Another Twelve Step Discovery

I’d never seen it before…

StepStudy.org – Twelve Step History and Theory

Having discovered the AA History Lovers Group at Yahoo recently, I’ve been led to many new resources (for me) and I continue to find new information and knowledge. It’s all good!

I did not know that there was a timeline for the development of our Twelve Steps that began in 1908! Now I know

The Twelve Steps began to form with the conversionary experience of Frank Buchman, the originator of The Oxford Group. I’d certainly suggest you click through and read this page then go on to investigate the entire StepStudy.org site. I would like to mention and quote this specific written portion considering how we, today, make sure we tell newcomers the steps are in order for a reason, lol…

“It is not difficult to see the seed of the 12 Steps in Buchman’s experience. The sermon on the Crucifixion gives Buchman the chance to take a moral inventory (step 4). Realizing his powerlessness over his sin (step 1), he fully believes that God can change him (step 2), and so Buchman surrenders himself to God (step 3) and asks God to remove his shortcomings (steps 6&7). Buchman then asks for and receives God’s guidance (step 11). When God tells him to make things right with the hospice Board, Buchman becomes willing to make amends to the Board, and then does so by writing the letters (steps 8&9). Buchman shares the whole experience with his companions at tea (step 5), and then helps a young man to have a similar experience of his own (step 12).

If the comparison of Buchman’s converison experience to the Steps feels jumbled and awkward, it is because Buchman’s experience is the type of spontaneous event that the Steps are meant to systematically reproduce.”

So… I’ll leave you with this thought (hehehe) – Rule 62!