Another common strategy used in church-based recovery ministries are closed twelve step studies. Typically these groups are ‘closed’ to new participants after a specified group formation period. Closed groups typically last at least 28 weeks but can last longer. Most such groups use a workbook that provides homework assignments to be done prior to each meeting. These intensive step studies are not intended to replace regular participation in open 12 step meetings. The experience of many groups suggests that participation in groups of this kind is most helpful only after a person has had some significance experience in open 12-step meetings as well as a solid educational background in recovery. The following workbooks are intended to be used in groups of this kind:
General 12 Step workbooks:
The Twelve Steps: A Spiritual Kindergarden, Dale and Juanita Ryan
The Twelve Steps: A Spiritual Journey, Anonymous, RPI Publications
(both of the above available in the NACR Store)
Power to Choose: Twelve Steps to Wholeness, Mike O’Neil, Sonlight Publishing
Twelve Steps to a New Day: An Interactive Recovery Workbook, Ron Keller and Twelve Steps to a New Day for Teens (Thomas Nelson).
Another possibility is the study guide written as a companion to Keith Miller’s excellent book A Hunger for Healing: the twelve steps as a classic model for Christian spiritual growth (HarperCollins).
Also, check out the Celebrate Recovery Workbooks by John Baker. These are used in the recovery ministry at Saddleback Valley Community Church.
Workbooks for specific populations:
Rapha’s 12-Step Program for Overcoming Codependency , Robert McGee, Pat Springle and Susan Joiner, Rapha/Word
Rapha’s 12-Step Program for Overcoming Chemical Dependency Rapha/Word
Rapha’s 12-Step Program for Overcoming Eating Disorders Rapha/Word
Breaking Free, Pia Mellody and Andrea Wells Miller, Harper & Row
Love Hunger Weight Loss Workbook, Minirth, Meyer, Hemfelt and Sneed, Thomas Nelson.
We encouage you to look carefully at these materials before deciding which will be most suitable for your group and congregation. They represent quite a variety of approaches to recovery.