16 Specific Practices Associated with the Original Akron A.A. "Christian Fellowship" Program

16 Specific Practices

Associated with the Original Akron A.A. “Christian Fellowship” Program

Bill W. and Dr. Bob Developed

© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved

The following practices, with the summary of the original program by Frank Amos in DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers,[1]show why Albert Scott spoke on behalf of so many Rockefeller observers and characterized the program in this way: “Why, this is first century Christianity! What can we do to help?”[2] In reporting on the program itself, Frank Amos had said that “in many respects, their meetings have taken on the form of the meetings described in the Gospels of the early Christians during the first century.”[3] And there is certainly ample basis for such conclusions in the book of Acts. See Acts 2:38-47, 4:31-37, 10: 34-48, 17:1-4, 19:1-11

And here are 16 actual practices of the original Akron A.A. “Christian Fellowship” during the period from June 10, 1935, to the publishing of the First Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous (the "Big Book") in April 1939:

1. Qualifying the newcomer. Newcomers—and often their wives—were interviewed by Dr. Bob (and other pioneer AAs) to determine: if they had conceded that they had an uncontrollable alcoholism problem; if they had shown a desire to quit permanently; and if they had committed themselves to go to any length to stay sober.[4]

2. Hospitalization was a must. Newcomers were hospitalized for a period of some five-to-seven days. They were medicated to prevent seizures and other problems. During this time, Dr. Bob would visit extensively each day, other sober alcoholics would tell the newcomer their stories, the Bible was the only reading material allowed, and Dr. Bob would offer the newcomer the opportunity to "surrender" before release.[5]

3. “Surrender” by the newcomer before discharge after his five-to-seven-day stay at the hospital. Before the newcomer was discharged from the hospital, Dr. Bob would conduct his final visit and require that the newcomer profess a belief in God—not “a” God, but God.[6] Then the newcomer would get out of his bed, get down on his knees, and pray with Dr. Bob, accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in the process.[7]

4. Upon leaving the hospital, in the case of Clarence Snyder at least, Clarence was taken to his first Oxford Group meeting at T. Henry’s house, given a Bible by Dr. Bob, and told by Dr. Bob to “go out and fix drunks as an avocation.”[8] This practice of telling the newcomer, at the time he surrendered to God, that he must go out and help other drunks was consistent from the very first.

5. Most went to live in the Smith residence or in the residences of other Akron people like Wally G. and Tom L. They stayed as long as needed in order to get steady in their path.[9]

6. There were Christian fellowship meetings every day, with Dr. Bob, Anne, and Henrietta Seiberling. These included group Bible study, prayer, and Quiet Time observances.[10]

7. In addition, each morning, alcoholics and their family members gathered at the Smith home for a Quiet Time conducted by Anne, with prayer, Bible reading, seeking guidance, and discussion of portions of Anne’s personal journal.[11]

8. There was one “Oxford Group” meeting each Wednesday at the home of T. Henry Williams—a meeting unlike any other Oxford Group meeting. These meetings scarcely resembled conventional Oxford Group meetings. Oldtimers Wally and Annabelle G. said they had read a lot about the Oxford Group meetings being held at the Mayflower [in 1933] but that “it wasn’t until later that they realized the meeting at T. Henry’s was 'sort of a clandestine lodge of the Oxford Group.'”[12] Dorothy S. M., wife of Dr. Bob's sponsee, Clarence S., observed in 1937 that the meeting was “a regular old fashioned prayer meeting.”[13] Dr. Bob’s son, Robert R. (“Smitty”) Smith, in a telephone conversation with me from his home in Nocona, Texas, described the meetings as “old fashioned revival meetings.”[14] Author Nan Robertson quoted Dr. Bob's son, Smitty, as follows: “It was kind of like an old fashioned revival meeting.”[15] Some called the group itself “the alcoholic squad.”[16] Oxford Group activist Willard Hunter called the group the “alcohol squad of the Oxford Group.” Frank Amos referred to the group as the “self-styled Alcoholic Group of Akron, Ohio.”[17] Dr. Bob called the group a “Christian Fellowship.”[18] Frank Amos declared, “Members did not want the movement connected directly or indirectly with any religious movement or cult; they stressed the point that they had no connection whatever with any so-called orthodox religious denomination, or with the Oxford Movement. (Obviously, Amos meant the Oxford Group).”[19] Bob E. stated:

