To show other alcoholics precisely how we have recovered is the main purpose of this book. Are mind altering substances mentioned in the big book. If there are any court papers please bring them up now and they will be signed at the end of the meeting. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. It is a spiritual journey and the big book is our travel guide. In many bbss meetings, only members who have worked the 12 steps according to this structure are permitted to share. Aa meetings open, closed, big book, 12x12, speaker. Traditions so that, every thirteenth meeting the group focuses on a tradition. The text got this name because the first edition of the book had rather thick pages, making the book even thicker than its content would suggest. Step 1 the doctors opinion bills story there is a solution. His is the fourth edition of the book alcoholics anonymous. Five members of alcoholics anonymous started the first big book step study mens group in hyannis, massachusetts, on the cape.
This is a study guide to the book alcoholics anonymous. Takes the brains out of our head, the love from our heart, the spirit from our soul, prevents us from feeling good feelings, keeps us feeling bad feelings, and then tells us to take our own lives. A study guide for the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous. All references to the topics will be found in the first 164 pages of the book, alcoholics anonymous. This is the fourth edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. When aa isnt enough because the success of aa depends on the participants willingness to initiate change is his or her own life, the program cant really help those who arent yet ready to own up to their problem and take corrective action. It is dedicated to those who want recovery from alcoholism, but have difficulty with the word god. Jan 15, 2017 what a contrast this is to the helplesswithoutgod religiosity in the big book. Here is a pdf version of the first 164 pages found in all aa books. Bs, big book step study, this type of meeting focuses on specific material from the big. We, of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Step 1 we are going to change it up a little and post a big book study workshop that took place in 2011, each speaker is presenting for about an hour on one step. Reading pages 8688 every single morning out of the big book of alcoholics anonymous is a given for me. First whatever chapter we are on and then a story from the back of the book.
In the lower righthand corner it reads, this is the third edition of the big book, the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. Meetings are updated regularly and the time column has been known to have errors showing a date instead of time. During any such meeting to study the aa big book, you would expect to encounter a wide variety of viewpoints on the portions under consideration. There is every evidence that women regain their health as readily as men if they try our suggestions. Big book study meetings are generally closed and are specifically designed. Our activities in behalf of women who drink are on the increase. The first edition appeared in april 1939, and in the following sixteen years, more than 300,000 copies went into circulation.
We wish to make the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous part of our. Big book step study this type of meeting focuses on specific material from the big book and the book. When the study is completed, each member will have read through chapter seven of the book alcoholics anonymous including the preface and forewords to all editions. For the newcomer aa intergroup alcoholics anonymous, houston. Make regular announcements about group business, events and information about the availability of literature. Readings from as bill sees it can inspire sharing on discussion topics. In the case of big books, a number of meetings in the area give new members a copy to keep for their own use. For them, we hope these pages will prove so convincing that no further authentication will be necessary. The following are four basic 60minute aa meeting formats. Wilson, one of the founders of alcoholics anonymous aa. The primary purpose of this site is to carry the message contained within the big book of alcoholics anonymous.
Eye opener thursday meeting format bigbook study chairpersons instructions. Time limit of 3 minutes per share with a 5 minute introduction to the step being discussed. Since the first edition appeared, in 1939, it has helped millions of men and women recover from alcoholism. Welcome to a big book study meeting of alcoholics anonymous. It is my time to show up for my higher power and get grounded and get my instructions for the day. These can help if youre starting a new meeting, want to change your format, or youve lost your format and need one at a moments notice. Big book workbook is for those who are willing to grow along spiritual lines 60. Aaalcoholics anonymous meeting format choopersguide. At a big book meeting, they readdiscuss and hopefully study the big book. Our format florida big book step study all addictions.
The individual sections of this study guide material reflect ideas, emotions and attitudes you might hear from the mouth of that old timer over in the corner. Aa is not allied with any sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution. Friday wakefield big book step study congregational church 1 church st 7. Sobrietythe freedom from alcoholthrough the teaching and practicing of the twelve steps is the sole purpose of an aa group. Some groups may also choose to read the promises from pages 83 and 84 of the big book, the first two pages of chapter three from the big book, etc. More about alcoholism m ost of ushave been unwilling to admit we were real alcoholics. Wednesday manchester big book step study st paul methodist church 335 smyth rd 7. Day time est name of the meeting password meeting format meeting type website url. This is a link to the complete 4 th edition of the aa bigbook online. Wednesday nashua big book 12 step study united methodist church 154 main st 7. Experience the big book aa meetings available online. Our goal is to study the steps as a friendly, focused group, and work them as the authors of the big book described.
