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John Baker is the founder of Celebrate Recovery®, a ministry started atSaddleback Church. It is estimated that over the last 25 years more than 1.5millionpeoplehavegonethroughthisChrist-centeredrecoveryprogram.Thereare currently over 27,000 churches that have weekly Celebrate Recoverymeetings.
Johnhasbeenon staff sinceCelebrateRecovery started.Hehas served asthePastorofMembership,thePastorofMinistries,andiscurrentlythePastorofSaddlebackChurch’sSignatureMinistries.HeisalsoservingasoneofthenineElderPastorsatSaddleback. John isanationallyknownspeakerand trainer inhelpingchurchesstartCelebrateRecoveryministries.
John’swritingaccomplishments includeCelebrateRecovery’sTheJourneyBeginsCurriculum,Life’sHealingChoices,theCelebrateRecoveryStudyBible(general editor), and The Landing and Celebration Place (coauthor). John’snewest books are Your First Step to Celebrate Recovery and The CelebrateRecoveryDevotional(coauthor).
JohnandhiswifeCheryl, thecofounderofCelebrateRecovery,havebeenmarried for more than four decades and have served together in CelebrateRecoverysincethebeginning.Theyhavetwoadultchildren,LauraandJohnny,andfivegrandchildren.
JohnnyBakerhasbeenonstaffatCelebrateRecoverysince2004andhasbeenthePastorofCelebrateRecoveryatSaddlebackChurchsince2012.Asanadultchildofanalcoholicwhochosetobecomeanalcoholichimself,Johnnyispassionate about breaking the cycle of dysfunction in his family and helpingother families find the tools thatwill lead to healing andopenness.Heknowsthat because of Jesus Christ, and by continuing to stay active in CelebrateRecovery,Maggie,Chloe,andJimmy—histhreechildren—willneverseehimdrink. Johnny is a nationally recognized speaker, trainer, and teacher ofCelebrate Recovery. He is a coauthor of the Celebrate Recovery DailyDevotional,CelebrationPlace, andTheLanding, and is an associate editor oftheCelebrateRecoveryStudyBible.Hehasbeenmarriedsince2000tohiswifeJeni,whoservesalongsidehiminCelebrateRecovery.
ZONDERVANLivingOuttheMessageofChristCopyright©2016byJohnandJohnnyBakerRequestsforinformationshouldbeaddressedto:Zondervan,3900SparksDr.SE,GrandRapids,Michigan49546ePubEdition©May2016:ISBN978-0-310-08328-3
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EBOOKINSTRUCTIONS
In this ebook edition, please use your device’s note-taking function to recordyour thoughts wherever you see the bracketed instructions [Your Notes] or[YourResponseHere].Useyourdevice’shighlighting function to recordyourresponsewheneveryouareasked tocheckmark,circle,underline,orotherwiseindicateyouranswer(s).
CONTENTS
EbookInstructions
ForewordbyRickWarrenIntroduction
TheRoadtoRecovery:EightPrinciplesBasedontheBeatitudes
TwelveStepsandTheirBiblicalComparisons
SerenityPrayer
CelebrateRecovery’sSmallGroupGuidelines
Lesson19:Habits
Lesson20:DailyInventory
Lesson21:Relapse
Lesson22:Gratitude
Lesson23:Give
Lesson24:Yes
Lesson25:Leader
Afterword
FOREWORD
ThebestknownministryatSaddlebackChurch—that isgoing to last foreasily100,maybe200years—startedwhenaguy,whowasadrunk,cametomewitha13-pageletter.AndthatministryiscalledCelebrateRecovery®.
Now,letmejustputthisinperspective.ThismaybeSaddleback’sgreatestcontributiontotheworld.Over20,000peoplehavecompletedthestepstudiesatSaddleback’s Celebrate Recovery. Over three and a half million peopleworldwidehavegonethroughaCelebrateRecoverystepstudy.
Right now, around the world, 27,000 churches are using Saddleback’sministrycalledCelebrateRecovery—27,000churches!It issosuccessful thatCelebrate Recovery is the official recovery program in 44 state and federalprisonsystems.Ithasbeentranslatedinto20differentlanguages.
DoyouthinkJohnBaker,whenhecametoseemeinmyofficemanyyearsagoandsaid,“I’vegotanideaforaministry,PastorRick,”imagineditwouldbeaffectingthreeandahalfmillionpeoplein27,000churches?No.YouhavenoideawhatGodwants to do throughyou.Youmayhave the next bigministryidea.YoumayhavethenextCelebrateRecoverydwellinginyou—aministrythatcouldbestartedandreproducedtoblessthewholeworld.Oneguy,outofhisownpain,startsaministrythatnowaffectstensofthousandsofchurchesandmillionsofpeople.
RickWarren
(ExcerptedfromPastorWarren’stalkatAngelStadiumonSaddleback’s35thanniversary)
INTRODUCTION
Don’tstopnow!InthefinallessonsofTheJourneyContinues,youwillcontinueontheroad
to recovery and live out the rest of your life. This is so much more thanmaintenance!AsinTheJourneyBegins,you’llfocusonwhatGodwantstodothroughyounowthatyou’vefoundevenmorevictoryoveryourhurts,hang-ups,andhabits.
In the next few weeks you’ll strengthen some healthy habits you begandevelopinginTheJourneyBegins.You’llreinforcethehabitsofdailytimespentwithGodthroughjournaling,Biblereading,andprayer,aswellastakingadailyinventory — and see how these habits can help you build a strong relapsepreventionplan.
You’llalsotakeaclose lookatwhatGodwants todothroughyoutohelpother people find the freedom and victory you have found.By giving back toGod and saying “yes” to service, you’ll have the opportunity to become aCelebrateRecoveryleadertohelpotherpeoplegothroughTheJourneyBeginsandTheJourneyContinues.
This is an exciting time in recovery!Get ready,God is about to do someamazing things in, and through, your life as you complete The JourneyContinues.
JohnBakerJohnnyBaker
THEROADTORECOVERY
EightPrinciplesBasedontheBeatitudes
ByPastorRickWarren
1.RealizeI’mnotGod.IadmitthatIampowerlesstocontrolmytendencytodo thewrong thingand thatmylife isunmanageable. (Step1)“Happyarethosewhoknowthattheyarespirituallypoor.”(Matthew5:3)
2.EarnestlybelievethatGodexists, thatImatter toHim,andthatHehas thepower tohelpme recover. (Step2)“Happyare thosewhomourn, for theyshallbecomforted.”(Matthew5:4)
3. Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care andcontrol.(Step3)“Happyarethemeek.”(Matthew5:5)
4.Openlyexamineandconfessmyfaultstomyself,toGod,andtosomeoneItrust.(Steps4and5)“Happyarethepureinheart.”(Matthew5:8)
5.VoluntarilysubmittoanyandallchangesGodwantstomakeinmylifeandhumblyaskHimtoremovemycharacterdefects.(Steps6and7)“Happyarethosewhosegreatestdesire is todowhatGodrequires.” (Matthew5:6)6.Evaluateallmyrelationships.Offer forgiveness to thosewhohavehurtmeandmakeamendsforharmI’vedonetootherswhenpossible,exceptwhento do so would harm them or others. (Steps 8 and 9) “Happy are themerciful.”(Matthew5:7)
“Happyarethepeacemakers.”(Matthew5:9)7.Reservea timewithGodforself-examination,Biblereading,andprayer inordertoknowGodandHiswillformylifeandtogainthepowertofollowHiswill. (Steps10and11)8.Yieldmyself toGodtobeused tobring thisGoodNewstoothers,bothbymyexampleandmywords.(Step12)“HappyarethosewhoarepersecutedbecausetheydowhatGodrequires.”(Matthew5:10)
TWELVESTEPSANDTHEIRBIBLICALCOMPARISONS*
1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsivebehaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothinggoodlivesinme,thatis,inmysinfulnature.
“ForIknowthatgooditselfdoesnotdwellinme,thatis,inmysinfulnature.ForIhavethedesiretodowhatisgood,butI
cannotcarryitout.”(Romans7:18)2.Wecametobelievethatapowergreaterthanourselvescouldrestoreustosanity.
