A miraculous part of recovery starts in Celebrate Recovery Lesson 3 Hope because you learn to turn things over to God and not worry about them. Once you realize that God is in control of everything, you can trust God and what He can do in you as you recover.
Celebrate Recovery lesson three is critical because you now put your faith into action. Your hope in God provides you with the comfort you need to stop feeling as though you were constantly suffering!
As Celebrate Recovery lesson three: Hope moves us forward to Step 2 in Alcoholics Anonymous and Celebrate Recovery, it also moves us on to Celebrate Recovery’s principle 2.
Make sure to read Celebrate Recovery Lesson 1 – Denial and Celebrate Recovery Lesson 2 – Powerless before reading this article so that you will be ready to move on to these steps. Each of the lessons I wrote about has its own free study guide for you to follow along with.
As you move through this lesson, think about the many ways that you have stepped out of denial and realized your powerlessness.
To understand this lesson fully, you don’t have to be a part of any group or anything. However, I would recommend joining Celebrate Recovery, which is for anyone with hurts, habits, and hangups.
You don’t need any specific experience or education to get started today! This is the third lesson, and you don’t even really need the book. However, it might be a good idea to have a paper and pen to write down your answers to the questions in this article.
Get started with hope on your road to recovery to reap many benefits offered through Celebrate Recovery!
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What is Celebrate Recovery Lesson 3: Hope?
Celebrate Recovery principle 2 is to Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover. Step 2, which corresponds to this principle, says: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Happy are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. – Matthew 5:4
For it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. – Philippians 2:13
| Lesson | Principle | Step | Bible Verses |
| 3 | 2 | 2 | Matthew 5:4; Philippians 2:13 |
Celebrate Recovery loves using acronyms, so with lesson 3, we use the acronym for HOPE, which tells us how to find hope in Jesus Christ. This comes straight from Celebrate Recovery lesson three.
- Higher Power
- Openness to Change
- Power to Change
- Expect to Change
What Does “Celebrate Recovery Lesson 3” Mean?
As mentioned in the previous lessons, Celebrate Recovery has step studies, which are similar to Bible studies. In a step study, you gather with a group of like-minded individuals weekly for several months.
Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step, Christ-centered recovery program for anyone who has hurts, habits, or hang-ups. To be honest, we all have something causing us pain! Whether you’ve had problems with addictions or just want general support and encouragement in your life, CR is one of the best places for you!
The lessons discussed in these articles on Celebrate Recovery are from John Baker’s Celebrate Recovery Participant’s Guide. The first 6 lessons come from Stepping Out of Denial into God’s Grace: Participant’s Guide 1. Typically, in your step study, you can purchase the appropriate study guide.
The Celebrate Recovery guides were made by Rick Warren and John Baker as part of the CR curriculum. The curriculum is based on the Beatitudes, so when you learn about the Celebrate Recovery 8 principles, you will use the related scriptures from the New Testament.
What is Hope?
Hope means we wish for something to happen or expect it to. In a Biblical sense, hope is when we expect God to keep His promises. Hope is also shown by the amount of strength we have in our faith.
Because of the last step in CR, where we believed in God’s power, we know that God will keep His promises, so we are strong in our faith. We find hope in our own ability to recover because of God’s help!
Anyone who comes to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. – Hebrews 11:6
What is Hopelessness?
Hopelessness occurs when your faith is shaken; perhaps the Devil has a stronghold over your thoughts and decisions, and you feel like God is not listening. This is a common problem; you are not alone. We’ve all been there.
Look to your fellow Celebrate Recovery members, your Christian friends, and turn to God for comfort. You may not see it in the first place you look, but trust me, hope is there. Just have faith that things will turn around, and know that God’s plan for your life is beyond human comprehension. You might not understand it until you meet him in heaven!
Therefore, once you have your minds ready for action and you are thinking clearly, place your hope completely on the grace that will be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed. – 1 Peter 1:13
If your hopelessness is overwhelming you, reach out to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) at 1-800-273-TALK.
How Can We Have More Hope?
If you are looking for more hope, you need to turn to God. He is always there for you and wants to hear from you. God can do the impossible – things we could never do for ourselves.
If you do not know God and feel uncertain about trusting Him with your life, start building a relationship with the Lord. Learn about the Gospel – the Good News that you can be saved through the miraculous work of Jesus Christ.
Remember that in the past you were without Christ. You were not citizens of Israel, and you had no part in the agreements with the promise that God made to His people. You had no hope, and you did not know God. But now, in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ’s death. – Ephesians 2:12-13 (NCV)
Study the Bible
If you don’t know where to get started with your relationship with God, read the Bible. There is even a Celebrate Recovery Study Bible, which has additional content to motivate you and show you exactly how to walk, following the right steps, on the road to healing and complete liberty.
