The Road to Recovery Based on the Beatitudes
(By: Pastor Rick Warren)

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)
“Happy are those who know that they are spiritually
poor.” Matthew 5:3a TEV

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

Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.
(Step 3)
“Happy are the meek.” Matthew 5:5a TEV

Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I
trust. (Steps 4 and 5)
“Happy are the pure in heart.” Matthew 5:8a TEV

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)
“Happy are
those whose greatest desire is to do what God requires” Matthew 5:6a TEV

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)
“Happy are the merciful.” Matthew 5:7a TEV; “Happy are the peacemakers”
Matthew 5:9 TEV

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)

Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my
exampleand my words. (Step 12)
“Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires.”
Matthew 5:10 TEV

Twelve Steps and Their Biblical Comparison

1. We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive
behaviours. That our lives had become unmanageable. I know that nothing
good lives 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)

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 according to his good
purpose. (Philippians 2:13)

3. We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as
living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship.
(Romans 12:1)

4. We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Let us exam
ine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. (Lamentations 3:40)

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 5:16a)

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)

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 unrigh
teousness. (1 John 1:9)

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)

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 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. (Matthew 5:23-24)

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)

11. We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious c
ontact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to
carry that out. Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly. (Colossians 3:16a)

12. Having had a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we
tried to carry this message to others, and practice these principles in all
our affairs. Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual
should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
(Galatians 6:1)

Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage

to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Exodus 20

The Ten Commandments

1. you shall have no other gods before me.

2. you shall make no idols.

3. you shall not take the name of the lord in vain.

4.Keep the Sabbath day holy

5. Honor your father and mother.

6. You shall not murder

7. You shall not commit adultry

8. You shall not steal

9. You shall not bare false witness against thy neighbor

10. You shall not covet.

HONESTY

Proverbs 12:17

A truthful witness give honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies

WIN SOULS

Proverbs 11:30

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life and he who wins souls is

wise.

DRINKING

Proverbs 20:1

Wine is a mocker, beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is

not wise.

INTEGRITY

Proverbs 10:9

the man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be

found out.

WORK

Proverbs 10:4

Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.

GOSSIP

Proverbs 11:13’

A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trust worthy man keeps a secret

To change your thinking on life, for 31 day, read through proverbs 1 – 31

(one a day, for a month)


Celebrate Recovery:
It is a Christ-centered Recovery Program by John Baker.
Visit: www.CelebrateRecovery.com

Founder of Possibilities Unlimited Drug Rehab Program:
Dr. George R. Ross
Visit: www.GeorgeRross.com