“ForitisGodwhoworksinyoutowillandtoactinordertofulfillhisgoodpurpose.”(Philippians2:1)3.Wemadea
decisiontoturnourlivesandourwillsovertothecareofGod.“Therefore,Iurgeyou,brothersandsisters,inviewofGod’smercy,toofferyourbodiesasalivingsacrifice,holyandpleasingtoGod—thisisyourtrueandproperofworship.”(Romans12:1)4.Wemadeasearchingandfearlessmoral
inventoryofourselves.“Letusexamineourwaysandtestthem,andletusreturntothe
LORD.”(Lamentations3:40)5.WeadmittedtoGod,toourselves,andtoanotherhumanbeingtheexactnatureofour
wrongs.“Thereforeconfessyoursinstoeachotherandprayforeachothersothatyoumaybehealed.”(James5:16)6.Wewere
entirelyreadytohaveGodremoveallthesedefectsofcharacter.“HumbleyourselvesbeforetheLORD,andhewillliftyouup.”(James4:10)7.WehumblyaskedHimtoremoveallour
shortcomings.“Ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithfulandwillforgiveusoursinsandpurifyusfromallunrighteousness.”(1John1:9)8.We
madealistofallpersonswehadharmedandbecamewillingtomakeamendstothemall.
“Dotoothersasyouwouldhavethemdotoyou.”(Luke6:31)9.Wemadedirectamendstosuchpeoplewheneverpossible,exceptwhentodosowouldinjurethemorothers.
“Therefore,ifyouareofferingyourgiftatthealtarandthererememberthatyourbrotherorsisterhassomethingagainstyou,
leaveyourgiftthereinfrontofthealtar.Firstgoandbereconciledtothem;thencomeandofferyourgift.”(Matthew5:23–24)10.Wecontinuedtotakepersonalinventoryand
whenwewerewrong,promptlyadmittedit.“So,ifyouthinkyouarestandingfirm,becarefulthatyoudon’tfall!”(1Corinthians10:12)11.WesoughtthroughprayerandmeditationtoimproveourconsciouscontactwithGod,prayingonlyforknowledgeofHiswillforus,andpowertocarrythat
out.“LetthemessageofChristdwellamongyourichly.”
(Colossians3:16)12.Havinghadaspiritualexperienceastheresultofthesesteps,wetrytocarry
thismessagetoothersandpracticetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.“Brothersandsisters,ifsomeoneiscaughtinasin,youwholivebytheSpiritshouldrestorethatpersongently.Butwatchyourselves,oryoualsomaybetempted.”(Galatians6:1)*
Throughoutthismaterial,youwillnoticeseveralreferencestotheChrist-centered12Steps.OurprayeristhatCelebrate
Recoverywillcreateabridgetothemillionsofpeoplewhoarefamiliarwiththesecular12Steps(weacknowledgetheuseofsomematerialfromthe12SuggestedStepsofAlcoholicsAnonymous)andinsodoing,introducethemtotheoneandonlytrueHigherPower,JesusChrist.Oncetheybeginthat
relationship,askingChristintotheirheartsasLordandSavior,truehealingandrecoverycanbegin!
SERENITYPRAYER
God,grantmetheserenitytoacceptthethingsIcannotchange,thecouragetochangethethingsIcan,andthewisdomtoknowthedifference.Livingonedayatatime,enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;taking,asJesusdid,thissinfulworldasitis,notasIwouldhaveit;trustingthatYouwillmakeallthingsrightifIsurrendertoYourwill;sothatImaybereasonablyhappy in this lifeandsupremelyhappywithYouforever inthenext.Amen.
ReinholdNiebuhr
CELEBRATERECOVERY’SSMALLGROUPGUIDELINES
The following five guidelines will ensure that your small group is a safeplace.Theyneedtobereadatthebeginningofeverymeeting.
1.Keepyour sharing focused on your own thoughts and feelings.Limit yoursharingtothreetofiveminutes.
2. There is NO cross talk. Cross talk is when two individuals engage inconversationexcludingall others.Eachperson is free to expresshisorherfeelingswithoutinterruptions.
3.Weareheretosupportoneanother,not“fix”another.4.Anonymityandconfidentialityarebasicrequirements.Whatissharedinthegroupstays in thegroup.Theonlyexception iswhensomeone threatens toinjurethemselvesorothers.
5.OffensivelanguagehasnoplaceinaChrist-centeredrecoverygroup.
Lesson19
HABITS
Principle7:ReserveadailytimewithGodforself-examination,Biblereading,andprayerinordertoknowGodandHiswillformylifeandtogainthepowertofollowHiswill.
Step10:Wecontinuedtotakepersonalinventoryandwhenwewerewrong,promptlyadmittedit.
“Soifyouthinkyouarestandingfirm,becarefulthatyoudon’tfall!”(1Corinthians10:12)
Pleasebeginyourtimetogetherbyreading“TheTenthStep,Day270”fromtheCelebrateRecoveryDailyDevotional.
In Celebrate Recovery, we often talk about breaking bad habits. Butrecovery ismore thanstoppingold,negativebehaviors; it’salsoabout startingnew, healthy ones. In Principle 7,we see howwe are to begin living out ourlives;we“reserveadailytimewithGodforself-examination,Biblereading,andprayerinordertoknowGodandHiswillformylifeandtogainthepowertofollowHiswill.”
Principle7isallaboutthedailyhabitsweformsothatwecanwalkinstepwithGodfortheremainderofourlives.We’vedonesomegreatworkindealingwiththepaininourpasts,andhavecontinuedintheprocessofdoingourparttomakeourrelationshipshealthy.NowweseehowwecandowhatJesustoldustodoinJohn15:5:“Iamthevine;youarethebranches.IfyouremaininmeandIinyou,youwillbearmuchfruit;apartfrommeyoucandonothing.”
Principle7givesusthreedailyhabitsthathelpusremaininJesus.
Habit#1:Self-examination
“Searchme,God,andknowmyheart;testmeandknowmyanxiousthoughts.Seeifthereisanyoffensivewayinme,and
leadmeinthewayeverlasting.”(Psalm139:23–24)
Justbecausewehavecompletedamoral inventorydoesn’tmeanwedon’tstill need to examine ourmotives and our actions.Aswewill see in the nextlesson,adailyinventoryisvitaltoourcontinuedgrowth.Thebesttoolforself-examinationisajournal.AjournalhelpsusrememberwherewehavebeenandtoseewhatGodisdoinginourlives.Itallowsustogobackintimeandclearlyrecountallofthewayswehavechanged.
InThe Journey Begins youwere introduced to the idea of journaling andeven had a seven-day challenge to help you kick-start this habit. If youcompleted that exercise andkept at it, congratulations!Youhaveundoubtedlyrecordedgreatinsightsandgrowth.Youhavelearnedthingsaboutyourselfandseenthingsinwritingthatyoumaynothaverealizedweretrue.Ifyouwerelesssuccessful in that first attempt,make this the time toget started!There are somany ways to do this daily habit. You can pick up a Celebrate RecoveryJournal, a spiral-bound notebook, or any one of the many journaling appsavailable.Itdoesn’tmatterhowyoujournal; theimportantthingisthatyoudoit!
Ifyouarestrugglingwith thishabit,goback toLesson19ofTheJourneyBeginsforhelpfultipsonhowtogetstarted.
“LooktotheLORDandhisstrength;seekhisfacealways.Rememberthewondershehasdone,hismiracles,andthejudgmentshepronounced.”(1Chronicles16:11–12)
“Letusexamineourwaysandtestthem,andletusreturntotheLORD.”(Lamentations3:40)
Habit#2:BibleReading
“Yourwordisalampformyfeet,alightonmypath.”(Psalm119:105)
GoingtoGod’sWorddailyisoneofthemostimportanthabitsanyfollower
ofJesuscanbuildintohisorherlife.TheBiblehasbeencalledGod’slovelettertousandGod’sinstructionmanualforlife.TheBibleisafirsthandaccountofwhatGodcandointhelivesofthosewhotrustinHim.Again,thisisahabityoumayhavealreadyformed.Ifso,keepitup.Ifyouhaven’t,begintoday.Startbyreading for a fewminutes a day and see howGod speaks to you throughHisWord.
Just aswith journaling, therearemany tools tohelpyou start,orgrow in,thisdailyhabit.YoucanusetheCelebrateRecoveryBible,adifferentBible,oran app like YouVersion. Again, the important thing is to make daily readingGod’sWordapartofyourlife.
“ButgrowinthegraceandknowledgeofourLordandSaviorJesusChrist.Tohimbeglorybothnowandforever!Amen.”(2
Peter3:18)
“Ireachoutforyourcommands,whichIlove,thatImaymeditateonyourdecrees.”(Psalm119:48)
Habit#3:Prayer
“Devoteyourselvestoprayer,beingwatchfulandthankful.”(Colossians4:2)
Many people have thewrong idea about prayer. They think praying is allabouttalking.Theybegintheirtimepraying,askingGodforHiswillandforHisanswers, and say “amen” without taking the time to listen for His response!Imagine if we treated each other like that! Howwould you feel if you had afriendwhocalledyouonthephone,talkedfortwentyminutes,andthenhungupbeforeyouhadachancetospeak?Chancesareyouwouldn’texpectthatfriendtoknowyouverywell.
