At Quest 180° we gather for fellowship and to celebrate God's healing power in our lives through the "8 Recovery Principles" and the
"12 Steps." This experience allows us to be changed. We open the door by sharing our experiences, strengths and desires with one another. In addition, we become willing to accept God's grace in solving issues that have been plaguing our lives. By working and applying Biblical
principles, we begin to grow spiritually and personally. We become free from our addictive, compulsive and dysfunctional behaviors. This
freedom creates hope, peace, serenity, joy and most importantly, a stronger personal relationship with God and others. As we progress through the program we discover our personal, loving and forgiving Higher Power—Jesus Christ, the one and only true Higher Power.
Quest 180° Large Group follows the Celebrate Recovery curriculum www.celebraterecovery.com.
Download Monthly Lesson Handout:
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Quest Open-Share Groups include:
| Men's Recovery Teen Recovery Codependent Women KidsLikeMe Sexual Purity—Men Sexual Purity—Women Depression—Strength for the Journey (10 wk. curriculum) |
Women's Recovery |
(Childcare is available)
Q: How does the program compare to other 12-step groups/programs?
A: The 12 steps are very similar – except each step has Biblical reference applied and any reference to "Higher Power" is replaced by God or Jesus Christ. Through the Celebrate Recovery curriculum, the authors developed the "Eight Principles" based on the Beatitudes from the Sermon on the Mount. These principles are similar to "The Traditions" in other programs but also have Biblical references listed.
A: Absolutely not! In fact, many of our attendees continue to attend other 12-step groups on a regular basis. Other attendees very commonly make statements like, "AA saved my life" or "My home group is just like family" or "We have a real opportunity to spread the love of Christ to those who don't know Him."
Q: Do you have sponsors for your attendees?
A: Yes. In fact, we have both sponsors and accountability partners for participants who desire to either pursue recovery issues by working the steps, they may wish to have another person hold them accountable, or a mutual relationship might be established with a triad of men or women where three people agree to connect on a regular basis to share successes and challenges in their recovery.
A sponsors should be someone you trust and respect, who has at least one year of sobriety or clean time, fully understands what it is to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ and desires to commit sufficient time to 'work the steps' with you as a mentor. It's very important that you select someone of the same gender.
Accountability partners very simply are individuals who agree to check-in at least once per week and share with each other the progress in accomplishing mutual goals and objectives as related to recovery and life issues. Only similar genders should be partners with one another.
A: Many of our attendees participate in Step Study Groups that are held on nights other than the usual Thursday evening programming. The groups are formed on an 'as needed' basis, are gender specific, and typically begin with 5 to 7 attendees each. Once the group begins Lesson 4 the group is closed to new attendees. The groups are led by men or women who have been through the steps previously and those leaders are in place to offer hope, encouragement, wisdom and personal experiences, while serving as facilitators, not teachers. The Step Study Groups are gender specific but it doesn't matter whether you are struggling with a compulsive behavior or love someone who does, you qualify for the studies. Groups often mix individuals with different backgrounds. The commitment usually involves a six- to nine-month time frame and the length depends on the speed of the group.
A: The Thursday night program is not intended to be a treatment program. Instead, we offer a place where broken people can come to find hope and restoration through the power of the love of Jesus Christ. Often attendees have completed in-patient or outpatient treatment programs, or have recently completed periods of incarceration, or have just experienced a loss, tragedy or life-altering situation that has propelled them toward seeking the support of those with similar life experiences. We do, however, partner with many local Christ-centered treatment programs, other professionals who deal with issues related to compulsive behaviors, family counseling, financial recovery counseling, and any other challenges one might face related to either past or current behaviors or issues related to someone they love or care about.
A: YES! Over the course of the past two years we've been blessed to help numerous metro-area churches launch recovery programs and we sense a calling to assist others to do likewise. We ask that you first attend the Quest 180° program on a Thursday night and identify yourselves to one of the leaders upon your arrival (an advance call to the church office would be even better) and we'll be certain to answer any basic questions that night. At that point we’ll establish a timeline for development of your leadership team, curriculum selection, budgetary requirements and other important details. Please plan on at least six months of preparation before the initial launch of the ministry. Staff support and church leadership buy-in is essential for the success, and we strongly urge that lay leaders fulfill the key roles of leadership in order not to burden already overloaded church staff.
Sponsorship
At Quest 180° we strongly encourage a Sponsor and/or Accountability Partner. Here is some information that supports the need and gives some guidelines on how to select the appropriate person.
Why do I need a Sponsor and/or an Accountability Partner?
Having a Sponsor or Accountability Partner is Biblical
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (GNB) "Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone…, there is no one to help him… Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone."
Proverbs 27:17 "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Having a Sponsor or Accountability Partner is a Key Part of Your Recovery Program
Helps you maintain your honest view of reality as you work each step. Having someone help you to keep honest is a real plus in successfully working the steps.
Makes your attendance at your recovery group meetings a priority in your schedule. Your sponsor or accountability partner can encourage you to attend your meetings.
Maintains your spiritual program with Jesus Christ through prayer, meditation, and study of His Word. Your sponsor can pray for you and help to keep you centered on God’s Word.
Having a Sponsor and/or Accountability Partner is the Best Guard Against Relapse
Ecclesiastes 7:5 (TLB) "It is better to be criticized by a wise man than to be praised by a fool!"
To gain the most benefit from a sponsor, women should work with women and men should work with men. On the following bullet points, he/she can be used.
What Are the Qualities of a Sponsor?
• Does his walk match his talk? Is he living the eight principles and the twelve steps?
• Does she have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ?
• Does he express the desire to help others on the road to recovery?
• Does she show compassion, care, and hope, but not pity?
• Is he a good listener?
• Is she strong enough to confront your denial or procrastination?
• Does he offer suggestions?
• Can she share her own current struggles with others?
What is the Role of a Sponsor?
• She should be there to discuss issues in detail that are too personal or would take too much time in a meeting.
• He is available in times of crisis or potential relapse.
• She serves as a sounding board by providing an objective point of view.
• He is there to encourage you to work the principles at your own speed.
• Most important, she attempts to model the lifestyle that results from working the eight principles.
• A sponsor can resign or be fired.
How do I find a Sponsor and/or Accountability Partner?
• First and foremost, the person MUST be of the same sex as you.
• Can you relate to this person’s story?
• Come early to fellowship and get to know people in your group more personally.
• If you ask someone to be your sponsor and/or an accountability partner and that person says no, do not take it as a
personal rejection.
• Go to meetings early and stay late.
• Most important, pray, ask God to lead you to the sponsor and/or an accountability partner of His choosing.
Previous Lessons
January 2007
February 2007
March 2007
April 2007
May 2007
July 2007
August 2007
September 2007
October 2007
November 2007
December 2007
January 2008