Why do AA meetings sometimes feel like the safest place to tell the truth? And what could the church learn from that kind of honesty, acceptance, and shared dependence on God? In this episode, John Ortberg explores how the 12 Steps can help us approach spiritual growth, stubborn habits, and the struggles we keep trying to overcome alone. Whether you’re wrestling with anger, fear, control, greed, or the familiar gap between who you want to be and how you actually live, the invitation begins with honesty. You don’t have to pretend you’re doing better than you are to take a step toward freedom. Drawing on Paul’s struggle in Romans 7, Jesus’ promise of freedom, and the story of AA cofounder Bill W., John traces connections between the 12 Steps and the Christian practices of surrender, confession, making amends, prayer, and service. He invites us into a community where people can name their need, receive help, and participate in the work God is doing. Sometimes the place where we admit we’re stuck becomes the place where change begins. In this conversation, you’ll discover: What the church can learn from the honesty and acceptance of recovery communities.Why knowing what’s right doesn’t always give us the power to do it.How surrender to Jesus opens a path toward freedom.Why friendship and community matter when we’re trying to change.How the 12 Steps can become practices for everyday spiritual growth.Take your next step: Name one place where you feel stuck, and share it with someone you trust. You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Explore the free, 12-part Steps Masterclass with John Ortberg: https://stepsguide.com Find more teaching and daily practices from Become New: https://becomenew.com Subscribe for more conversations about following Jesus, spiritual formation, and becoming the person God made you to be. #JohnOrtberg #SpiritualGrowth #12Steps 🙌 New episodes every weekday. 📲 Subscribe, like, and share to help others grow spiritually. One day at a time. Become New is here to help you grow spiritually one day at a time. TEXT us at 51504 EMAIL US at connect@becomenew.com GET OUR WEEKDAY EMAILS WITH EXTRA GOODIES at becomenew.com/subscribe GET A TEXT REMINDER FOR NEW VIDEOS: text NEW to 51504 SEND US PRAYER REQUESTS: via text or email; we'll send you a written prayer from our team DOWNLOAD FREE STUDY GUIDES: BecomeNew.com/study-guides 😊 Join Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CnqywVp9s/ 🤳Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/become.new/ Music Credits: Quince Kitchen by Rore (pizzicato theme) License#: MB01WXJ6PNCW2IV Alaska by Sarah Watson License#: MB01KOIGMJPRZHD Welcome to the World by Sarah Watson License# MB01XUUTGU633PL 0:00 What the Church Can Learn from AA 0:41 An Invitation to Practice the 12 Steps 1:30 Why We Need Each Other to Change 2:19 Why Do I Keep Doing What I Don’t Want to Do? 3:32 The Gap Between Who We Are and Who We Want to Be 3:54 How Jesus Helps Stuck People 4:57 Jesus’ Promise of Freedom 5:31 Bill W. and the Beginnings of AA 6:17 The Oxford Group and Practices of Transformation 7:24 Could the 12 Steps Help You, Too? 8:13 The Church Needs These Practices Back 9:15 An Invitation to an Honest Journey 9:43 Explore the Free Steps Masterclass 10:07 About Become New