Dr. Bob and T. Henry “teamed” the meeting; T. Henry took care of the prayers with which the meeting was opened and closed. “There were only a half dozen in the Oxford Group. We [the alcoholics] had more than that. Sometimes, we’d go downstairs and have our meeting, and the Oxford Group would have theirs in the sitting room.”[20]

9.  The “real surrender” by each newcomer at a “regular” meeting on Wednesday. And at these weekly meetings, there was a time in which newcomers were required to make a “real surrender” with Dr. Bob and one or two others upstairs. There the newcomer, on his knees, accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, asked that alcohol be taken out of his life, and asked strength and guidance to live according to cardinal Christian teachings. The elders prayed with him after the manner of James 5:16.[21]

10 There was extensive reading of Christian devotionals and literature provided by Dr. Bob, or recommended by Dr. Bob or his wife, and/or distributed or made available at meetings.[22]

11. There was particular stress on study of the Book of James, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), and 1 Corinthians 13.[23]

12. Meetings concluded with invitations to reach out to newcomers in the hospital and elsewhere, and then closed with the Lord’s Prayer.[24]

13. There was frequent socializing in the homes, particularly on Saturday evenings.[25]

14. The little group of members and wives knew each other well. They frequently phoned one another. They frequently visited the homes of each other. They gathered for parties, dances, covered-dish suppers, and picnics. They prayed together. And they frequently had meals together.[26]

15. Keeping track of names, addresses, phone numbers, and sobriety information about each member was commonplace as evidenced by their address books and rosters. They kept little address books with the names, phone numbers, and street addresses of the pioneers. Also, this data was listed on some of the rosters which they kept and which are discussed next.[27]

16. The easy to find, extant rosters they kept, make it equally simple today to name and document the successes, relapses and returns, and failures among the original AAs. Particularly evidenced by the hand-written memo and roster kept by Dr. Bob and on file in the Rockefeller Archives today. Other rosters of the names and addresses, sobriety dates, and relapses, if any, were kept and still exist today. Richard K. of Massachusetts—author of four major works on early A.A. history, including studies of the “First 40” cures, about early articles about A.A., and about statistics relating to A.A.—has discussed these rosters.[28] Richard spent several months with me in Maui reviewing the rosters and materials I had, as well as materials he obtained from A.A. General Services in New York and elsewhere. He carefully examined photocopies of original documents, newspaper accounts, and extant lists of the early A.A. members and their sobriety records. His work is the most important study of early A.A. successes, cures, and announcements written to date. There are also my own copies of the pioneer member rosters which were acquired by me from several A.A. historians such as Earl Husband, George Trotter, Sue Smith Windows (Dr. Bob’s daughter), and Ray Grumney (former long-time archivist and member of the managing board at Dr. Bob’s Home in Akron). Their value became particularly valuable when other evidence was reviewed and clearly disclosed that early AAs commonly kept address books—many of which contained names, addresses, phone numbers, sobriety information, and relapse and death notations. As a group, these rosters enable an accurate evaluation of the successes of the original 40 pioneers surveyed by Bill W. and Dr. Bob in November 1937. And they provide important evidence relating to the 75% and 93% successes rates (overall, and in Cleveland, respectively) early A.A. claimed. Recently, an anonymous friend from New Jersey supplied me with a copy of a roster in Dr. Bob’s own hand, written on his medical office stationary, and listing all the successful original members, giving names, drinking history, relapses if any, sobriety dates, and age. It came from the Rockefeller Archives in New York. I now possess one I secured from those archives. It is a vital, new piece of evidence apparently unknown to those who have disputed the early A.A. successes or temporized about the reason for them.

