CELEBRATE RECOVERY Spiritual Inventory TEACHING NOTES

***I've been sharing my notes because they've touched so many lives, and here they are. May they inspire and uplift you, too.. 

PRINCIPLE 4: Openly examine and confess my faults to myself, to God, and to someone I trust.

 

"Happy are the pure in heart" — Matthew 5:8

 

STEP 4: We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

 

"Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord" — Lamentations 3:40

 

INTRODUCTION 

Tonight, we conclude our journey through spiritual inventory, but this is more than a lesson—it's a moment to pause, reflect, and let God meet us right where we are.

Spiritual inventory isn't about condemnation. It's about honesty. It's about letting God begin the deep healing work in us.

And take heart—in Celebrate Recovery, we don't take inventory because we've “arrived" or have it all figured out. We take inventory because we are still healing.

Still learning. Still growing. Still trusting God—one day at a time.

Maybe right now, this process feels overwhelming. Perhaps you're afraid of what you'll find when looking deeper. But hear this:

Spiritual Inventory is NOT:

·         A list of reasons to feel ashamed.

·         A test to see how “Christian" you are.

·         A space for perfect people—the brave, broken, the honest, and the willing.

Spiritual Inventory IS:

·         A sacred space to be real, without pretense, without fear.

·         A place to lay down burdens you've carried for too long.

·         A moment to meet Jesus in your truth, not in the version of yourself you wish you were.

·         A chance to see yourself as God already sees you—loved, forgiven, and purposeful.

Healing is not easy, but it is worth it.

Inventory isn’t just about uncovering wounds—it’s about letting God heal them.

And that healing? It won’t always be easy. Some of it will stretch you. Some of it will bring tears. Some of it will make you want to turn away.

But don’t.

Because every hard question, every moment of surrender, every step forward—it’s worth fighting for.

What God is doing in your life is worth the work. Worth the process. Worth the struggle.

And one day, when you look back, you won’t just see the fight.

You’ll see the grace that carried you through.

Medicine Cabinet Analogy:

Just as we periodically check our medicine cabinet—organizing what's useful, clearing what's expired, ensuring we have everything needed—spiritual inventory works the same way:

·         Assess what aligns with God's truth and helps us grow

·         Clear out harmful mindsets and burdens

·         Make sure we're surrounding ourselves with God's wisdom and grace

Guided by Psalm 139:23-24

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test my thoughts. Point out anything in me that makes You sad and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

This isn't just a verse—it's an invitation to transformation. It reminds us that we don't do this work alone. We ask God to reveal what needs healing, not to shame us but to free us.

YOUR MIND 

Recovery begins when our mind changes, not our circumstances.

Mental Battlefield:

·         Your mind processes about 60,000 thoughts daily

·         Research shows 70% are negative

·         Many of us are trapped in cycles of fear, shame, and self-doubt

God's Solution:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will." — Romans 12:2

Your mind is like my medicine cabinet —if you don't regularly clean it out, old junk will pile up.

 Remember: "A ship doesn't sink because of the water around it but because of the water that gets in."

Your circumstances don't have the power to drown you, but the thoughts you allow in can.

Self-Reflection Questions:

·         Are you tired of mental gymnastics?

·         Do you catch yourself thinking, "I'll never change"?

·         Does your past scream "you're worthless" when you make a mistake?

·         Do negative labels still shape how you see yourself?

Those thoughts may feel true, but they are not the truth. God's Word is truth, and He invites us to renew our minds with His promises, not our past wounds.

Practical Application: How do I apply Romans 12:2 to my inventory

1.      Take inventory of your thoughts—are they rooted in truth or deception?

2.      Identify what's feeding your thinking—Scripture, old wounds, past hurts, or past experiences?

3.      Seek truth over assumption—what does God's Word say? Whose voices are you hearing?

4.      Recognize what you need—accountability, renewal, forgiveness, trust?

5.      Choose transformation—surrender your thoughts daily

I do this every day when intrusive thoughts, toxic thoughts, or anything bombards my mind.  Our hearts are prone to wander, and our minds can easily deceive us, making renewal a constant necessity. Inventory isn't a one-time fix; it's a daily commitment. Transformation requires intentional, consistent effort.

