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SESSION 1

Preface and Forewords

A wonderfully effective spiritual structure can be built. (47: 2)

ION YOUR OWN: STUDY – What did the Big Book authors say?

• READ Read the Table of Contents, Preface, and the Forewords to the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Editions of the Big Book. Many will read the Foreword to Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions (12&12) as well.

• WRITE Consider the focus questions relating to the readings, and write reflective answers to them, as you see fit. Cross off the bulleted comments as you take them in. Include your own questions and observations, and explore your doubts as well as your certainties in detail and in depth.

• TALK Talk with your sponsor and/or buddy about the process you are about to undertake.

II WITH THE GROUP: PRACTICE – What does the Big Book say to me
about my practice of the 12 Steps.

• Discuss the purpose, plan and session format of this Steps by the Big Book group course. Consider that each member is expected to not only talk about but to do each of the Steps and, if possible, to attend every session with the team.
• This is a commitment, a team effort. Together we can do it!
• Discuss how the Big Book readings influence your own recovery process.

Points of Focus and Reflection
1.) Contents -A repeating mighty purpose and rhythm (10: 3) of the Steps and of the Big Book can be seen even on the Contents page (Consider page v).

• ‘The Problem’ is set out in Doctor’s Opinion and Chapter 1. [See 17: 1; 19: 3]
• ‘The Solution’ is introduced in Chapters 2, 3 and 4. [See also 17: 3; 25: 1]
• ‘The Program of Action’ is described in Chapters 5, 6 and 7. [See also 9:6; 42: 2]

2.) 1955 Foreword to Second Edition (Consider pp. xv: 3-xvii: 2; xix: 1; xxi: 0)

• What do the Big Book authors mean when they say that, This is but a beginning, only the augury of a much larger future ahead? (xv: 2)
• How am I part of that future? What do I know about the story of AA?
• What were the tenets of the Oxford Groups? (xvi: 0) [See also 263: 0]
• What is the message of AA? (xvii: 3; xviii: 0; xxi: 0) [See also xvi: 2; 17: 3; 45: 2; 60: 0; 77: 0; 89 :1]
• What are the principles by which the individual alcoholic could live? (xix: 1)
• What are the principles by which AA groups and AA as a whole could survive and function? (xix: 1)
• What is the alternative to the high road? (xxi: 0)