By attending digital meetings, groups can focus on a. Alcoholics anonymous aa is an international mutual aid fellowship with the stated purpose of enabling its members to stay sober and help other alcoholics achieve sobriety. Mikes coverage of the alcoholics anonymous book and other aarelated materials was a godsend in my life. Mgm group big book steps study open recovery meeting. How to create an online meeting options for meeting online which includes anonymity settings. Alcoholics anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.
There is a few meetings that are good hear and all due to the steerage. Copyright alcoholics anonymous world services, inc. Readings are not required as a part of any groups meeting format. The following are four basic 60minute aa meeting formats with literature excerpts, all in one pdf. Its only membership requirement is a desire to stop drinking. There are many page references to help each person working the steps to easily refer back to aas major text. For signing in please call contact ideally 24 hours before the meeting at the latest. Step meeting, speaker meeting, big book study meeting suggested formats. The reason is, the bb is the basic textbook for recovery in aa. You can click on this link to learn more about what to expect at different meetings. Alcoholics anonymous getting back to basics big book step study hyannis format we are looking at adopting a new format for some of our meetings, it is called the hyannis format and is based on a format developed in hyannis, massachusetts by some recovered alcoholics. In order to speak at this meeting you must have completed a fourth step as it is laid out in the big book with the help of a big book step study sponsor and currently be practicing steps 9, 10, 11, and 12. These step study guides and worksheets have been used by thousands of aas, nas, alanons, oa overeaters, cas, gas and other 12 step recovery program members that use the 12 steps as instructed in the book, alcoholics.
List of big book step study bbss groups in the united. Eye opener thursday meeting format big book study chairpersons instructions for use in aa meetings hosted at. During any such meeting to study the aa big book, you. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.
Experience the big book is a guided, detailed study of the aa big book and 12 steps, by dr. Use them on a tablet or smartphone zooming where necessary. What we endeavor to do is share our experience working the 12steps from the book alcoholics anonymous. This is the great news this book carries to those who suffer from alcoholism. We are looking at adopting a new format for some of our meetings, it is called the hyannis format and is based on a format developed in hyannis, massachusetts by some recovered alcoholics. It is the bare minimum i am instructed to do, along with meditation, every morning. The following article appeared in the grapevine, february, 1971. Join us on monday nights to share in petes experience, strength and hope as a big book scholar. Intergroup newsletter january 2020 february 2, 2020 10.
Big book study aims to clarify aas textbook the tuesday night big book study at cotton tree is designed to increase participants understanding of the principles of aas 12 step program of recovery but is not designed to replace oneonone sponsorship. At big book meetings, the group in attendance will take turns reading a. Whether youre new to aa, or youre a seasoned veteran, this is the easiest and most useful app to aid in your recovery. Due to yesterdays decision of government of czech republic to put the whole country in the state of emergency, the na porici 1042 premise where englishspeaking aa meetings are usually held is temporary closed. Aa big book with questions for discussion emotional. The purpose of this study guide is to enable the student to better understand the information the authors of the book, alcoholics anonymous, intended to impart to each of us based on their experience and knowledge of alcoholism and their program of recovery. We of alcoholics anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Speaker meeting, big book study meeting suggested formats. Halt is good for newcommers but does not give the permanent and lasting recovery that the program promises. A fourth study guides are distilled right out of the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Littleton big book step study first congregational church 189 main st 7. But what we have said applies quite as much to women.
New hampshire aa big book step study meetings concord nhbbss. Discussion on the book would often be prefaced by well, im not sure if this part of the book applies to sex addiction so instead we use some hybrid recovery tool. The big book study guide helps us to examine the contents of virtually every sentence in the original text of the big book. The podcast will be one step each day for the next 12 days. There are a few basic types of aa meetings and the format varies depending on whether, for instance, its an open discussion or a big book study. The big book step study bbss format, based upon an aa meeting format originated in hyannis, mass. Bs big book step study the focus is on some aspect of the 12 steps from the big book. The saturday morning big book step study meeting of alcoholics anonymous normally meets every saturday from 9 a. Big book step study friends meeting house 103 marion rd, rt 6 7. Friday medford mens big book step study unitarian universalist church 147 high st 7. Miracles in progress 12 step recovery forums alcoholics anonymous alcoholics anonymous big book study format. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism is often referred to in alcoholics anonymous meetings aa as the big book. The titled side also tells us what the book alcoholics anonymous is to members of the alcoholics anonymous fellowship.