End

---

[1]      DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 135.

[2]     “Pass It On,” 183.

[3]      DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 135-136.

[4]     DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 109, 110, 112, 168, 195.

[5]     DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 102, 168.

[6]     See Mitchell K., How It Worked: The Story of Clarence H. Snyder and the Early Days of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio (Washingtonville, NY: AA Big Book Study Group, 1999), 57. Clarence Snyder specifically related that Dr. Bob “pointed a long bony finger at him, and asked, ‘Young feller, do you believe in God? Not a God, but God!’”

[7]     See Mitchell K., How It Worked, 58.

[8]     Dick B., That Amazing Grace: The Role of Clarence and Grace S. in Alcoholics Anonymous (San Rafael, CA: Paradise Research Publications, 1996), 26.

[9]     DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 115-16, 177-80, 182; see also: Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age, 10-11, 19, 22, 24; Nell Wing, Grateful to Have Been There, 81; and Dick B., The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous, 181-215.

[10]    The Co-Founders, 13.

[11]    See Bob Smith and Sue Smith Windows, Children of the Healer: The Story of Dr. Bob’s Kids (Center City, MN: Hazelden, 1992), 41, 29, 42-44; and Dick B., The Akron Genesis of Alcoholic Anonymous, 62-63, 109-10, 202-08

[12]    DR, BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 121.

[13]    DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 121, 101.

[14]    Dick B., The Good Book-Big Book Guidebook (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2006), 66.

[15]    Nan Robertson, Getting Better Inside Alcoholics Anonymous (NY: Fawcett Crest, 1988), 50.

[16]    DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 100, 137.

[17]    DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 128.

[18]    DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 118.

[19]    DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 135.

[20]    DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 142.

[21]    DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 88-89, 139; Mitchell K., How It Worked, 70; and Dick B., The Golden Text of A.A.: God, the Pioneers, and Real Spirituality (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1999), 31-32.

[22]    Dick B., The Books Early AAs Read for Spiritual Growth, 7^th ed.; Dick B., Dr. Bob and His Library, 3^rd ed.; and Dick B., Good Morning!: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation, and Early A.A., 2d ed.

[23]    The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks (NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1972, 1975), 13.

[24]    DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 121, 131, 141, 146-48.

[25]    These first 14 points are discussed in many books by Dick B. and others. One of the most recent and complete discussions is in Dick B., Real Twelve Step Fellowship History, 6-13. See also Dick B., Introduction to the Sources and Founding of Alcoholics Anonymous (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2007), 15-23; Dick B., When Early AAs Were Cured and Why, 3^rd ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications Inc., 2006); Dick B., The Golden Text of A.A.: God, the Pioneers, and Real Spirituality (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2000); Dick B., The James Club and the Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials. 4^th ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 2005); and Dick B., The Akron Genesis of Alcoholics Anonymous, Newton ed. (Kihei, HI: Paradise Research Publications, Inc., 1998). See also: Mary C. Darrah, Sister Ignatia: Angel of Alcoholics Anonymous (Chicago: Loyola University Press, 1992); Mitchell K., How It Worked: The Story of Clarence H. Snyder and the Early Days of Alcoholics Anonymous in Cleveland, Ohio (Washingtonville, NY: AA Big Book Study Group, 1999); DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers; and The Co-Founders of Alcoholics Anonymous: Biographical Sketches Their Last Major Talks (NY: Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc., 1972, 1975).

[26]   DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 145-48.

[27]    There are specific discussions of these early address books.  For example, Henrietta D., wife of A.A. Number Three, said, “They handed out little address books with everybody’s name in it. . . . the ones who had phone numbers, there they were. And when they said, ‘Drop in on us—anytime,’ they meant it.” A.A.’s biography of Dr. Bob states, “the telephone played an important role in A.A. from the beginning. Alex M., who came into A.A. in 1939, recalled, 'Bob E. made up little address books [as did Elgie R. and others afterward,] and every one of us got one.'” DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, 145-46. The author, Dick B., has and displays copies of the pages from Anne Smith’s address book, containing the addresses of early AAs. They are shown at Christian recovery conferences.

