" . . . teaching the Twelve Steps is the sole purpose of an A.A. group."
The Beginners' Meetings of the 1940's really worked.
Here are some of the reasons:
- "Sponsoring" newcomers through the Twelve Steps was a four-week commitment.
- Newcomers and "Sponsors" took all Twelve Steps together.
- All of the Steps (with the exception of the 5th Step) were taken during the meetings. For the Newcomer who was incapable of writing a 4th Step inventory, the Sponsor wrote it for him or her.
- The essential written step for the Newcomer was the 11th Step--Guidance from the God of the Newcomer's understanding.
- It was the "Sponsor's" responsibility to call the Newcomer during the month of sponsorship.
- After completing the sessions, both the Newcomer and "Sponsor" moved on to "sponsor" others through the Twelve Steps.
The book Back to Basics--The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners' Meetings has been dedicated to Dr. Bob, who endorsed this meeting format. His daughter, Sue Smith-Windows, has whole-heartedly agreed that her father was an absolute believer in the "Keep It Simple" approach detailed in this book.
Chapter 1 of Back to Basics is an accurate account of the history of the Four One-Hour Meetings.
Chapters 2 through 5 consist of two A.A. home group members, taking newcomers through the Twelve Steps during the fall of 1946.
- Chapter 2 -- Session 1, Overview and Step 1.
- Chapter 3 -- Session 2, Steps 2, 3 and 4.
- Chapter 4 -- Session 3, Steps 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.
- Chapter 5 -- Session 4, Steps 10, 11 and 12.
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