- AA considers the first 164-pages of the Big Book to be an instruction manual for sobriety. The remainder of the book is personal stories. The first 164 pages are divided into eleven chapters. The authors---a group of recovering alcoholics in 1935---arranged the first section of the Big Book as a chronological description of active alcoholism, reaching an alcoholic bottom, gaining strength in AA, and living sober. (See Reference 1)
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Since the first 164 pages of the Big Book are chronologically arranged, a study of AA sobriety can be illuminating for newly sober individuals as well as "old timers." One way to design a study would be to divide the chapters by the stages of recovery. Chapters One through Three, "Bill's Story," "There is a Solution," and "More about Alcoholism," describe the experiences of alcoholics still enslaved by liquor. These early chapters also introduce rays of hope for the darkness of active alcoholism.
Chapter Four, "We Agnostics," examines the God or Higher Power issue. Since reliance upon higher power is central to AA, a study of what AA means by God is necessary for understanding that AA is not religious, but is spiritual in its orientation.
Chapters Five and Six, "How It Works" and "Into Action" are precise instructions for how to work the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Chapter Six, "Working with Others," refers to a central AA premise. In order to stay sober, AA strongly advises that recovery must include reaching out to sober and practicing alcoholics.
The final chapters in the first 164 pages of the Big Book include wisdom for families and employers of recovering alcoholics, and a final chapter of hope for the future, "A Vision for You."
Study of each section may include reading from the literature and open sharing of how the principles and situations described apply to those attending the step study. Big Book studies can last for several weeks if meetings are held once weekly. -
Often Big Book studies will focus on the actionable instructions of the Big Book. (See References 2) Some steps are decision-making steps, others require proactive involvement. A study of chapters Five and Six guide recovering alcoholics through the maze of wasted years to the freedom of new and productive lives. Chapter Five, "How It Works," is a detailed examination of the causes that underlie alcoholic drinking. "How It Works" helps prepare the reader to work the twelve steps. The steps are listed in this chapter. "Into Action" finishes instructions for working steps five through eleven. Armed with these steps, alcoholics admit their faults, make amends, and are prepares for sober lives.
The final segment of this type of Big Book study would examine Chapter Seven, "Working with Others." This practical guide to carrying the AA message to others is essential reading, since it explains Step Twelve, "Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs."
