Starting a Group
Making a Difference in Your Community
“As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God.
For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove
that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 9:13)
Thank you for your interest in starting and facilitating a God & The 12 Steps Group. This faith-based recovery program uses the God & The 12 Steps - Breaking the Chains of Addiction Recovery Workbook and The Life Recovery Bible as its curriculum.
A Leadership Training Manual is also available, but only to those who have submitted the required application form and are approved by our leadership council. G. Sharpe will also be available, at certain scheduled times, to give approved group leaders personal instructions on how to follow the manual and successfully conduct meetings from start to finish.
Before submitting your application to start a God & The 12 Steps Group, you should read the list of qualifications below:
Below are some of the qualifications to become a leader (male or female):
* You are called by God to lead a group and have a passion to see people set free from addictions.
* You are gifted to teach and facilitate a group (see Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:7-10; and Ephesians 4:11-13 on spiritual gifts).
* You have a good understanding of God’s Word and are willing to continue studying God’s Word.
* Either you are a pastor, priest or ministry leader, or you have the support of pastoral oversight, church leadership, and/or institution leadership to be a leader of a group.
* If you are not a ministry leader yourself, you are willing to serve under the authority of your pastoral oversight, church leadership, and/or institution leadership and be accountable to your overseers.
* You agree to be trained to lead the group and will lead the group according to the established format.
* If you are recovering from addictions yourself, you are willing to work through these 12 Steps with God (the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) at the center of your recovery, and another trusted person to provide support and accountability.
* When applicable, you will not neglect your first ministry - family - as you serve in this recovery ministry.
Below are some of the responsibilities of a leader (male or female):
* Find a safe location that will authorize you to have your meetings (e.g. your church, your school, a recovery center/home, etc.).
* Establish the day(s) and time(s) that the group will meet. Each meeting should last approximately sixty to ninety minutes.
* Obtain copies of the God & The 12 Steps - Breaking the Chains of Addiction Recovery Workbook and The Life Recovery Bible. They are used as the curriculum for the group.
* Obtain a Leadership Training Manual: (once you are approved by our leadership council, you will be given the option of purchasing a physical copy or a digital copy (e-book) or both.)
* Try to start and end each meeting on time.
* Be prayerful before, during, and after each meeting; you will be teaching God’s Word from both materials mentioned above.
* Be prepared to give Scriptural feedback to attendees during the sharing portion of the meeting.
* Motives for sharing, teaching, and encouraging attendees should be fueled by love, humility, mercy, and grace.
* Challenge the attendees to apply what is taught in each meeting.
Below are some of God’s generous promises to us if we lead a group as servant leaders:
“For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true.” (Hebrews 6:10-11)
“Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” (John 12:26)
“But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” (2 Chronicles 15:7)
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
“So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
“Stay on the path that the LORD your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.” (Deuteronomy 5:33)
“This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’” (1 Corinthians 2:9)