Whenwe talk toGod inprayer,weneed tomakesurewearegivingHimtimetotalkbacktous.Now,Godmaynevertalkaudiblytoyou(Heneverhastome—Johnny),butHemayspeaktoyouthroughafeeling(yousensewhatHewantsyou todo)or through leadingyoubyHisSpirit.Thepoint is:go toGod in prayer, daily, askingHim tomeet your needs, thankingHim forwhatHe’sdone,andaskingHimforHiswill.Thenmakesureyou take the time toallowHim to speak back to you!His answermay not be immediate;Hemayevenspeakthroughafriendoraccountabilitypartner,soweneedtocontinueto
gotoHimwithanopenheartandlistenforHisguidance.
“AnswermewhenIcalltoyou,myrighteousGod.Givemerelieffrommydistress;havemercyonmeandhearmyprayer.”
(Psalm4:1)
“Donotbeanxiousaboutanything,butineverysituation,byprayerandpetition,withthanksgiving,presentyourrequeststo
God.”(Philippians4:6)
“Icallonyou,myGod,foryouwillanswerme;turnyoureartomeandhearmyprayer.”(Psalm17:6)
ThereareotherhabitstoformthatwillhelpusliveoutourrecoveryjourneyandcontinueonthepathwayJesushassetbeforeus,butthesethreehabitsareagoodplacetobegin.Thisweek,trytobeginbuilding,orcontinuebuilding,thesethreehabitsintoyourlife.Asyoudo,takenoteofwhatGodisdoinginyourlifethroughthesehabits.
QuestionsforReflectionandDiscussion
1.Whichoneof thesehabits is strongest inyour life?Howdidyougoaboutbuildingandgrowingthishabit?
[YourResponseHere]
2.Whichofthesehabitsistheweakestinyourlife?Whatstepsdoyouneedtotaketobuilditup?
[YourResponseHere]
3.Doyoucurrentlyjournal?Ifnot,howwillyougetstarted?Ifyoudojournal,what are some lessons you have learned about your recovery through thishabit?
[YourResponseHere]
4. Do you have a daily time reading God’sWord? If not, howwill you getstarted?Ifyoudo,whatisthelastthingGodshowedyouthroughHisWord?
[YourResponseHere]
5. Have you ever memorized a Bible verse? What’s the last verse youcommittedtomemory,andhowhasitbeenmeaningfultoyou?
[YourResponseHere]
6.Howoftendoyoupray?Whenyoupray,doyouregularlyslowdownlongenoughforGodtospeak?
[YourResponseHere]
7.What’sthelastthingyou“heard”fromGod?(Remember,thismaynotbeanaudiblevoice.)
[YourResponseHere]
8.Howwoulddailyimplementingthesehabitsaffectyourrecovery?
[YourResponseHere]
9.Willyoucommittobuilding,orstrengthening,thesehabitsthisweek?Whowillyouasktokeepyouaccountable?
[YourResponseHere]
Prayer
Father,thankYouthatCelebrateRecoveryisn’tjustaboutbreakingbadhabits,but it’salsoabout startingnew,healthyones.Helpme thisweekas I continuebuilding thesehabits intomy life.Showmeways tojournal, readmyBible,andpraymore thisweek. Iask that these threehabitswould strengthenmy recovery, butmore importantly that they’ddrawmeclosertoYou.InYournameIpray,amen.
Lesson20
DAILYINVENTORY
Principle7:ReserveadailytimewithGodforself-examination,Biblereading,andprayerinordertoknowGodandHiswillformylifeandtogainthepowertofollowHiswill.
Step10:Wecontinuedtotakepersonalinventoryandwhenwewerewrong,promptlyadmittedit.
“So,ifyouthinkyouarestandingfirm,becarefulthatyoudon’tfall!”(1Corinthians10:12)
Pleasebeginyourtimetogetherbyreading“ClearMind,CleanHeart,Day75”fromtheCelebrateRecoveryDailyDevotional.
In this lesson,wewant tofocusonthefirstpartofPrinciple7,“ReserveadailytimewithGodforself-examination...”
Journaling
Hopefully, you have continuedmaking journaling a daily habit.With thishabit,youhavecontinued tocommit to recappingyourday inwrittenform—thegoodandthebad,thesuccessesandthetimeswhenyoumademistakes.
Ifforsomereason,youhavestoppedjournaling,pleaseprayaboutstartingitagain.Youmaybethinkingthatyoudon’thavetimetojournal.Thetruthis,youdon’thavetimenottoo!
Remember the two reasons why journaling is a key part to each of ourrecoveriesaswecontinuethejourney:1.Whenyouwritedownareasinwhichyouoweamends,itwillhelpyoutobe
awareofunhealthypatterns thatmaybedeveloping.Asyou identify them,you canworkon themwith thehelpof JesusChrist andyour sponsor andaccountabilitypartner/team.
2.Youcankeeptheamendsyouowetoavery“shortlist.”Assoonasyouwritedownan issue, you canmake a plan topromptly offer your amends.Afteryoumaketheamends,youcancrossitoffinyourjournal.
Inventory
PleaserememberaswerefocusonStep10andPrinciple7,wecontinuethejourneyofapplyingwhatwehavediscoveredinthefirstninesteps.
Wehumblylivedaily,inreality,notdenial.Wehavedoneourbesttoamendour past. Through God’s guidance, we can make healing choices about theemotions that affect our thinking and actions.And best of all,we can start totakeaction, positive action, instead of constant reaction to the issueswe facedaily.
Godhasprovideduswithadailychecklistforournewlifestyle.It’scalledthe“GreatCommandment,”anditisfoundinMatthew22:37–40whereJesussaid,“‘LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheart...souland...mind.’Thisis the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love yourneighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these twocommandments.”
Step 10— “We continued to take personal inventory and when we werewrong,promptlyadmittedit”—doesnotsayhowoftentotakeaninventory,butrememberthethreesuggestionsTheJourneyBeginsofferedtohelpuskeepontherightroad,God’sroadtorecovery.
1.Doanongoinginventory.
You can keep an ongoing inventory throughout the day. The best time toadmityouarewrongistheexacttimethatyouaremadeawareofit.Whywait?
2.Doadailyinventory.
At the endof eachday, you can lookover your daily activities, searchingwhereyoumighthaveharmedsomeoneorwhereyouactedoutofangerorfear.Butremembertokeepyourdailyinventorybalancedbyalsoincludingthethingsthatyoudidrightthatday.Afterall,atthispointinyourrecoveryyouaredoing
morethingsrightthanwrong!Thebestwaytodothisistojournal.
3.Doaperiodicinventory.
Takeaperiodic inventory about every threemonths.Get awayona “miniretreat”!Bringyourdailyjournalwithyou,andprayasyoureadthroughthelastninetydaysofyourjournalentries.AskGodtoshowyouareasinyourlifethatyoucanimproveoninthenextninetydaysandcelebratethevictoriesthatyouhavemade.
Bycontinuingtotake,orrecommittingtoanongoing,adaily,andaperiodicinventory,wecanworkStep10tothebestofourabilities.WithGod’shelp,wecankeepoursideofthestreetclean.
HereareafewkeyversestofollowforPrinciple7:
“Theheartsofthewisemaketheirmouthsprudent,andtheirlipspromoteinstruction.”(Proverbs16:23)
“Donotletanyunwholesometalkcomeoutofyourmouths,butonlywhatishelpfulforbuildingothersupaccordingtotheirneeds,thatitmaybenefitthosewholisten.”(Ephesians4:29)
“Thewiseinheartarecalleddiscerning,andgraciouswordspromoteinstruction.”(Proverbs16:21)
“Anxietyweighsdowntheheart,butakindwordcheersitup.”(Proverbs12:25)
“IfIspeakinthetonguesofmenorofangels,butdonothavelove,Iamonlyaresoundinggongoraclangingcymbal.”(1
Corinthians13:1)
Step10DailyActionPlan
1.Continueto takeanongoinganddaily inventory,andwhenyouarewrong,promptlymakeyouramends.
2.Summarizetheeventsofyourdayinyourjournal.3.ReadandmemorizeoneofthePrinciple7verseslistedabove.4.Liveoutallthestepsandprinciplestothebestofyourability.
ThekeyverseforthislessonisMark14:38:“Watchandpraysothatyoudonotfallintotemptation.Thespiritiswilling,butthebodyisweak.”
QuestionsforReflectionandDiscussion
1. How are you doing with your habit of journaling? Do you journal daily?Onceaweek?Ornotatall?
[YourResponseHere]
2.Ifyouarenotjournalingdaily,whynot?
[YourResponseHere]
3.What are some of the benefits you have received from doing an ongoinginventory?
