Applying Piper’s A.P.T.A.T. Model to the 12 Steps

December 27, 2023

My church is currently going through a sermon series entitled, “The Church- Complete in Christ.” Every week we have been addressing what it means to be a part of God’s church, becoming complete in Christ and producing disciples that are complete in Him. Our most recent topic was, “Measures- Being Led by the Holy Spirit,” which addressed how we as believers can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit.

One of the aspects of this sermon talked about John Piper’s acronym A.P.T.A.T., which he uses to describe how believers can read and apply God’s Word to our lives on a daily basis. As I listened to the principles of Piper’s acronym, I was struck by how similar this model is to the 12 steps, particularly those in Celebrate Recovery.

I find it no coincidence that these two applications of biblical Truth compliment and reinforce one another. It just goes to show the power and the unity that God’s Word brings to believers everywhere.

Admit/Step 1

Admit you can do nothing without God.
Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over our addictions and compulsive behaviors, that our lives had become unmanageable.

Often known as the “I can’t” step in recovery, admitting that we are not in control is the first step to giving God control of our life.

… For apart from Me you can do nothing. -John 15:5b

For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. -Romans 7:18

Pray/Step 2

Pray for help.
Step 2: We came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

We demonstrate our belief that God can help us through prayer. Known as the “He can” step in recovery, this is when we push aside our pride and ask God for help, believing that only He can help us get through the circumstances in our life.

Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give Me glory. -Psalm 50:55

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose. -Philippians 2:13

Trust/Step 3

Trust a specific promise in God’s Word.
Step 3: We made a decision to turn our lives and our wills over to the care of God.

Often one of the hardest steps to take, trusting God with our lives and our wills is a big deal. Referred to as the “I’ll let Him” step, it is hard to give God control because we don’t know what He will do or where He will lead us.

I love Piper’s concept of choosing a specific promise in God’s Word, and trusting in that promise. We know that God keeps His promises, and it is much easier to give Him one specific area of our life at a time when we have buried His Word deep in our heart and are given His blessed assurance that He loves us, He cares for us, and everything He does or allows in our life is for the betterment of our spirit and His Kingdom.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God- this is your true and proper worship. -Romans 12:1

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. -Romans 8:28

Act/Steps 4-11

Act in humble confidence with God’s help.
Step 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
Step 5: We admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
Step 6: We were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Step 7: We humbly asked Him to remove all our shortcomings.
Step 8: We made a list of all persons we had harmed and became willing to make amends to them all.
Step 9: We made direct amends to such people whenever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
Step 10: We continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Step 11: 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.

After we admit, pray, and trust, it is time to act. Take note that action is not the first step, but the fourth. Our actions should follow the direction that God leads us, and we are not able to discern His guidance without completing those first three steps.

In Celebrate Recovery, action involves steps 4-11. What makes this recovery program so incredible is the biblical emphasis on taking time in the first three steps, then seeking the will of God and actively following His guidance and direction.

… Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him. -Philippians 2:12b-13

For whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. -1 Corinthians 10:31

Thank/Step 12

Thank God for His provision and goodness.
Step 12: Having had 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.

Job says, “For the Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Even when we think that there is nothing to be thankful for, we owe thanks to God for the very breath in our lungs. God deserves all glory and praise from us, and His Word says that if we don’t praise Him, the very rocks of the earth will cry out in worship. (Luke 19:40)