in this alcoholic field.
Page xxviii, L 27 nothing which has contributed more to the rehabilitation of these men than the
altruistic movement now growing up among them.
Page 8, L22 I was to know happiness, peace and usefulness
Page 13, L25 Never was I to pray for myself, except as my requests bore on my usefulness to others.
Page 14, L26 Perhaps I could help some of them.
Pages 14/15 For if an alcoholic failed to perfect and enlarge his spiritual life through work and self-
sacrifice for others, he could not survive the certain trials and low spots ahead.
Page 15, L6 abandoned ourselves with enthusiasm to the idea of helping other alcoholics
Page 18, L30 nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful
Page 19, L23 This should suggest a useful program for anyone concerned with a drinking problem
Page 20, L1 attitudes which make us more useful to others.
Page 20, L1 Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thoughts of others and
how we may help meet their needs.
Page 43, L1 a way of living infinitely more satisfying and, I hope, more useful than the life I lived
before.
Page 49, L31 demonstrating a degree of stability, happiness and usefulness which we should have
sought ourselves.
Page 67, L6 This is a sick man. How can I be helpful to him?
Page 67, L10 If we do, we destroy our chance of being helpful.
Page 70, L18 we throw ourselves the harder into helping others.
Page 74, L 21 The rule is we must be hard on ourself, but always considerate of others.
Page 76, L11 which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows..
Page 77, L3 Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people
about us.
Page 77, L26 We go to him in a helpful and forgiving spirit
109
Page, Line # Quote
Page 84, L 2 We will see how our experience can benefit others
Page 84, L 4 We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows
Page 84, L27 Then we resolutely turn our thoughts to someone we can help.
Page 86, L 12 thinking of what we could do for others
Page 86, L15 that would diminish our usefulness to others.
Page 87, L15 We may ask for ourselves, however, if others will be helped.
Page 89, L5 You can help when no one else can.
Page 89, L9 to see them help others
Page 89, L32 you can be uniquely helpful to other alcoholics.
Page 89, L33 To be helpful is our only aim.
Page 90, L24 who, as part of their own recovery, try to help others
Page 93, L25 To be vital, faith must be accompanied by self sacrifice and unselfish, constructive
action.
Page 94, L4 why you are now endeavoring to be helpful to him.
Page 94, L11 only that he will try to help other alcoholics when he escapes his own difficulties.
Page 94, L13 Suggest how important it is that heplace the welfare of other people ahead of his own.
Page 95, L14 if he wants to get well you will do anything to help.
Page 97, L4 Helping others is the foundation stone of your recovery.
Page 99, L7 discussed in an atmosphere of helpfulness and friendliness.
Page 99, L12 the alcoholic continues to demonstrate that he can be sober, considerate and helpful
Page 100, L16 You may spoil your chance of being helpful if you do.
Page 102, L23 Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum helpfulness to
others, so never hesitate to go anywhere if you can be helpful.
Page 103, L3 Experience shows that such an attitude is not helpful to anyone.
Page 111, L9 your chance of accomplishing anything useful
Page 111, L17 a full and useful life
Page 111, L32 Let him see that you want to behelpful rather than critical.
Page 112, L19 Meanwhile you might try to help the wife of another serious drinker.
Page 117, L1 We urge you to try our program, for nothing will be so helpful to your husband
Page 119, L12 yet he spends long hours helping other men and their families.
Page 119, L33 Both of you will awaken to a new sense of responsibility for others.
Page 120, L16 Cheer him up and ask him how you can be still more helpful.
Page 125, L6 unless some good and useful purpose is to be served
Page 127, L20 He is not likely to get far in any direction if he fails to show unselfishness and love under
his own roof.
Page 129, L30 let him go as far as he likes in helping other alcoholics.
110
Page, Line # Quote
Page 130, L16 nothing incompatible between a powerful spiritual experience and a life of sane and
happy usefulness.
Page 132, L2 and is sure to find new avenues of usefulness and pleasures.
Page 132, L26 cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness.
Page 132, L30 given the power to help others.
Page 136, L6 ought to prove exceptionally useful
Page 138, L8 This seemed to me like an opportunity to be helpful
Page 153, L6 these men are to become happy, respected, and useful once more.
Page 158, L22 become a respected and useful member of his community. He has helped other men
recover
Page 158, L26 now felt they had to give to others what they had found, or be sunk.
Page 159, L14 Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober
Page 159, L16 It was transcended by the happiness they found by giving themselves to others.
Page 161, L26 with hearts and minds attuned to the welfare of others.
Page 162, L16 there is the same helpfulness to one another
Page 164, L1 discovered the joy of helping others to face life again

18 Week Step Work Group Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

18 Week Step Work Group Guide

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

18 Week Step Work Group Guide

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

What is the purpose of organizing a Step Workgroup?

What are some of the benefits of working the Steps in a group mentioned in the document?

A STEP

You might also like