[YourResponseHere]
4. What are some of the benefits you have received from doing a dailyinventory?
[YourResponseHere]
5. What are some of the benefits you have received from doing a periodicinventory?Wheredoyougetawayto?
[YourResponseHere]
6. How about those you sponsor? Have you helped them learn the keydifferencesof the three typesof inventories?Doyouspend time reviewingtheirperiodicinventories?
[YourResponseHere]
Prayer
DearGod,thankYoufortoday.ThankYouforgivingmethetoolsto
continue to work my program and live my life differently, centered inYour will. Lord, help me to make my amends promptly and ask forforgiveness. In all my relationships, help me to do my part in makingthemhealthyandgrowing.InJesus’nameIpray,amen.
Lesson21
RELAPSE
Principle7:ReserveadailytimewithGodforself-examination,Biblereading,andprayerinordertoknowGodandHiswillformylifeandtogainthepowertofollowHiswill.
Step11:WesoughtthroughprayerandmeditationtoimproveourconsciouscontactwithGod,prayingonlyforknowledgeofHiswillforus,andpowertocarrythatout.
“LetthemessageofChristdwellamongyourichly.”(Colossians3:16)
Pleasebeginyour time togetherbyreading“TheEleventhStep,Day300”fromtheCelebrateRecoveryDailyDevotional.
Oneoftherealitiesofrecoveryisthatrelapseispossible.Manythinkrelapseisunavoidable.Thatissimplynottrue.Relapseispreventableifprecautionsaretaken. If you havemade it this far throughThe Journey Continues, you havedoneagreatjob!Youhavefoundsomefreedomandvictoryovermajorissuesand character defects in your life. Now is the time to protect what you haveobtained.
ImportantNote:Ifyouhaverelapsed,youmaybefeelingthedesiretopullawayfrom
yourgroupor torunaway fromGod.Resist this temptation!Now is thetime todrawclose to thepeople inyourgroupand toJesus.Theenemywantsyoutostaystuckandtogobacktoyourhurts,hang-ups,andhabits,
butJesuswantsyou tobe free.So, ifyouhaverelapsedandarebeatingyourselfup,rememberthewordsofRomans8:1,“Therefore,thereisnownocondemnationforthosewhoareinChristJesus”!
LearnfromthisexperienceandallowGodtodosomethingnewinsideofyou;don’tallowittopushyouaway.
—JohnnyBaker
RELAPSE
Howdoyouprotectyour recovery?By settingupaRELAPSEpreventionplan.Agoodplanwillallowyouto:
R—Recognizeyourweakpoints
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses in his or her life. In your group,somepeoplearefurtheralongintheirrecoveryandsomearepeoplearenotasfaralong.Yourexperiencesvarygreatly.Becauseofthis,youeachhaveuniquechallenges tomaintaining, and growing in, your own recovery journey. Somepeopleknowtheyaremoresusceptibletorelapsewhentheyarealone,orwhentheyaresad,orwhentheyareangry.Thekeyistoknowwhenyouareatyourmost vulnerable. Once you recognize your weak points, you will be able toprotectyourselfwhenyouaretriggeredtoactout.
Andremember, justbecauseweallhaveweakpointsdoesn’tmeanwearedoomedtorelapse.Why?BecauseGodhasthepowertoseeusthrough!
“Hegivesstrengthtothewearyandincreasesthepoweroftheweak.”(Isaiah40:29)
“Searchme,God,andknowmyheart;testmeandknowmyanxiousthoughts.Seeifthereisanyoffensivewayinme,and
leadmeinthewayeverlasting.”(Psalm139:23–24)
E—Establishescaperoutes
Whilerelapseispreventable,temptationisnot.Ifyouhavetakenthetimetorecognizeyourweakpoints, younowknowwhen temptation ismost likely tocome.But being tempted to relapse isn’t the same thing as actually relapsing.
Temptationmeans it’s time to put your guard up. Instead of rolling over andgivingintotheimpulsetoactout,temptationisacalltoaction!Whenyouaretempted,thefirstthingtodoistolookforanescaperoute.Ifthetemptationisthere,Godhasalsoprovideawaytoescapeit.
“Notemptationhasovertakenyouexceptwhatiscommontomankind.AndGodisfaithful;hewillnotletyoubetemptedbeyondwhatyoucanbear.Butwhenyouaretempted,hewill
alsoprovideawayoutsothatyoucanendureit.”(1Corinthians10:13)
L—Listentoyoursupportteam
Your sponsor and accountability partners/team, and the members of thisgroup,knowthingsaboutyouthatyoumaynotevenknowyourself.Haveyoueverhadtheexperienceofsomeoneaskingyouwhat’swrongbeforeyouevenspoke?Thatpersonknewyourcues,yourexpressions,yourbody language; inshort, theyknewyouwellenough toknowsomethingwaswrong. In thesameway,thepeopleinyourgrouphavebeenwithyoualongtimenow.Theyhaveseenyourgooddaysandbaddays.Ifsomeoneonyoursupportteamcallsyouortalkstoyouandsaystheyfeelyouareflirtingwithrelapse,listentothem.Theymayseesomethingyouarehavingtroubleidentifying.
“Thereforeencourageoneanotherandbuildeachotherup,justasinfactyouaredoing.”(1Thessalonians5:11)
“Asironsharpensiron,soonepersonsharpensanother.”(Proverbs27:17)
A—Acknowledgeyourlevelofrisk
Youmaynotrealizeit,butyoumightalreadybeonthepathtorelapse!Asdiscussedabove, thisdoesnotmean thatyoumustgive in,butyouneed tobeaware of your risk level. The following information, called “The PredictablePatternofRelapse”comesfromLife’sHealingChoices:
Phase1:Complacency
Relapse begins when we get comfortable. We’ve confessed ourproblem,we’ve started dealingwith it, andwe’vemade some progress.Thenwegetcomfortable,andonedaywestopprayingaboutit,andthenwestopworkingatit.Ourpainlevelhasbeenreduced—noteliminatedbut reduced—andwe thinkwecan livewith the reduced levelofpain.We haven’t thoroughly dealt with our problem, but we don’t feel asdesperateabout itasweoncedid.We thinkwedon’tneed tomeetwithoursupportgroupanymore.Wedon’tneedtoworkthechoicesanymore.Wedon’tneedtocallouraccountabilitypartneranymore.Andbeforeweknowit,wehavebecomecomplacent.
Phase2:Confusion
In this phase we begin to rationalize and play mental games withourselves.Wesay things like,“Maybemyproblemreallywasn’tall thatbad;maybeIcanhandleitbymyself.”Weforgethowbaditusedtobe.Reality becomes fuzzy and confused, and we think we can control ourproblemsbyourselves.
Phase3:Compromise
Whenwegettothisphase,wegobacktotheplaceoftemptation.Wereturn to theriskysituation thatgotus in thefirstplace,whether it’s thebar,themall,31Flavors,orthat“XXX”Internetsite.Wegobacktothatunsafeplace like thegamblerwhosays, “Let’sgo toVegasand just seetheshows.”Butwhenweplaceourselves inriskysituations,we’ll likelymake poor choices. Itmay beginwith little things, but itwon’t be longbefore it all unravels and all the ground that’s been gained is lost. ThatbringsustoPhase4.
Phase4:Catastrophe
This iswhenweactuallygive in to theoldhurt,oldhang-up,oroldhabit.Thehatecomesback,theresentmentreturns,orwefallbackintotheoldpatternsofbehavior.Butweneedtounderstandthis:thecatastropheisnottherelapse.TherelapsebeganinPhase1withcomplacency.
Toavoidthecatastropheofrelapse,weneedtotakethetimetoseeifwefitsomewhereinthispattern,andifso,takeaction.
“Letusexamineourwaysandtestthem,andletusreturntotheLORD.”(Lamentations3:40)
“Thecrucibleforsilverandthefurnaceforgold,buttheLORDteststheheart.”(Proverbs17:3)
“Watchandpraysothatyouwillnotfallintotemptation.Thespiritiswilling,butthefleshisweak.”(Matthew26:41)
P—PrayandreadyourBibledaily
WehavealreadylookedatprayerandBiblereadingashabitsthatwillhelpkeepusgrowing,buttheyareessentialtoolsforavoidingrelapseaswell.PrayerconnectsustoGod;itkeepsusinstepwithHim.BiblereadinggivesusinsightintowhatGodwants forus.Theyareessential tools inany relapsepreventionplan.