[28]    (1) Richard K., A New Light: "The First Forty": A Chronological Survey of the Early AA Pioneers (1934-1938) (Haverhill, MA: Golden Text Productions, 2003)--now included in New Freedom–cited below); (2) Richard K., So You Think Drunks Can't Be Cured? Press Releases by Witnesses to the Cure (Haverhill, MA: Golden Text Publishing Company, 2003); (3) Richard K., Early AA: Separating Fact from Fiction: How Revisionists Have Led Our History Astray (Haverhill, MA: Golden Text Publishing Company, 2003); and (4) Richard K., New Freedom: Reclaiming Alcoholics Anonymous (n.p.: n.p., 2005–marked "Manuscript Submitted for Inspection: Loan Copy")

Guide for Recovery Study Groups Patterned on Early A.A. in Akron

A Suggested Guide for Recovery Groups and Meetings Patterned on Early AA
Dick B.
© 2011 Anonymous. All rights reserved
August 11, 2011
P. O. Box 837
Kihei, HI 96753-0837
(808 874 4876)
email: dickb@dickb.com
URL: http://www.dickb.com/index.shtml

Introductory Comment

For the past three of four years, and particularly in 2011, scarcely a day goes by that someone does not phone, fax, email, or mail me with the following questions: How to (1) Start a Big Book/Bible Study Group in AA; (2) Hold an old-time, early AA meeting, (3) Organize a recovery group organized in connection with a church, a para-church, or a Christian recovery fellowship in the church; (4) Organize a group of AAs and NAs who want to focus on the early AA Christian Fellowship, and its reliance on the Creator, coming to Him through Jesus Christ, Bible Study, and the old fashioned prayer meetings as they were frequently called, and Quiet Times.

Each communicant has a different agenda, a different point of origin, and a unique 12 Step, recovery group or church community background.

Hence, before beginning with answers and suggestions, I have found it helpful to have each person supply me directly with the following:

1. Their name, mail address, phone number, email, and website, if any.

2. A brief statement of their alcoholism or addiction story.

3. The length of their continuous sobriety or freedom from addiction.

4. Their religion, church or group, and religious beliefs.

5. Whether they believe in the Creator, have accepted Christ, and are willing to lead.

6. Their familiarity with the Big Book, taking the Twelve Steps, and a fellowship

7. Their familiarity with the Bible, and which version

8. The name, address, religion, and faith beliefs of their pastor or priest, if any.

9. The number of people they plan to reach at the beginning.

10. The immediate financial resources they have for acquiring start-up literature.

11. Whether they have read my books, and, if any, the books they’ve read.


When the foregoing have been answered by phone, email, or other communication, I welcome personal calls by phone to discuss moving forward and initial guidance.

Specific Suggestions

Suggested Format for Recovery Group Meetings

Open the Meeting as Follows:
This is the regular meeting of the (i.e.) “The James Club of Maui” or
“The Shoemaker Twelve Step Study” or the “Good Book/Big Book
Study Group”
My name is xxx, and I am your secretary
We will open the meeting with a moment of silence to do with as you wish

Followed by a prayer; and the secretary or chosen person prays (i.e.)
“Heavenly Father. We ask in the name of Jesus Christ for your blessing on this meeting of those who are here to overcome their life-controlling problems such as alcoholism, addictions, and other dependencies. We ask that your wisdom and guidance show us your will for our lives, your way to victory, and how we may glorify you in all that we do here.”

