Preparing for a Quality Study Group

Our Forthcoming Web Suggestions for 12-Step meetings, Christian Recovery Fellowships, and Recovery Study Groups

Dick B. © 2014 Anonymous. All rights reserved

Shortly we will be posting for your use a page of what you can do to establish a group for study of the Big Book, Steps, Beginner approaches, Christian fellowships, prayer discussions, Bible discussions and A.A. origins, A.A. History, Christian predecessors, Christian upbringing of Bill W. and Dr. Bob, how the first three got sober, what the principles and practices of the Akron AA Christian Fellowship were, how Bill’s “new version” of the program the Twelve Steps left these out, and how the compromise ousting God from the Steps came about in 1939 just before the Big Book went to print.

Some Starting Thoughts

(1)   Select a name and purpose– such as Step Study, Big Book Study, History Study, AA Roots Study, Prayer Guides, Literature Study, Sponsoring the One Who Still Suffers, Meetings for Beginners,

(2)   Gather a small group – AA friends, Fellow Sponsees, Step Students, Big Book Studies,

Literature Study, History Seekers, A.A. Conference-approved books and pamphlets,

Guide books.

(3)   Pick Studious Leaders - Devoted students like Joe McQ. and Charlie P., Rev. Samuel Shoemaker, Jr., and such diligent, prepared “teachers” are needed to lead studies.

(4)   Cover Meeting Needs – Location, officers, dates, times, Format, literature to be used.

Learn and Read Applicable Traditions

Tradition Two – For our group purpose there is but one ultimate authority—a loving God as He may express Himself in our group conscience. Our leaders are but trusted servants; they do not govern.

Tradition 3 (the Long Form) Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliation.

Yield to no Bullying, Attempts to Silence, or Know-it-alls

Groups meet to help themselves and other stay sober and help newcomers to get sober and stay healed. Shout-downs, discourteous claims, and suppression should open the door to another meeting where such conduct does not occur. Vote with your feet!