Lesson 8 – Sponsor

LESSON 8 – SPONSOR

Principle 4: Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.

Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

Lam 3:40 – Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD.

We need 3 relationships – Jesus Christ, church family (recovery group), and sponsor.

An inventory without a sponsor is like peeling an onion to find the core—you’re left with peelings and tears.

Moral inventory – getting rid of “truth” decay
Pr 15:14 – The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
1. Why do I need a sponsor and/or an accountability partner?
2. What are the qualities of a sponsor?
3. What does a sponsor do?
4. How do I find a sponsor and/or an accountability partner?
5. What is the difference between a sponsor and an accountability partner?
Why do I need a Sponsor and/ or an Accountability Partner?
a. Biblical
Ecc 4:9-12 – 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Pr 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another
One another – used over fifty times in the NT
b. Key part of recovery program (4 key aspects)
1. Maintaining an honest view of reality as you work each step
2. Make attendance at recovery group a priority in your schedule
3. Maintain relationship with Christ – prayer, meditation, and study of His Word.
4. Get involved in service.
c. Best guard against relapse
Ecc 7:5 – It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools

What are the qualities of a sponsor?

Pr 20:5 – The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

1. Does the walk match the talk?
2. A growing relationship with Christ?
3. An expressed desire to help others on the road to recovery?
4. Compassion, care, hope, but not pity?
5. A good listener?
6. Strong enough to confront your denial or procrastination?
7. Offer suggestions?
8. Can they share their own current struggles with others?

What is the role of a sponsor?

1. Can discuss issues in detail that are too personal or would take too much time in a meeting. The sponsor’s role is to model Christ’s forgiveness, grace and give a sense of perspective.
2. Available in times of crisis.
3. Serves as a sounding board by providing an objective point of view.
4. There to encourage you to work the principles at your own speed.
5. Attempts to model the lifestyle that results from working the principles
6. A sponsor can resign or be fired.

How do I find a sponsor/accountability partner.

1. Member of the same sex.
2. Can you relate to their story.
3. Invest some time in fellowship.
4. Do not take a “no” as a personal rejection.
5. Ask God to lead you to the sponsor of His choosing.

Sponsor – has completed the four Celebrate Recovery participant’s guides and has worked through the eight principles and the 12 steps.

Accountability partner can be at the same level – can have a “team” approach – Sponsor is the “coach”