The Following is an excerpt from the chapter “The Home Group”
As important as qualified sponsors are, we all need an effective and focused home group as well. Bill Wilson gave us clear direction regarding the purpose of a home group in a February 1958 Grapevine article. In this article Bill states:
“Sobriety, freedom from alcohol, through the teaching and practice of the 12 steps is the SOLE purpose of an AA group. Groups have repeatedly tried other activities, and they always failed. If we don’t stick to these principles, we shall almost surely collapse. And if we collapse, we cannot help anyone.”
The Sole purpose of an AA group is the teaching and practice of the 12 steps. This makes sense as the only program of recovery presented by AA is the 12 steps. Many groups do try other activities other than the teaching and practice of the 12 steps, and with a 5% to 7% recovery rate today, AA is teetering on the edge of collapse.
The AA group is where most newcomers first come in contact with the AA program of recovery. The members of any particular group are responsible for making certain that they are presenting to the newcomer a clear message that recovery through the 12 steps is the only program of recovery presented by AA. As stated in How It Works, “Here are the steps WE TOOK, which are suggested as a program of recovery.”
The Spiritual Solution book is available in Kindle and Paperback editions here: Amazon.com