Working the Steps

Step 2 : We come to believe that God can restore us to sanity.

About ten years ago I spotted action sentences from the 12&12 about step 2.

"Just resign from the debating society and quit bothering yourself with such deep questions as whether it was the hen or the egg that came first." (about what God and sanity are.)

"The fact is that we had not cleaned house so the Grace of God could enter."

The word sponsor is used about 12 times in 12&12 step 2 . The Big Book, (Alcoholics Anonymous), tells that helper to "walk day by day in the path of spiritual progress" with the new person.

Instead of discussing God and insanity in discussion meetings, sane action suggests brief remarks about our use of action tools. "Keep it effectively brief."

Two minutes max in discussion meetings demonstrates sane effective recovery.

Fifteen minutes max in a speaker meeting was suggested by AA's co-founder Bill Wilson.

The Big Book suggests a structured three part story: "What it was like, What happened, and What it is like now." Some experienced convention speakers even use cue sheet cards or sheets. AA's #M1 beginner's meeting package instructions suggest that chairpersons might even prepare their presentation prior to that life-critical event !

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