A.A. STUDY GROUPS:
Planning, Starting,
Conducting One?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dick B.
© 2013 Anonymous. All
rights reserved
Probably the most beneficial thing in the author's learning
of the recovery program (as embodied in the Big Book and the Twelve Steps) were
the Joe and Charlie Big Book Seminars. They did a line by line study of the
first 103 pages. They made the unclear clear. They did it with humor, with
purpose, and with brevity.
Many have wanted to do something similar with A.A.'s roots,
as a complement to the Big Book study. This is being done in some areas. But
there can be a much more precise approach, one that will complement the Big
Book and enable spiritual growth within A.A. itself.
Some are intimidated by this. Even the Joe and Charlie Big
Book Seminars have been subjected to the comments that they violate the
Traditions and that they speak of non-Conference approved literature. But the
Seminars have stood the test of time, with A.A.'s own archivist from New York
often participating. Not so easy when the roots have been involved, but it is
simply because AAs don't know their own history and traditions.
Here are some pointers:
Every early A.A. meeting in Akron and many in New York,
involved discussion of the Bible and Christian subject matter. They involved
use of outside literature, particularly The Upper Room and My Utmost for His
Highest. Dr. Bob's Bible is still taken to the podium at the King School Group
meeting in Akron (A.A. No. 1).
There is no Tradition that can, should, or does forbid
discussion of A.A. history or the Bible or literature that early A.A.'s used.
Box 459 has an excellent article on that point. The article can be obtained
from General Services in New York or from the author.
Learn well the words of the Long Form of Tradition Three:
"Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we
may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought A.A. membership ever depend upon
money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety
may call themselves an A.A. group, provided that, as a group, they have no
other affiliation."
Learn well the precise words of Long Form Tradition Ten:
"No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A.,
express any opinion on outside controversial issues--particularly those of
politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous
groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views
whatever."
The foregoing facts have not stopped people from objecting
or trying to ban the Bible, early A.A. literature, and discussion of the
foregoing at this or that meeting. One group was removed from the meeting list
because it studied Emmet Fox's The Sermon on the Mount. That did not make the
action correct. But AAs who want to learn, study, and grow in the roots which
were part and parcel of their history should not be intimidated by erroneous
comments, actions, or interpretations, however sincere, well-intentioned, or
vociferous. Thus Roman Catholics have been holding retreats for AAs for
decades. Bill Wilson often cited this as an example of why Bible study was
permissible in A.A. The matters that the traditions discuss have to do with
SECTARIAN or DENOMINATIONAL religious practices. A.A.'s Preamble so states.
The point of all this is that AAs today are searching for
ways to remain within A.A. and, at the same time, learn more about the language
A.A.'s Big Book, Twelve Steps, and Fellowship use. They want to remain in A.A.
and practice Eleventh Step spiritual growth by learning about, studying, and
discussing "helpful books." The Big Book does not say, "There
are many helpful books also" [p. 87]; but don't you dare read or discuss
them. The Big Book does not say, "Suggestions about these may be obtained
from one's priest, minister, or rabbi" [p. 87]; but don't ever mention
this in an A.A. meeting. The Big Book does not say, "Be quick to see where
religious people are right. Make use of what they have to offer" [p. 87];
but be sure they are never seen, discussed, or quoted in an A.A. meeting.
AAs need to know at least this much about their own history.
The Reverend Sam Shoemaker and Father Ed Dowling, S.J., spoke to all AAs
convened at A.A.'s Twentieth Convention. Their remarks are contained in
Conference Approved literature (A.A. Comes of Age). The Reverend Sam Shoemaker
and The Right Reverend Monsignor John J. Dougherty spoke to all AAs at their
next International Convention, which was at Long Beach. The Reverend Sam
Shoemaker wrote many articles for the A.A. Grapevine. Remarks of The Reverend
Dr. Harry Emerson Fosdick are quoted at length in A.A.'s Conference Approved
A.A. Comes of Age.
Whatever some may think, A.A. has no index of forbidden
books. A.A. has never excluded priests or sisters or ministers from its
meetings even when they were not drunks. A.A. has studied the Bible in its
meetings for years. And whenever two or three AAs are gathered together for
sobriety, they may, as they have done for years, discuss the Bible, discuss the
books they have read, and compare these to Big Book and Step concepts. They may
discuss any and every facet of the Eleventh Step and the Big Book comments
about it. It may well be that they would catch flack if they were a group of
Christian Scientists, Roman Catholics, Moslems, or atheists who exclude others,
call themselves a Christian Science A.A. Group, and confine their approach to a
Moslem or Roman Catholic view of A.A. But the author has heard there are
atheist A.A. groups, gay and lesbian groups, young people's groups, and so on.
Apparently, these affiliations have not resulted in evictions, whether that
would be justified or not. In short, A.A.'s inclusiveness, does not mean
exclude thinking or free speech.
Finally, if in doubt, write to the New York GSO office as
people have done for years. Both Bill Wilson and A.A.'s well-known former
archivists (Nell Wing and Frank M.) have fielded many a question. The result
was not a prohibition, but a sharing of A.A. experience.
Author Dick B. has written several books and many articles
on A.A. study groups. Some of the books include By the Power of God, The James
Club and the Original A.A. Program’s Absolutes Essentials, When Early AAs Were
Cured and Why, Why Early A.A. Succeeded, The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook, and
Real Twelve Step Fellowship History. These can be found described and can be
ordered through http://www.dickb.com/titles.shtml. Dick B. has also written
many articles, which are listed on his main website articles page, and cover
such subjects as James Club groups, Bible study groups, and How to Form a Study
Group.
There are many of these basic history groups now going
strong around the globe, and I list them from time to time. Here is a list of
articles written to guide you.
More and more folks are writing and asking for instructions
on forming, conducting, publicizing, and resourcing such groups. And while I
try to answer all inquiries personally, I refer you to the following articles
posted on my main website, my personal A.A. history blog site, and our
aa-history.com site. I list them here by the titles you will find on the
article navigation bars:
The Articles as Listed on
http://www.dickb.com/articles.shtml
A.A. History Study Meetings
A.A. Study Groups
Guide for Recovery Groups
Starting Your Journey
Studying the Steps
Study Group Topics http://dickb.com/studygrouptopics.shtml
The James Club Group http://dickb.com/studymeetings.shtml
Christian Track Treatment
http://www.dickb.com/christian-track.shtml
Guidebook for Christians
http://dickb.com/guidebook-for-christians.shtml
New Study Groups http://dickb.com/new-study-groups.shtml
Seven new titles have come out that will be of specific use
(http://www.dickb.com/titles.shtml).
The first two are available as print-on-demand and also in electronic form.
They can be purchased at such outlets as amazon.com. The first two books contain extensive quotes from A.A.
literature that show how members (present-day and early pioneers) have studied
and handled the study of pertinent books—conference-approved or not!
Stick with the Winners! How to
Conduct More Effective 12-Step Recovery Meetings Using Conference-approved
Literature: A Dick B. Guide for Christian Leaders and Workers in the Recovery
Arena
Pioneer Stories in Alcoholics Anonymous: God’s Role in
Recovery Confirmed!
A New Way
In –
Twelve
Steps for You -
Real
Twelve Step Fellowship History –
The
Conversion of Bill W. –
Introduction to the Sources and Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous
More articles are also coming out each month on this study
group topic, and those who are conducting groups are sending me their flyers
which are available to readers on request.
Gloria Deo
No comments:
Post a Comment