Understanding step 3 of the aa twelve steps verywell mind. Our fourth step is a method of identifying and admitting the truth about the makeup of our character. The first edition of the big book has a story in which aas cofounder bill wilson said to a newcomer, your life is certainly jumbled up. Chapter 5 how it works of the big book contains the 3rd step prayer which describes the 12 step program of alcoholics anonymous. Breaking down step three of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. Chapter 3 more about alcoholism m ost of ushave been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. The big book of alcoholics anonymous gives us a prayer that we can use as a guide for taking this step.
During step 3 of alcoholics anonymous, you create a plan for connecting with your higher power and learn the serenity prayer. Of the twelve steps of alcoholics anonymous, step three asserts that recovery. These legacies are socalled because they have been passed down to us from the cofounders and oldtimers of aa. We expect that this contribution to the recovering community worldwide will continue to grow, as our online big book is a great study tool. Like all the remaining steps, step three calls for affi rmative action, for it is only by action that we can cut away the selfwill which has always blocked the entry of god or, if you like, a higher powerinto our lives. It asserts that a lifetime of recovery can only be achieved by making the decision to turn over your will to a higher being. The big book of alcoholics anonymous including twelve steps. Step three is the central theme of all of the steps. This guide exemplifies, as close as possible, one of the strongest original ways of alcoholics anonymous. Having an unmanagable life, steps 2 and 3 part 2 of 5. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, is a collection of texts used by members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship. P racticing step three is like the opening of a door which to all appearances is still closed and locked.
Joe mcq teaches step 3 from the big book of alcoholics anonymous. In the big book of alcoholics anonymous on pages 60 to 63 it describes an. Breaking down step three of aa alcoholics anonymous. Joe mcdonald big book step study step 3 september 7, 2017 duration. Big book of aa step 3 understand and complete one step at. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our little plans and designs. Of the twelve steps, step three can be best referred to as the process of surrender. Aa the original way 12 step guide aa the original way group. Practicing step three is like the opening of a door which to. The third step prayer big book alcoholics anonymous. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. You may not be able to change some things in your life, but you can make a decision to change your willingness to surrender, trust and seek knowledge. There is only one key, and it is called willingness. Step three 34 made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god, as we understood him.
Some alcoholics initially have a hard time with this step because of conflicting feelings about religion or because they do not believe in god. The 12 steps with the promises 12 steps of insanity big book goals step 1 emotional sobriety step 2 proposition exercise step 3 prayer 3rd step vision for your life exercise 12 reasons we slip by bill w. Seeking knowledge making a decision to turn our lives and will over. You cant do anything unless we take the actions necessary to turn it over. In taking step three, if you make a decision to turn your will and life over to god, youre deciding. Our format is that each meeting has two leads who read the big book line by line, sharing their experience, strength and hope throughout.
Have you noticed how often the aa first step is misquoted and misstated when read and discussed in meetings. Aa step one 20 questions test worksheet a 20question test that was used by many a. Step one and step two should have prepared you for step three. Some alcoholics initially have a hard time with this step because of conflicting feelings about religion or because they. This is an open big book study meeting on wednesdays at 8 pm est on zoom. Step three is defined as to make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god as we understood him. Would you consider inviting god to help you unjumble it. The big book of alcoholics anonymous, also referred to as alcoholics anonymous.
Jan 26, 2016 joe mcq teaches step 3 from the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Beware these recovery logs for they lack the necessary power to recover. Step three 37 we made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god as we. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
Step 3 of aa alcoholics anonymous step 3 says, made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god as we understood him. Its important for alcoholics to understand this step in context. No person likes to think he is bodily and mentally different from his fellows. Step two helped you accept that you need outside help to make the changes needed to recover. I can understand why its the sacred text of aa groups around the world. About step three in aa members of aa and other twelve step programs strive to find a new path by embracing spirituality and admitting they alone cannot control their addiction. The authors of the big book call step 3 the keystone 62. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that i may better do thy will. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book have been sold or otherwise distributed source aa gso ny. Alcoholics anonymous aa helps recovering alcoholics work through 12 steps to aid with sobriety.
