Step Studies:

A group study of the 8 principles and 12 steps of Celebrate Recovery held on a different night other than Fridays, usually for about 1-1/2 hours.

It is an in depth course study of the 8 principles and 12 steps to begin God's healing path for your life.

While Celebrate Recovery addresses specific areas of recovery, the programs (the 4 Participant’s Guides) primary focus is working through the characteristics that fueled the behavior associated with addictions, compulsions, and dysfunctional behaviors…for example, some character defects might include pride, self-centeredness, selfishness, victimization, justification, or resentments; some core issues range from fears, lack of self-worth, loneliness, depression, guilt and shame; and some core issue effects stemming from sexual abuse, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, physical abuse, abandonment both physically and emotionally, and growing up in a dysfunctional home.

Join us for a gender specific group to learn a new way of life, healing, Christian fellowship and a closer relationship with our Lord.

Sign-up sheets are available for men and women in the breezeway on Friday nights for upcoming groups.

Women of Abuse

Emotional, Physical and Sexual Abuse

A Christ centered 12 step/8principle support group learning to deal with emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Abuse is the most personal and damaging form of betrayal. Recovery from abuse is the most intense and emotionally challenging form of recovery.

Survivors of abuse often struggle with powerful issues such as shame, thoughts of suicide, addictions, and even dissociation.

Recovery is a two-fold process. The first step is healing from the traumas done to us in our past; and second step is healing from the influence these past experiences continue to have in our present lives.  

Recovery from the effects of abuse does not follow a precise path.

The experiences and responses of those in this support group will vary widely.

(Most) Survivors of Physical / Sexual / Emotional Abuse . . .

•       Are hesitant to identify themselves as victims of abuse.

•       Feel isolated, depressed, worthless, and helpless to change.

•       Are struggling with feelings about God in relation to their life experiences of being abused.

•       Condemn themselves, denying that the past abuses affects their present circumstances.

•       Feel out of control and defeated in areas of compulsive behavior.

•       Feel angry, bitter, rebellious; have trouble with authority figures.

•       Feel a lack of self-worth.

•       Are preoccupied with thoughts of what it means to have a “normal” relationship with others; mates, friends, family.

•       Question their own sexual identity and may experience confusion regarding their own sexuality.

•       Desire to regain their sexuality and feel safe in intimate relationships.

•       Question self-reality; “Who am I?”

•       Question whether life has a purpose.

•       Feel “at home” in crisis situations.

•       Struggle with perfectionism or “all or nothing thinking.”

•       Desire to have victory through Christ over the life experience of abuse.

Scars remind you of where you have been…but they don’t have to determine where you will go.

Recovery is an ongoing process.

Together…

• We recognize that we are powerless to heal the damaged emotions resulting from our abuse. We look to God for the power to make us whole.

• We acknowledge that God’s plan for our lives includes victory over the experience of abuse.

• We understand that the persons who abused us are responsible for the abusive acts committed against us. We will not accept the guilt and shame resulting from those abusive acts.

• We look to God and His Word to find our identity as worthwhile and loved human beings.

• We are honestly sharing our feelings with God and at least one other person to help us identify the areas that need healing.

• We accept the responsibility for our responses to abuse.

• We are willing to accept God’s help in the decision and the process of forgiving ourselves and those who have perpetrated against us.

• We are willing to mature in our relationships with God and others.

• We are willing to be used by God as an instrument of healing and restoration in the lives of others.

The information and bullet points are partially taken from the books:

“Helping the Victims of Sexual Abuse” by Lynn Heitritter and Jeanette Vought

And “Shelter from the Storm” by Cynthia Kubetin and James Mallory, M.D.

The Hope of Sobriety…

As you advance in your recovery from abuse, be assured that God will grace you with the ability to function in meeting life’s inevitable challenges and surprises.

Living a sober life from abuse means viewing ourselves as ‘survivors’ rather than ‘victims’. We choose to see ourselves as survivors who are strong and who can make life-enhancing and Christ-honoring decisions. Once, we were victims…but now we can and will be survivors who can thrive through God’s grace!

While working toward sobriety in recovery, we will make a faithful commitment to consistently work the program which includes working or having worked through the Celebrate Recovery Step Study, steady attendance at the Friday night meetings including the Open Share Group time, and to have an ongoing relationship with a sponsor and accountability partners. We advocate journaling, daily inventory, transparency, and rigorous honesty.

