B

What is

The

reaking the Chains Seminar

The Biblical Provisions for Addiction

Supplement to DVDs

SESSION 1

ADDICTION?
SESSION 2

Freedom from

ADDICTION
SESSION 3

True & Lasting Freedom in Christ

The THOUGHT

LIFE

SESSION 4

How to Defeat

TEMPTATION
SESSION 5

FREE INDEED

Student Workbook

Walking by the

SPIRIT

SESSION 6

Sanctification and the Command to

SERVE

EFFECTIVE
Scripture Memory, Assignments, Exercises, Quizzes, Accountability, Intensive, Emphatically Biblical

T
What is

he Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

The Biblical Provisions for Addiction

Supplement to DVDs

FEATURES

Seminar Sessions
SESSION 1

ALL SIX

ADDICTION?
SESSION 2

Freedom from

ADDICTION
SESSION 3

True & Lasting Freedom in Christ

The THOUGHT

LIFE

SESSION 4

How to Defeat

TEMPTATION
SESSION 5

Student Workbook

Walking by the

SPIRIT

SESSION 6

Sanctification & the Command to

SERVE
EFFECTIVE

Scripture memory, Assignments, Exercises, Quizzes, Accountability, Intensive, Emphatically Biblical

Workbook

The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

Introduction
Is freedom from addiction possible? Not abstinence Freedom. You bet it isas long as you follow Gods biblical blueprint for living free in Christ. You are about to experience an addictions curriculum unlike any other. This will be an exciting adventure of learning, challenge, and life-transformation. Youll discover the Scriptural perspective on addiction and you will learn the emphatically biblical principles that result in true and lasting freedom. This is an intensive and rigorous curriculum you are undertaking. It is essential that you follow the seminar exactly as the instructions explain. Ready to go? Great! Thank you for choosing The Provision House Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD. You wont regret it.

the The BreakingDVDChains Seminar on

Executive Director Paul Stark 2012 by Paul Stark & Provision House All rights reserved. Printed in USA. Publication The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD and related products are published by Provision House Product Inquiries PO Box 78512 Charlotte, NC 28271 704-332-6112 info@provisionhouse.org www.provisionhouse.org Reproduction No part of The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD, including this publication, its related DVDs, or any other related products, whether video, audio, or print, may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwiseexcept for brief quotations in printed or online reviews, without prior written permission from Paul Stark and Provision House. Scripture Quotations Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this publication are from the New American Standard Bible 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.lockman.org)

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CONTENTS
Our Approach..................................................... 6
The Provision House Philosophy Explained

The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

Workbook

Your Instructor ................................................... 9

Meet Paul Stark

10

SEMINAR OVERVIEW

The Scope, Sequence and Summary for each Session

Seminar Overview and Schedule ............ 10

The Scope, Sequence, and Summary for Each Session

Instructions.......................................................... 12
Everything You Need to Know to Ensure Success

Session One......................................................... 15
What is Addiction?

Session Two ........................................................ 23

Freedom from Addiction

12

INSTRUCTIONS

Everything you need to know to successfully complete the seminar

Session Three ..................................................... 31

The Thought Life

Session Four ........................................................ 39

How to Defeat Temptation

Session Five ......................................................... 47

Walking by the Spirit

Session Six ............................................................ 55

Sanctification and the Command to Serve

Appendix A .......................................................... 62
Who I am in Christ

62

APPENDIX A & B

Your Identity in Christ and The 20 Cans of Success

Appendix B ........................................................... 63
The 20 Cans of Success

Road Map.............................................................. 64
Planning Your Lifes Journey for a Free and Productive Life in Christ

64

ROAD MAP

Maintain your freedom in Christ by knowing where youre going

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Workbook

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[A] biblical approach to addictions must teach spiritual truth and disciplines. Instruction and life-on-life discipleship about how to do spiritual battle and fight the good fight for faith and obedience. This should include practical biblical teaching on sanctification and important concepts like putting off/putting on and renewing the mind. The [addicted person] must understand sin and sanctification. Seminary Professor Sam William, Ph.D.

