Chemical Recovery Study
The purpose of this study is to help someone develop biblical convictions about addressing the use and abuse of alcohol, nicotine and other damaging chemically addictive substances.
Biblical Definition of Addiction:
- From the very beginning it is important to establish that addiction is a sin issue and must be approached from that standpoint. Helping the person you are studying with to understand this at the outset will be crucial to their willingness to repent and get help.
Romans 7:14-20……………………………
- This scripture clearly shows the powerlessness associated with addiction.
o Give an example of someone who wants to quit drinking (smoking or drugging) and has
tried many times only to find himself back at square one.
- This scripture shows addiction’s relation to sin.
Damaging effects of Addiction:
Drugs (Including Nicotine) Enslave Us
Romans 6:11-14………………………………..
- We should not allow sin to control us.
Genesis 4:4-7 we must master the sin that crouches at our door
2 Peter 2:19 a man is slave to whatever has mastered him.
- Sin is not just looking to enslave us only on weekends. It desires to enslave us and reign supreme in our lives in place of God. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco are addictive. They will become more important to you than God unless you stop using them. There is no easing off or cutting back. Sin needs to be dealt with quickly and effectively.
Using Makes the Gospel Unattractive
Titus 2:10-14 We are encouraged to be self controlled and make the gospel attractive because God is our master.
- God wants us to set an example for all nonbelievers and for our children. How attracted to God’s kingdom would you have been if the person who invited you was smoking, drinking, or using drugs? Is that the kind of life that scripture indicates God desires to work through?
- Do you desire for God to work powerfully in and through your life? Substance abuse hinders God from working in our lives.
Dishonors God with Our Body
Romans 12:1-2………………………………..
- How we treat our bodies is part of our worship of God.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20…………………………
- Jesus died for us so that we would honor God with our bodies.
2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1…………………………..
- As Christians, our body is the temple of God. When we do not have respect for how we treat it, we disrespect God.
A Poor Substitute for Prayer as a Means of Dealing with Anxiety
Philippians 4:4-7…………………………..
1 Peter 5:6-11
- God wants us to rely on Him when we feel anxious, to tell Him how we are feeling and to trust that He will take care of us. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco are poor substitutes for the peace that God wants to give us.
- We understand that dealing with some sins are more difficult than others even our Lord acknowledged that when HE said “this kind can only come out through prayer and fasting”
- It is the “this kind” that we direct our attentions toward in the C.R. Ministry. With God’s help, in a safe confidential setting, we use the scriptures along with a proven approach toward helping free people from the power of addiction.
Conclusion:
Deuteronomy 30:15-20…………………………………..
- If you know that there has been some kind of chemical addiction in your life; whether it be from alcohol, tobacco or drugs, God encourages you to do something about it.
- This would be a great opportunity to introduce the person to the Chemical Recovery Ministry at our church. The sooner they get introduced to the ministry the better their chances of having a sincere study and conversion experience. There is so much deceit and denial associated with addiction that it is almost impossible for someone under such conditions to make an honest connection to God.