From the book…

I have never followed any specifically structured program like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous in my recovery. I committed to multiple accountability relationships with my band of brothers in Christ. In Christian terminology, this type of relationship is best described as discipleship. Early in my journey, I asked what fellowship is, and the reply I received was, “its two fellows in the same ship together, working for the same cause.”

For those seeking steps in recovery, these steps are tried and proven successful: 

The 12 Steps and Their Biblical Comparisons 

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behavior; that our lives had become unmanageable.

“We felt we were doomed to die and saw how POWERLESS we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us.” II Corinthians 1:9

Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

 “I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.” Ephesians 3:16-17

 Step 3: We made a decision to turn our life and our will 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

Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

“Let us examine ourselves and repent and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift our hearts and our hands to Him in heaven.” Lamentations 3:40-41

Step 5: We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being, the exact nature of our wrongs.

“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

Step 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

Step 7: We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.

“But if we confess our sins to Him, He can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” I John 1:9

Step 8: We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.

“If you are standing before the altar…and suddenly remember that a friend has something against you, leave your sacrifice there and go and be reconciled…and then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” Matthew 5:23-24

Step 9: We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

“Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18

Step 10: We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.

“But how can I ever know what sins are lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. And keep me from deliberate wrongs; help me to stop doing them. Only then can I be set free of guilt.” Psalm 19:12

Step 11: We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts… And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly…” Colossians 3:15-16

Step 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 our lives.

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:5-6

Steps above from: North Coast Calvary Chapel Recovery Ministry (Larry E.)

Recovery is possible – 2 Corinthians 5:17