Aa meeting format a suggested format for conducting an. Theres really nothing to be scared of about going to an aa meeting. Given current events we have moved to a virtual meeting only, until further notice. Step meeting an experienced aa member goes through all the twelve steps, along the big book, in 4 meetings the whole meeting in as many weeks. Meeting types and descriptions alcoholics anonymous in. Groups often organize in order to read and discuss the book, hoping to give the newcomer an understanding of what the alcoholics problem is and what solution is being presented. The big book the main 164 pages, prayers, personal stories, and more. Aa meeting format a suggested format for conducting an a. First the step of the month then the tradition of the month.
To wives w ith few exceptions, our book thus far has spoken of men. Let us open the meeting with a moment of silence to do with as you wish followed by the serenity prayer. The person who is chairing the meeting chooses the story. Closed aa meetings are limited to those having a desire to stop drinking only.
The hyannis format page see link above, or click here also contains a bit of history about how and why bbss came into being. The second edition, published in 1955, reached a total of more than 1,150,500 copies. To assist our next meeting, i thought i would post what we read today until the end of the chapter, with the questions from in 1 documen. From beginning to end, living sober is about abstinence staying away from the first drink a day at a time. Honey brook pa celebrates its 18th anniversary with a potluck on friday, 2720, from 6. Aa articles aa speakers our big book study meetings are based on following a big book study guide which examines virtually every sentence in the basic text for alcoholics anonymous. The free version features the full text of the big book, prayers, personal stories, podcasts, meeting finder, and more. These are general descriptions of the various meetings. If you havent done the steps this way or are not sure, please pass and check with the chairperson after the meeting.
Saturday charlestown big book step study constitution. The story of how many thousands of men and women have recovered from alcoholism generally known as the big book because of the thickness of the paper used in the first edition is a 1939 basic text, describing how to recover from alcoholism, primarily written by william g. Big book step study hyannis format the primary purpose group. Meeting types and descriptions alcoholics anonymous in rhode. Bbss meetings bbss groups and meetings are primarily found along the eastern seaboard of the united states. It is the contention of the author in this study guide of the aa basic text, that recovered alcoholics have tapped a source of power greater than themselves. A similar statement is made in the middle of the fourth edition dust cover. Massachusetts aa big book step study meetings concord. Really grateful these meetings were captured in podcast format so that i could study along as learn what i frequently refer to as fundamental teachings of our 12step program. We are not experts on the big book of alcoholics anonymous. Meeting opens with selected reading from aa approved literature, followed by topic discussion of the steps. Many books with wisdom can be read endlessly, and you find something new each time.
I stress this because aa is currently under attack for its bedrock principle of abstinence. All meetings are located in building 3752, except the womens aa meeting each day a new beginning on saturday which is located in building 3810, rheinlandpfalz army library. It may be helpful to point out what is at times a source of confusion for aa members. Other groups read from the big book weekly and discuss each chapter as they go along.
The program of alcoholics anonymous is not an intellectual challenge. Two study guides for the big book of alcoholics anonymous the first study guide has a summary of each book and then hundreds of follow up questions to answer and add sobriety notes. The big book, alcoholics anonymous some groups discuss one chapter from the big book each week. T, tradition, the second half of the 12 and 12 are the focus of these meetings.
Massachusetts aa big book step study meetings concord nhbbss. This is the beginning of the body of the meeting, see page 2. Big book study guides for aa kindle edition by wilson. The purpose of this meeting is to help alcoholics fully recover by the studying, discussing, and practicing of the twelve steps as they are laid out in the big book. Eventually the group chose to keep the question and answer book study format, but to use a modern hybrid 12step book instead of the big book. Aa is nonprofessional, selfsupporting, and apolitical. Only ten days away been stuck in dysfunctional aa land for one year and in a culture that i do not accept but have been tolerant. Covid19 related online meetings update march, 2020 9. This study material sticks closely to aas big book, alcoholics anonymous. We take six or so paragraphs from the book addressing each step and provide a panel of speakers who share continue reading open, big book, step study.