Hebrews 10:25

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another.

Men’s Sexual Integrity

Christ centered 8 principle/12 step support group for men seeking recovery from lust and compulsive sexual behaviors.

Support group for those seeking recovery from lust and compulsive sexual behaviors. This group provides fellowship, is a safe place to share our struggles, pain, and victories, and helps to establish accountability and mutual support among the group members throughout the week.

Possible Sobriety Definition:

Sexual sobriety means seeking and achieving progressive inner sobriety.

For the unmarried Christian, sexual sobriety means having no form of sex with self or with anyone other than one’s spouse.

The married person may need to consider a “season” of abstinence from sex with his spouse, especially if  early in the recovery process.

The Genesis of Our Addiction

Our lust began as an overpowering desire for pleasurable relief from an inner pain, emptiness or insecurity that we were not able to cope with in any other way.

At first, it did provide the relief we sought. For a time, sex with ourselves or with others dissolved the tension, relieved the depression, resolved the conflict, and provided the means to deal with, or escape from life’s seemingly unbearable situations.

Eventually, our quest for relief became an addiction, and the addiction took on a life of its own. Pleasure and relief were gradually replaced with tension, depression, rage, guilt, and even physical distress.

To relieve this new pain, we resorted to more sex and lust, losing more control in the process. We were driven to spend more time thinking about and carrying out our addiction. We lived in denial to avoid recognizing just how much of our life was controlled by our addiction.

Finally, our addiction took priority over everything: our ability to work, live in the real world, relate with others and be close to God. What began as the cure had become the sickness. The Answer had become the Problem. We were hopelessly addicted to lust.

Overcoming Lust and Temptation

A new loneliness overwhelmed us as we realized that, because of our addiction, we had become increasingly separated from God and our loved ones. We began to seek sobriety, and as we stayed sexually sober for some length of time, we discovered

that even though we may not be acting out our compulsion, our obsession was still with us.

We began to recognize the many disguises the enemy uses to trick us into lusting. We learned not to rely on our failed and weakened selves, but rather, to turn to God’s pure love and absolute power. With an increased reliance on God, we worked on our recovery with altered attitudes, a changed heart and growing humility, and we gained a progressive victory over lust.

As we yielded to God, temptation began to lose its control over us. When we admitted we were powerless and gave our lives and our will over to God, He worked in us, and we began enjoying a healthy new balance in our lives. Leaning on and learning from others in the program, we continue to walk in His strength, gaining true freedom from lust and sin through obedience to Christ our Lord

Food Matters

If hunger isn't the problem...food isn't the answer!  Join us for a healthy evening of sharing thoughts and encouragement and recipes! A great group and an awesome way to learn that "Food Matters"!

This recovery group’s purpose is to learn a new way of living. We have learned that our tendency is to compulsively try to control food or to be out of control with food. At your own pace, you will learn to trust, to ask for your needs to be met, to say “no” when it is appropriate, to express your feelings, and to hang around when all you want to do is run.

Sobriety definition:

Sobriety means I have not overeaten compulsively, binged or purged, starved myself, over exercised, or engaged in any ritualistic eating patterns. Rather, I have released the control of my food and way of eating to the control of God and sought to eat in a sane and healthy manner.

The Women’s Food Addiction Group will provide support to any and all women who struggle with food issues and will focus on strengthening the individual’s relationship with God. This will provide freedom from the ongoing internal battle with food. You can expect to become closer to God through His Word, the Recovery Principles and the love and support of other women.

The Problem

• Throughout our lives many of us have turned to food to ease our pain or fear.

• We felt comfort in eating and found ourselves turning to food whenever we were hurt, angry or frustrated.

• Food became our comforter, our friend.

• Some of us may have one specific food that we have trouble eating in healthy amounts, and that once we start eating it, we cannot stop.

• Some of us may have been emotionally, physically or sexually abused and use food to cope with the emotions of those events.

• Some of us may have had healthy eating habits as children or young adults, but at some point in our lives we chose to overeat and lost the ability to discern when we were physically hungry or when we were physically full.

• Some of us may have turned to food after obtaining sobriety in other areas.

• We thought food was “safe,” not realizing it could become our “drug of choice.”

• We have focused on our body image instead of our health.

• Many of us have tried various diet programs, exercising, medications or many other ways of trying to control our eating habits.

