Leaders’ Course Resources

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable

“But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can't keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realise that I don't have what it takes. I can will it, but I can't do it. I decide to do good, but I don't really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don't result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time.” Romans 7:17-20 – The Message

Topic for thought

The subject of this week’s session is powerlessness. We have come to see that over the years we have been powerless to successfully change our addictive behaviour no matter how hard we have tried. We may have occasionally found short-term success, but it has possibly never lasted. As a result our lives have become increasingly unmanageable and out of control.

The Issue

The purpose of Step 1 is to enable us to step out of the shadowy world of denial and to start living in the light of truth. It is the most important step of all and is absolutely foundational to the success of the 12 Step programme. It is upon this step that all the other steps are built. If at a later stage we relapse, it is this step we have to come back to and do again. In completing this step successfully a whole new way of life will begin for each one of us.

Session 3 – Powerless

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  • WATCH OR DOWNLOAD VIDEO

  • WATCH OR DOWNLOAD VIDEO

    Every group is different. For each session, choose the approach that works best for your group: select one of the testimony videos that you feel fits with your group, invite someone to share their recovery story live, or choose not to include a testimony.

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Weekly Resources for Guests

After each session, you can give your guests access to the resources for that week. These are designed to help them revisit the session, reflect on what they have learned and continue exploring the week's theme between sessions.

What's included?

Each week's guest resources include:

  • Session Video
    Watch the session again or revisit a particular section.

  • Pause for Thought
    Take some time to reflect on the themes explored during the session.

  • Coursework
    Continue exploring the week's theme and put what you have learned into practice.

How to give your guests access

At the end of each session, simply share the link to that week's resources with your guests.

You can share the link in whatever way works best for your group, for example by email, text message or WhatsApp.

If some guests would prefer to work from printed materials, you can also print the Pause for Thought and Coursework and give these to them at the end of the session.

Choose whichever approach works best for your group. You can also use a combination of digital and printed resources to make sure everyone can access the materials in a way that works for them.

Session 3 Resources

Weekly Course Session Resources