YOUR BODY 

"Haven't you yet learned that your body is the home of the Holy Spirit God gave you, and that He lives within you? Your body does not belong to you. For God has bought you with a great price. So, use every part of your body to give glory back to God, because He owns it." — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (**not diets, not exercise)

Your Body has been through a journey:

·         It has walked with you through addiction, hurt, and pain.

·         It has carried the weight of emotions your heart could not express.

·         It has endured destructive choices.

·         It has stood with you through battles no one else could see.

·         It has never abandoned you—even when you abandoned it

·         Yet through it all, God calls us to honor the body He has entrusted to us 

        Your Body Speaks—Are You Listening?

·         It aches when forgiveness is withheld.

·         It longs for care when harm becomes habit.

·         It holds the echo when wounds go ignored.

·         It trembles when fear takes hold

·         It numbs when emotions feel too big

·         It carries every burden—waiting for release, waiting for healing.

Tonight's Choice: Will you keep pushing past limits, numbing, and ignoring? Or will you offer your body the support and care God provides?

Applying 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: read scripture

·         Surrender substance abuse, food issues, or health/body neglect before God

·         Recognize your body as sacred—the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit

·         Choose one act of kindness toward your body today- rest, movement, nourishment.

·         Break the cycle of self-rejection- instead of harming it, see your body as the vessel carrying your purpose.

Your Body Is Waiting for Your Yes: (Yes to each one)

·         It has endured your storms—now let it experience restoration

·         It has absorbed every hidden wound—now let it be wrapped in gentleness

·         It has carried your burdens—now let it receive peace

·         It has fought to keep going—now let it be embraced with compassion

·         It has survived in survival mode—now let it live in freedom

·         It has suffered harm—now let it thrive with healing

Recovery goes beyond mere survival—it's a journey of restoration. Embrace and honor the body that has supported you through life's challenges. Allow it to receive the care and healing it finally truly deserves, a gift that only God can provide.

YOUR FAMILY 

"But if you are willing to obey the Lord, then decide today whom you will obey... But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." — Joshua 24:15

The family you came from may have shaped you, but it doesn't have to define the family you are building now. Don't let the pain, patterns, or dysfunction of the past bleed into the love and life you're creating today.

Carrying old wounds into new spaces only spreads division where there should be unity. Learn from your past, but do not let it weigh down your present. You have the power to break the cycle—to heal, to unlearn, to choose love over resentment and peace over chaos.

And here's the hope: Inventory isn't just about seeing what's broken—it's about recognizing what can be redeemed.

Applying Joshua 24:15 to Family Restoration:

·         Recognize generational cycles—see unhealthy patterns and choose healing

·         Surrender unhealthy habits—let go of dysfunction

·         Commit to truth and grace—honesty heals, grace sustains

·         Practice forgiveness—release resentment, choose reconciliation

·         Lead with faith—let God guide you to rebuild every relationship

God's Design for Family: He wants the family to be…

·         A safe harbor—not a battleground

·         A place for truth wrapped in grace

·         Where forgiveness is practiced daily

·         Built on mutual respect and shared faith

Steps Toward Family Healing:

·         Acknowledge the pain—yours and theirs

·         Set healthy boundaries—protect recovery without shutting out loved ones

·         Use new communication patterns—speak the truth with kindness

·         Extend grace—progress, not perfection

·         Invite God into every conversation and every relationship

Remember:

·         Healing takes time; it's a journey, not a quick fix

·         You can only change yourself, not others

·         Recovery has the power to bless generations

Your family's story isn't finished. God is still writing redemption into every chapter. Inventory is the starting point, but restoration is the destination. When we face the truth with courage, God meets us with grace. When we lay down the weight, He lifts our heads and rewrites our legacy. You're not just healing for yourself—you're healing for generations. Cycles are breaking. Chains are falling. God is doing something new, and it starts with you.