The approach to addictions has changed dramatically over the past twenty-two years. The publication of Dr. Herbert Fingarettes book, Heavy Drinking: The Myth of Alcoholism

Professors, researchers, scholars, authors, and even residential and non-residential recovery centers have adopted other philosophical approaches to resolving addictions, but there is no consensus among them as to what addiction is or how to address it. The church has been particularly slow in realizing that there are much better options than the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. Worse yet, the church has been virtually silent in the discussion, offering no emphatically biblical understanding of addiction. Hence, even the church and Christian recovery ministries cannot agree on what addiction is. Some scholarly study and research is called for in an attempt to arrive at a unified definition of addiction and, therefore, the approach that should be taken in helping believers find true and lasting freedom in Christ. Thats what we are trying to accomplish at Provision House. We believe that addiction is a spiritual stronghold within which sin predominates. Two of the effects of sin are that it enslaves (John 8:34)

as a Disease changed everything (University of

California Press, 1982). [N]o leading research authorities accept the classic disease concept . . . [and] No one in the debate is seeking to resurrect the classic disease concept (Fingarette 1988, pp. 3, 22). Despite this, Almost everything the American public believes to be the scientific truth about addiction is false (Fingarette 1988, 1). Tough words for those indoctrinated in the disease concept. But the fact remains, the disease concept is an utterly discredited theory of addiction (except among those who are part of the multibillion dollar recovery industry). Since Fingarette, dozens of books and innumerable studies have been published echoing the same factual conclusion. page 6

The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

Workbook

and controls (Romans 6:12). We assert that failure to recognize the fact that all addictions are also sin is to fail to consider the enslaving and controlling effects of sin. To fail to consider the enslaving and controlling effects of sin is to attempt to accomplish redemption, conversion, and sanctification apart from Jesus Christ. Redemption in the sense of liberating someone from enslavement. Conversion in the sense of changing ones direction and orientation in life. And sanctification in the sense of a progressive change in ones behavior. Every approach to addiction attempts to get a person out of their addictive behavior (redemption), get them headed in a new direction (conversion), and engaged in a continual process of change and growth (sanctification). These are noble intentions to be sure, but extremely difficult to accomplish apart from a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. The pathways to addiction are as numerous, varied, and complex as the addicted individuals themselves. To attempt to eradicate addictive behavior by resolving issues of the past rarely succeeds. There need be no reason for an addiction to have developed other than a person simply made one or more bad decisions. In fact, attempting to resolve relational issues, financial issues, emotional issues, or other circumstantial issues before ceasing the addictive behavior is likely to fail--the addiction sabotages these efforts nearly every time. Once the addiction is gone, a person then has the capacity to deal with any residual issues that need to be addressed. We encourage you to review this website and its resources and see if you agree with us that programs dont set you free, mental health experts dont set you free, even ministries dont set you free. Jesus Christ sets you free. We will continue to work very hard to not only help Christians find true and lasting freedom from addiction in Christ, but to help the church begin to understand addictions from an emphatically biblical perspective.

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Workbook

OR CT RU ST IN UR YO
Paul, an ordained minister, is founder and executive director of Provision House, and has been involved

Our approach to helping Christians find true and lasting freedom from addiction is neither medical, psychological, nor sociological. It is theological.

in addictions ministry since 1998. His approach to addictions started as research for a seminary thesis entitled, The Biblical Provisions for Addiction, and an irresistible call upon his life to fulfill this ministry.

He has conducted numerous Breaking the Chains seminars and workshops at churches and regional Christian conferences, and has applied the principles in several residential recovery ministries.

He also has an undergraduate degree in business and has attended two ATS accredited seminaries. He was Northeast Regional Manager for Gospel Light Publications, an international, non-denominational Christian education and book publishing organization. He also co-founded Techniscan Corporation in New Jersey.

Paul continues study and research for the purpose of further developing a biblical theology of addictions. He is also encouraging churches to consider addictions from a theological perspective and not merely medical, psychological, or sociological perspectives. He and his wife Rosangela live in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. Their daughter, son-in-law, and grandson live in Florida.