The 3rd step of alcoholics anonymous can be one of the most difficult for the alcoholic to grasp. From pages 8384 of the big book of alcoholics anonymous if we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are halfway through. The big book study movement is outside of the structure of alcoholics anonymous in ireland. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. All you need is a big book and this guide to go through the steps with someone in a way similar to what dr bob, clarence s or bill wilson would have. Step 2 focuses on preparing alcoholics to let go of their need for control over everything in their lives by introducing the concept of a higher power. This misguided perception of power and control over our lives and others is what got us here. Alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12 step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12 step programs that have been established.
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god, as we understood him. Ill reveal how step 3 will make staying sober very easy after you have done the step. The big book alcoholics anonymous outlines how it works. Therefore, it is not surprising that our drinking careers have been characterized by countless vain attempts to prove we could drink like other people. Find out what alcoholics anonymous step 3 says and why some alcoholics initially have a hard time with this. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aa s 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. Alcoholic selftest using the big book of aa step 12. We were at step three, which is that we decided to turn our will and our life over to. Nov 14, 2019 during step 3 of alcoholics anonymous, you create a plan for connecting with your higher power and learn the serenity prayer. This is a great point in your recovery to say to yourself. To read a pdf version of the twelve steps and twelve traditions click here. We do not retake step three as we go through the programmer. The three legacies of alcoholics anonymous are recovery, unity, and service. Using bills references in step three as to how im like an actor trying to run the show.
We constantly remind ourselves we are no longer running the show p87. These 12 steps are outlined in chapter 5, how it works, of the big book. Step three asks me to consider turning all outcomes over to this power. The first two steps focus on reflection and introspection. Step 3 is the third of three steps meant to help the alcoholic give up the illusion that he is in control of his drinking. In step 3 you will discover an important question you need to ask yourself before you do this step that makes it an informed decision. Apr 06, 2018 the kindle version is not the big book. Stepbystep guide for sponsors a companion to aas big book. It is the basic text of the fellowship of alcoholics anonymous, and has helped large numbers of alcoholic men and women, young and old, recover. We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready. Step three made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god as we understood him. Big book of aa step 3 understand and complete one step. Twelve step prayers spiritual alcoholics anonymous cleveland.
Our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. If we are willing to make this commitment and have faith in our higher power, we can commence with step three. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. I didnt care to read it and i didnt think it had anything of substance i could relate to. All we need is a key, and the decision to swing the door open. At half past the hour the meeting is open for discussion on the reading. An alcoholics personal story of taking step three an alcoholic shares his personal story of how he took step three, of aa s 12 steps step 3. Nov 04, 2019 alcoholics anonymous is often referred to as a 12step program, and aa is the basis for many other 12step programs that have been established. To achieve full recovery through alcoholics anonymous, you must take your faith one step further and create a plan for letting in a higher power. I didnt connect with the big book of alcoholics anonymous until over a year into my sobriety. Big book goals step 1 emotional sobriety step 2 proposition exercise step 3 prayer 3rd step vision for your life exercise 12 reasons we slip by bill w. It can be given to a newcomer so they can fill it out on their own. Chapter 5 how it works is titled the twelve steps for some reason and it only goes up to the part where it says being convinced, we were at step 3.
References for the 12 step program the big book, bible commentaries, etc. Steps by the big book step 3 steps by the big book. Step one helped you come to terms with the severity of your addiction and its consequences. Youre committed to turning your life and your will over to god. Our online big book is used by thousands of people all over the world, and incurs substantial bandwidth expense. The legacy of recovery is contained in the big book, the twelve steps, and twelfth step work. Being all powerful, he provided what we needed, if we kept close to him and performed his work well. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aas 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed. God, i offer myself to thee to build with me and to do with me as thou wilt. It has wisdom that has spanned centuries and saved countless. Bedevilments versus the promises spontaneous wisdom of aa members step 4 some helpful thoughts 4th step inventory step 4 resentment and turn around prayers step 4 harms done others. George b was a practicing dentist for 47 years and is now a graduate student in a masters degree program for addiction counseling. Bedevilments versus the promises spontaneous wisdom of aa members step 4 some helpful thoughts 4th step.
Steps for newcomers hazelden betty ford foundation. As of december 2009, 30,664,881 copies of the big book. In fact, one of the possible names for aa then was, the james club after the book of james from the bible. Did you know, before the big book was published, the early members of aa studied the bible. Step three is an important cornerstone for building an effective and peaceful life. This book is dedicated to step three in the twelve steps of recovery with alcoholics anonymous.