The Twelve Steps of Wholeness

The Twelve Steps of Wholeness by Gary Sweeten
Following a tradition of the early church and the Wesley revival, the Oxford Group systematized a series of “steps” as a process of cleansing one’s inner life. These “steps’ were later adapted by Alcoholics Anonymous, with much of the Christian basis ignored. They are here re-adapted emphasizing the great Christian base so integral to the wholeness sought. Here the center of wholeness is recognized as the Lord Jesus Christ. The “steps” have also been changed to conform to other principles of discipleship and Christian growth. If a Christian will vigorously apply these principles daily and make these decisions, that person will move toward “Teleios” – Wholeness in Christ.

  1. I now see that I, of myself am powerless, unable to control (manage) my life by myself.
Romans 7 & 8 Romans 7:18, 19 Romans 3:9-10, 23
Psalm 32:3-7
  1. I now realize that my Creator, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, can restore me to wholeness in Christ.
Psalm 27:4-5 Ezekiel 36:27 Mark 10:26-27
Romans 8:9 Philippians 2:13
  1. I now make a conscience decision to turn my entire will and life over to the care and direction of Jesus Christ as Teacher, Healer, Savior and Lord.
Joshua 1:8-9 Jeremiah 29:11-14 Jeremiah 32:27
John 10:30 John 14:6 Matthew 28:18,20b
Mark 10:27
  1. Having made this decision, I now obey God’s call in Scripture to make a fearless, ethical, moral and scriptural inventory of my entire life in order to uncover all sins, mistakes, and character defects, and to make a written list of every item uncovered.
Psalm 139:23-24 Lamentations 3:40 Jeremiah 23:24
Romans 8:26-27
  1. After completing this inventory, I now will to “walk in the light, as He is in the light” by admitting to myself, God and to at least one other person in Christ the exact nature of these wrongs.
1John 1:7 Ephesians 5:13, 14 Psalm 119:9-11
1Timothy 1:15 Acts 13:38-39 James 5:13-16
Hebrews 9:14 Acts 2:37, 38
  1. Having agreed with God about my sinful behavior, I now ask His forgiveness through Christ and openly acknowledge that I am forgiven according to the Scripture.
1 John 1:8, 9 James 4:10 1 John 2:1, 2
Psalm 27:13, 14 Psalm 118:18 Psalm 118:17
  1. I now repent (turn away) from all these behaviors in thought, word and deed and ask God to remove each besetting sin, through Jesus Christ.
John: 5:14 John 8:10, 11 Job 11:13-19
Ezekiel 18:30-32 Romans 12:1-2 1 John 2:3-6
2 Corinthians 10:5 Colossians 3:17
  1. I now make a list of all persons I have harmed in thought, word and deed and a list of all persons I believe have harmed me and will make amends to them all.
Ephesians 4:29-32 Hosea 11:1-4 Ephesians 5:1, 2
Luke 6:31 Matthew 5:43, 44 Matthew 18:15
Leviticus 19:17, 18 Mark 12:31 Matthew 5:9
  1. I now go directly to these persons to forgive and to seek forgiveness, reconciliation, restitution, or release whenever and with whomever possible, unless to do so would cause harm.
Matthew 5:23, 24 Isaiah 1:18-20
  1. I now consciously and prayerfully continue to “walk in the light” by unceasingly taking personal inventory of all my temptations and sins, and by keeping a constantly open relationship with God, myself, and other persons.
Matthew 26:41 James 1:13-15 Matthew 6:11-13
Colossians 3:13 Proverbs 30:8, 9 Ephesians 5:15-18
Psalm 4:3-5 Psalm 55:22 1 Peter 5:6, 7
Ephesians 4:22-28
  1. I now continue in regular Scripture, study, prayer, worship and fellowship to increase God’s will in my life.
Acts 2:42 Mark 12:28-33 Matthew 6:33
Psalm 89:15 Joshua 1:8 1 Kings 8:56-61
Colossians 3:12-17
  1. Recognizing the impact of God in my life, I now intentionally share these principles and their effect with others as God’s Spirit leads and will to practice these principles in all areas of my life.
Micah 6:8 Ephesians 5:8 Ephesians 6:10, 11
Psalm 40:8-10 Galatians 5:1 Revelation 12:11
2 Corinthians 3:17