The 12 Steps didn't begin as a recovery program. They began as a path of Christian discipleship.

In this episode of the Love Life Sober Podcast, Christy sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg for a powerful conversation about the biblical foundations of the 12 Steps, the role of surrender in spiritual transformation, and why willpower alone is never enough to create lasting change.

John shares how practices like confession, self-examination, renewing your mind, habit change, and surrender are woven throughout Scripture and why the church may have more to learn from the recovery community than it realizes.

If you've ever struggled to change through sheer determination, felt unsure about the 12 Steps as a Christian, or wondered why God hasn't simply removed the desire to drink, this conversation will give you hope.

If You've Ever Thought...

"What does surrender actually mean?"

"I've asked God to take this desire away, so why hasn't He?"

"How do I practice the 12 Steps as a Christian?"

"Why do I keep falling back into the same habits?"

This episode is for you 🩷

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Christian origins of the 12 Steps

• How the recovery movement emerged from Christian discipleship

• Why surrender is the doorway to freedom

• The difference between trying harder and training wisely

• Why confession and self-examination matter

• Renewing your mind and changing your habits

• Progress over perfection

• How God works through imperfect people and why growth is often slower than we expect.

Links & Resources

Join the June 40-Day Alcohol Fast
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/june-fast

Get John's book, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough
https://amzn.to/43fFyS1

The Aligned Conference
https://www.alignedconference.org/

📖 Order Christy's book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind
https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book

Connect on Instagram: @lovelifesoberwithchristy

Subscribe on YouTube

Disclaimer
The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

The 12 Steps didn't begin as a recovery program. They began as a path of Christian discipleship.
In this episode of the Love Life Sober Podcast, Christy sits down with bestselling author and pastor John Ortberg for a powerful conversation about the biblical foundations of the 12 Steps, the role of surrender in spiritual transformation, and why willpower alone is never enough to create lasting change.
John shares how practices like confession, self-examination, renewing your mind, habit change, and surrender are woven throughout Scripture and why the church may have more to learn from the recovery community than it realizes.
If you've ever struggled to change through sheer determination, felt unsure about the 12 Steps as a Christian, or wondered why God hasn't simply removed the desire to drink, this conversation will give you hope.
If You've Ever Thought...
"What does surrender actually mean?"
"I've asked God to take this desire away, so why hasn't He?"
"How do I practice the 12 Steps as a Christian?"
"Why do I keep falling back into the same habits?"
This episode is for you 🩷
In This Episode, We Discuss:
&bull; The Christian origins of the 12 Steps
&bull; How the recovery movement emerged from Christian discipleship
&bull; Why surrender is the doorway to freedom
&bull; The difference between trying harder and training wisely
&bull; Why confession and self-examination matter
&bull; Renewing your mind and changing your habits
&bull; Progress over perfection
&bull; How God works through imperfect people and why growth is often slower than we expect.
Links &amp; Resources
Join the June 40-Day Alcohol Fast <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/june-fast" data-start="3263" data-end="3300">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/june-fast</a>
Get John's book, Steps: A Guide to Transforming Your Life When Willpower Isn't Enough <a href="https://amzn.to/43fFyS1" data-start="3392" data-end="3415">https://amzn.to/43fFyS1</a>
The Aligned Conference <a href="https://www.alignedconference.org/" data-start="3442" data-end="3476">https://www.alignedconference.org/</a>
📖 Order Christy's book, Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book" data-start="3611" data-end="3643">https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book</a>
Connect on Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lovelifesoberwithchristy/?hl=en">@lovelifesoberwithchristy</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@LoveLifeSober">Subscribe on YouTube</a>
Disclaimer The creators, hosts, and producers of the Love Life Sober podcast are not healthcare practitioners and therefore do not give medical, psychological, or professional advice nor intend for the podcast or any Love Life Sober communication to substitute for such. Views and opinions expressed in any referenced or linked resources do not necessarily reflect those of the Love Life Sober team or guests.

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.

Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?

Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.

Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what’s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.

You’ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.

At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.

This is a grace-filled, shame-free space for women seeking freedom from alcohol through faith, neuroscience, and compassionate coaching. You don’t have to hit rock bottom. You don’t have to white-knuckle your way through sobriety. And you don’t have to do this alone.

If you’re ready to loosen alcohol’s grip and live the life God is inviting you into, you’re in the right place.
Welcome to Love Life Sober. Want more? Visit lovelifesober.com. 

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.
Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?
Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.
Hosted by Christian sobriety coach and author Christy Osborne, author of <a href="https://lovelifesober.co.uk/book">Love Life Sober: A 40 Day Alcohol Fast to Rediscover Your Joy, Improve Your Health, and Renew Your Mind</a>, this podcast blends Scripture, neuroscience, and practical coaching to help you understand what&rsquo;s happening in your brain, your nervous system, and your heart, and how lasting freedom from alcohol is actually possible.
You&rsquo;ll hear expert conversations and powerful testimonies for women exploring Christian sobriety, faith-based recovery, mindful drinking, and alcohol-free living. Each episode gently invites you to step away from wine and toward deeper connection with God, without shame, pressure, or the need to decide forever.
At the heart of Love Life Sober is a simple truth. Love, joy, peace, and connection were never meant to be found in a wine bottle. They are found in Jesus.
This is a grace-filled, shame-free space for women seeking freedom from alcohol through faith, neuroscience, and compassionate coaching. You don&rsquo;t have to hit rock bottom. You don&rsquo;t have to white-knuckle your way through sobriety. And you don&rsquo;t have to do this alone.
If you&rsquo;re ready to loosen alcohol&rsquo;s grip and live the life God is inviting you into, you&rsquo;re in the right place. Welcome to Love Life Sober. Want more? Visit <a href="https://lovelifesober.com/">lovelifesober.com</a>.&nbsp;

Love Life Sober is a Christian podcast for women questioning their relationship with alcohol and sensing God might have more for them beyond the wine glass.  Have you felt that nudge from God to put down the wine glass, but the thought of relaxing, having fun, or even coping with life feels impossible without it? Are you waking up each morning vowing not to drink tonight, only to find that by five p.m., all bets are off?  Love Life Sober is for sober and sober-curious women who love Jesus, or who are longing to reconnect with Him, and who know deep down that alcohol is no longer serving them.

Love Life Sober

Are the 12 Steps Based on the Bible? | John Ortberg

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/8ad7247b-6671-49ad-8854-b45b00f85f29/transcript