“Inthesameway,theSpirithelpsusinourweakness.Wedonotknowwhatweoughttoprayfor,buttheSpirithimselfintercedes
forusthroughwordlessgroans.”(Romans8:26)
“IwillrememberthedeedsoftheLORD;yes,Iwillrememberyourmiraclesoflongago.Iwillconsiderallyourworksandmeditateonallyourmightydeeds.”(Psalm77:11–12)
S—Serveothers,especiallythenewcomers
Oneof the bestways to protect our recoveries is by serving other people.Remember, theway to ensure service is done in a non-codependentway is tokeepourfocusonChrist.Servingothers,whichwewilldiscussindetailinlaterlessons,protectsourrecoveriesinseveralways.
•Ittakesthefocusoffusandputsitontootherpeople.•Itgivesourpainapurpose.•Itremindsuswherewewerewhenwefirststarted,andshowsushowfarwe’vecome.
•ItgivesusawaytodirectlyserveJesusandtothankHimforwhatHe’sdoneforus.
“Whoevertriestokeeptheirlifewillloseit,andwhoeverloses
theirlifewillpreserveit.”(Luke17:33)
“Servewholeheartedly,asifyouwereservingtheLord,notpeople.”(Ephesians6:7)
“You,mybrothersandsisters,werecalledtobefree.Butdonotuseyourfreedomtoindulgetheflesh;rather,serveoneanother
humblyinlove.”(Galatians5:13)
E—Enjoythevictoriesyouhavebeengiven
Thereisonetoolforavoidingrelapsethatoftengoesunnoticed,andthatisenjoying the victory we have been given. Remember, this program is calledCelebrateRecovery!WeneedtoenjoythevictoriesGodhasbeengivingus.Bythispointinourrecovery,itislikelywehavemoregooddaysthanbadones.Weneedtoenjoythatvictory!Wearemorelikelytoprotectthethingsweenjoyandcelebrate.Soifwehavefoundevensmallvictories,weneedtoenjoythem!
“Acheerfulheartisgoodmedicine,butacrushedspiritdriesupthebones.”(Proverbs17:22)
“Nevertheless,Iwillbringhealthandhealingtoit;Iwillhealmypeopleandwillletthemenjoyabundantpeaceand
security.”(Jeremiah33:6)
QuestionsforReflectionandDiscussion
1.Howhaveyouprotectedyourselffromrelapseinthepast?
[YourResponseHere]
2. If you have relapsed, what would you like others to learn from yourexperience?
[YourResponseHere]
3.Whataresomeofyourweakpoints?Bespecific.
[YourResponseHere]
[YourResponseHere]
4.Howdoyouescapetemptation?
[YourResponseHere]
5.Whohas the ability to askyou toughquestionsor to speak truth intoyourlife?
[YourResponseHere]
6.Are you on “ThePredictablePattern ofRelapse” right now? If so,where?Andhowwillyouprotectyourrecoveryinlightofthisdiscovery?
[YourResponseHere]
7.HowhasdailyprayerandBiblereadingstrengthenedyourrecovery?
[YourResponseHere]
8. Who and where are you serving today? How has serving the newcomerremindedyouofwhatlifewaslikewhenyoufirststartedrecovery?
[YourResponseHere]
9. How are you enjoying the victories you have been given? How do youcelebrateyourrecovery?
[YourResponseHere]
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for the victories You have given me.Help me protect them by preparing a plan to avoid relapse. Father, Idon’twant togoback tomyoldhurts,hang-ups,orhabits.Helpme tokeep growing andmoving forward, creating new, positive habits inmylife. Help keep me in step with You. It’s in Your name I pray, Jesus.Amen.
Lesson22
GRATITUDE
Principle7:ReserveadailytimewithGodforself-examination,Biblereading,andprayerinordertoknowGodandHiswillformylifeandtogainthepowertofollowHiswill.
Step11:WesoughtthroughprayerandmeditationtoimproveourconsciouscontactwithGod,prayingonlyforknowledgeofHiswillforusandpowertocarrythatout.
“LetthemessageofChristdwellamongyourichly.”(Colossians3:16)
Please begin your time together by reading “Active Gratitude, Day 130”fromtheCelebrateRecoveryDailyDevotional.
In Principle 7, we began to focus our attention outwardly rather thaninwardly.Aswecontinueourjourney,aswecontinuetogrowinourconsciouscontact with God, He begins to unfold in our lives. The way we do this,accordingtoPrinciple7,isto“reserveadailytimewithGod.”Duringthistime,wefocusonHimbyprayingandmeditating.
Prayer is talking to God.Meditation is listening to God on a daily basis.Meditationdoesn’tmeanwegetintosomeyoga-typepositionormurmur,“om,om,om.”Wesimplyfocuson,andthinkabout,GodoracertainScriptureverseormaybeevenjustoneortwowords.Thisweek,trytofocusonjustoneword:gratitude.
Bythispointinourjourney,wehavelearnedtolistentoGod,whotellsusthatwehavegreatworth.WehavelearnedthatifwestartourdaywithPrinciple7andenditbydoingourdailyinventories,wecanhaveaprettygoodday—a
reasonablyhappyday.Thisisonewaywechoosetolive“onedayatatime”andonewaywecancontinuetohelppreventrelapse.
We have learned a great way to prevent relapse and struggles in ourrecoveriesisbymaintainingan“attitudeofgratitude.”
Gratitude
Thisweek, it doesn’tmatter howmanyyears of recoverywehave,we allneedtoallowourprayerstobefocusedonourgratitudeinfourkeyareasofourlives:God,others,recoverygrowth,andchurch.
Asalways,weneedtowritethemdownonour“GratitudeList”(pages43–46).Ifyouhaven’twrittenagratitudelistinawhile,feelfreetogobackasfarassixmonthsorevenayearasyoucomplete thisnew list.Continue toaddnewitems to this list as God brings them to mind this week. (Note: Be sure tocomplete your list prior to yourmeeting so everyone has time to share!Yourresponses will be the focus of group discussion; there are no “Questions forReflectionandDiscussion”thistime.)
Usingyourgratitudelist,dailylivingoutPrinciple7,makingyourrecoverymeetingsapriority,andgettinginvolvedinservicearethebestwaystopreventrelapse.
GratitudeList
First,gratitudetowardGod
“Donotbeanxiousaboutanything,butineverything,byprayerandpetition,withthanksgiving,presentyourrequeststoGod.”
(Philippians4:6)
“GivethankstotheLORDforhisunfailingloveandhiswonderfuldeedsformankind!”(Psalm107:15)
WhatareatleasttwoareasofyourlifeinwhichyoucanseeGod’shandforwhichyouaregrateful?1.[YourResponseHere]2.[YourResponseHere]
Second,gratitudeforothers
Second, list the individuals that God has placed in your life to walkalongsideyouonyourroadofrecovery.
“LetthepeaceofChristruleinyourhearts,sinceasmembersofonebodyyouwerecalledtopeace.Andbethankful.LetthemessageofChristdwellamongyourichlyasyouteachand
admonishoneanotherwithallwisdomthroughpsalms,hymns,andsongsfromtheSpirit,singingtoGodwithgratitudeinyour
hearts.”(Colossians3:15–16)
Whoareyougratefulfor?Why?Listatleasttwoindividuals.1.[YourResponseHere]2.[YourResponseHere]
Third,yourrecoverythusfar
The third area you can be grateful for is the months or years of yourrecovery.
“Therefore,sincewearesurroundedbysuchagreatcloudofwitnesses,letusthrowoffeverythingthathindersandthesinthatsoeasilyentangles.Andletusrunwithperseverancethe
racemarkedoutforus,fixingoureyesonJesus,thepioneerandperfecteroffaith.Forthejoysetbeforehimheenduredthe
cross,scorningitsshame,andsatdownattherighthandofthethroneofGod.Considerhimwhoenduredsuchoppositionfrom
sinners,sothatyouwillnotgrowwearyandloseheart.”(Hebrews12:1–3)
What are two recent growth areas of your recovery for which you arethankful?Why?1.[YourResponseHere]2.[YourResponseHere]
Fourth,yourchurchfamily
ThefourthareatobegratefulforisyourchurchforbeingasafeplaceandprovidingCelebrateRecovery.
“Enterhisgateswiththanksgivingandhiscourtswithpraise;givethankstohimandpraisehisname.FortheLORDisgoodandhisloveenduresforever;hisfaithfulnesscontinuesthrough
allgenerations.”(Psalm100:4–5)
What are two specific areas of your church for which you are grateful?Why?1.[YourResponseHere]2.[YourResponseHere]
Prayer
DearGod,helpmesetasideallthehasslesandnoiseoftheworldtofocusonandlistenjust toYoufor thenext fewminutes.Helpmeget toknowYoubetter.HelpmetobetterunderstandYourplan,Yourpurposeformylife.Father,helpmelivewithintoday,seekingYourwillandlivingthisdayasYouwouldhavemetolive.
