Step Three, Week One: January 10th, 2024

Reading assignment for this week:

Yellow workbook pages 57 – top of page 62 OR BRB pages 138 – 145

Red Book pages 106 – 108, section titled “Examining Spiritual Beliefs”

Recommended weekly reading:

“The Laundry List” or “The Problem,” “The Solution,” and “The Promises” on pages 587-591 of the Red Book or in the first several pages of the yellow workbook;

“The Twelve Steps” on pages 91-92 of the Red Book (also on pages 1-2 of the workbook); and

“The Twelve Traditions” on page 592 of the Red Book

Suggested supplemental reading: 

Tradition One (the tradition for the month of January) in depth starting on Red Book page 491

Red Book Chapter 8

Suggested supplemental text for 3^rd and 4^th Step work:

The AlAnon workbook titled “Blueprint for Progress: Al-Anon’s Fourth Step Inventory,
Revised” (copyright date 2004, with the black text and deeper blue-and-white-checked cover; available from AlAnon or on Amazon.com.)   See ACAWSO’s Literature Policy: “It has always been accepted that ACA should remain eclectic in choosing literature. That is, ACA meetings may draw from various sources without censorship.”  The section on Spirituality (pgs 84-86) is useful for in-depth Third Step work.

This week’s step study questions are found on page 65 of the yellow workbook under the heading “Step Three Questions and Information”:

1. Did I pray to a Higher Power and never seem to have prayers answered?
2. What was I told about God by my parents, religious leaders and friends? Was I allowed to ask questions?
3. If I drew a picture of God or the Divine Power of the Universe, what would it look like?
4. What was I told about prayer by parents, religious leaders and friends?
5. Was it acceptable for me to be angry at a Higher Power?

“Copyrighted by Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization.”

Deep Dive questions:

A. Is my current idea of a Higher Power working for me, or do I need to change it? What might work?

© Diana Lea’s AA Powerful 12 Step Workbook

B. What obstacles do your religious background or upbringing give you for trusting a Higher Power?

C. How have your perceptions of God or your Higher Power changed over time?

© Patrick Carnes’ A Gentle Path Through The Twelve Steps