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bluidkiti · 09-11-2013, 09:57 AM

SESSION 15

STEP 7 Into Action p. 76: 2

Step 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.
Let God. (76: 1) Grant me strength. (76: 2)

Step 7 written inventory Take Step 7

ION YOUR OWN: STUDY – What did the Big Book authors say?

READ Read Chapter 6, Into Action p. 76, paragraph 2 on Step 7. [See also 265: 0, 1, 2] Many also read Step 7 in the 12&12.

1. - Heard in a meeting: “Humility is our acceptance of who and what we really are, that we are worthwhile, and that we are grateful.”

WRITE Write about the character defects and shortcomings you act out on, and the spiritual principles you might use instead. [Shortcoming: Failure to hit a target. To miss the mark. Out of bounds.]

Heard in a meeting: “Spirituality is what happens to us when we live and breathe the AA Steps and plunge into the Fellowship community.”

TALK Talk with your sponsor and other members of the group about your experiences with Step 7. Discuss your character defects and what you are doing about them.

PRACTICE DAILY MEDITATION / PRAYER

II WITH THE GROUP: PRACTICE – What does the Big Book say to me about my practice of Step 7?
We may read p. 76: 2 Chapter 6, Into Action on Step 7.
Members of the group may be asked to share their experience, strength, and hope on Step 7 by the Big Book. Share your writings on Step 7 in a round robin format.

Points of Focus and Reflection (Consider 76: 2)
1.) Humbly: The action of humility

How has “my way” landed me in difficulty?
Am I acting as my own higher power?
How does my usefulness to myself and others depend on my being balanced?
How does my gratitude for my life in recovery relate to my staying right size?
How may I take a new perspective on the world and so act differently?
How may I grow to have “solution-based” thinking?
How is humility (55: 4) related to honesty (58: 1) and sanity (5: 5; 37: 1) in regards to my own sense of proportion and perspective?
AA literature focuses on humility as seeing things in true perspective, as they really are. [Optional, see also 12&12 pp. 48: 0; 58: 1; 72: 2]
Humility is a sense of our own humanness. We are truly just trying our best.

2.) Asked Him : Prayer

How does the spiritual principle of surrender apply to getting out of the way so a higher power of my understanding can work in my life?
Have I asked other recovering alcoholics to help me by sharing their experience, strength, and hope in this matter of prayer and meditation?
Do I work very hard to act ‘on target,’ in ways that oppose my shortcomings?
Does my higher power do Steps 6 and 7 for me?

3.) Remove our shortcomings: Practice

Why are defects of character in Step 6 called shortcomings in Step 7? (59: 2)
How is my self-centered fear the chief activator of my character defects?
Can I see the many faces of my fear (my defects) and not deny or suppress them?
How may I recognize the fear and anger, bring it to awareness, and deal with it in a healthy manner? Can I ask for help to change my fears?
How can I stop building walls, and act instead as if I want to be happy, serene and sane?
Am I prepared to take an active role in the new and healthier world that I am now a part of?
Can I ask for the strength to do the practice? What does the term ‘practice’ mean to me?

III DAILY PRACTICE OF STEP 7 PRINCIPLES

Has my sense of perspective been out of proportion lately?
How may I accept my powerlessness over my shortcomings as well as my alcoholism?
How may I humbly ask for strength, practice spiritual principles, and get out of my higher power’s way?
Can I become more conscious of my motives and intentions before I act?
Instead of fear and anger, can I respond with love and patience?
May I practice trust and being worthy by practicing being responsible?
Today, can I do what “I don’t want to do”?
Have there been times when I have been able to refrain from acting on a character defect and practice a spiritual principle instead? Do I recognize this as my higher power working in my life?

…………………………………………………………

IV TAKE STEP 7 We take Step 7 in the second paragraph on BB page 76.

See page 78 of this workbook for an optional Step 7 written inventory.