ItismyprayertohaveothersseemeasYours,notjustinmywordsbut, more importantly, in my actions. Thank You for Your love, Yourgrace,andYourperfectforgiveness.ThankYouforallofthoseYouhaveplaced inmy life, formyprogram,myrecovery,andmychurch family.Yourwillbedone,notmine.InYourSon’snameIpray,amen.
Lesson23
GIVE
Principle8:YieldmyselftoGodtobeusedtobringthisGoodNewstoothers,bothbymyexampleandmywords.
“HappyarethosewhoarepersecutedbecausetheydowhatGodrequires.”(Matthew5:10)
Step12:Havinghadaspiritualexperienceastheresultofthesesteps,wetrytocarrythismessagetoothers,andpracticetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.
“Brothersandsisters,ifsomeoneiscaughtinasin,youwholivebytheSpiritshouldrestorethatpersongently.Butwatchyourselves,oryoualsomaybetempted.”(Galatians6:1)
Please begin your time together by reading “TheTwelfth Step,Day 330”fromtheCelebrateRecoveryDailyDevotional.
Principle8 is all aboutgiving. It’s about livingout the restofour lives inservice—servicetoChristandservicetoothers.That’swhatitmeansto“yieldmyselftoGod.”Itmeansthatwestartlookingforwaystogiveback,toGodandtoothers,whatwehave received. InTheJourneyBeginswe lookedatwhat itmeans to GIVE, but nowwewill look at what we have to offer to others inservice.
GIVE
G—Gifts
WehaveeachreceivedGod-givengifts.HehasshapedeachofusinordertoserveHimandHispeople.InCelebrateRecovery,weallhaveatleasttwoGod-givengiftsincommon.First,HehasgivenusthegiftofHisgracewhenweeachacceptedJesusasourLordandSavior.Second,weeachhavereceivedthegiftofvictoryoverparticularhurts,hang-ups,andhabits.Whilemuchofourindividualjourneysmaylookverydifferent,wehaveatleastthosetwogiftsincommon.
ButGodhasalsogiftedeachofusinmanyuniqueways.Youmaynotfeelparticularlygifted,buttheBiblesaysGodhasspeciallygiftedeachofus.Manybookshavewrittenaboutspiritualgifts.Forourpurposes,knowtwothings:(1)Godhasgiftedyou,and(2)Hewantsyoutouseyourgiftstohelpotherpeople.Wearenotsupposedtokeepourgiftstoourselves!
“Wehavedifferentgifts,accordingtothegracegiventoeachofus.Ifyourgiftisprophesying,thenprophesyinaccordancewithyourfaith;ifitisserving,thenserve;ifitisteaching,thenteach;ifitistoencourage,thengiveencouragement;ifitis
giving,thengivegenerously;ifitistolead,doitdiligently;ifitistoshowmercy,doitcheerfully.”(Romans12:6–8)
“Therearedifferentkindsofgifts,butthesameSpiritdistributesthem.Therearedifferentkindsofservice,butthesameLord.”
(1Corinthians12:4–5)
“Eachofyoushouldusewhatevergiftyouhavereceivedtoserveothers,asfaithfulstewardsofGod’sgraceinitsvarious
forms.”(1Peter4:10)
I—Interest
Perhapsthegreatestgiftwecangiveotherpeopleisourinterest.Weliveinaworld clamoring for our attention. Screens shout at us at every opportunity.Neverhasthetemptationtomoveontothenextthing,orhasthefearofmissingout, been stronger. We check our social media sites looking for “likes” and“comments”andstoriespointingustothenewandthenow.
Sowhenwesitdownwithsomeoneandpaythemattention,whenweshowinterestinthem,wearegivingthemsomethingbothrareandvaluable.Slowingdownenough toget toknow thepeopleGodputs inourpath— to listenandgivethemourtime—isapowerfulwaytogiveback.
“Donothingoutofselfishambitionorvainconceit.Rather,inhumilityvalueothersaboveyourselves,notlookingtoyourown
interestsbuteachofyoutotheinterestsoftheothers.”(Philippians2:3–4)
Jesussaid,“AnewcommandIgiveyou:Loveoneanother.AsIhavelovedyou,soyoumustloveoneanother.Bythiseveryonewillknowthatyouaremydisciples,ifyouloveoneanother.”
(John13:34–35)
“Keeponlovingoneanotherasbrothersandsisters.”(Hebrews13:1)
V—Victories
Another great gift we can give in service is by sharing our victories.WeneedtorememberhowwefeltwhenwefirststartedCelebrateRecovery.Mostpeople don’t come to Celebrate Recovery for the first time on a good day.Usually people seek out recoverywhen they are out of options orwhen theirpainexceedsthefearofchange.Ifwecanrememberhowwefeltwhenwefirststarted,werecallthatthingsfeltprettybleak.Ofcourse,yourexperiencemaybeverydifferent,butyouprobablyneverimaginedthethingsGodhadinstoreforyouwhenyoufirststarted.
Bysharingourvictorieswithotherpeople,especiallynewcomers,wegivethem a great gift! We let them know that Jesus has the power to help themchangeandthatCelebrateRecoveryworks!Afterall,whywouldanyonestayina program that never helped anyone?By sharing our victory, by telling otherpeoplewhatJesushasdoneandisstilldoingforus,wearetellingthemthatGodhaschangedus,littlebylittleanddaybyday.WealsoaretellingthemthatGodcandoitforthemtoo!
“Singtohim,singpraisetohim;tellofallhiswonderfulacts.”(Psalm105:2)
Hereplied,“...OnethingIdoknow.IwasblindbutnowIsee!”(John9:25)
E—Encouragement
Encouragement goes hand-in-hand with sharing victories.When we shareourvictoriesweshowpeoplethatchangeispossible,becauseithappenedtous.Whenwemeetpeoplewhoarejustbeginningtheirrecoveryjourney,orwhofeellikegivingup,wecanencouragethemtokeepgoing.WecantellthemthatGodisn’tfinishedwiththemyet.
With a simple phone call, text, or face-to-face conversation, we can giveothersthegiftofencouragement.Wecanbetherewhentheyaregoingthroughhardtimes.Wecanholdthemwhentheyarehurting,andwecanholdthemupwhentheyfeelthattheycan’tgoon.
“Beingconfidentofthis,thathewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillcarryitontocompletionuntilthedayofChristJesus.”
(Philippians1:6)
“LetthemessageofChristdwellamongyourichlyasyouteachandadmonishoneanotherwithallwisdomthroughpsalms,
hymns,andsongsfromtheSpirit,singingtoGodwithgratitudeinyourhearts.”(Colossians3:16)
QuestionsforReflectionandDiscussion
Asyouanswerthequestionsthisweek,trytothinkofsomeoneyoucangivebackto.AskGodtobringtomindsomeoneyoucanserve.Wehavebeengivensomuch,it’stimetogiveback.1.Whodoyouknowthatyoucangivebacktothisweek?
[YourResponseHere]
2.Whatgiftshaveyoubeengiven?Bespecific.Howcanyouusethesegiftsforothers?
[YourResponseHere]
3.Inwhatwayswouldthosearoundyousayyou’regifted?
[YourResponseHere]
4.Howcanyoushowinterestinothers?
[YourResponseHere]
5.Whatthingskeepyoufromshowingyourlovedonesthatyou’reinterestedinthem?
[YourResponseHere]
6.Whatvictorycanyousharewithanewcomerthisweek?
[YourResponseHere]
7.Isthereanewvictoryinyourlifethatyouhavebeenkeepingtoyourself?Ifso,shareitnow.
[YourResponseHere]
8.Whodoyouknowthatyouneedtoencourage?Andhowcanyouencouragethem?
[YourResponseHere]
9. How does sharing your gifts, interest, victories, and encouragement withothersgivebacktoGod?Andwhathasbeenkeepingyoufromsharingthiswayinthepast?
[YourResponseHere]
Prayer
God,Youhavegivenmesomuch.AsIthinkbacktowhatIwaslikewhen I first started Celebrate Recovery, I can barely recognize thatperson. Ihavebeengivingback toothersalready,butnowIcommit totakeitupanotch.PleaseshowmehowIcanusemygifts,myinterest,myvictories,andencouragement to serveotherpeopleand togiveback toYou.IaskYoutoputpeoplethatIcangivebacktoonmypaththisweek.It’sinYournameIpray,amen.
Lesson24
YES
Principle8:YieldmyselftoGodtobeusedtobringthisGoodNewstoothers,bothbymyexampleandbymywords.
“HappyarethosewhoarepersecutedbecausetheydowhatGodrequires.”(Matthew5:10)
Step12:Havinghadaspiritualexperienceastheresultofthesesteps,wetrytocarrythismessagetoothersandtopracticetheseprinciplesinallouraffairs.
