Steps to Christ and the 12 Steps of Recovery

Sinner's Need of Christ

1. Honestly admit you're powerless

Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.

Repentance

2. Believe in God's power

Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’

Philippians 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

3. Surrender to God's care

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

4. Do a moral inventory of yourself

Lamentations 3:40 Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord

Confession

5. Admit to God, yourself, and others the nature of your wrongs

James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Consecration

6. Be willing to let God remove your defects of character

Isaiah 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the good of the land;

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Faith and Acceptance

7. Humbly ask God to remove your shortcomings

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Test of Discipleship

8. Make a list of people you've harmed and be wiling to make amends

Matthew 5:23-24 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

Growing Up Into Christ

9. Make amends, except when to do so would cause harm

Luke 6:31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

The Work and the Life

10. Continued personal inventory, promptly admitting wrongs

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

A Knowledge of God, Privilege of Prayer, What To Do With Doubt

11. Pray for God's will and His power to carry it out

Psalm 19:14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Rejoicing in the Lord

12. Share your experience with others

Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.