12 Steps Lessons
One step at a time, in plain words
Twelve short classes — one per step — in plain language, then what the work actually looks like this week. Read each one or press play and listen. Nothing here replaces your home group, a sponsor or a counselor; it's here for the hours between meetings.
Step 1 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 1 — Powerless Over Addictions and Compulsive Behaviors
We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, and that our lives had become unmanageable. The first honest sentence is the door out.
Step 2 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 2 — A Power Greater Than Ourselves Can Restore Us
We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Hope grows out of evidence, and the evidence is usually another man.
Step 3 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 3 — Turn Our Lives and Wills Over to God
We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God. A decision is something you can make before your feelings catch up.
Step 4 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 4 — A Searching and Fearless Moral Inventory
We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Count what is actually on the shelf without screaming at the shelves.
Step 5 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 5 — Admit the Exact Nature of Our Wrongs
We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. The third person on the list is the one that heals.
Step 6 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 6 — Ready to Have God Remove Defects of Character
We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. The step about the habits you secretly still like.
Step 7 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 7 — Humbly Ask Him to Remove Shortcomings
We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings. What changes when you stop trying to white-knuckle yourself into a better man.
Step 8 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 8 — List Those We Harmed and Become Willing
We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all. Paper first. Doors later.
Step 9 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 9 — Make Direct Amends Wherever Possible
We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. Repair, not apology.
Step 10 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 10 — Continue Inventory and Promptly Admit Wrong
We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. The step that keeps the first nine from being wasted.
Step 11 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 11 — Improve Conscious Contact with God
We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God. A plain method for men who think they are bad at this.
Step 12 · 6 min · read or listen
Step 12 — Carry the Message and Practice the Principles
Having had a spiritual awakening, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Give it away to keep it.