Steps six and seven an overview of steps 6 and 7 quite aside from the brief treatment these steps receive in the big book, the lasting impact of this part of the aa step program brings an equally lasting result in the transformation of the new member. We believe we need the big book to be as accessible as possible to the next suffering alcoholic who looks to us for help and to the next sponsor who practices our twelfth step, trying to carry this message to more alcoholics with even newer sobriety. Explaining the roles of sponsor and sponsee sunrise house. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. Feb 09, 2021 a sponsor is an alcoholic who has made some progress in the recovery program shares that experience on a continuous, individual basis with another alcoholic who is attempting to attain or maintain sobriety through a. A sponsor is a person with a working knowledge of the aa big book and the 12steps who can another alcoholic through the steps and provide support. Dec 29, 2014 having done that, a sponsor can always add, you know, while this isnt in the big book, its my experience that when people start dating early in sobriety, the other person sometimes becomes their higher power, distracts them from meetings and step work, and that may result in relapse. I was scared to ask someone to sponsor me, so i put off getting one. Maybe early on to call on a schedule but this just. These are some of the best tapes i have, and one of my personal favorites. Feb 22, 2015 and so, alcoholics anonymous was finally published on april 10, 1939. Aug 12, 2015 theyusually do, nevertheless, contain information from the big book alcoholics anonymous and other conference approved literature owned and published by alcoholics anonymous.
During meetings people often shared tidbits of wisdom bestowed. Completes all reading assignments from aa literature in particular the big book and. It is suggested that each member obtain a 3ring binder, an ink pen, a highlighter pen and 3hole paper or notebook to record your notes and complete assignments. Take all 12 steps in just 4 hours download this aa big book step guide and work book. Some years ago, i was asked to sponsor a guy named tom. A sponsor will answer questions about alcoholics anonymous and will guide you through the steps. The guide applies established educational techniques blooms taxonomy to developing an understanding of the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous. How to find the right aa sponsor for achieving sobriety. Twelve steps and twelve traditions and develops an awareness of. Alcoholics anonymous which we in aa affectionately call the big book. In most organizations and social groups, a sponsor is someone who initially introduces you into the group and who vouches for you good character etc. I dont know that george ever formally worked the steps but he lived the steps. 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. Review your checkmarked cdps and note which behaviors present most frequently.
Being a historyminded sort of guy, i have spent many years studying the ingredients and suggestions of the aa program. This is the workbook edition of the sponsor s 12 step manual. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. The process includes believing in a power greater than yourself, admitting past mistakes, making amends to people you have harmed through alcoholism and. Videos or graphic images may not be downloaded, copied or duplicated without the express written permission of alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. The serene scenes of southern countryside offset the exuberant, big city middle tennessee recovery community. In aa, you would have a better chance at recovery with a sponsor than without one. In relation to the rest of aa today, big book sponsorship tends to be more conservative. Find all uses of this word in the big book alcoholics anonymous and the twelve steps and twelve traditions of a.
This is the workbook edition of the sponsors 12 step manual. Chapter 2 there is a solution and chapter 3 more about alcoholism pages 1743. The sponsor who lends money to a newcomer does so at risk and may even be slowing down. A patients sponsor in aa serves as an advisor as the person struggles to navigate the challenging journey of sobriety and recovery. He encouraged me to get involved in all of aagroup, intergroup and general service. Since, i have only one authority as an active sponsor. This is the official website of the general service office g. And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone even alcohol. Sponsors in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. Its not about being sponsoredits about sponsoring others that is a predictor for permanent recovery. Alcoholics anonymous first published twelve steps and twelve traditions in 1953.
Sponsor in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. I hope you try it with all of your heart, doing it by the book. Hank p, whose big book story is the unbeliever, started aa in new jersey. The double whammy by lawrie c bills story by kim g read a study guide for overeaters. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism, how to be an effective sponsor makes the circle complete by being a sponsor in aa. The sponsorship idea is an integral part of the alcoholics anonymous set up, and part of its social support network.
Where does it say anything in the big book that you. The archway to freedom is complete after finishing the fifth step. Aa bumper stickers and encouraging bookmarks also make great gifts for someone special. These sources are largely silent on sponsorship, so most of what is in this book comes from my own experience. Big book sponsorship 12 step recovery from any and all. See sponsorship tab they have been given their initial assignments, so now, lets get started.
Alcoholics anonymous how to be an effective sponsor in. If you attend an alcoholics anonymous meeting, youll frequently hear the word sponsor. These human sponsors are ruining the lives of the aa new comers by making up rules as they go along. My second sponsor took me through the first three steps and was with. Oct 05, 2018 confidence restored, i proceeded full speed ahead and the vital big book message was successfully carried. An aa sponsor is a person who has been abstinent for a long period and who is prepared to support a newly abstinent member. Origins of moral inventory aa the original way group. I felt a need to formally work the steps and did with help from 12 step. A history of alcoholics anonymous, by ernest kurtz. Now i see how much not having a sponsor delayed my progress in aa.
