Big Book Step Study (BBSS)

1. Introduction by the chairperson
2. A 12 Step reading from the Big Book
3. Guest speaker who shares on the Step(s)
4. Sharing by qualified attendees
5. Meeting closing by the chairperson

BBSS Meeting Format & Sequence

A BBSS meeting is typically chaired by a member of the group, who conducts the meeting per group conscience. The BBSS chairperson, meeting sequence, guest speaker, and sharing are described below.

• BBSS Chairperson — Qualifications, Responsibilities, and Attitudes
  
  
  • Is sober at least a year, has done the steps per the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, is practicing steps 10, 11 & 12 daily, and can demonstrate that with words and by example.
    
    
  • Is willing to conduct the meeting per the prescribed format; is the "point person" to uphold the group conscience; is willing to explain the group’s function and goals to newcomers and visitors. Is willing to intercede to remind people of the meeting’s purpose and qualifications for sharing, and enforces the sharing time limit. The chairperson usually serves for a month and arranges for the guest speakers for that month.
    
    
  • Believes that "God’s will" is for AA's to recover through AA's 12 steps. Has a greater desire to tell the "truth" than to be popular. Aspires to be a servant of God and the people around them.
  
  
• Meeting Opening
  
  The meeting opens with introductory remarks and a reading of the group conscience statement by the chair.
  
  
  1. Chairperson's Introduction
     The chairperson typically opens the meeting by reading the AA preamble, making AA announcements, and welcoming visitors and others new to the meeting.
     
     
  2. Group Conscience Statement
     A common feature of BBSS meetings, it defines the group’s conscience, purpose, and how it carries its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. It covers the ground rules, that sharing at the meeting requires specific 12 steps experience per the Big Book.
     
     
  A period of meditation (1+ minutes) is often observed after the chairperson’s introduction.
  
  
• Big Book Reading (shown here)
  
  Also known as the cycle or step rotation, this is a 15-week reading sequence of the 12 steps from our textbook, Alcoholics Anonymous. The chairperson announces the step(s) and corresponding Big Book pages to be read. The chairperson begins by asking someone to start the reading, a paragraph at a time. The reading proceeds around the table or room until completed. (Typically, readers do not identify themselves at this point in the meeting.)


• The Guest Speaker
  
  A BBSS guest speaker is an alcoholic who is working the 12 steps as laid out in the Big Book, and has a sponsor. Specifically, the guest speaker:
  
  
  1. Has taken a 3rd step with their BBSS sponsor or another person
  2. Has completed a 4th step exactly as laid out in the Big Book, and is willing to read examples from their inventory.
  3. Has completed steps 6 and 7 approximately an hour after finishing their 5th step.
  4. Has completed all or at least a few significant 9th step amends
  5. Is practicing steps 10, 11, and 12 on a daily basis.
  
  In general, a guest speaker has chaired BBSS meetings and is willing to sponsor others. Guest speakers usually give a brief description of their drinking history and how they got sober, and then focus on the step(s) being studied. Guest speakers typically share for 15 to 20 minutes, as may be governed by group conscience.


• Sharing on the Step
  
  Following the guest speaker, other people may share their experience with the step(s). The chairperson indicates where to begin, which typically is where the reading ended. Sharing proceeds around the room or table (or Zoom). Those not qualified to share usually introduce themself (and may say they are reading, writing, or just listening) and pass to the next person.
  
  
  • Who is Qualified to Share
    Alcoholics who have completed their 4th Step writing, have read their 5th Step, have completed at least some 9th step amends, and who are practicing Steps 10, 11 and 12 on a daily basis may share. Often, people who have been through the BBSS process will state they have done the steps as laid out in the Big Book with a sponsor who has done the same, or something to that effect, to show familiarity with the BBSS process. Each person's sharing is brief (3-5 minutes) and the chairperson keeps track of the time.
    
  
  
  • What to Do When Unqualified People Try to Share
    It is the chairperson’s responsibility to judge if someone is qualified to share. The chairperson must listen to each person's share and assess whether it comports with group conscience. The chairperson may interject or interrupt if, in their judgment, someone is not qualified to share, per group conscience.
    
    If necessary, after the meeting the chairperson or other members may seek someone out to clarify the BBSS format and group conscience, with genuine concern, love, and tolerance.
  
  
  • What if a person becomes angry or insists on sharing?
    It is wise to let such people have their say, but at a later time asked about their compliance with group conscience. Our inventories have revealed outbursts of anger are often self-seeking and fear-based defenses to shield our security, self esteem, personal relations, ambition, and pride. The expression "an empty barrel makes the most noise" best describes this sort of situation.


• Meeting Closing
  
  When only a few minutes remain, the chairperson asks anyone who has not yet shared to introduce themself and asks those willing to be a BBSS sponsor to identify themselves. Many BBSS meetings are then closed with A Vision For You and a recital of The Lord's Prayer.

• Our group uses a modified version of the Hyannis Men's Big Book Step Study group preamble. Other groups may use this or their own variation.
• Our group uses the earliest version of the step rotation. Other groups have added, omitted, or combined readings, or changed the order of readings.