Celebrate Recovery® 12 Steps and Biblical Comparisons

 1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Romans 7:18 NIV 

2. We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 NIV 

3. We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 NIV 

4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40 NIV 

5. We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 NIV 

6. We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10 NIV 

7. We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV 

8. We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31 NIV 

9. We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24 NIV 

10. We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NIV 

11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us, and power to carry that out. “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly.” Colossians 3:16 NIV 

12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all our affairs. “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” Galatians 6:1 NIV 

 1. Realize I’m not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable. (Step 1) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 NIV 

2. Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him and that He has the power to help me recover. (Step 2) “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 NIV 

3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control. (Step 3) “Blessed are the meek,for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 NIV 

4. Openly examine and confess my hurts, hang-ups and habits to myself, to God, and to someone I trust. (Steps 4 and 5) “Blessed are the pure in heart,for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8 NIV 

5. Voluntarily submit to any and all changes God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects. (Steps 6 and 7) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:6 NIV 

6. Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others when possible, except when to do so would harm them or others. (Steps 8 and 9) “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7 NIV “Blessed are the peacemakers,for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9 NIV 

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. (Steps 10 and 11) 

8. Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and my words. (Step 12) “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10 NIV 

 1. Keep your sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings, using “I” and “Me” statements. Limit your sharing to three to five minutes. 

 2. There is NO cross talk. Cross talk is when two individuals engage in conversation excluding all others. Each person is free to express his or her feelings without interruptions 

 3. We are here to support one another, not “fix” another 

 4. Anonymity and confidentiality are basic requirements. What is shared in the group stays in the group. The only exception is when people threaten to injure themselves or others. 

 5. Offensive language has no place in a Christ-centered recovery group. 

Celebrate Recovery is intended to foster a community of support and we believe that occurs best in personal contact. There are times, however, when we are unable to meet due to weather or unexpected circumstances. There are 3 additional guidelines to keep online meetings safe, whether group meeting, open group share, or step study.

 6. All members must use headphones. This will ensure that no one else can overhear what is shared in the group if others are present in the home.

 7. All members must be alone in the room with their camera on and facing them during the entire meeting. If you have any backgrounds on, please turn those off. However, a blurred background is fine.  

 8. This meeting is not to be recorded. This protects the confidentiality and anonymity of the participants.