This group patterns its work after that of the first Alcoholics Anonymous Group, which was formed in Akron,
Ohio, The early A.A Christian Fellowship in Akron; stressed the Bible; was known as AA Number One; was a Christian Fellowship; and relied on the Creator to overcome the problems of the members. To the same end, we’ll review several verses from the Bible that guided them in their work:

God’s love: For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life@ (John 3:16)

God’s will: Who will have all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge
of the truth (1 Tim 2:4)

God’s word of faith: That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead, thou
shalt be saved (Rom 10:9)

His Word is truth: Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth (John 17:17)

Faith in God: But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God
must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him: (Heb 11:6)

Obeying God: Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promises (Heb 10:35-3 6)

God’s Two Great Commandments: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it,
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets (Matt 22:37-40)


Forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy
diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies. Who satisfieth thy mouth with
good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103:3-5)

The Gospel: And he [Jesus] said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shalt they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover: (Mark 16:15-18)

Early AAs believed that the solution to all their problems was in the Good Book--the Bible.

The Book of James was their favorite. In fact, A.A. co-founder Dr. Bob declared that James, Jesus’ sermon on the mount, and 1 Corinthians 13 were all considered absolutely essential. The original A.A. Society considered it vital that they seek, find, know, and establish a relationship and fellowship with God. Also vital that they study the Book of Acts to see what Christians could and should do by reason of
the teachings and accomplishments of Jesus Christ before he ascended to heaven to be at the right hand of his Father, Yahweh, the Creator.

Tonight’s session will be divided into three parts.

First, I will select someone to read one or several chapters from (i.e.) the
Sermon Mount that Jesus gave and which is reported in Matthew Chapters 5, 6, and 7

Second, I will select someone to read the guide prepared for us by A.A. historian
Dick B. concerning or more of these chapters and the A.A. program.

Third, I’ll open the meeting briefly for comments and discussion on these items.

We will then have a period where each of us in the group may pray to God and to
seek His guidance and healing in respect of our own lives.

And now, we ask that newcomers raise their hands so that we can get to know you.
Please talk to someone after the meeting, give them your name and phone number,
and get theirs so that you may call them for prayers, help, and support. During the
period you are working with our particular meeting group, keep company with believers
whether in shopping, recreation, sports, church, meetings, movies, games, schools,
meals, and so on. See Acts chapters 1 through 4 for what they did in the First
Century that sustained their believing and carried their message of salvation.

For those who have not yet been born again of God’s spirit, please either see your
pastor and do so with that person if you wish, or see me after the meeting; and
we will have a brief ceremony where individually you can confess Jesus as your
Lordand confirm in your heart that God raised him from the dead. This was called
a “real surrender” in early A.A. It enabled a newcomer to be born again and thus
become a child of the living and true God.

Literature is available for purchase or order at the table in the rear. Be sure to
read your Bibles and pray each day.

Our next meeting will be on _____________.



We will close the meeting by joining hands in a circle and saying the Lord’s Prayer, which will be led by __________. Thank you all for coming. Please join us again.
____________________________________________________________________

Suggestions for Members of the Group

With these suggestions for the individual to follow daily:

Abstain. Under no circumstances, indulge in your temptation problem - alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, lust, over-eating, etc.

Be sure to seek medical help for withdrawal, sweats, shaking, etc.

Thank God for all his blessings, name them and for all blessings that you already have.

Ask God in the name of Jesus Christ to heal you of your illnesses, to guide you away from temptations, to forgive you for your mistakes, to guide you and instruct you to safe habits, friends, places, and activities.

Determine that you will change your life by following God’s commandments as they are set out in the Bible.

Renew your mind in your reading, thinking, speaking - filling it with simple ideas
such as those in Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:8, and Ephesians 1:19.

Call other believers for prayers, company, joint reading, activities, recreation, meals.

Begin immediately finding someone you can help even if it is by phoning them,
giving them rides, joining them for an activity, reading the Bible with them, or simply keeping fellowship with that person. Urge them to come with you to our group meeting among other meetings.

