M09_01 Sponsor Training - Celebrate Recovery at Cross Creek

Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training
Prerequisites for Sponsors:
1. Worked through the Celebrate Recovery Participant’s Guides at least
one time.
• We cannot expect to guide where we have not been.
• Mandatory completion of a thorough 4th and 5th Step.
2. One continuous year of sobriety/abstinence.
• Our own recovery must be on track before sponsoring others.
3. Actively attending Celebrate Recovery Meetings.
• Need to lead by example and continue to attend meetings.
4. Have their own Sponsor and Accountability Team.
• We must have a balanced recovery and Accountability Team for our own growth and support.
5. Must be same sex.
• For safety reasons.
• Men and women have different communication styles.
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
continued
M09_01A
Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training, continued
S.P.O.N.S.O.R.
S = Set a Good Example
P = Prayer
O = Oneness with Christ
N = Never Condemns
S = Share Your Personal Experience
O = Open and Honest Communication
R = Responsibility
S = Set a Good Example
Three reasons I would make a good Sponsor:
1. __________________________________ and __________________________________
2. My ____________________________________________________
3. Willingness to be __________________________________
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can
encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
TITUS 1:9 NIV
List three areas where you are setting a good example in your recovery and one area you will
target for continued growth.
Three areas where I am setting a good example:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
continued
M09_01B
Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training, continued
One target area for growth:
1. __________________________________________________
P = Prayer
I must pray for my Sponsees need for:
1. __________________________________________________
2. Lifting of _________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving, meanwhile praying
also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,
for which I am also in chains.
COLOSSIANS 4:2–3 NKJ
Pray for your current and future Sponsees. Pray that God will provide you with the insight and
ability to support them.
O = Oneness with Christ
I can/will keep growing in Christ by:
1. Daily ___________________________________ and ___________________________________
2. Ongoing _______________________________________________
Two are better off than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of
them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone . . . there is no one to
help him . . . Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone.
ECCLESIASTES 4:9–12 GN
3. ______________________________________ Recovery Meetings
4. Practicing the __________________________________________
5. Being in a small _______________________________________
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
continued
M09_01C
Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training, continued
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we
have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are . . . yet was without sin. Let us
then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find
grace to help us in our time of need.
HEBREWS 4:15–16 NIV
List three areas where you are already growing toward oneness in Jesus Christ today and one area
you will target for continued growth.
Three areas I am growing in oneness with Christ:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
One target area for growth:
1. __________________________________________________
N = Never Condemns
Ways I can avoid being judgmental:
1. Be a good _____________________________________________
2. Respond with __________________________________________
3. Prayerfully consider ___________________________________
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk
according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
ROMANS 8:1–2 NKJ
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
continued
M09_01D
Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training, continued
List three ways/reasons that you are already a safe person and one area you will target for
continued growth.
Three ways/reasons I am a safe person today:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
One target area for growth:
1. __________________________________________________
S = Share Your Personal Experience
It is important to share my experience because it:
1. Continues my __________________________________________
2. Offers __________________________________________________
3. Demonstrates __________________________________________
The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good
tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to claim liberty to the
captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the acceptable
year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn.
ISAIAH 61:1–2 NKJ
List three amazing experiences or miracles that you can share with someone who is new in
recovery to encourage them.
Three amazing experiences or miracles I can share are:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
continued
M09_01E
Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training, continued
O = Open and Honest Communication
Ways I can be open and honest are:
1. Be _______________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. Confront _____________________________________________________
The training of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death.
PROVERBS 13:14 NIV
List three ways that you are an open and honest communicator today, and one area you will target
for continued growth.
Three ways I am open and honest today:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
One target area for growth:
1. __________________________________________________
R = Responsibility
I can be responsible in this role by:
1. Being __________________________________________________
It is the sole, primary responsibility of the person desiring to recover, to reach out and ask for help.
2. Having _______________________________________________________
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
continued
M09_01F
Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training, continued
NOTE: We have included a sample Sponsor Agreement as the final handout. This will clearly set
expectations and boundaries from the start of the Sponsorship commitment.