• We have failed over and over and are left feeling guilty, incapable and unlovable.

• We have given in to the idea that there is one perfect diet or pill out there that can save us if only we could find it.

• Some of us believe that thin people do not struggle with food addiction. We have also failed to recognize food as our “drug of choice.”

• As a result of our food addiction, we feel out of control and may struggle with many other areas of our lives.

• Some of us have low self-esteem which may affect our motivation, and our relationship with God and others.

Together…

• We come to realize that we are powerless and could not control our addiction to food.

• We understand that our problems are emotional and spiritual.

• We are ready to face our denial and accept the truth about our lives and our food addiction.

• We are ready to accept responsibility for our actions and make Jesus the Lord of our lives.

• We are dedicated to learning about healthy eating.

• We are committed to learning the difference between physical and emotional hunger.

• We are willing to turn to God when we are not physically hungry.

• We will begin to view food as fuel for our body so that we will not eat unless we are physically hungry and stop when we are physically full.

• We are willing to begin the process of recovery and working through the 12 steps to heal ourselves, and start living the life God has planned for us.

• We are willing to find a Sponsor and Accountability Partners.

• We realize our group provides a safe place to share our fears, hurt or anger and is also a place to rejoice in victories.

• We are willing to face our character defects and work through these feelings in our group.

• We are willing to take the focus off of food and focus on God.

• We recognize that recovery from food addiction is not about our body image or what foods we eat, but it is about trusting God and having an intimate relationship with Him.

• We are willing to believe and trust in God’s love for us, and to see ourselves as He sees us.

• We are willing to seek a closer relationship with God.

• By facing our fears, we have realized that we need Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit in our life to overcome those fears.

• As we surrender our food addiction to God, we will come to know that He is all we need.

• We will continue to seek a daily quiet time with God and will rely on the Holy Spirit as our source of comfort. We will be transformed by the renewing of our minds.

• We will use the tools of recovery: calling our accountability partners, journaling and reading the Bible.

Codependency

This group is for those struggling with the compulsion to rescue and take care of others, have difficulty setting boundaries, or recognizing their own worth.  Members in this group learn to express their own needs and wants in healthy ways.

The key to Codependent sobriety is learning how to have healthy relationships and how to establish and enforce appropriate boundaries that we accurately establish where we end and where another begins.

I can recognize codependent sobriety when I have not actively sought control or manipulate others, given unsolicited advice, or based my self-concept on the well being or approval of others.

While working toward codependent sobriety, I’ll make a faithful commitment to consistently work the program, which includes working or having worked through the CR Step Study, steady attendance at the Friday night meetings, and accountability to a sponsor and accountability partners.  We advocate journaling, daily inventory, transparency and rigorous honesty.

The codependent person can achieve the following:

• Hear the struggles of other Codependents.

• Learn healthy, Christian values for family roles and rules.

• Gain information about healthy sexuality and relationships.

• Break through denial and other unhealthy family patterns.

• Encouragement from the group to find peace, strength and grace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Build healthy relationships by finding love and acceptance in a “safe” place to share.

• Realize that we could not control the addict or their behavior.

• Understand that our problems are emotional and spiritual.

• Face our denial and accept the truth about our lives, and our past issues.

• Realize that blaming ourselves, trying to control the addict and/or ignoring their behavior, refusing to set and uphold our own personal boundaries, are all signs of co-addiction.

• Accept responsibility for our own actions and make Jesus the Lord of our lives.

• Become dedicated to learning about sexual addiction and co-addiction and becoming partners with our spouse in recovery.

• Realize we are not responsible for their addiction or recovery. It is not our job to “cure” them.

• Find healthy ways to release our fears and anger and refuse to use anger inappropriately towards the addict.

• Have a safe place to share fears, hurt or anger and also to rejoice in victories.

• Face our own defects and work through these feelings.

• Take the focus off of the addict and focus on God and our own thoughts and feelings.

A to Z (Men and Women’s Groups)

Christ-Centered 8 principle/12 step support for issues dealing with anger, depression, codependency, relationship issues, work issues, etc.

Sobriety is to discover purpose, to build our self-esteem, and to repair any damage done. I will allow myself to feel my feelings, to accept them and to learn to express them appropriately.

Sobriety means I have not lashed out at others or harbored any ill will toward others but have taken appropriate steps to forgive others and resolve conflicts.

