AA History
This year is recognized as the beginning of AA.
What is 1935?
Read: Big Book Foreword pages xi–xii
Finish this phrase: “One day…”
at a time.”
Discussion Prompt:
“Why is this slogan helpful in early recovery?”
This Step contains the phrase “came to believe.”
What is Step Two?
Read: Big Book page 59
The Big Book calls this the "number one offender".
What is resentment?
This chapter begins with “Rarely have we seen a person fail…."
What is “How It Works”?
This city is known as the birthplace of AA.
What is Akron, Ohio?
Finish this line: “Rarely have we seen a person fail…”
who has thoroughly followed our path.”
Read: Page 58
In the 12 & 12, this Step discusses resentment and fear as major obstacles.
What is Step Four?
Read: 12 & 12 — Step Four
This emotion is described as touching nearly every aspect of our lives.
What is fear?
Read: pg 67-68
Discussion: What are some of the fears that tend to drive unhealthy choices or isolation in recovery?
This page includes the phrase “half measures availed us nothing.”
What is page 59?
Read: pg 59
What do the writers of the AA Book call this phrase? "See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others."
What is "The Great Fact for us".
Read: pg 163,164
Finish this line: “Selfishness — self-centeredness! That, we think…”
is the root of our troubles.”
Read: Page 62
Discussion Prompt:
“What does self-centeredness actually look like in daily life?”
This Step includes the phrase “entirely ready.”
What is Step Six?
Read: Big Book page 76
The Big Book says this is the root of our troubles.
What is self-centeredness
Read: pg 62
Discussion Prompt:
What's the difference between healthy self-care and self-centeredness?
This chapter focuses heavily on resentment and fear inventories.
What is “How It Works”?
Read: Pages 64–71
This was the approximate number of sober members when the Big Book was first written.
What is 100?
Read: Foreword to First Edition
Finish this line: “We are not saints…”
the point is that we are willing to grow along spiritual lines.”
Read: Page 60
According to the Big Book, this Step asks us to watch for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear.
What is Step Ten?
Read: Pages 84–85
According to "How it Works", "what had defeated us"?
Read: pg 64
Discussion: Why do we often focus more on what others did and how we were affected internally?
This page says, "We are people who normally would not mix".
What is page 17?
Read: pg 17
Discussion: Why is fellowship powerful between very different people?
According to AA history, this phone call by Bill W. to a certain individual helped begin AA’s co-founder relationship.
What is the call to Dr. Bob from Akron?
Discussion Prompt:
“How does reaching out help both people in recovery?”
Finish this line: “Nothing pays off like…”
restraint of tongue and pen.”
Read: Page 91 12x12
Discussion Prompt:
“When is restraint hardest in recovery?”
This Step focuses on prayer and meditation to improve conscious contact.
What is Step Eleven?
Read: 12 & 12 — Step Eleven
This page includes the instruction that we "ask him to remove our fear and direct our attention to what he would have us be."
What is page 68
Read: pg 68
This page includes the phrase "we absolutely insist on enjoying life".
What is page 132?
Read: pg 132
Discussion Prompt: Why do some struggle to believe joy is possible in recovery?