Step four made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. To be able to start on this step, the previous three steps must of course have been completed, so before starting check with your sponsor, spiritual advisor, counselor, etc. The big book is clearwe do this to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to god and our fellow man. Shed layer after layer of pain, lies, shame, and anger, and get to the guts of who you are. May 09, 2015 how to do a fourth step easy pamela pratt. Jan 05, 2020 with step eight you have the opportunity to translate your experience of courage into developing a compassionate spirit. We are looking at adopting a new format for some of our meetings, it is called the hyannis format and is based on a format developed in hyannis, massachusetts by some recovered alcoholics.
The big books specific instructions on step 9, along with following the direction of our sponsor, gives us the support we need to go out and do our amends. The big book explains that we must make a list that includes all our resentments we have and have ever had, an account of sexual conduct and. Step 4 big book step study step 4 turnarounds hi, im looking for replies from those who have done step 4 exactly as it is written in the big book. Some people write down 1 page, others write the resentment in one notebook and my part the turnaround in another notebook. Just list names and dont list why you had the resentment. The fourth step, like the whole of recovery, is a process not an event. This guide is intended to be used as an aid to writing a fourth step inventory. How was i resentful if so, do 4 column inventory 2. When the word optional is used in the worksheets, it means that the big book suggests doing this but does not suggest writing anything down.
There is a detailed instruction sheet that goes with the step 4 inventory forms, from the workshop. Since the overall philosophy of alcoholics anonymous is that alcoholism is just a symptom of a spiritual disease, the real problem is in chara. May 15, 2016 there were a few steps i needed to take before i was ready to make a searching and fearless moral inventory of myself. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol drugs, actingout behaviour, that our lives had become unmanageable. The 164 and more book, ebook, and web site are all concordances which display passages from the big book alcoholics anonymous, the twelve steps and twelve traditions, and the a. The experience outlined in the big book makes it clear that it is not enough to believe that there is a higher power that can help us. To emphasise the point that we must keep doing this the book says. There is a saying in the 12step programs that recovery is a process, not an event. This is a written inventory based on the 4 absolutes.
Step 3 made a decision to turn our lives over to the care of god as we understood him. This is the step 4 emotional sobriety oa worksheet in a word document and a pdf file. Breaking down step four of aa alcoholics anonymous. Our origins are the students of the big book group. May 01, 2016 how to make a big book how to make a junk journal tome part1 step by step diy tutorial for beginners duration. Breaking down step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. If men and women didnt exert themselves to be secure in their persons, made no effort to harvest food or construct shelter, there would be no survival. I have to write down all of my negative character traits. Since the overall philosophy of alcoholics anonymous is that alcoholism is just a symptom of a spiritual disease, the real problem is in character flaws that need.
Whats the biggest requirement for this action step. Please note that all examples offered in this guide are not just someones opinion but rather taken from the big book and other a. B she committed my friend, her husband for drinking. The 4th step of twelvestep groups is an important step that can sometimes bring quite a bit of fear, discomfort, and anxiety. Rather they are designed to provide an introduction to this step. It asserts that a lifetime of recovery can only be achieved by making the decision to turn over your will to a higher being. Step three is defined as to make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of god as we understood him. Sth step page 4 of 6 sex problem list drafted from big book pg.
Whether we come through the doors of alcoholics anonymous or alanon family groups chances are we bring a lifetime of stinking thinking with us. Sep 06, 2016 the step 4 inventory starts by looking at resentment, which the big book describes as the number one offender when it comes to blockage in recovery 64. With step eight you have the opportunity to translate your experience of courage into developing a compassionate spirit. Big book awakening 4th step workshop resentment examples and worksheets 122006 columns 14 to download the most current versions of these worksheets go to. Understanding step 4 of the 12 steps verywell mind. Resentment, columns 1 4, fear, sex, and sexual ideal. This step follows a written inventory of our wrongs and it is critical to share this as soon as possible. Bbss speakers on step four in accordance with the twelve traditions of alcoholics anonymous. First, lets dive into the fourth step a bit and see what its all about. Step two is specifically designed for the mental obsession. If you get these 4th step worksheets anywhere else they are likely not the originals and may have been changed or altered. We hope we have made clear the distinction between the alcoholic and the nonalcoholic. Step 2 came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
My advice for heading into step 4 is to allow courage to rise and be completely honest with yourself while doing it. Bb p69 this is the context i was taught to use the sane and sound ideal relationship inventory. Aa the original way 12 step guide aa the original way group. A graphic guide to aas fourth step though our decision1 was a vital and crucial step.
When the time was right for me, it seemed as if the pen in my hand had a direct connection to my mind, and the memories of a lifetime just poured out onto the page. Big book step study hyannis format the primary purpose group. Below is a more indepth explanation of the step 4 inventory from the bba, including examples. Breaking down step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous. Go back and list all the names of people, institutions, and principles you have had resentment toward in your life. Fourth step inventory these fourth step worksheets use the wording from alcoholics anonymous the big book pages 6371. Oct 16, 2017 here we will offer some tips, a few 4th step inventory examples, and some worksheets for you to use. Originally introduced in the big book of alcoholics anonymous, the fourth step states that we made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Step 4 of alcoholics anonymous states we made a fearless and searching moral inventory of ourselves. Resentment, columns 14, fear, sex, and sexual ideal.
Chapter 4 we agnostics i n the precedingchapters you have learned something of alcoholism. Example in big book alcoholics anonymous, 12 steps and 12. The big book bunch 12 step workbook we are the big book bunch group of alcoholics anonymous. Working step four in narcotics anonymous we made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Our origins are the students of the big book group, which has met in woodland hills, california since december of 1985. The big book of alcoholics anonymous can be purchased at aa central or a bba meeting. Four they by no means take the place of doing the fourth step inventory as laid out in the big book of aa.
At this stage of the inventory proceedings, our sponsors come to the rescue. How to make a big book how to make a junk journal tome part1 step by step diy tutorial for beginners duration. Sorting and rendering passages in the proprietary format of the 164 and more concordance does not in any way imply affiliation with or endorsement by either alcoholics. The big book helped guide me through this process, and though i repeatedly read and studied the book, this wasnt entirely an intellectual exercise. Nov 20, 2019 there is a saying in the 12 step programs that recovery is a process, not an event.
When the word optional is used in the worksheets, it means that the big book suggests doing this. Here is the bba step 4 worksheets filled out as an example. Breaking down step four of aa alcoholics anonymous jason. How have i done the things ive resented in column 2 to the person ive listed in. Big book awakening 4th step workshop resentment examples and worksheets 122006 columns 1 4 to download the most current versions of these worksheets go to.
Regardless of the method, our fourth step will be successful if we are searching and fearless. Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as. Step four of aas twelvestep program of recovery is infamously the scary one, probably because its a crucial step towards effective and lasting recovery. Alcoholics anonymous step 4 requires a clear and frank understanding of ones self. You are never too old to improve your health and quality of life.
Resentment, of course, is any kind of lingering anger the residue of old hurts, disagreements, and frustrations. Although many people share about a fear in doing the fourth step, even more people express a deep gratitude for working this step. I am getting stuck on understanding my turnarounds, especially the selfseeking. When you take inventory, you take notes or write down all that you have on hand. These notes and worksheets are not intended to be a guide to working step four. By writing first, then doing the 5 th step we can look at resentment, fear and harm individually, the way it says in the big book. This guide represents the experiences, strengths, and hopes of many addicts who have found recovery in narcotics anonymous. This steps by the big book workbook is for those who are willing to grow along spiritual lines 60. The same can be said for step 4, which requires making a moral. Step eight of aa alcoholics anonymous is the beginning of the process of making amends, forgiving others and possibly being forgiven by them, in addition to forgiving. We provide this study guide based on personal experience to help those following aas 12 steps as outlined in the original big book, alcoholics anonymous aa. Though our decisionstep 3 was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once fast followed by a strenuous.
References for each column, comment, or suggestion are given throughout this guide to. This simply means taking an honest look at all of your good and bad character traits. We have to cooperate, to do certain things that will allow a higher power to help us follow spiritual principles. Steps by the big book step 4 resentments steps by the. Download pamphlets and handouts to use in big book group sessions our workbook companion to alcoholics anonymous 12 steps of recovery from alcoholism and addiction is called steps by the big book. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves reading.
Through the process of discovering the true nature of personal character, a participant learns to understand identify the weaknesses that may have helped contribute to alcoholism. In order for this to happen we must go directly into steps 10, 11 and 12 while. The big book explains that we must make a list that includes all our resentments we have and have ever had, an account of sexual conduct and our fears. Any resentments or fears that arise from this are subjected to a step10 analysis. It opens the door to the rest of the steps and allows a person to begin the process of selfreflection step four and admitting the nature of ones wrongdoings step five. First, list each of your intimate relationships, maybe all of your relationships with others, including god. Please read that instruction sheet, follow the instructions, and also read all the references in the big book mentioned in the instructions, and read the big book references on each one of the individual forms. Of the twelve steps, step three can be best referred to as the process of surrender. Though our decisionstep 3 was a vital and crucial step, it could have little permanent effect unless at once fast followed by a. Big book step study step 4 turnarounds soberrecovery. Joy then shows examples of how to do each of the 4 columns right out of the aa big book and also uses examples from her own inventories. The original source for these worksheets is sadly no longer available. Step 4 resentments make the list names, institutions and.
There are many methods of writing inventories, and no one way is right for everyone. In this way we tried to shape a sane and sound ideal for our future sex life. Step five strengthens this foundation and reaffirms your commitment to recovery. These are the original 4th step guides and work sheetsused in the dallas b. However, while working on our step inventories we get a new perspective on the bigger picture, on patterns, selfishness, our responsibility in situations and in this process we are building up an accurate selfappraisal with true selfworth as the reward. Upon achieving step one the admission of powerlessness and step two agreeing that there is, in fact, a higher power, step three goes beyond words to actions.
Aas twelve step program is built on a foundation of spiritual principals, including surrender, willingness, courage, trust and honesty. They comfort the melancholy one by fi rst showing him that his. Buddy t is an anonymous writer and founding member of the online alanon outreach committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. I listed my resentments on paper, but not necessarily in chronological order. Permission to use this big book of alcoholics anonymous is described in the a. The 4th step inventory is perhaps one of the most wellknown pieces of twelvestep programs. We have laid out the 4 th step inventory here so that it follows the big book. On june 20, after 3 weeks of abstinence, i had a few beers with the crew after a really hot 10 hour friday. Numerous step four guides are available both on the internet and in print form. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Step 4 big book step study step 4 turnarounds originally posted by wmj1012 as tommy outlined, the turnarounds can be written using columns his were good and thorough. Step two is the step in which we formerly acknowledge the higher power. The first step aa big book support group discussions. This is one of the best summaries on the 4th step that i have ever come across. Service manual, a very heavy but fun book written by rockefeller.
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