Step Twelve
1.
Read: Big Book (pp 58-60)
2.
Step Twelve (p. 60) tells us that:
a.
We have had a spiritual awakening (this is your new outlook
on life)
b.
As the result of working the Steps (the result of all your
hard work so far)
c.
And motivated by this awakening we:
1.
try to carry this message (the message of the Big Book and
the Steps)
2.
to other alcoholics
3.
make a commitment to practice these principles in all our
affairs (in every aspect of our daily life and living)
3.
Step Twelve therefore has three parts:
a.
The realization of the extent and character of our personal
spiritual awakening.
b.
The commitment to pass on to others what has so freely been
given to you.
c.
The commitment to try to apply what you have learned to all
aspects of your life: in your relationships/in your job or career/in the
Fellowship of A.A.
4.
At this point, review your spiritual awakening. Can you see
how living the Stpes has changed your outlook on life?
5.
Detailed instructions for “carrying the message” are laid
out in Chapter 7 “Working with Others” (pp. 89-103). Some questions:
a.
What are some of the benefits of Step Twelve? (p. 89)
b.
What if your prospect doe not want to stop drinking? (p. 90)
c.
Why do we stress the spirtual aspect of our program of
recover? (p. 93)
d.
Should you try to “sell” A.A. to your prospect? (p. 95)
e.
What was 12th Step work like in the early days of
A.A. (pp. 96-98)
f.
What is the only condition for sobriety? (pp. 98)
g.
What is the source of sobriety? (pp.99-100)
h.
Under what conditions is it alright for you to be around
alcohol? (pp. 100-103)
i.
How does A.A. feel about drinking? (p. 103)
j.
How do you feel about the last paragraph on p. 103?
6.
The chapters:
a.
“To the Wives” (pp. 104-121)
b.
“The Family Afterward” (pp. 122-135)
c.
“To Employers” (pp. 136-150)
d.
“A Vision for You” (pp. 151 – 164)
examine in detail some areas in which we can learn to apply the principles of
our A.A. way of life. Many A.A.’s ignore these principles of our A.A. way of
life. Many A.A.’s ignore these chapters. This is a mistake. Reread and re-read
this important material until you have a sense of what the authors are trying
to tell you. These chapters take up about one third of the narrative section.
They will repay frequent study.
7.
You might like to know that:
a.
The chapter “To The Wives” was written by a man – Bill Wilson.
It was written long before the establishment of the Al-anon program in 1951.
b.
The chapter “To Employers” was written by an employer – Hank
P. – who could not maintain his own sobriety.
c.
The chapter on familes was written long before the
development of family and addiction therapy as they are practiced today (1998)
d.
The last chapter in the narrative “A Vision For You” was
written duing (and about) the very early years of the Fellowship. Meetings were
few. There was little “long-term” sobriety. Bill Wilson has his last drink
December 1934; Dr. Bob sometime in June 1935. Prior to the publication of the
Big Book. (April 1939) the program and the Steps were not widely available in
written form. In fact, some A.A. historians claim that the first “real” A.A.
meeting was not held until May 11, 1939 (in Cleveland, Ohio)
8.
Read once more p. 164 in the Big Book.
9.
You have now completed Step Twelve. Be sure to read all
of the stories in the stories in the stores sections. (pp. 165- 561) and the
appendices (pp. 563-575) If you read about five and the appendices (pp.
563-575) If you read about five stories per week, you should complete this part
of the Big Book in a little over two months. Collections of stories deleted
from early additions are available if you are interested.
10.
Go on now to a study of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. And
after that…….