How to Start a Recovery Group

If you are interested in starting a Christian recovery meeting in your own area pray and ask God for guidance. Ask if it is truly His will for you to start a group. Meetings can be held in homes, churches or community centers -- anywhere that is convenient. The following is an excerpt from Living Free: A Guide for Forming & Conducting a Recovery Ministry (This is included in the Christians in Recovery Workbook & Guide CD mentioned below)

Christians are beginning to form Christ-centered recovery support groups. In these groups, Christ is identified as the Higher Power. Based on the same concepts as secular support groups, these groups constitute a voluntary social network of people organized around common needs and a process of mutual aid. Unlike secular groups, however, Christ-centered groups encourage participants to focus on Christ and his teachings as a vital part of their recovery.

Types of Christian Recovery Support Groups
Most recovery support group meetings are based on an adaptation of the Twelve Steps. Beyond this common denominator, however, meetings can vary widely. At some meetings, participants who want to talk can share thoughts and feelings with the group. At designated speaker meetings, one person speaks about an event or talks about his or her personal history. Some meetings follow a specific workbook format, while others focus on reading and discussing a pertinent book. Recovery support group meetings can be open or closed; some are open for the first several weeks and then closed to newcomers. Following is a brief description of the most common types of meetings.

Drug and Alcohol Groups provide Christian love, support and direction to people suffering from chemical dependency or compulsive behavior. Participants are nurtured toward a balanced lifestyle of Christian discipleship and accountability, using scripture and the Twelve Steps as the basis for achieving sobriety and serenity.

Codependency Groups provide Christian love, support and direction to those individuals who engage in compulsive behaviors which were learned by family members in order to survive in a family that is experiencing great emotional pain and stress. Participants have the opportunity to share their experience, strength and hope with one another in order to find a healthier way of living.

Adult Children Groups provide a safe place for adults to become whole in Christ. Children from dysfunctional families often grow up ill equipped for adulthood, either emotionally or spiritually. Because of their dysfunctional upbringing, they may be unable to establish a satisfying relationship with God. As a result, it is often difficult for them to realize His unconditional love and forgiveness.

General Recovery Groups are designed to introduce people to the healing process and help participants discover biblical
convictions: people are in need of recovery; recovery is a commitment to change; recovery is possible; and the Bible can be a significant resource for recovery.

These books are excellent:

• Christians in Recovery Workbook & Meeting Guide
• Heart of Addiction Book & Workbook

The following 2 CDs are very helpful:

• 12 Step Bible Study CD -
  This CD includes simple guidelines on how to have meetings, 2 Twelve Step Bible Studies and a Recovery Concordance. This is an expanded version of the workbook listed above which includes extra material (1st 164 pages of "Alcoholics Anonymous" and "Living Free: A Guide to Forming and Conducting a Recovery Ministry")
• Christians in Recovery Workbook & Guide CD -
  This CD contains a comprehensive workbook organized by topic. Biblical references and studies are included with each topic. Also includes "Living Free: A Guide to forming and Conducting a Recovery Ministry."

You can get valuable information on where to start recovery:
http://christians-in-recovery.org/Issues_WhereStart_Start

If you need CIR brochures and recovery hand outs for your group, fill out this form:
Brochure & Handouts Order Form

For chips, medallions, bumper stickers, recovery wallet cards etc. for your group:
CIR Store

We do not charge a fee for starting a group. As a member of CIR you can access all the resources on our web site. Encourage the individuals in your group to join CIR too so they can also access our resources and take advantage of online meetings, workshops, message boards, over 2,000 pages of help and so much more. See
Benefits of Membership

Read everything you can get your hands on regarding recovery. Use RecoveryBooks.com for added recommendations. If you want to start a Christian 12 Step recovery group we suggest these excellent books to begin with:

Living Free: A Guide for Forming & Conducting a Recovery Ministry
(This is included in the Christians in Recovery Workbook & Guide CD mentioned above)

The 12 Steps A Spiritual Journey (workbook with guide for leading a group) (Workbook with guide for leading a group)

The Twelve Steps for Christians (accompanies above)

Power to Choose, 12 Steps to Wholeness (excellent workbook)

A Practical Guide to Victory in Christ
Order From:
Overcomers in Christ
P.O. Box 34460
Omaha, NE 68134
ph.402-573-0966

12 Steps to a Closer Walk with God
Excellent for personal use or for leading a group. Also we workbook below.

12 Steps to a Closer Walk with God - Workbook

Celebrate Recovery Participant's Guides Set

Celebrate Recovery Curriculum

Victory Over the Darkness Book and Study Guide
Neil T. Anderson / Harvest House

Bondage Breaker
Neil T. Anderson / Harvest House

Bondage Breaker Study Guide
Neil T. Anderson / Harvest House

A Hunger for Healing Workbook

Then look under "Where to Start" at RecoveryBooks.com

We suggest any Christian who is in recovery or trying to recover from ANYTHING get copies of these Bibles:

Life Recovery Bible
Published by Tyndale House Publishers.This Bible is specially annotated for recovering Christians and is a wonderful source of support and healing.

Serenity: A Companion for Twelve Step Recovery
(New King James Version- New Testament Psalms & Proverbs)
by Dr. Robert Hemfelt and Dr. Richard Fowler

Recovery Devotional Bible
(complete Bible-NIV version)
Includes 365 meditations and extensive notes
Zondorvan Publishers

If this information has been helpful to you, please consider making a small donation to Christians in Recovery so that our ministry may continue to assist others in need.

Christians in Recovery does not engage in providing individualized professional services or counseling and should not be used or regarded as a substitute for such services. See Terms and Conditions of Use

The name "Christians in Recovery" is trademarked and may not be used by any other group, meeting or organization.

You may use information on our web site (unless indicated otherwise). All materials used **MUST** include the following:

Reprinted with permission of Christians in Recovery®.

Permission to reprint and adapt this material does not
mean that Christians in Recovery® (CIR) is in any way
affiliated with this program. Christians in Recovery®
provides information, referrals and and an Internet
Community for anyone who is in recovery or who
DESIRES to recover from self-defeating behaviors,
abuse, grief, depression and additions. Feel free to
contact us if you need help:

admin @ christians-in-recovery.org
http://christians-in-recovery.org
Christians in Recovery®
P.O. Box 4422
Tequesta, FL 33469
USA

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