Step Three

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

There are three parts to the preparation for Step Three.

• Pages 58–60 down to the ABCs (where it says '(a) ... (b) ... (c) ...')
• Step Three Requirement: page 60 to near the bottom of page 62
• Step Three Idea: from there to the bottom of page 63

Let's deal with these separately.

Part One: Pages 58–60 down to the ABCs

Read pages 58–60 down to the ABCs.

Make detailed notes (see The stepworking method). Discuss with a sponsor.

Key points:

• The programme will work for pretty much anyone
• All that is required is honesty and thoroughness
• The honesty starts here: I have a problem, I don't have a solution, but AA does
• I have to let go of all of my old ideas
• The Higher Power will look after me if I surrender
• To surrender, I take the Steps
• I do so with maximum effort
• This won't produce perfection, but it will produce progress

Part Two: Step Three Requirement: page 60 to near the bottom of page 62

By the time you sign up to the ABCs (page 60), you've already basically decided to turn your will and life over to God.

The next two pages reinforce why this is a good idea, even setting aside the alcoholism question.

Read from 'Being convinced' on page 60 down to 'We had to have God's help' on page 62.

Reword the entire passage in the first person, e.g. 'The first requirement is that I be convinced ... I try to live by self-propulsion ...' etc.

Make detailed notes (see The stepworking method). Discuss with a sponsor.

Key points:

• Living life based on getting what I think I want does not work
• It puts me into conflict with others
• I might be mean or I might be nice, but the result is the same:
• Fear, frustration, exhaustion, despair
• Even if I got my own way I would not be happy
• My problem is selfishness ('me first!') / self-centredness ('it's all about me!')
• I am driven by self
• To stay sober, I need to be free of selfishness / self-centredness
• To be happy, I need to be free of selfishness  / self-centredness
• I can't bring this about myself
• But if I take the Steps, I will be released

Part Three: Step Three Idea: from there to the bottom of page 63

Read from the last paragraph on page 62 to the bottom of page 63.

Consider whether you're ready to take Step Three, namely:

• To adopt the position described at the bottom of page 62 and the top of page 63
• To take Steps 4–9 to clear out the past
• To take Steps 10–12 on a daily basis

Make detailed notes (see The stepworking method). Discuss with a sponsor.

Key points:

• I recognise the Higher Power as Director, Principal, Father, or Employer (any or all will do)
• I recognise myself as actor, agent, child, or employee
• I never need to make a decision alone again after Step Three
• I go to the Higher Power for decisions
• (But check out answers with other good and sane people in AA)
• I don't need to worry about my life
• The Higher Power does the worrying
• I take the action, as directed by the Higher Power
• Practically, this means
• Taking Steps Four through Nine to clear out the past and clear up my life
• Taking Steps Ten through Twelve to structure my day and fill it with good things
• Taking up my place in the middle of the AA bed
• Being useful, cheerful, and kind in all other areas.

How to actually take Step Three

• Adopt the position described at the bottom of page 62
• Say the prayer to seal the deal
• Follow the instructions on page 63 on wording
• Say the prayer alone or with someone else
• Maybe say the prayer somewhere nice
• Then:
• Get on with Steps Four through Nine (daily work)
• Get on with Steps Ten through Twelve (daily programme)