Steps By The Big Book

[bluidkiti]

Example of Steps by the Big Book Group Session Format

(This optional schedule is for a 1½ hour session once a week, or as the group sees fit. You may adjust the length of the session to 2 or more hours, add breaks, etc.)

• Open on time with from 1 to 5 minutes or more of centering silence, with focus meditation or prayer such as the Third Step prayer.

• First 2 min. Review agenda for this session.

• Approximate group study and practice times:

• 1. • 10 min.: 30 second check-ins around the group.
     • 15 min.: Review selections from the reading.
     • 15 min.: Chairperson or a designated group member each session may share their experience with this reading and this Step according to the Big Book.
     • 40 min. Discussion. (40 min. per 1½ hour session. 70 min. per 2 hour session, etc.): Group may share writings and talk about questions and worksheets on actually working this Step by the Big Book.

• Last 3 min. Review next session's agenda.
  1. • Encourage reading and writing between sessions.
     • Urge meeting with one’s buddy and/or sponsor.

• Close on time with meditation or prayer such as the Seventh Step prayer.

………………………………………………………………………………………..


Groups often hold one session each week through five or six months.


Optional schedule for two sessions +/- done at each weekly gathering over three months:

• Week 1: Introduction & Step 1 (Sessions 1 & 2)
• Week 2: Step 1 (Sessions 3, 4 & 5)
• Week 3: Step 2 (Session 6)
• Week 4: Step 3 (Session 7)
• Week 5: Step 4 Resentments (Sessions 8 & 9)
• Week 6: Step 4 Fears & Relationships/Sex (Sessions 10 & 11)
• Week 7: Step 4 Review & Step 5 (Sessions 12 & 13)
• Week 8: Step 6 & Step 7 (Sessions 14 & 15)
• Week 9: Step 8 & Step 9 (Sessions 16 & 17)
• Week 10: Step 10 & Step 11 (Sessions 18 & 19)
• Week 11: Step 12 (Session 20)