What is a Step Study?

A Step Study is a Small Group that takes place on a night other than the Large Group meeting night. The Celebrate Recovery curriculum is based on The 12 Steps and their related Scriptures as the biblical model for living your life, and is set forth in four Participant’s Guides. A Step Study is a personal journey through The 12 Steps in a confidential group that is lead by a trained facilitator who has already completed their own Step Study. When you finish a Step Study, you will have worked your hurts, habits, and hang-ups through each of The 12 Steps. A Step Study is a serious commitment to the other members of the group. It typically takes 8-12 months to complete a Step Study. After completing a Step Study, we hope you will continue to work with us as we minister to others who are dealing with their own hurts, habits and hang-ups. The Small Group Guidelines are strictly followed in the Step Study.

Do I have to share in the groups?

There is no real opportunity to share in the Large Group. And you will never be required to share in the Small Open Share Groups. You can pass anytime you wish, and take as long as you need to become safe enough to share. In the Step Studies, however, everyone agrees to share as the group moves through the questions set forth in the curriculum books.

What if I can't make it every week?

You are welcome to come whenever you can to the Large Group and the Small Open Share Groups on Friday nights. However, if you join a Step Study, you will be expected to come each week until the curriculum is completed. As with any endeavor, the more effort you put into Celebrate Recovery, the more benefit you will receive for your own personal recovery.

Is CR only for alcohol or drug problems?

No. Celebrate Recovery is for everyone! Because all of us go through seasons when we need support, messages of hope, and testimonies of victorious life change, the Celebrate Recovery program is open to everyone. It is a time and place where every person can experience hope and encouragement at the level where they are most comfortable.

The purpose of Celebrate Recovery is to fellowship and celebrate God’s healing power in our lives. This experience allows us to be changed. We open the door by sharing our experience, strength and hope with one another. In addition, we become willing to accept God’s grace in solving our lives problems. By working and applying these Biblical principles, we begin to grow spiritually. We become free from our addictive, compulsive and dysfunctional behaviors.

This freedom creates peace, serenity, joy and most importantly, a stronger personal relationship with God and others. As we progress through the program we discover our personal, loving and forgiving Higher Power – Jesus Christ, the one and only true Higher Power.

Who leads the groups?

Celebrate Recovery groups are not lead by pastors, teachers, professional counselors or paid experts. Instead, CR groups are facilitated by men and women who are in recovery themselves. They all have a measure of substantial healing from their own struggles, and therefore celebrate their recoveries. As a result they have a high degree of sensitivity to those in need.

Are all the leaders in recovery themselves?

Yes, each of our leaders have, by the grace of God, walked through a process of recovery from various hurts, habits and hang-ups. 

Will I need to find a sponsor in the group?

We encourage participants to pair up with a person of the same sex within their small group, who is actively working the program and who can serve as an encourager and prayer partner. Sponsors generally have a minimum of one year of recovery over an addiction, habit, hurt or hang-up.