While the NIV (New International Version) of the study Bible is available, there is also an NLT Recovery Bible available.
However, you don’t need to have a “recovery” Bible. You can use any version of the Bible to get started with Bible study. I would, however, recommend that new believers or beginners use an easy-to-read version of the Bible (CEV, ESV, etc.). The NLT is great for a beginner.
Use whatever is easiest for you to read and study the Bible. This could be Bible commentaries, a Bible concordance, a Bible dictionary, or any other tool that brings you close to the Word. Do whatever you need to so that you can implement Bible study in your life. Make Bible study a priority!
Rely on Prayer
As you read and study the Bible, you will be listening to what God is saying to you. Listening is a big part of communication, and communication is essential in a successful relationship. The other half of that equation is talking to God – praying! Use a prayer journal or write your prayer in a notebook to stay organized.
Other Ways to Build Hope
Sometimes, when you help others and love other people, you see hope! It’s a crazy concept, but it’s true! Doing nice things for other people, random acts of kindness can boost your mood! This, in turn, will instill hope in your heart as you see the miraculous work God is doing through you for others. Encourage other people, and see the difference in your soul!
Here are a few ideas to get you started in giving back to those in need.
#1. Write a letter to a soldier stationed overseas who doesn’t have any family or friends.
#2. Reach out to an inmate who doesn’t get mail and share your faith.
#3. Volunteer at a homeless shelter, soup kitchen, or animal shelter.
Related Resources:
Celebrate Recovery Lesson Three Highlights
Lesson 3 Notes
So, you have now admitted that you are powerless and are ready to accept that a Higher Power (God) exists, that you are important to Him, and that He will help you recover. You are ready for hope!
If you have read and studied the Celebrate Recovery Serenity Prayer, you know that God can help us know what we can and cannot control and give us the power to know the difference. If you have now accepted God in your heart, you believe this and are ready for Him to take complete control of your life!
As you go through these points, I encourage you to discuss them with your new Celebrate Recovery friends in your step study, small group, or on paper if you wish. Just let it out!
#1. Your Higher Power is Jesus Christ!
Jesus craves daily interaction – a real relationship with us! He is able to do things for us that we could only dream of accomplishing on our own!
Everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power. – Romans 11:36 (TLB)
Our Higher Power tells us, “My grace is enough for you: for where there is weakness, my power is shown more completely.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 (PH)
#2. Be Open to Change, and Trust the Power of God.
You’ve tried changing on your own. Where did that get you? Probably nowhere. You need God’s help.
On your own, you will struggle to get past your hurt, habit, or hang-up. With God’s power, your situation can change, and so can you! Trust Him!!
Let go of worry and turn yourself over to God. Trust His will for your life! He knows the big picture; you don’t.
If you feel disconnected from God, pray more, tell Him of your deepest desires, and trust Him to take care of your life. Make prayer a big part of your life!
Use a prayer journal to connect in prayer to God. He will listen, and if you trust Him, everything will turn out as it should be.
Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. Yes, you must be a new and different person. – Ephesians 4:23 (TLB)
For I can do everything, God asks me to with the help of Christ, who gives me strength and power. – Philippians 4:13 (TLB)
Lead me; teach me; for you are the God who gives me salvation. I have no hope except in You. – Psalm 25:5 (TLB)
#3. Expect Change to Happen.
Even though you may have hit many roadblocks and want to give up on recovery, don’t quit! The miracles are just beginning in your life.
With God in control, your goals are just a few steps away. Hang in there! You are only on the second principle!! Remain hopeful! Find hope through Jesus Christ!
I am sure that God, who began the good work within you, will keep right on helping you grow in His grace until His task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns. – Philippians 1:6 (TLB)
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1
Lesson 3 Questions
- Before taking this step, where were you trying to find hope?
- What do you believe about God? What are some of His characteristics?
- How are your feelings for your heavenly Father and your earthly father alike? How do they differ?
- In what areas of your life are you now ready to let God help you?
- How can your relationship with your Higher Power, Jesus Christ, help you step out of your denial and face reality?
- What things are you ready to change in your life? Where can you get the power to change them?
These questions came from the Celebrate Recovery Study Guide.
More Helpful Celebrate Recovery Resources
A CR Video – Celebrate Recovery Lesson 3: Hope
In this video, brought to us by Pastor Arlene Jackson at the Grace Church in Florida, Celebrate Recovery lesson three on hope is discussed.