Some possible topics may include discussions of the following: (this is in no way complete!)

Keep in mind these groups are separated - individual groups for men and women:

Anger

Chemically Dependent

Codependency

Physical/Emotional and Sexual Abuse

Adult Children of Family Dysfunction

Sexual Addiction

Eating Disorders and Food Addiction

Women’s Love and Relationship Addiction

Codependent Women in a Relationship with a Sexually Addicted Man

Recovery from Anger Individual groups for men and women

Financial Recovery

Same Sex Attraction

• Learn healthy, Christian values for family roles and rules.

• Gain information about healthy relationships.

• Break through denial and other unhealthy family patterns.

• Give & receive encouragement from the group to find peace, strength and grace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Build healthy relationships by finding love and acceptance in a “safe” place to share.

• Understand that my problems are emotional and spiritual.

• Face my denial and accept the truth about my life, and my past issues.

• Realize that blaming others, trying to control or ignore their behavior, refusing to set and uphold my own personal boundaries, are all signs of my addiction.

• Accept responsibility for my own actions and make Jesus the Lord of my life.

• Realize I am not responsible for others addiction or their recovery. It is not my job to “cure” them.

• Find healthy ways to release my fears and anger and refuse to use anger inappropriately towards anyone including myself.

• Have a safe place to share fears, hurt or anger and also to rejoice in victories.

• Face my own defects and work through these feelings.

• Take the focus off of others and focus on God and my own thoughts and feelings.

Alcohol and Chemical Dependency (Men and Women’s Groups)

If you find that you cannot quit drinking or using even when you honestly want to, or if you have little control over the amount you consume, you are probably an alcoholic or an addict.  If that is the case, you may be suffering with a problem that only a spiritual solution will conquer. Come join us on the Road to Recovery and healing.

Alcoholic and Chemically Dependent Definition:

In order to obtain sobriety I need to abstain from alcohol or a chemical addiction in all its forms one day at a time and continue to apply the recovery steps and principles.

I will stop relying on dysfunctional, compulsive, and addictive behaviors as a temporary “fix” for my pain.

I will apply the biblical principles of conviction, conversion, surrender, confession, restitutions, prayer, quiet time, witnessing, and helping one another, which are found within the 8 recovery Principles and the Christ centered 12 steps.

Celebrate Recovery does not promise to solve your life’s problems. But it can show you how to:

• Work through the 8 Recovery Principles found in the Beatitudes. With Jesus Christ as your Higher Power, you can and will change!

• Live without drinking or using one day at a time with the help of the Higher Power, Jesus Christ.

• Experience the true peace and serenity you have been seeking.

• Learn to stop relying on dysfunctional, compulsive, and addictive behaviors as a temporary “fix” for pain.

• Apply the biblical principles of conviction, conversion, surrender, confession, restitution, prayer, quiet time, witnessing, and helping one another, which are found within the 8 Recovery Principles and the Christ-centered 12 Steps.

• Learn to develop healthy, Christian relationships and break through denial and other unhealthy family patterns.

• Give & receive encouragement from the group to find peace, strength and grace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Face my denial and accept the truth about my life, and my past issues.

• Realize that blaming others, trying to control or ignore their behavior, refusing to set and uphold my own personal boundaries, are all signs of my addiction.

• Accept responsibility for my own actions and make Jesus the Lord of my life.

• Realize I am not responsible for others addiction or their recovery. It is not my job to “cure” them.

• Find healthy ways to release my fears and anger and refuse to use anger inappropriately towards anyone including myself.

• Have a safe place to share fears, hurt or anger and also to rejoice in victories.

• Face my own defects and work through these feelings. Take the focus off of  others and focus on God and my own thoughts and feelings.

When life becomes impossible and passes into the region from which there is no return through human resources, there are but two alternatives:

The first is to go on to the bitter end, blotting out the consciousness of our intolerable situation as best we could.

The second is to accept Jesus Christ as our Higher Power…

We chose to accept Jesus Christ!

Celebration Station

Kids Zone - Children attending Kindergarten up to fifth grade:

This uplifting children’s companion resource to Celebrate Recovery uses the Celebration Station materials for the children of parents attending Celebrate Recovery.

Celebration Station is a complementary children’s program to Celebrate Recovery. So, while adults explore topics that bring hope, healing, and wholeness, kids discover the same truths in age appropriate ways!

Kid’s Rock!

