Your First Step to Celebrate Recovery: How God Can Heal Your Life

Celebrate Recovery Participant's Guide #0

by John Baker, Rick Warren (Foreword)

You’ve undoubtedly heard the expression “time heals all wounds.” Unfortunately, it isn’t true. As many pastors and counselors know, people still carry hurts from thirty or forty years ago. The truth is, time often makes things worse. Wounds that are left untended fester and spread infection throughout your entire body. Time only extends the pain if the problem isn’t dealt with. Your First Step to Celebrate Recovery introduces you to a biblical and balanced program that has helped nearly a million people overcome their hurts, hang-ups, and habits. Based on the actual words of Jesus found in the Sermon on the Mount rather than psychological theory, the Celebrate Recovery program has helped people for over 20 years to grow toward full Christ-like maturity. Author and founder John Baker tells the true story of how Celebrate Recovery became one of the largest Christ-centered recovery programs in history. Baker will help you discover how God’s love, truth, grace and forgiveness can bring healing into your life.

Genres: Christian, Addiction, Counselling, Nonfiction, Christian Living

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

John Baker is the founder of Celebrate Recovery, a ministry born out of the heart of Saddleback Church.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Rob Markley · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introduction to the Celebrate Recovery program - probably more targeted at potential participants than those wanting to host such an excellent endeavour. Regardless there was plenty of material to explain what is involved along with some really powerful testimonies. There were a few aspects not really explained such as 'why' it work, what the tokens are all about (although can guess) and what to do if you can't manage a big multi small group program. Also there isn't a lot to help with start ups but that isn't really the purpose. All in all an really well put together introduction - well structured, well written, inspirational.

[Justin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Paganism with a Christian veneer. Use Biblical wisdom and discernment when reading or going through a CR program. CR is thoroughly humanistic and ultimately not helpful in that it doesn't have a Biblical view of God, Jesus, or sin. For those struggling with "hurts, hang-ups and habits," I would highly recommend a more Bible-based program such as the Biblical Counseling Institute. Reading good books by Dr. Jay Adams or Dr. George Scipione would be far more helpful.

[Frank Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

Great read, especially for someone new in recovery like myself. After reading this book I have decided to start attending Celebrate Recovery. Your recovery has to come first.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have never heard of Celebrate Recovery or not sure if the group is a fit for you then this book is for you. Helped me a lot to see the work I will be putting into myself for however long it takes to heal from my hurts, hang-ups and habits.

[Andrew Yong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book that explains the Celebrate Recovery program. Of course, to understand the principles better you'll need to read the book "Road to Recovery".

[Beau · Rating 3 out of 5]

The testimonies are my favorite parts.

[Anna Theodore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cool to learn the philosophy of this program and see the subtle but massive differences between this and other forms of recovery. Thankful for adoption and thankful that so many people have had life change from this program! Not sure it’s for me in my current stage of life, but I love the message and see so much promise for those who walk through their doors!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is fantastic writing for the newcomer to get information but also for all CR raving fans like myself, to make sure our programs are running as well as the possibly can. I will continue to use this as a reference book at every event and with every newcomer I meet. Great leadership training tool.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want to know what Celebrate Recovery is about, read this book!

"The Bible clearly states "all have sinned." It is my nature to sin, and it is yours too. None of us is untainted. Because of sin, we've all hurt ourselves, we've all hurt other people, and others have hurt us. This means each of us needs recovery in order to live our lives the way God intended."

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic explanation of the 8 principles and 12 steps of Celebrate Recovery, a Christ-centered recovery group. It is well-written nonfiction.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent - very clearly explains the Celebrate Recovery program.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book suggested must read for anyone looking at getting involved in Celebrate Recovery.

[Stephanie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

God is good

All the time! I am so excited to find CR and cannot wait to see the blessings I will receive from God

[Heather Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This book is packed full of useful and inspiration material! I will suggest this book highly to others. Thank you so much!