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Workbook

The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

Overview and Schedule

Teaching the Biblical Provisions for Addiction
Session 1 Session 2 Session 3

SEMINAR
H
ow you define addiction determines the approach you will take in seeking freedom. This emphatically biblical approach represents an exposition of relevant scriptures resulting in the inevitable conclusion that addiction is a spiritual stronghold due to the enslaving and controlling effects of habitual sin. A brief survey of the numerous competing definitions of addiction is covered. The more like Christ we are, the more power we have over temptation and sin. Hence, Christlikeness is the goal for every student. Proverbs 5:22, John 8:34, Romans 6:12, 16, 8:29, 2 Peter 2:19, Matt 5:6, Acts 8:23.

an explication of the Romans 6 theology that the believer is free from the controlling power of sin. The nature and effects of sin are covered. Students learn that they are not powerless over sin. Rather, sin has been made powerless over them. This passage demonstrates that it is well within the ability of the believer to stop any addictive behavior. This teaching is prerequisite to breaking free from addiction. Students who apprehend this truth are well on their way to true and lasting freedom from addiction. John 8:32, Romans 6:1-8:2, Galatians 5:1, 13, 2 Corinthians 5:17.

his session is primarily

o you want to change? Do you want to change biblically? If so, what is the biblical prescription for change? The biblical prescription for change is the renewing of the mind, but how is that accomplished? Further, what does it mean to take a thought captive and how is that done? These topics and others are answered in this session. The Think-Feel-Act progression is explained. Romans 12:2, 13:14, 2 Corinthians 2:11, 10:3-5, Ephesians 4:27, 1 Chronicles 21:1, Acts 5:1-5, 1 Kings 22:21-22, Philippians 4:8, Colossians 3:2, Proverbs 23:7.

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The scope, sequence, and summary for each seminar session

Programs dont set you free. Jesus sets you free.
Session 4 Session 5 Session 6
he reason that Christians

temptation. Many fail in their battle against sin because they attempt to eradicate the sin rather than respond biblically to the temptation. Some Christians are looking for a way to avoid or escape temptation. Others are attempting to resist it. Neither of these responses is the biblical teaching on how to deal with temptation. This session is a deep and thorough discussion of temptation, its characteristics, and the biblical instruction for responding to it. 1 Corinthians 10:13, James 1:2-4, 14-15, 1 Peter 1:6, 4:1, 12-13.

ehind all sin lies

between breaking free and remaining free from addiction. Walking by the Spirit is the key to remaining free, and is more about personal activity than personal spirituality. Scripture teaches that freedom is to be acted upon to ensure continuing spiritual formation. We are not to pour all our energy into resisting temptation. Rather, we are to use our time engaged in activities that contribute to spiritual growth. How we occupy our time determines if we will live in freedom. Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:15-18, Col. 3:1-2, 1 Peter 2:16.

here is a difference

relapse is because they dry up spiritually. But actively serving God precludes a stale and impotent Christian life. Sanctification is incomplete without the essential component of service. None of us become what God created us to be without doing what He created us to do. We are created and saved to serve. Unless and until you discover and live out what it is that God put you here for, you will never find purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in life--you will always be frustrated. Galatians 5:13, John 15:1-17, Romans 6:19, Ephesians 2:10, 4:11-16, Titus 2:14, James 2:22.

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Workbook

The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

Instructions

1. Student Advisor or Group Leader

Each student is strongly urged to enlist the help of an advisor whose primary purpose is to encourage you throughout the seminar. While this role may be filled by a group leader [if the seminar is being taken in a group setting], we recommend an individual advisor for each student. This will ensure adequate time for frequent discussion and support during the seminar and continued availability of the advisor (encourager) following your successful completion of the seminar. The advisor should be someone you know well, trust to keep your issue(s) confidential, not a relative, and of the same gender. Your advisor is urged to download the free Student Advisors Manual from the Provision House website. It contains many very helpful suggestions for ensuring your success. Advisors should not assume they already know how best to help you, particularly those who have never experienced what you have. In our live seminars, students who did not have an advisor experienced only about a 30% success rate.

2. DVDs

There is a DVD corresponding to each session. The DVD is to be watched before completing any other activity in this seminar. Each session contains 6 principles. The principles appear on full, 2-page spreads. Sessions 3 & 4 contain blank graphics pages. These are pages with graphics from the DVDs that the student might like to fill in themselves either while watching the DVD or at a later time.

