SECOND MILE
CHRISTIAN RECOVERY GROUP
1. Opening prayer. Our Heavenly Father, we humbly come before you, joining together as members of the Body of Christ. We ask that you guide us tonight with spiritual wisdom and understanding. Help us to understand the nature of our depravity and to appreciate the need for your Holy guidance. We invite the Holy Spirit to lead us in our meeting and to form the ties that bind us together in love and understanding. Show us how to help each other and humble us to receive your divine intervention. Deliver us from the bondage of sin, including bondage to alcohol and other drugs. Purify our hearts and our minds. Show us how to live. We pray in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
2. Group statement. Welcome to 2d Mile Christian Recovery Group. My name is _________________. Second Mile is a fellowship of Christians who desire to remain abstinent from alcohol and other mind -altering drugs, and who wish to join together to grow spiritually in the Lord, Jesus Christ. We believe that as sinners, our relationship with God was broken and we wish to repent for our sins. We believe that God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to live on earth as a human, to die as a sacrifice for our sins, to descend into the grave, to ascend into heaven and to sit at the right hand of God in order to reconcile our relationship with God. We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God. We have come to understand that the depravity of mankind leads to death and destruction. A life made unmanageable by alcohol and drug use is yet a further example of our personal powerlessness. Without help, we are doomed. We are grateful that we have found Jesus, in whom we receive power to overcome our personal problems. We are committed to solving our common problems related to alcohol and other drugs by turning to the principals for Christian living set forth in the Bible, including the Biblical principals found in the “12 steps.” We regularly meet to share with and encourage one another to grow spiritually in Christ. We have come to realize that putting down the drink and the drug is merely the first mile of recovery. We desire to go the second mile in our spiritual growth in Christ, in order that we may grow to love and adore our Heavenly Father and learn to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the sanctification of our souls.
3. Statement of belief- Apostles Creed: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, and born of the virgin, Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the grave. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Church, the communion of the saints, the forgiveness of sin, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
4. Group protocol. We are here to build up, help and encourage each other. This group offers a safe and loving environment. God’s love and grace are controlling principals in our meetings. To this end, we respect the following protocol:
a. We encourage each other to take personal responsibility for his or her problems and to publicly profess his or her need for Christ. Nevertheless, we respect a person’s right to remain anonymous and no individual shall disclose the membership of another in our group, the attendance by another in a group meeting or anything that is said in a meeting.
b. Abstain from personal remarks about or character attacks on another.
c. Respect each person’s right to participate and do not interrupt another’s comments.
d. In keeping with Biblical instruction, do not use profanity. Be respectful in your comments.
e. The group facilitator will keep order and group protocol.
f. Do not judge others or try to give advice or counsel. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we may share our experience, strength and hope, encourage one another and offer instruction in the Word.
g. Be mindful of the length of your comments and limit your comments so that everyone has an opportunity to speak. The group facilitator will interrupt excessive sharing in order that everyone has an opportunity to share.
h. Please turn off your cell phones during the meeting.
5. Introductions and phone list. (Facilitator- unless everyone is well acquainted with each other, has everyone introduce himself or herself. This is not to embarrass or hurt anyone, but rather so that we may get to know each other. If there is a new person, ask others in attendance to provide phone numbers to the new person).
6. Announcements. Are there any announcements for the good of our fellowship?
7. Meeting type. (Facilitator- read only from the particular type meeting being held).
a. Speaker. This is a speaker meeting. We have invited someone to share his or her story related to a personal struggle with alcohol or other drugs. It is hoped that the listener will listen with an open mind, looking for ways in which to relate to the experiences of the speaker, rather than focusing on differences. The speaker will share how growth in Christ has changed his or her thinking and behavior, leading to a Christ-filled life, free from bondage to alcohol and other drugs. After the speaker has concluded, comments or questions are invited. (Facilitator- introduce the speaker or other group member who will introduce the speaker).
b. Christian character. This is a Christian Character meeting. The facilitator will lead a discussion about the spiritual progress we strive for in our character through Christ. His will for our character is discerned from the Bible, which stands as the one and only authoritative guide for Christian living. The facilitator will select a topic relating to the Christian character we strive for and relate that topic to teachings from the Bible. Questions and discussion are encouraged.
c. Sharing. This is a sharing meeting. Individuals may share their experience, strength and hope related to alcohol and other drugs. “War stories” are avoided. Rather, we share to ask for help for matters plaguing us or to offer solutions, inspiration and hope to others wanting help. You are reminded that during your sharing, you should consider and respect the group protocol reviewed above. Does anyone have a topic related to drugs or alcohol that you would like to discuss? (Facilitator- be prepared with a topic to discuss in case one is not suggested or in addition to the one suggested. Be mindful to keep the discussion steered towards the solution in Christ.)
d. Step study. This is a step study meeting. We will study teachings from the Bible that have resulted in a 12-step process for recovery from addiction to alcohol and other drugs. The biblical principal behind the particular step under review will be discussed first, thus laying the proper foundation for approaching that step. Then, practical “how to” suggestions will be discussed.
e. DVD (optional). This is a DVD meeting. A DVD or other media relating to addiction to alcohol and other drugs or to character growth in Christ will be viewed. After the DVD, comments or questions are invited.
8. Suggestions. We offer several suggestions for spiritual growth. Pray constantly. Begin and end your day with prayer. Pray often throughout the day. Read the Bible daily. Participate in a structured group Bible study at least once a week. Attend church at least once a week. Attend every 2d mile group meeting. Find a spiritual mentor of the same sex and meet regularly with that mentor. Work the steps with your spiritual mentor. Get phone numbers from Christ-centered people and call those numbers before you use drugs or alcohol. Have regular fellowship with other Christians.
9. Prayer Requests. Anonymity is a spiritual principal that governs our meetings. We want this to be a safe and loving environment where you can share your prayer needs without fear of reprisal. All prayer requests are kept strictly confidential. Does anyone have a prayer request for us to address during the closing prayer?
10. Closing Prayers. (Facilitator- address any prayer requests, then close with The Lord’s Prayer -Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
11. Doxology. Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen
