For churches and pastors
Resources for pastors and recovery ministries who want to help people in their church who are struggling with drinking. Print them, hand them out, use what helps.
What Steps & Scripture is
Steps & Scripture is a Christian 12-step app for people who want to stop drinking. Jimmy (for men) and Sarah (for women) are AI sponsors who walk the Twelve Steps with them, with Scripture and prayer, at any hour. They keep pointing people back to the things that keep people sober: meetings, a human sponsor, prayer, and a church. It supports your ministry. It doesn't replace it.
Many people won't walk into a recovery meeting the first time they think about quitting. They search privately, late at night. The app meets them there, and then sends them toward you.
Free printables
- One-page overview (PDF)
What the app is, how it fits your ministry, cost and privacy. Letter size. - Bulletin insert (PDF)
Half-sheet, two to a page. Has a blank for who to talk to at your church. - QR cards (PDF)
Business-card size, eight to a sheet. Print on cardstock and cut on the dashed lines. - Guide for small-group leaders (PDF)
How to bring up drinking with someone you love. Two pages.
Every piece carries the crisis numbers and a short safety note. Print as many as you like.
Your church's own QR code
Type your church's name to make a QR code that opens our Start Here page with your church's name in the link. It lets you see roughly how many people your church reached, without anyone's personal details. Nothing you type here is stored or sent anywhere.
Daily Reading for your church website
Put that day's recovery reading on your church or ministry website with one line of code. It updates every day on its own, and it's free. Get the widget.
Sermon notes on addiction and grace
Three short outlines you're welcome to use, adapt, or ignore. Scripture is the English Standard Version (ESV).
1. The Father who runs
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
- The pull of shame. The son had a speech ready about being unworthy. Shame keeps people with a drinking problem away from God and away from church.
- The Father runs first. Before a word of the speech, he's embraced. Grace comes before the cleanup.
- The church's part. Be the kind of people who run toward the one coming home, not the older brother at the door.
- Invitation. If drinking has a hold on you, come home today. Tell one person this week.
2. Carrying it together
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
- Restore gently. Paul says restore, not expose. The goal is a person made whole, not a point won.
- Watch yourself. Humility keeps us from looking down on anyone. Every one of us depends on grace.
- Bear the burden. Recovery is not a solo project. A meeting, a sponsor, a small group: carrying happens in community.
- Invitation. Who in your life needs someone to sit with them this week?
3. Out of the pit
“I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.”
- Waiting and crying out. David waited, and he cried out. Honest prayer is where it starts.
- God lifts and sets. He draws us out of the mud and gives us solid ground. It's often a slow climb, one day at a time.
- A new song, and many will see. A changed life speaks. People in recovery often become the church's best witnesses.
- Invitation. If you're in the pit, cry out today, and let someone help you climb.
For an illustration, consider asking someone in your congregation who is in recovery whether they'd be willing to share a few minutes of their story, with their permission and on their terms.
Before you hand it out
Safety first. If you drink heavily every day, stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Talk to a doctor before you quit.
If someone talks about suicide, take it seriously: stay with them and call or text 988. If someone is in danger, call 911. More on our crisis page.
Common questions
Is Steps & Scripture free for our church?
It's free to download, and the first month includes time with the AI sponsor, with no card. After that the counter, daily plan, step worksheets and crisis help stay free. Talking with Jimmy or Sarah needs Plus, at $9.99 a month or $59.99 a year. There is nothing for the church to pay.
Does it replace our recovery ministry or Celebrate Recovery?
No. It's built to work alongside them. Jimmy and Sarah keep encouraging people toward meetings, a human sponsor, and their church, and the steps that need a real person are worked with a real person.
Is it private?
Yes. There are no ads, and nothing is sold. Journals, chats and step work are never shared with accountability partners or with churches. People can export or delete everything at any time.
Is it affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous?
No. Steps & Scripture is not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. or any recovery organization.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
Jimmy and Sarah are AI sponsors who know the Twelve Steps and the Bible. They'll listen, walk the steps with you, and keep pointing you to real people: a meeting, a sponsor, a church.
Free to download · first month free, no card · adults 18+
After the first month, talking with Jimmy or Sarah needs Plus ($9.99/month or $59.99/year).
Questions, or want to tell us how your church is using it? Send us a note.