3. Scripture Memory

There is at least one memory verse or passage to be memorized for each session. Other verses or passages may be assigned at the discretion of the student advisor or group leader.

4. Quizzes

Each session in the workbook contains a quiz. Each quiz is simply the principles from the session but in the form of questions plus the memory verse(s). The quiz is to be taken after viewing the DVD and attaining proficiency of the principles in the workbook. While the quiz may be studied in advance, the quiz should be taken closed book. Mastery of the principles should be demonstrated through quiz performance before proceeding to the next session. Evaluation of your quiz and session proficiency should be conducted by your advisor or group leader.

5. Exercises

Each session in the workbook contains an Exercise section. It is recommended to complete the exercises before taking the quiz. While the quizzes are designed to reinforce retention of the material, the exercises are designed to prompt deep and serious reflection on your relationship with God. You should review your answers with your advisor or group leader.

6. Church Attendance

You are required to attend church as least weekly, but preferably as often as possible. If mid-week services or classes are offered, it is strongly recommended you attend.

Your workbook includes a Road Map for maintaining your Freedom. This tool is designed to assist you and your advisor or group leader in resolving any remaining personal issues that resulted from the addictive behavior. Any other tool which accomplishes the same goal can be used as long as it is understood that unresolved personal issues, such as financial or relational damage, can sabotage your freedom if not effectively and successfully dealt with. page
12 page 12

7. Road Map

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The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

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Session
One
hat is Addiction?

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Workbook

The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

n order to maximize your retention of the teaching, it is important to let your advisor quiz you on the principles.

Watch Session 1 DVD

Let Your Advisor Quiz You

ive lots of thought to your writing. This is the time to think deeply about where youve been and where youre headed.

Assignments
for this session
4
Mtilina quem haedo, ne in des rei pessme Complete the Exercises moli ferivir lost omnotemena.

ont just answer the questions. Sink the principles deep into your heart. If you really want true and lasting life-change to occur, heres the place to get serious.

eviewing your answers to the exercise questions will enable your advisor to offer helpful feedback for further reflection.

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Answer the Quiz Questions

Discuss the Exercises

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Workbook

ohn 8:34.

ow many chances do you think youre going to get at this? Now is the time to buckle down and commit like youve never done before.

Memorize

Review, Review, Review!

irmly reinforcing the truth about who you are as a child of God ensures that your behavior will be consistent with your new creation identity.

hile not a requirement, the value of reviewing the principles and content of this sessions DVD again will strengthen you even more.

Master Appendix A

10

Watch the DVD Again

s there anything God hasnt given you that you need in order to live a godly life? No! So can you succeed? Absolutely!

f you progress through this seminar without ever having a question, then somethings wrong. Your advisor is there for youso ask!

Master Appendix B

11

Prepare your Questions

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Principle 1 Principle 2 Principle 3 Principle 4 Principle 5

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Principle 6

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Addiction is a Spiritual Stronghold within which sin predominates Sin Enslaves

Sin Controls The goal is Christlikeness The more like Christ we are, the more power we have over Temptatation and Sin Three ways to be like Christ: Thought, Word and Deed

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QUIZ SECTION
The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

Workbook

Complete the quiz questions to reinforce the principles taught in the session

1. What is the biblical definition of addiction given in this session?

2. What are two effects of habitual sin?

3. What is the goal for this seminar?

4. What two things do you have more power over as a result of being more like Christ?

5. How many ways are there to be like Christ? Name them.

6. Write out John 8:34.

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Complete the Exercises & discuss them with your advisor at your next meeting

EXERCISE SECTION

The Breaking the Chains Seminar on DVD

Workbook

1. Whose job is it to renew your mind, yours or Gods. Whose job is it to transform you, yours or Gods? Who goes first, you or God?

2. Do you have an authentic hunger and thirst to live a godly life or do you really prefer to continue your present lifestyle? Is your answer honest?

3. Do you agree with Pauls definition of addiction given on the DVD? Why or why not?

4. Do you believe that your addictive behavior was sinful activity? Explain.

5. Do you agree that the positive emphasis of growing into increasing Christlikeness makes more sense than pouring all your energy into resisting temptation? Explain.

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