3. __________________________________ anonymity and confidentiality
4. Offering __________________________________ , not __________________________________
5. Rejoicing in ___________________________________________
He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
PROVERBS 13:20 NIV
List three ways that you accept responsibility in relationships today, and one area you will target
for continued growth.
Three ways I am responsible in relationships today:
1. __________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________
One target area for growth:
1. __________________________________________________
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of direction could I provide?
A: There are many suggestions you can offer depending on the circumstances. You most likely will
offer direction based on what has worked for you in the past; however, here are some ideas:
1. Journaling. Writing has been shown to be therapeutic and healing, allowing you to get rid of
damaging feelings and track your progress toward recovery.
2. The Life Recovery Bible. We find answers to all of life’s riddles in God’s Word, including
loads of hope and encouragement to “press on” and not give up. The Life Recovery Bible
features reflections on specific recovery issues and designates scriptures to meditate on while
working through each Step.
continued
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
M09_01G
Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training, continued
3. The Step Study Groups at Celebrate Recovery. This provides the opportunity for participants
to develop their Accountability Team and encourages lifelong friendships. We have found that
this additional structured evening is also very helpful.
4. “90 in 90.” Each Newcomer can benefit from 90 meetings in 90 days, helping to keep their
sobriety/abstinence by starting a firm, disciplined foundation. Depending on the recovery
area, this 90-day foundation may include church attendance, Bible studies, Sponsor meetings,
fellowship, etc., in addition to attending and participating in CR Open Share Groups and
CR Step Study Groups.
5. Counseling. Don’t be afraid to suggest private counseling, if you feel it would benefit their
recovery process.
6. Opposite Sex Relationships. It is recommended to avoid these relationships during the first year
of recovery unless you are married. This reduces the risk of focusing on another person, rather
than working on the relationship to self and God.
7. Structure. All recovering people need structure and discipline. Attending a weekly Small Group
provides the structure and routine necessary for recovery.
Q: Why might I resign or be removed as a Sponsor?
A: This is a volunteer position and you may resign at any time. Some good reasons to do so would be
if you relapsed, moved away, had a major life change, had a family emergency or if your guidance is
not being followed (your Sponsee is asking for help, but choosing not to follow your suggestions).
You may also be removed as a Sponsor. Do not be discouraged if this happens. Keep in mind that
there are commonly three reasons to remove a Sponsor: 1) Sponsee is not willing to take your
direction; 2) different personalities or styles; and, 3) they need more attention than you can offer.
If this happens, examine your part, but don’t give up, you are needed!
You may always agree to be a temporary Sponsor, while someone continues to look for a permanent
Sponsor with more similarities.
Q: What if my Sponsee doesn’t follow any or most of my direction?
A: This must be addressed immediately. They “hired” you for a specific purpose; to offer guidance to
help them on their “road to recovery.” If they are not willing to take direction, then perhaps they
are not ready to work a serious program. You must confront them, in love, and point out this issue.
They may recommit to taking suggestions or you may get the sense that it’s time to resign as
their Sponsor.
continued
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
M09_01H
Celebrate Recovery ®
Sponsor Training, continued
Q: Why is my Sponsee working through the Steps much faster or slower than I did?
A: Each person will need to work through the Steps and Principles at their own pace, allowing for
individual personalities. Trust your godly discernment to alert you when they are stuck, or if they
are trying to breeze through the Steps too quickly. If you have these concerns, bring them to your
Sponsee’s attention, for their benefit.
Q: What if my Sponsee calls me when they are drunk or high?
A: Let them know that you can't be much assistance to them unless they are sober. Encourage them to
call you back when they are sober. If they ask for help getting out of a bad situation, or need to get
to the hospital for overdose or detox, you may choose to pick them up but DO NOT GO ALONE!
Always take another recovering person with you. When your Sponsee is sober, let them know that
you will not do that on a regular basis. They need to get help. If they are not asking for help and
continue to call while intoxicated, don’t answer the phone. If they are drunk or high, it is unlikely
they will remember anything discussed and you will not be able to reason with them.
Q: What do you do when a Sponsee talks about suicide?
A: This is covered in Appendix B.
Q: What do you do if a fallen Sponsee needs an intervention?
A: This is covered in Appendix C.
© 2006 Celebrate Recovery®
M09_01I

Download Report