“Brothersandsisters,ifsomeoneiscaughtinasin,youwholivebytheSpiritshouldrestorethatpersongently.Butwatchyourselves,oryoualsomaybetempted.”(Galatians6:1)
Pleasebeginyour time togetherbyreading“TheSpecialGuest,Day360”fromtheCelebrateRecoveryDailyDevotional.
Wehaveusedthisillustrationmanytimes,butitisstillrelevanttoday.Takeanold,beat-upsodacan—dirty,dented,holesinit.Afewyearsago,itwouldhavebeenthrowninthegarbageanddeemeduseless,ofnovalue.Todayitcanberecycled,melteddown,purified,andmadeintoanewcan—shinyandclean—thatcanbeusedagain.
Inthislesson,wearegoingtofocusonnewwaysoflettingGodrecycleourpainbyallowingGod’sfireandlighttoshineonit,tomeltdownouroldhurts,hang-ups,andhabitssotheycanbeusedagaininapositiveway.
By working through the steps and principles in The Journey Begins, welearnedthatpainhasvalue,asdothepeoplewhoexperienceit.Remember,our
brokennessisnotuseless.Godcanalwaysuseyourpaintobuildastrongeryou!Principle8states,“YieldmyselftoGodtobeusedtobringthisGoodNews
to others, both by my example and by my words.” To truly practice thisprinciple,wemustgiveGodthelatitudetouseusasHeseesfit.Wedothatbypresentingeverythingwehave—ourtime,talents,andtreasures—toHim.Weholdlooselyallthatwecallourown,recognizingthatallofitcomesfromHishand.
Ouracrosticcouldn’tbeanymorepositive!ItisthewordYES.
YES
Y—YieldmyselftoGodandtotheserviceofothers
That’swhatPrinciple8 isallabout.Godhascreatedandgiftedeachofuswithauniquepurpose.Hispurpose,Hisplan,forusisperfect.AllwehavetodoistoyieldourselvestoHiswillforus.
“ThenJesussaidtohisdisciples,‘Whoeverwantstobemydisciplemustdenythemselvesandtakeuptheircrossandfollow
me.’”(Matthew16:24)
“Letusholdunswervinglytothehopeweprofess,forhewhopromisedisfaithful.Andletusconsiderhowwemayspuroneanotherontowardloveandgooddeeds.”(Hebrews10:23–24)
E—Exampleiswhatisimportanttoothers
DotheyseeChristinyou?WemustbedoersoftheWord.Wemusthaveamessage worth remembering, a lifestyle worth considering, and a faith worthimitating.
“Donotmerelylistentotheword,andsodeceiveyourselves.Dowhatitsays.”(James1:22)
“Followmyexample,asIfollowtheexampleofChrist.”(1Corinthians11:1)
S—ServeothersasJesusChristdidbyfindingnewwaystohelpthem
Weneedtousenewtoolsandwaystoreachthenextgeneration.ButGod’s
messagemustremainconstantandundiluted.
“Butnow,bydyingtowhatonceboundus,wehavebeenreleasedfromthelawsothatweserveinthenewwayofthe
Spirit,andnotintheoldwayofthewrittencode.”(Romans7:6)
“Therearedifferentkindsofgifts,butthesameSpiritdistributesthem.Therearedifferentkindsofservice,butthesameLord.”
(1Corinthians12:4–5)
Theroadtorecoveryleadstoservice.WhenyoureachPrinciple8,theroadsplits. Most of you will choose to serve at Celebrate Recovery. Others willchoosetoserveinotherareasofthechurch.Thefactis,bothareimportant.
Thegreatestneedisforyoutoshareyourexperiences,strengths,andhopeswith newcomers atCelebrateRecovery.You do that as leaders, sponsors, andaccountability partners. But the church also needs your service. As you serveoutsideofCelebrateRecovery,youcansharewithothersandencouragethemtogetthemintorecoverywhentheyarereadytoworkontheirhurts,hang-ups,andhabits.
QuestionsforReflectionandDiscussion
1.InCelebrateRecovery,whatareashaveyouservedin?Listthedates.
[YourResponseHere]
2.Fromtheabovelist,whatwereyourtwomostfulfillingandfruitfulareasofservice?Why?
[YourResponseHere]
3. How did your example and actions of service help others start serving aswell?
[YourResponseHere]
4.IfyouknewyoucouldchooseanywaytoserveGodinCelebrateRecovery— and knew youwouldn’t fail—whatwould it be?What’s holding youback?
[YourResponseHere]
5.What are some newways you could reach out to getmore newcomers toattendCelebrateRecovery?Bespecific.
[YourResponseHere]
6.Ifyouarenotcurrentlygivingbackbyserving,what’sstoppingyou?
[YourResponseHere]
Prayer
DearJesus,asitwouldpleaseYou,bringmesomeonetodaywhomIcan serve. Please continue to help me daily choose to make my life amission,notanintermission.Amen.
Ifyouwillpraythisprayereverymorning,watchhowGodwilluseyouinwaysyouneverthoughtpossible!
Lesson25
LEADER
Pleasebeginyourtimetogetherbyreading“ServingOthers,Day302”fromtheCelebrateRecoveryDailyDevotional.
Inorder forCelebrateRecovery togrowand inorder forus to “bring thisGoodNewstoothers,”itisimportantthatyoubecomealeader.Youhavehadatleasttwogreatleaders,oneforthisgroupandoneforyourTheJourneyBeginsstep study. Because they stepped across the line and decided to give back bybecomingleaders,youhadtheopportunitytoattendthesegroups.Nowit’syourturn.
But you might be saying, “Who? Me? I’m not a leader!” That’s whereyou’rewrong.Itdoesn’ttakeasuperherotobealeader.SowhatarethequalitiesofagreatCelebrateRecoveryleader?
LEADER
CelebrateRecoveryleadersare:
L—Learners
Youmayhaveheard the statement, “Leadersare learners.” It’s true.Greatleadersneverstoplearning.ThinkaboutallofthethingsyouhavelearnedaboutGodandyourselfduringyourtimeinCelebrateRecovery!Youarealearner!Tocontinueintheprocessoflearning,younowhavetheopportunitytorepeattheprocess, as a leader of The Journey Begins and eventually The JourneyContinues.You can help others learn about themselves, all thewhile learningevenmoreaboutyourself.Manypeoplehavecompletedmultiplestepstudiesasleaders,andeachofthemhaslearnedmoreaboutthemselvesineachsuccessivestudy.
“Choosemyinstructioninsteadofsilver,knowledgeratherthan
choicegold.”(Proverbs8:10)
“Applyyourhearttoinstructionandyourearstowordsofknowledge.”(Proverbs23:12)
E—Encouragers
Oneofthekeyrolesleadersplayisthatofencourager.Fromtimetotime,aleaderwillbecalledontoencourageotherstostayonthepathofrecoveryortotake the next step to go further down that road. You don’t have to be acheerleadertoencouragepeople;anauthenticwordspokenoutoflovewillmeansomuchmore.
“Anxietyweighsdowntheheart,butakindwordcheersitup.”(Proverbs12:25)
“Thereforeencourageoneanotherandbuildeachotherup,justasinfactyouaredoing.”(1Thessalonians5:11)
A—Available
Here’ssomegoodnews:leadersaren’tperfect;theyarejustavailable.Tobea great leader, you don’t have to have it all together. Because you are nowcompleting at least your second step study, you have been in recovery a longtime,andhaveexperiencesandvictoriestodrawonthatareinvaluablefornewparticipants. You don’t have to have all the answers; all you have to be isavailable. Leaders are available to lead groups, but they are also available tohaveconversations—inpersonandoverthephone—withthepeopletheyareserving.Ofcourse,youdon’thavetobeavailableallthetime;that’sonereasonwehavecoleadersinthegroups.
“Everydaytheycontinuedtomeettogetherinthetemplecourts.Theybrokebreadintheirhomesandatetogetherwithgladand
sincerehearts.”(Acts2:46)
“GlorifytheLORDwithme;letusexalthisnametogether.”(Psalm34:3)
D—Dependable
One of the key qualities of a leader is dependability. Leaders need to bepeopleotherscancounton.Thatdoesn’tmeanleadersareresponsibleforothers’doingtherightthingorthattheyneedtofixpeople.Itdoesmeanthattheyneedtodowhat they say they are going to do.Ourwalks need tomatchour talks.When a leader promises to be somewhere, he or she needs to be there. Eachweek, the group is depending on the leader being present.That’s not to say aleadercan’tmissaweeknowandthen,butheorsheneedstobetheremostofthetime,especiallyforthenewcomer.
