First Recovery

The Twelve Steps and Related Scripture:

STEP ONE: We admitted we were powerless over the effects of our separation from God – that our lives had become unmanageable.

I know nothing good lives in me, that is, my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I can’t carry it out. (ROM. 7:18)

STEP TWO: 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 according to his good purpose. (PHIL. 2:13)

STEP THREE: Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – which is your spiritual worship. (ROM. 12:1)

STEP FOUR: Made a searching and fearless inventory of ourselves.

Let us examine our ways and test them and let us return to the Lord. (LAM. 3:40)

STEP FIVE: 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 5:16A)

STEP SIX: 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)

STEP SEVEN: Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 JOHN 1:9)

STEP EIGHT: 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)

STEP NINE: 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 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. (MATT. 5:23‐24)

STEP TEN: 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 COR.10:12)

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.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. (COL. 3:16A)

STEP TWELVE: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Brothers, if someone is caught in sin, you who are spiritual should restore them gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (GAL. 6:1)

 Copyright: The Twelve Steps for Christians: Based on Biblical Teachings, Revised Edition

By: Friends in Recovery RPI PUBLISHING INC. / 1994