12 Step Programs by Ney Rieber

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From: ney1@aol.com 12 Step Programs. Today, they are rampant. Alcoholics Anonymous, Overeaters Anonymous, etc. If something has ever been a problem for someone, there is probably a 12 step program somewhere that is intended to help. Below is a description of a 12 step program that has been re-revised to reflect a Biblical standard. I submit this to you with the understanding that it is denominational in its origin and will undoubtable have terminology that is not scriptural and that it will very probably have passages misapplied. Nevertheless, there is a good bit of "meat" in it for those who truly desire to serve the Lord. ***** Permission to reproduce was granted***************** Prepared by Dr. Gary R. Sweeten & Hal B. Schell c1989 Christ Information Committee, Inc. P.0. Box 24080. Cincinnati, Ohio 45224 Following a tradition of the early church and the Wesley revival, the Oxford Group systematized a series of "steps" as a process of cleansing one's inner life. These "steps" were later adapted by Alcoholics Anonymous, with much of the Christian basis ignored. They are here re-adapted emphasizing this great Christian base so integral to the wholeness sought. Here the center of wholeness is recognized as the Lord Jesus Christ. The "steps" have also been changed to conform to other principles at discipleship and Christian growth. If a Christian will vigorously apply these principles, and make these decisions, that person will move toward "Teleios"-Wholeness in Christ. 1. I now see that I, of myself, am powerless, unable to control (manage) my life by myself. Romans 7-8 Romans 7:16-19 Psalm 32:3-7 Romans 3:9-10 Romans 3:23 2. I now realize that my Creator, God the Father Son, and Holy Spirit, can restore me to wholeness in Christ. Psalm 27:4-5 Mark 10:26-27 Philippians 2:13 Romans 8:9 Ezekiel 36:27 3. I now make a conscious decision to turn my entire will and life over to the care and direction of Jesus Christ as Teacher, Healer, Savior and Lord. Joshua 1:6-9 Jeremiah 29:11-14 Jeremiah 32:27 John 14:6 John 10:30 Mark 10.?7 Matthew 28:18, 20b 4. Having made this decision, I now obey God's call in Scripture to make a fearless ethical, moral, and scriptural inventory of my entire life in order to uncover all sins, mistakes, and character defects. and to make a written list of every item uncovered. Psalm 139:23-24 Lamentations 3:40 Jeremiah 23:24 Romans 8:26-27 5. After completing this inventory I will now will to "walk in the light, as He is in the light" by admitting to myself, to God. and to at least one other person in Christ the exact nature of these wrongs. 1 John 1:7 Ephesians 6:13-14 Psalm 119:9-11 1 Timothy 1:15 Acts 13:38-39 James 5:13-l6 Hebrews 9:14 Acts 2:37-38 6. Having agreed with God about my sinful behavior, I now ask His forgiveness through Christ and openly acknowledge that I am forgiven according to the Scripture. I John 1:8-9 James 4:10 1 John 2:1-2 Psalms 27:13-14 Psalms 110:18, then 17 7. I now repent (turn away) from all these behaviors in thought, word, and deed and ask God to remove each besetting sin, through Jesus Christ. John 5:14 John 8:10-11 Job 11:13-19 Ezekiel 18:30-32 Romans 5-6 Romans 12:1-2 1 John 2:3-6 2 Corinthians 10:5 Colossians 3:17 8. I now make a list of all persons I have harmed in thought, word, and deed and a list of all persons I believe have harmed me, and will to make amends to all of them. Ephesians 4:29-32 Hosea 11:1-4 Ephesians 5:1-2 Luke 6:31 Matthew 5:43-44 Matthew 18:15 Leviticus 19:17-18 Mark 12:31 Matthew 5:9 9. I now go directly to these persons to forgive and to seek forgiveness, reconciliation restitution, or release whenever and with whomever possible, unless to do so would cause further harm. Matthew 5:23-24 Isaiah 1:15-20 10. I now; consciously and prayerfully continue to "walk In the light" by unceasingly taking personal inventory of all my temptations and sins, and by keeping a constantly open relationship with God, myself, and other persons. Matthew 26:41 James 1:13-15 Matthew 6:11-13 Colossians 3:13 Proverbs 30:8-9 Ephesians 5:15-18 Psalms 4:3-5 Psalms 55:22 1 Peter 5:6-7 Ephesians 4:22-28 11. I now continue in regular Scripture, study, prayer, worship and fellowship to increase God's will in my life. Acts 2:42 Mark 12:28-33 Matthew 6:33 Psalms 89:15 Joshua 1:6 1 Kings 8:68*61 Colossians 3:12-17 12. Recognizing the impact of God in my life, I now intentionally share these principles and their effect with others as God's Spirit leads, and will practice these principles in all areas of my life. Micah 6:8 Ephesians 5:8 Psalms 40:8-10 Galatians 5:1 Revelation 12:1 2 Corinthians 3:17 Ephesians 6:10-18 Prepared by Dr. Gary R. Sweeten & Hal B. Schell c1989 Christ Information Committee, Inc. P.0. Box 24080. Cincinnati, Ohio 45224 ************************************* There you have it. If you are at all familiar with AA, you can see where AA got their inspiration. Good old fashioned old Methodist theology - not modern Methodism in which anything goes. God Bless, Ney Rieber 6413 Zion Church Road Sanford, NC 27330-9509 (919) 775-5107 Ney1@AOL.com ==END==