STEP FOUR
MADE A SEARCHING AND FEARLESS MORAL AND FINANCIAL INVENTORY OF OURSELVES.
Step Four tells us that our instincts are God given, yet misdirected instincts lead to serious emotional problems.
1. The need for security, which is instinctive, drives one to become power mad and selfish.
2. Greed, lust, envy and pride are destructive habits.
Discuss:
A. What obsessions and excesses in our lives became a problem?
B. Are we prone to tolerate bad habits rather than change them?
Willingness to look at our misdirected instincts (defects) is pride in reverse.
1. It is a step toward humility.
2. It is a lessening of our "big shot ego."
Discuss:
A. Persistence to gamble after we discovered we may be destroying ourselves.
B. What experience brought us to GA/or finally started our belief in GA?
Many members feel that gambling is their only defect.
1. But we identify with other members who claim many defects.
2. We learn that a drastic change in many areas of our lives will be required to maintain the desire to stop gambling.
Discuss:
A. Were we prone to blame others for:
B. Our failings?
C. Gambling defeats/losses?
D. Gambling?
E. Name other reasons.
F. What does taking "others inventory" symbolize?
Step Four warns that we must be fearless when taking our moral and financial inventories.
1. Our egos have created many road blocks.
2. Taking 1st, 2nd, & 3rd inventories will give us a clear perspective of ourselves.
Discuss:
A. Methods for taking inventory.
Written.
How often? When?
Use of "A Guide to Fourth Step Inventory."
B. Pick your special defect and discuss.
Greed
Lust
Anger
Envy
Pride
Talk too much
Selfishness
Blaming
Rationalizing
Bad listener
Impatience
Other