Feb 27, 2020 an experienced sponsor will have worked all 12 steps and be familiar with program literature like the big book and twelve steps and twelve traditions. As a matter of fact, the word sponsor does not come up in the big book until page 220, and that sponsor never got sober, dying as a drunk. References in our documents to big book content exclude its stories. Nov 18, 20 if sponsor is a person who the newcomer must call daily and meet with regularly, and who dictates what meetings should be attended, how and when to eat, pray, etc. The sponsor guides in accordance with the big book, not after their own ideas and opinions, but after their. If there has not been a spiritual awakening as a result of the steps, then we go back through the steps either looking for items missed in continue reading 6. Cofounder bill wilson began writing it in april 1938 at the business office of new york member hank p. Immediately, if not sooner, you have received clancys 7 questions back. The book living sober an aa publication, describes how the term sponsor. In my circles a sponsor is someone to go through the big book with doing the steps as you go. Download pamphlets and handouts to use in big book group sessions our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. Many recovering alcoholics work the 12 steps with a sponsor. Our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book.
Following the inspiration written by alcoholics anonymous. Throughout the big book of alcoholics anonymous, bill w. Why did the authors of our big book seem to pause in a program marked up to this point by direct, on the ground action to switch aas focus to these particularly in the clouds matters. Clarence gave me a copy of the manuscript of the big book we had to. Jun 23, 2019 heres a description of early sponsorship from the book not god. Jul 08, 20 as a matter of fact, the word sponsor does not come up in the big book until page 220, and that sponsor never got sober, dying as a drunk. We pocket our pride and go to it, illuminating every twist of character, every dark cranny of the past. Steps by the big book steps by the big book workbook for. An independent guide to teaching and learning the program of a. However, chapter 7, working with others, contains a. This is a list of the big book personal story authors, and either where they got sober or where they were from. Abolish sponsorship from alcoholics anonymous gopetition. Nowhere in the first 164 pages of the big book is there specific mention of sponsorship.
The serene scenes of southern countryside offset the exuberant, big. Where does it say anything in the big book that you absolutely must have a sponsor. Aa deluxe double book cover with serenity prayer and coin. After sponsoring dozens of men and women into contented sobriety a plan is laid out for more effective sponsorship. Confidence restored, i proceeded full speed ahead and the vital big book message was successfully carried. Original manuscript which went out to the fellowship a few months prior to the publication of the big book 1938. The aim of this study was to explore the roles of alcoholics anonymous aa sponsors and to describe the characteristics of a.
May 22, 2008 big book sponsorship was a style of aa unique to cleveland at that time, and has since become a vocal minority movement within the fellowship. A sponsor will answer questions about alcoholics anonymous and will. Bill wilson and his aa sponsor ebby thatcher of early. But what exactly is an aa sponsor and what does it. A study guide for overeaters using the 12 steps of aa character defectsprayer sheet. After sponsoring dozens of men and women into contented sobriety a. With a maximum capacity of 12 men in our longterm program and 24 in our 30day program, discovery place brings the personal touch often lacking in big bed corporate addiction treatment networks. However, sponsorship as a recognized aa practice, really got its start in cleveland, ohio during the early 1940s. Expanded accessibility and helpfulness, especially to new sponsors, are our only intentions in. The role of the big book sponsor is to teach the newcomer how to work a twelve step program and show them how teach other newcomers to do the same. Listen to special editions podcasts from the a vision 4 you website.
Steps by the big book steps by the big book workbook. Aa big book didnt mention sponsorship, and there were no books written about it. What does the big book reference 123 times in the first 88 pages. No where in the first 164 pages of the big book of alcoholics anonymous does it tell the newcomer or any other member of a. Perhaps bill was thinking of the example of his sponsor, ebby, when he wrote the many strong statements in the big book condemning resentments. While this is a nice ideal in theory, in reality the relationship is inherently unequal, particularly in relation to newcomers, who are often emotionally and psychologically vulnerable when they. Parkhurst at honors dealers, 17 william st, newark, new jersey. There is a section in the big book that is similar to what wright and james have observed. Sponsoring via the big book aa history alcoholics anonymous. However, i declined by informing him that i was only two years sober, to which tom replied. Discuss your inventory as the big book suggest on page 75. They will have a solid understanding of how a sponsor functions because they have a sponsor themselves. For whatever the reasons, ebby never seemed to give himself completely to the simple program of alcoholics anonymous. The only real authorities in aa are the big book entitled alcoholics anonymous, twelve steps and twelve traditions, other conferenceapproved literature, and decisions of the aa general service conference as aas elected voice.
The big book says, rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. A good sponsor should walk the talk and lead by example. It was soon nicknamed the big book, since it was designed using thicker paper and larger margins than usual, so buyers would get their moneys worth. We do see people fail who dont, however, so its important to participate. Meeting reader reads the big book of alcoholics anonymous preface states. If a newcomer has received a thorough course of treatment and indoctrination in an alcoholism program outside a. Apr 27, 2010 the idea of the big book as a bs filter is good, and funny.
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