Celebrate Recovery at Peters Creek Baptist Church

The Religion of Hiding

Lesson Content: The Danger of Self-Deception

• The Master of Disguise: Proverbs chapter 14:12. A relapse or a poor choice rarely announces itself as a bad idea. Instead, it "appears to be right." It disguises itself as a logical exception, a deserved break, or a safe shortcut.
• The Lie of Isolation: We talk about how this verse plays out in our recovery routines. The "way that appears to be right" often looks like telling ourselves we don't need a meeting this week, or we don't need to call our sponsor because we are doing fine on our own.
• Playing the Tape Forward: We cannot just look at the comfortable, appealing beginning of a choice; we have to look honestly at the absolute end of the road.
• Personal Reflection: "What is a 'safe' path you've been justifying to yourself lately that you know deep down is a trap?"

🌟 Celebrate Recovery at Peters Creek Baptist Church📍 6300 Library Road, South Park, PA Fridays at 6:30 PM

Also gathering on Mondays at 7 PM at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville.

➡️ Not local? Find a group near you at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠crlocator.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

💝 Support the ministry:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pcbc.church/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Select Celebrate Recovery

• The Master of Disguise: Use Proverbs 14:12. A relapse or a poor choice rarely announces itself as a bad idea. Instead, it "appears to be right." It disguises itself as a logical exception, a deserved break, or a safe shortcut.
• The Lie of Isolation: The "way that appears to be right" often looks like telling ourselves we don't need a meeting this week, or we don't need to call our sponsor because we are doing fine on our own.
• Playing the Tape Forward: We cannot just look at the comfortable, appealing beginning of a choice; we have to look honestly at the absolute end of the road.
• Personal Reflection: "What is a 'safe' path you've been justifying to yourself lately that you know deep down is a trap?"

🌟 Celebrate Recovery at Peters Creek Baptist Church📍 6300 Library Road, South Park, PA Fridays at 6:30 PM

Also gathering on Mondays at 7 PM at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville.

➡️ Not local? Find a group near you at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠crlocator.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

💝 Support the ministry:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pcbc.church/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Select Celebrate Recovery

Lesson Content: The Internal War

• The Baffling Behavior: Use Romans 7:15. We discuss the universal frustration of Paul's words: "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." We talk about how draining it is to fight your own desires.
• The Good Conscience: Focus on verse 16. The very fact that we hate our poor choices proves that our hearts actually agree with God. Our grief over our sin is proof that our conscience is awake and that we are not a lost cause.
• The Invader: Discuss verse 17. The critical difference between who we are and what is living inside us. Paul says, "It is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me." Recovery is learning to separate our true, redeemed identity in Jesus Christ from the old fleshly nature that still tries to call the shots.
• Personal Reflection: "What is the one thing you keep doing that you truly hate doing?" You are not alone in this internal war.

🌟 Celebrate Recovery at Peters Creek Baptist Church📍 6300 Library Road, South Park, PA Fridays at 6:30 PM

Also gathering on Mondays at 7 PM at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville.

➡️ Not local? Find a group near you at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠crlocator.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

💝 Support the ministry:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pcbc.church/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Select Celebrate Recovery

How to help someone in crisis without fixing or shaming

The Fear of Wrath: Use Psalm chapter 6, verse 1. Discuss how, when we are deep in our own mess, we often project our guilt onto God. We assume He is angry and waiting to punish or discipline us, which keeps us hiding from Him. The Physical Toll: Focus on verse 2 ("I am faint; heal me... my bones are in agony"). Talk about how spiritual and emotional sickness has real, physical symptoms. We get drained. Holding onto our secrets or our pain physically hurts us, and admitting we are faint is the first step to receiving mercy. The Honest Cry: Talk about verse 3 ("My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long?"). Validate that the healing process takes time, and the waiting can feel agonizing. It is a sign of deep faith to honestly ask God, "How long?" rather than pretending you are fine. Personal Reflection: Ask the listener: "Are you hiding from God because you fear His anger, or are you willing to cry out to Him for His mercy?"

• Finding a Group:
  • If you are not local, please find a Celebrate Recovery near you by heading to crlocator,com and entering your zip code.
• Contact:
  • Email Craig Amstone at [email protected] or contact the church office at [email protected]

• Finding a Group:
  • If you are not local, please find a Celebrate Recovery near you by heading to crlocator,com and entering your zip code.
• Contact:
  • Email Craig Amstone at [email protected] or contact the church office at [email protected]

Part 4 Content: The Undeniable Evidence

• The Out of Control Reality: Admitting unmanageability is the final blow to our pride. We are acknowledging that we are out of control and entirely powerless to change on our own.
• Surrounded by Troubles: Psalm 40:12.
• The Failure of the Heart: We talk about the emotional toll of an unmanageable life.
• Personal Inventory: "Can you relate to Psalms chapter 40, verse 12? How?"
• The Transition to Hope: This final admission of powerlessness and unmanageability is not a dead end; it is the open door that leads directly into Principle Two, where we finally find the Power that can restore us.

III. Part 3 Content: The Illusion of Strength

• The Root of Control: Our "lust for power" isn’t actually rooted in our strengths, but in our weaknesses. We try to control things because we are terrified of our own limitations.
• Quitting the Solo Act: Recovery starts when self-reliance ends.
• The "Impossible" Reality: Matthew 19:26. Jesus' honest assessment of our condition: "With man this is impossible..." Admitting powerlessness isn't a lack of faith; it is agreeing with Jesus.
• Personal Inventory: "What are some of the things you keep doing that you really don’t want to do?"
• The God of the Possible: Turning our lives over to Jesus Christ is the only way to achieve the impossible change we desire.

🌟 Celebrate Recovery at Peters Creek Baptist Church📍 6300 Library Road, South Park, PA Fridays at 6:30 PM

Also gathering on Mondays at 7 PM at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville.

➡️ Not local? Find a group near you at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠crlocator.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

💝 Support the ministry:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pcbc.church/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Select Celebrate Recovery

• The Two Masters: The "simple truth" is we are either going to serve God or ourselves.
• The Control Failure: When our "self" is out of control, all our attempts to control ourselves or others will ultimately fail. Control is an illusion that keeps us sick.
• Making Room for the Healer: Admitting powerlessness isn't just about giving up; it creates the actual space in our hearts for God to come in and begin His healing work.
• Personal Inventory: "Are there any other 'masters' besides God in your life that you’re still trying to serve?"
• The Spiritual Reality: Jesus Christ is a gentle Master who brings freedom, whereas our own self-will is a cruel master that brings bondage.

🌟 Celebrate Recovery at Peters Creek Baptist Church📍 6300 Library Road, South Park, PA Fridays at 6:30 PM

Also gathering on Mondays at 7 PM at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville.

➡️ Not local? Find a group near you at⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠crlocator.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠

💝 Support the ministry:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pcbc.church/give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠→ Select Celebrate Recovery