Additional Study Questions
- What does hope mean to you?
- When have you felt hopeless?
- What did you do to get through that period of hopelessness?
- In what ways has God helped you?
- What is your relationship with God like?
- What will you be doing to improve the relationship you have with God?
- In what ways do you now have more hope?
- What do you need to stop doing today?
- How are you going to turn your worries over to God?
- What stood out to you the most in this lesson?
My Story – In Relation to Celebrate Recovery Lesson Three
Let’s get a little personal.
Let me once again properly introduce myself.
My name is Michele. I’m a grateful believer in Jesus Christ, and I struggle with workaholism, perfectionism, codependency, and anxiety. I celebrate recovery from an addiction to men and alcoholism.
One key takeaway from this lesson for me was to stop doing what I was previously doing and to instead turn it over to God. Stop stressing about things from my previous life; they don’t need to be in my new life.
Previously, I would look toward my addictions for hope. With the help of Celebrate Recovery and this lesson on HOPE, I learned to find hope by trusting God. He loves us unconditionally and accepts us regardless of our imperfections, which we will always have.
Instead of storing up your “stuff” here on earth, look to God, who will offer you hope, comfort, and peace that cannot be found elsewhere. Just turn it all over to Him; the emptiness inside of you will be filled with a new force – that of God.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but be a new and different person with a fresh newness in all you do and think. Then, you will learn from your own experience how His ways will really satisfy you. – Romans 12:2 (TLB)
Finally, I learned that you know you are ready to stop turning to bad things for their solutions when you turn instead to God for hope. He may change things in your life that you don’t think need to be changed, but He knows what’s best for you in this season in your life.
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. – Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NLT)
My Summary Suggestions on Celebrate Recovery Lesson 3
- Make some Christian friends at your Celebrate Recovery meeting.
- Reduce the amount of worry you have by turning it over to God.
- Find a church home to grow as a Christian.
- Continue to go to CR meetings and encourage someone new!
- Focus on things you can do for your community and the world around you.
- Study your Bible and pray daily. Use a prayer journal to record your prayers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 steps in Celebrate Recovery?
The Celebrate Recovery 12 steps are based on the twelve steps of Alcoholics Anonymous.
- We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.
- We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
- We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.
- We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
- We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
- We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
- We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
- We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
- We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
- We continued to take personal inventory and, when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
- We sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and power to carry that out.
- Having a spiritual experience as the result of these steps, we try to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
What is the Serenity Prayer?
The Celebrate Recovery Serenity Prayer says: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. This is also the prayer used in Alcoholics Anonymous.
What are the 8 principles of Celebrate Recovery?
The Celebrate Recovery 8 principles are based on the Beatitudes listed in the New Testament (Matthew 5).
- Realize I’m not God. I admit that I am powerless to control my tendency to do the wrong thing and that my life is unmanageable.
- Earnestly believe that God exists, that I matter to Him, and that He has the power to help me recover.
- Consciously choose to commit all my life and will to Christ’s care and control.
- Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.
- Voluntarily submit to every change God wants to make in my life and humbly ask Him to remove my character defects.
- Evaluate all my relationships. Offer forgiveness to those who have hurt me and make amends for harm I’ve done to others, except when to do so would harm them or others.
- Reserve a daily time with God for self-examination, Bible reading, and prayer in order to know God and His will for my life and to gain the power to follow His will.
- Yield myself to God to be used to bring this Good News to others, both by my example and by my words.
Who goes to Celebrate Recovery meetings?
Usually, the same people that go to other recovery meetings go to Celebrate Recovery meetings. However, you are not limited to addictions, abuse, or codependency to attend. Anyone with hurts, hang-ups, or habits can join in!
Where can you find hope in the Bible?
Psalms is a great place to get started. You can read about David’s trials and how he turned to God during times of trouble. The Gospel of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell the story of Jesus and how hope was found wherever He went!
Conclusion
We have covered much information in this article! You should now know:
- What is Celebrate Recovery Lesson 3: Hope?
- All About Hope and Hopelessness
- Notes, Thoughts, and Questions from the CR Study Guide
- Valuable Celebrate Recovery Resources on Lesson 3
- My Story in Relation to Celebrate Recovery Lesson 3
- And more!
I would love it if you’d help me share the news of this great program and its benefits to it by sharing this article on social media. Help other people on their road to recovery!
If you want to share your story or the answers to the questions in this article, leave a comment or contact me.
I look forward to hearing more about your experience with Celebrate Recovery! Stay tuned for Celebrate Recovery Lesson 4: Sanity! Sounds very interesting!
