Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

The Way of Jesus Christ can be expressed through the Twelve Steps; correlated with the Exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt through the Wilderness into the Promised Land.

Out of Egypt - Deliverance

Step One We admitted we were powerless – that our lives had become unmanageable. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. Romans 7:15 Step Two Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30 Step Three Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Through the Wilderness - Obedience

Step Four Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves. Take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5 Step Five Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. James 5:16 Steps Six and Seven Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. Psalm 139:23-24 Steps Eight and Nine Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all. Made direct amends wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar.  First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.  Matthew 5:23-26

Into the Promised Land - Effectiveness

Step Ten Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong, promptly admitted it. Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41 Step Eleven Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Let the Words of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16 Step Twelve Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message and to practice these principles in all our affairs. I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. John 14:11-13