All children from Kindergarten up to in the 5^th grade will enjoy a time of fellowship through games, activities, and snacks, in/at the Kid’s Zone from 7:55pm through no later than 9:05pm.

We value the safety of your children! ALL children on First Alliance property MUST be supervised by their Parent, Children’s Ministry, or Guardian at ALL times! Parents or Guardians of unattended children will be notified.

Please ensure that every effort is made to check your children into our children’s programs especially during a personal testimony which may contain content not suitable for children. Thank you.

A to Z – Christ-Centered 8 principle/12 step support for issues dealing with such topics as anger, depression, codependency, relationship issues, work issues, etc.

Alcohol and Chemically Dependent - If you find that you cannot quit drinking or using entirely, even when you honestly want to, or if you have little control over the amount you consume, you are probably an alcoholic or an addict.  If that is the case, you may be suffering from a problem that only a spiritual solution will conquer. Come! Join us for healing and recovery!

Men’s Sexual Integrity - Christ centered 8 principle/12 step support group for men seeking recovery from lust and compulsive sexual behaviors.

A to Z – Christ-Centered 8 principle/12 step support for issues dealing with such topics as anger, depression, codependency, relationship issues, work issues, etc.

Alcohol and Chemically Dependent - If you find that you cannot quit drinking or using entirely, even when you honestly want to, or if you have little control over the amount you consume, you are probably an alcoholic or an addict.  If that is the case, you may be suffering from a problem that only a spiritual solution will conquer. Come! Join us on the Road to Recovery and healing.

Codependency - This group is for those struggling with the compulsion to rescue and take care of others, have difficulty setting boundaries, or recognizing their own worth.  Members in this group learn to express their own needs and wants in healthy ways.

Food Matters - If hunger isn't the problem...food isn't the answer!  Join us for a healthy evening of sharing thoughts and encouragement and recipes! A great group and an awesome way to learn that "Food Matters"!

Women of Abuse - Christ centered 12 step/8principle support group learning to deal with emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Newcomer Orientation - Celebrate 101 – meets in Room 1 – recommended for all 1^st timers. If you have not attended CR 101 before, this one time small group is a perfect way to get connected.  You will hear the basics of the CR Program and be given some suggestions on the next steps to take on your road to recovery.

Codependency

This group is for those struggling with the compulsion to rescue and take care of others, have difficulty setting boundaries, or recognizing their own worth.  Members in this group learn to express their own needs and wants in healthy ways.

The key to Codependent sobriety is learning how to have healthy relationships and how to establish and enforce appropriate boundaries that we accurately establish where we end and where another begins.

I can recognize codependent sobriety when I have not actively sought control or manipulate others, given unsolicited advice, or based my self-concept on the well being or approval of others.

While working toward codependent sobriety, I’ll make a faithful commitment to consistently work the program, which includes working or having worked through the CR Step Study, steady attendance at the Friday night meetings, and accountability to a sponsor and accountability partners.  We advocate journaling, daily inventory, transparency and rigorous honesty.

The codependent person can achieve the following:

• Hear the struggles of other Codependents.

• Learn healthy, Christian values for family roles and rules.

• Gain information about healthy sexuality and relationships.

• Break through denial and other unhealthy family patterns.

• Encouragement from the group to find peace, strength and grace through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

• Build healthy relationships by finding love and acceptance in a “safe” place to share.

• Realize that we could not control the addict or their behavior.

• Understand that our problems are emotional and spiritual.

• Face our denial and accept the truth about our lives, and our past issues.

• Realize that blaming ourselves, trying to control the addict and/or ignoring their behavior, refusing to set and uphold our own personal boundaries, are all signs of co-addiction.

• Accept responsibility for our own actions and make Jesus the Lord of our lives.

• Become dedicated to learning about sexual addiction and co-addiction and becoming partners with our spouse in recovery.

• Realize we are not responsible for their addiction or recovery. It is not our job to “cure” them.

• Find healthy ways to release our fears and anger and refuse to use anger inappropriately towards the addict.

• Have a safe place to share fears, hurt or anger and also to rejoice in victories.

• Face our own defects and work through these feelings.

• Take the focus off of the addict and focus on God and our own thoughts and feelings.

Don't walk through difficult time alone!

Our Pastors are available to provide compassionate counsel and prayer.

They may be able to provide those in our church family and community that are struggling with more critical needs with appropriate referrals.