In September I completed a 12-Step program that I started in January. I also finished a year-long counseling program in July. It's been a hell of a year and I have been trying hard to work on testimonies to share. I always seem to have several stories in one and it's hard for me to break them apart. (Pray for me there.)
Each of us has a hurt, hang-up, or habit. Usually, getting through one, only reveals another that we need to work through. I can't say enough about either of the programs that I've been in. The good news is the 12-step study has started again and you can join. Here is some information below.
What is Celebrate Recovery? You’ve probably heard of Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous. These are both 12-step programs that deal with the single type of addiction in their name. '12-step' is exactly as it sounds, 12-steps that each program is built on to provide the participant with healing as they walk through each step. The steps are similar in nature for most of the programs.
Celebrate Recovery is a Biblical based program that not only includes the 12-steps but also the healing power of God and his word. This program covers ALL hurts, hang-ups, and habits. In one class, you will hear people share all kinds of experiences. One person may struggle with addiction to drugs or porn, while another is working through a divorce or past trauma like sexual abuse, or an affair.
There may be more classes than what I have experienced in this program but here are the ones that have I have attended:
Weekly Meeting: One night a week there is a group meeting that is open to anyone. Participants come together to worship, watch a video, share testimony, etc... Then the group will break up into Male/Female groups for deeper discussion or lessons. I’ve only been to two of these.
Step Study: When I learned about this option, I chose to attend this one instead. I knew that I needed something deeper. There are two levels to this class (eight books total). I’ve only attended the first level of four books, called ‘The Journey Begins’. The second round is called ‘The Journey Continues’ which I will do at some point in the future.
I imagine that both rounds run about the same length of time and format. The first round runs approximately nine months long. (About an hour and a half one night a week). I started in January and completed the fourth book in September.
Members do the lessons on their own each week. Then during the night of the class, every person shares their answer to every single question. It involves a brutally honest bit of sharing and transparency. You might cringe about sharing in a group environment but no one can talk over each other, correct, or analyze another person. It is a place for you to say exactly what you need to say, exactly how you need to say it without judgment. Any dialogue between two people will happen for one of two reasons; either because you have asked a question about your situation or through one on one time with any sponsor or accountability partner that you establish.
Each week, the group will pick up exactly where it left off in the book, which is why the length of the class is only an approximate time in months. It depends on the number of participants and how far you get each week.
Being able to share your experience and listen to others breaks down the walls of isolation. You are not the ONLY person dealing with your exact issue or the size of an issue. Listening to others also provokes a lot of thought and insight. Accountability partners and sponsors can also ask you great questions that you may not have considered on your own.
You might not want to say certain things out loud, even to yourself but let us not forget John 8:32 – tells us that the TRUTH will set us free. –By freeing that truth that you’ve been holding bottled up inside. Trust me when I tell you, that sometimes we don't even know that we're bottling something up.
Cost: The books are $21 for the set, which you can purchase online or in class. If you need childcare, Northside Church does have a reimbursement program for participants. So, don’t let that stop you. The church that I am referencing is located in Grafton. If this is too far for you, you can enter your zip code in the main Celebrate Recovery site. It will return a list of other sessions that may be closer to you.
Dates: At Northside, the ladies class is on Sunday's at 5:00. The Men's class is on Tuesday's at 6:30. Both classes have just started but you can still join for a few weeks.
For more information please visit: http://www.crnorthsidecc.org/step-study.html
Or email Aulsie Hojnicki at crnorthside12@gmail.com
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to message me on Facebook or send me an email. You can even text me if you know me personally and have my number.
Prayers to you friend.
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