Under the conditions of this day, according to the Big Book, we mark taking Step 7 in the manner you and your group choose. Some recite the powerful Step 7 prayer together.

pp. 83-84
http://www.stepsbybigbook.net/

09-11-2013, 09:57 AM	#60
bluidkiti Administrator Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 75,780	SESSION 15 STEP 7 Into Action p. 76: 2 Step 7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Let God. (76: 1) Grant me strength. (76: 2) Step 7 written inventory Take Step 7 ION YOUR OWN: STUDY – What did the Big Book authors say? READ Read Chapter 6, Into Action p. 76, paragraph 2 on Step 7. [See also 265: 0, 1, 2] Many also read Step 7 in the 12&12. Heard in a meeting: “Humility is our acceptance of who and what we really are, that we are worthwhile, and that we are grateful.” WRITE Write about the character defects and shortcomings you act out on, and the spiritual principles you might use instead. [Shortcoming: Failure to hit a target. To miss the mark. Out of bounds.] Heard in a meeting: “Spirituality is what happens to us when we live and breathe the AA Steps and plunge into the Fellowship community.” TALK Talk with your sponsor and other members of the group about your experiences with Step 7. Discuss your character defects and what you are doing about them. PRACTICE DAILY MEDITATION / PRAYER II WITH THE GROUP: PRACTICE – What does the Big Book say to me about my practice of Step 7? We may read p. 76: 2 Chapter 6, Into Action on Step 7. Members of the group may be asked to share their experience, strength, and hope on Step 7 by the Big Book. Share your writings on Step 7 in a round robin format. Points of Focus and Reflection (Consider 76: 2) 1.) Humbly: The action of humility How has “my way” landed me in difficulty? Am I acting as my own higher power? How does my usefulness to myself and others depend on my being balanced? How does my gratitude for my life in recovery relate to my staying right size? How may I take a new perspective on the world and so act differently? How may I grow to have “solution-based” thinking? How is humility (55: 4) related to honesty (58: 1) and sanity (5: 5; 37: 1) in regards to my own sense of proportion and perspective? AA literature focuses on humility as seeing things in true perspective, as they really are. [Optional, see also 12&12 pp. 48: 0; 58: 1; 72: 2] Humility is a sense of our own humanness. We are truly just trying our best. 2.) Asked Him : Prayer How does the spiritual principle of surrender apply to getting out of the way so a higher power of my understanding can work in my life? Have I asked other recovering alcoholics to help me by sharing their experience, strength, and hope in this matter of prayer and meditation? Do I work very hard to act ‘on target,’ in ways that oppose my shortcomings? Does my higher power do Steps 6 and 7 for me? 3.) Remove our shortcomings: Practice Why are defects of character in Step 6 called shortcomings in Step 7? (59: 2) How is my self-centered fear the chief activator of my character defects? Can I see the many faces of my fear (my defects) and not deny or suppress them? How may I recognize the fear and anger, bring it to awareness, and deal with it in a healthy manner? Can I ask for help to change my fears? How can I stop building walls, and act instead as if I want to be happy, serene and sane? Am I prepared to take an active role in the new and healthier world that I am now a part of? Can I ask for the strength to do the practice? What does the term ‘practice’ mean to me? III DAILY PRACTICE OF STEP 7 PRINCIPLES Has my sense of perspective been out of proportion lately? How may I accept my powerlessness over my shortcomings as well as my alcoholism? How may I humbly ask for strength, practice spiritual principles, and get out of my higher power’s way? Can I become more conscious of my motives and intentions before I act? Instead of fear and anger, can I respond with love and patience? May I practice trust and being worthy by practicing being responsible? Today, can I do what “I don’t want to do”? Have there been times when I have been able to refrain from acting on a character defect and practice a spiritual principle instead? Do I recognize this as my higher power working in my life? ………………………………………………………… IV TAKE STEP 7 We take Step 7 in the second paragraph on BB page 76. See page 78 of this workbook for an optional Step 7 written inventory. Under the conditions of this day, according to the Big Book, we mark taking Step 7 in the manner you and your group choose. Some recite the powerful Step 7 prayer together. pp. 83-84 http://www.stepsbybigbook.net/ __________________ "No matter what you have done up to this moment, you get 24 brand-new hours to spend every single day." --Brian Tracy AA gives us an opportunity to recreate ourselves, with God's help, one day at a time. --Rufus K. When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on. --Franklin D. Roosevelt We stay sober and clean together - one day at a time! God says that each of us is worth loving.