12 Step Bible Study

The 12 Steps  Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. Romans 7:18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.	8 Recovery Principles  Principle 1: REALIZE I’m not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and my life is unmanageable. "Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor." Matthew 5:3
Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.   2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) "’My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.”   Philippians 2:13 (NLT) “For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”	Principle 2: EARNESTLY believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. "Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." Matthew 5:4
Step 3: We made a decision to turn our wills and our lives over to the care of God. Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship   Luke 9:23 (NLT) "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.”	Principle 3: CONSCIOUSLY choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control. "Happy are the meek." Matthew 5:5
Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.	Principle 4: OPENLY examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. "Happy are the pure in heart." Matthew 5:8
Step 5: We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.  James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for each other that you may be healed.	Principle 4: OPENLY examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. "Happy are the pure in heart." Matthew 5:8
Step 6: We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up.   Isaiah 1:19 (NLT) “If you will only obey me and let me help you, then you will have plenty to eat.”	Principle 5: VOLUNTARILY submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires." Matthew 5:6 (Step 6, Step 7)

Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Step 7: We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.   James 4:10 (NLT) When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.	Principle 5: VOLUNTARILY submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. "Happy are those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires." Matthew 5:6 (Step 6, Step 7)
Step 8: We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.  Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.	Principle 6: EVALUATE all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others. "Happy are the merciful. Happy are the peacemakers." Matthew 5:7, Matthew 5:9 (Step 8, Step 9)
Step 9: We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.   Luke 6:38 (NLT) “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving—large or small—it will be used to measure what is given back to you."	Principle 6: EVALUATE all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others. "Happy are the merciful. Happy are the peacemakers." Matthew 5:7, Matthew 5:9 (Step 8, Step 9)
Step 10: We continued to take personal inventory, and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. 1 Corinthians 10:12 So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall.  Romans 12:3 (NIV) "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."	Principle 7: RESERVE a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. (Step 10, Step 11)
Step 11: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry it out. Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly."   Psalms 19:14 (NLT) "May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer."	Principle 7: RESERVE a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will. (Step 10, Step 11)
Step 12: Having had a spiritual experience as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV) “Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”	Principle 8: YIELD myself to be used by God to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words. "Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires." Matthew 5:10 (Step 12) (Based on the Beatitudes, by Pastor Rick Warren, Saddleback Church)

Understanding “The Lie” 1972 Compulsive Behavior, “Blame Shifting” by Bishop Malcolm Smith. Left click to play or right click and save target as. How to pray honestly about our anger. 1973 Compulsive Behavior, “The Price of Revenge” Psalm 55  by Bishop Malcolm Smith. Left click to play or right click and save target as. Malcolm Smith has recorded a whole counseling series on Unconditional Love which I have put together on one page.  Click Here