“Andasforyou,brothersandsisters,nevertireofdoingwhatisgood.”(2Thessalonians3:13)
“Letusnotbecomewearyindoinggood,foratthepropertimewewillreapaharvestifwedonotgiveup.”(Galatians6:9)
“Butasforyou,bestronganddonotgiveup,foryourworkwillberewarded.”(2Chronicles15:7)
E—Examples
What is thebestway to lead?Byexample.Great leadersdon’t tell peoplewhattodo;theyshowthem.Thebestwaytoleadbyexampleistosharewhatyou have learned. That means that leaders share and follow the small groupguidelinesduringgroup.Yes,we shareabout thevictories, freedom,andhopewehave found, butwe are also real andopen about our current struggles.Bysharinginthisway,wewillsettheexampleforeveryoneelse.
“Rememberyourleaders,whospokethewordofGodtoyou.Considertheoutcomeoftheirwayoflifeandimitatetheir
faith.”(Hebrews13:7)
Jesussaid,“NowthatI,yourLordandTeacher,havewashedyourfeet,youalsoshouldwashoneanother’sfeet.IhavesetyouanexamplethatyoushoulddoasIhavedoneforyou.”
(John13:14–15)
“Don’tletanyonelookdownonyoubecauseyouareyoung,butsetanexampleforthebelieversinspeech,inconduct,inlove,in
faithandinpurity.”(1Timothy4:12)
R—Relational
LeadinginCelebrateRecoveryisallaboutrelationships.It’sbeensaidthat“peopledon’tcareabouthowmuchyouknowuntil theyknowhowmuchyoucare.”Althoughleadersdohaveotherroles,theirmainjobistolovepeople.Gettoknowthepeopleinyourgroup.Learntheirnames;spendtimewiththem;beopenandhonestwiththem.Alloftheotherattributesofaleaderarewrappedupintothisone.Thisdoesn’tmeanyouhavetobeanextrovertorthatyouhavetoknoweveryone;Goduseseachofusdifferently,butlovingpeopleisamust!
“Inyourrelationshipswithoneanother,havethesamemindsetasChristJesus.”(Philippians2:5)
“Jesusreplied:‘LovetheLordyourGodwithallyourheartandwithallyoursoulandwithallyourmind.’Thisisthefirstandgreatestcommandment.Andthesecondislikeit:‘Loveyourneighborasyourself.’AlltheLawandtheProphetshangon
thesetwocommandments.”(Matthew22:37–40)
“Andletusconsiderhowwemayspuroneanotherontowardloveandgooddeeds,notgivingupmeetingtogether,assomeareinthehabitofdoing,butencouragingoneanother—andallthemoreasyouseetheDayapproaching.”(Hebrews10:24
–25)
Theneed fornew leaders to leadopen-sharegroupsandstepstudygroupshasneverbeengreater!ItissoexcitingthatGodisgoingtoallowustodoubletheamountofstepstudygroupswithTheJourneyContinues.Butthatcanonlyhappen if you step across the line and become a leader, to give the sameopportunitiestoothersthatyouweregiven.
QuestionsforReflectionandDiscussion
1.AreyoureadytobecomeaCelebrateRecoveryleader?Ifnot,what’sholdingyouback?Ifyes,whatstepsdoyouneedtotakenext?
[YourResponseHere]
2.Whichqualitiesofa leaderdoyou feelyouare strongest in?Howdidyoubecomestronginthatarea?
[YourResponseHere]
3.Whichqualitiesofaleaderdoyouseeasyourweakestareas?Whatwillyoudotogrowinthoseareas?
[YourResponseHere]
4.WhatisthelastlessonyoulearnedaboutyourselfinCelebrateRecovery?Bespecific.
[YourResponseHere]
5.Howdoyoushowencouragementtoothers?
[YourResponseHere]
6.Howdoyoushowothersyouareavailableforthem?
[YourResponseHere]
7.Whatdoesbeingadependableleadermeantoyou?
[YourResponseHere]
8. How can you share from your experience, strength, and hope to help thepeopleinyourgroup?
[YourResponseHere]
9.Whatdoesthestatement“Peopledon’tcarehowmuchyouknowuntiltheyknowhowmuchyoucare”meantoyou?
[YourResponseHere]
10.Ifyouarealreadyaleader,shareaboutthegreatestjoyyouhaveexperiencedasaleader.
[YourResponseHere]
[YourResponseHere]
Prayer
HeavenlyFather,thankYouforallofthechangesYouhavemadeinme. Thank You for the people and experiences You have given me inCelebrate Recovery. Now I ask You to help me give back to others inservice as a leader. Show me the steps I need to take to become aCelebrate Recovery leader and help me as I take on this commitment.ThankYou forplacingme inaministry that allowsme togiveback toYouandothers.InYournameIpray,amen.
AFTERWORD
Congratulations!YouhavenowcompletedTheJourneyContinues!TakeafewmomentstothankGodforallofthethingsHerevealedtoyouduringthisstudy.Wehopeyouhavelearnedmoreaboutyourself;foundvictoryoveryourhurts, hang-ups, and habits; and,most importantly, grown closer to Jesus as aresultofthisstudy.
Sowhat’snext?There are threeoptions.First, youcan stepupand leadagroupofparticipants through thestepstudiesyouhavecompleted.Thesecondoptionistoserveinyourlocalchurch.WhetheryouserveinCelebrateRecoveryor in anotherministry is up to you, but don’tmiss out on the opportunity ofgivingback toothers.The thirdoption is togobackanddoanother study foryourself.Ifyoufeelthatyouneedsomemoretimeexploringyourhurts,hang-ups, and habits, you may want to repeat The Journey Continues. All threeoptionsarewin–win!
Onelastthing:peopleneedtohearyourstory!WhileCelebrateRecoveryisananonymousandconfidentialprogram,eachofusneedstotakethecourageousnextstepoftellingothersaboutwhatJesushasdoneforus.Thatmeansbreakingour own, but no one else’s, anonymity by sharing our stories. Prayerfullyconsiderhowyoucan inviteothers toattendCelebrateRecoverywithyouandhowyoucanhelpthembegintheirownrecoveryjourney.
Here is one final acrostic to help you stay focused on the JOURNEY.Byapplyingthisacrosticdaily,youwillkeepthejourneyalive!
TheJOURNEYContinues
J—JesusistheLeader
“TheLORDmakesfirmthestepsoftheonewhodelightsinhim;thoughhemaystumble,hewillnotfall,fortheLORDupholdshimwithhishand.”(Psalm37:23–24)O—Openyourheart
andmindtocontinuetoseekandfollowGod’swill
“Teachmetodoyourwill,foryouaremyGod;mayyourgoodSpiritleadmeonlevelground.”(Psalm143:10)U—Unitewithotherscontinuously.Thisjourneyisnotmeanttobe
traveledalone.
“ThereforeifyouhaveanyencouragementfrombeingunitedwithChrist,ifanycomfortfromhislove,ifanycommonsharingintheSpirit,ifanytendernessandcompassion,thenmakemyjoycompletebybeinglike-minded,havingthesamelove,beingoneinspiritandofonemind.Donothingoutofselfishambition
orvainconceit.Rather,inhumilityvalueothersaboveyourselves,notlookingtoyourowninterestsbuteachofyouto
theinterestsoftheothers.”(Philippians2:1–4)R—Rememberyourvictories,butdonotrestonthem
“ButthanksbetoGod!HegivesusthevictorythroughourLordJesusChrist.Therefore,mydearbrothersandsisters,standfirm.Letnothingmoveyou.AlwaysgiveyourselvesfullytotheworkoftheLord,becauseyouknowthatyourlaborintheLord
isnotinvain.”(1Corinthians15:57–58)N—NeedtocontinuelivingdailyinPrinciples7and8
“Beingconfidentofthis,thathewhobeganagoodworkinyouwillcarryitontocompletionuntilthedayofChristJesus.”(Philippians1:6)E—Encourageothersbyserving,
especiallythenewcomer
“Butencourageoneanotherdaily,aslongasitiscalled‘Today,’sothatnoneofyoumaybehardenedbysin’s
deceitfulness.”(Hebrews3:13)Y—YouwillcontinuetogrowinChristtobecomemoreChristlike
“Neitherdopeoplelightalampandputitunderabowl.Insteadtheyputitonitsstand,anditgiveslighttoeveryoneinthe
house.Inthesameway,letyourlightshinebeforeothers,thattheymayseeyourgooddeedsandglorifyyourFatherinheaven.”(Matthew5:15–16)Wewouldlovetohearabout
victoriesyouexperiencedduringTheJourneyContinues.Please
letusknowwhatJesushasdoneforyouduringthisstudybyvisitingwww.celebraterecovery.com/thejourneycontinuessowe
cancelebratewithyou.
JohnBakerJohnnyBaker
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