Don’t give up! Don’t give in. Read James 4:7: Submit yourselves therefore to
God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

With these suggested readings for individuals or the group:

Read slowly, bit by bit, the Gospels, Acts, and go on with Romans, etc.

Read

Dick B.’s Why Early AAs Succeeded (a Bible study guide)
Use it, beginning at Chapter 4, for individual Bible study or
Group Bible study.

Dick B.’s The James Club: The Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials

Dick B.’s New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A.

Read Psalms such as 23, 31, 56, 91; Proverbs 3:5-6.

With suggestions for filling your hours:

A job, volunteer work, exercise, sports, wholesome recreation, school, reading,
coffee and or meals together, fairs and amusement parks, museums and
exhibits, arranging your affairs, your business, your house, and your yard,

Heed the old AA adage: Don’t get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.

Get a Sponsor: Ask someone who has a sound Christian life to be your contact and sponsor. Keep in touch. Share your problems as long as your contact provides
you with suggested prayers, Bible segments to read, and positive solutions - not just the “wisdom of the rooms,” sympathetic listening, or some secular experience or solution. Study the Bible, the Big Book, and take the “Steps” with him

Other Meetings Your Group Can Hold

First, consult the Creator for guidance as to content and leader.
Remember that in early A.A. and among the early Christians,
there were daily fellowships.

Then you might consider establishing or going to
. 1 meeting a week resembling the above original AA meeting

1 meeting a week on early AA History
1 meeting a week simply reading the Bible - using the Bible study primer
1 meeting a week teaching the Big Book chapter by chapter
1 meeting a week studying a step and its origins (using my Twelve Steps for You Book)
1 meeting a week on Steps 10, 11, 12, particularly explaining what is involved in
a real Quiet Time and: (1) Born again of God’s spirit. (2) Reading from the Word.
(3) Prayer to God with thanksgiving, praise, seeking guidance, seeking healing,
seeking forgiveness, asking help for others. (4) Asking for revelation from God
for any message He wishes to give. (5) Using devotionals like The Upper Room,
The Runner’s Bible, My Utmost for His Highest.. Read the Big Book instructions on Steps 10 and 11

As to Step 12,

(1) Note that the original spiritual experience was acceptance of Christ
(Romans 10:9), being born again of the Spirit (John 3:1-8), and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:1-8). Then walking by the Spirit of God and not the flesh.

(2) Note that the message that was to be passed on was: God has done for me what I could not do for myself.

(3) Note that the primary principles to be practiced are those specified in
1 Corinthians 13, the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17), the two Great
Commandments love God and love your neighbor (Mark 12:28-31);
Serving (Mark 10:42-45); and witnessing (Matthew 28:18-20).

Dr. Bob cited all the foregoing verses. He emphasized that the steps could
be simmered down to their essence - love and service. He concluded his personal story by assuring AAs that “Your Heavenly Father will never let you down!”

Twenty-five years later (after A.A. was founded, Rev. Sam Shoemaker was addressing A.A. conventions and declaring that a A spiritual awakening involves four things: (1) Conversion. (2) Prayer. (3) Fellowship, and (4) Witnessing.

Suggested Resources Your Group Should Acquire

1. As many copies of the Big Book (4th ed.) as there are members
Plus at least one reprint of the 1st Edition, and Poe’s Concordance to the Big Book.

2. As many Bibles (preferably King James Version) as there are members Plus Young’s Concordance to the Bible.

3. A reference set of the Dick B. 29 Titles - with discounted price.

4. As many of the following Dick B. titles for each as there are members (available at a 50% discount plus s & h)

The Good Book and The Big Book: A.A.’s Roots in the Bible.


Why Early A.A. Succeeded (Bible study primer)

When Early AAs Were Cured. And Why.

Good Morning: Quiet Time, Morning Watch, Meditation

Twelve Steps for You

The James Club and The Original A.A. Program’s Absolute Essentials

New Light on Alcoholism: God, Sam Shoemaker, and A.A.

Dickb@dickb.com; www.dickb.com

Gloria Deo