YOUR CHURCH 

"Let us not neglect our church meetings, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of His coming back is drawing near." — Hebrews 10:25

Faith isn't meant to be walked alone. God designed the church as a place of growth, accountability, and encouragement. Inventory is an opportunity to reflect on our role in that community and strengthen our commitment to growth.

Church Inventory Questions/application: Read Hebrews 10:25

·         Am I staying connected or isolated?

Application: Healing happens in community, not isolation. Make an intentional effort to connect—attend CR regularly, join a shared group, or check in with someone who understands your journey.

·         Am I fully engaging in Celebrate Recovery?

Application: Engagement means more than showing up—it's about participating with an open heart. Share, listen, and allow yourself to be challenged, knowing that growth requires honesty and vulnerability.

·         Do I have sponsor and accountability partners?

Application: Recovery isn't meant to be walked alone. If you don't have a sponsor, commit to finding one—someone who will speak truth, guide you, and walk alongside you. If you do, check in regularly and lean into accountability.

·         Am I using my gifts and story to serve others?

·         Application: Healing isn't just personal—it's meant to impact others. Whether it's mentoring, sharing your testimony, or serving in CR, your journey can be the encouragement someone else needs.

God's Design for Church & Recovery:

·         Not just a building, but a body of believers

·         A place for authentic community

·         Where accountability is essential

·         Where wounds become wisdom to help others

Steps Toward Deepening Connection:

·         Show up consistently—be physically and emotionally present

·         Lean into accountability—engage with your sponsor regularly

·         Serve in the community—CR needs your gifts

·         Stay teachable—receive correction with humility

·         Seek deeper relationships— engage in shared groups and step studies

Remember:

Church isn't perfect, because it's made of imperfect people

Your story is a valuable contribution to your church and CR's needs.

Your place in God's family is irreplaceable—the church and Celebrate Recovery need what you can bring. Step forward, engage, and allow God to use your story for His glory.

 CLOSING & APPLICATION (2 minutes)

Inventory is an act of courage. It requires looking at what we've carried, facing where we've been, and trusting where God is leading us next. It may feel overwhelming but remember—this journey isn't about perfection but pursuit and surrender.

If you feel stuck in the weight of your past, hold onto this truth:

·         You don't have to fix everything at once—healing happens one step at a time.

·         You don't have to do it alone—God has placed a family (CR) of believers to walk with you.

·         Grace covers the process—no matter what surfaces, God's mercy is bigger than your mistakes.

I know what it's like to carry the weight of old wounds—to fight demons in silence while saying, “I'm fine. “To smile on the outside while battling patterns that feel unbreakable.

I've been stuck. Tired. Wondering if things could ever really change. But here's what I've learned:

Your past does not define the value of your future—God does. Inventory is where the healing begins. It brings awareness, but it also brings hope. Even in the mess, God sees it all and still chooses to heal. Every honest step forward, every moment you surrender to Him, is a victory. In those moments, peace begins to settle in, restoration unfolds, and your mind quiets. Healing doesn't always come all at once, but it does come.

And every bit of progress is worth honoring. Worth celebrating. You are not too far gone.

You are not alone. And your story? It's still being written by the One who makes all things new.

Your Challenge This Week:

I invite you to step forward in just ONE area—because movement leads to transformation:

·         Break a thought pattern that has kept you bound in defeat.

·         Honor your body as God's temple—it has carried you through battles.

·         Take a step toward family healing—even if it's just one conversation.

·         Strengthening your church connection—by being vulnerable, because vulnerability leads to victory.

Transformation begins the moment you decide to move. God has already started the work—your only task is to trust Him and step forward.

 PRAYER 

Father, tonight we surrender every weight we've carried—the battles in our mind, struggles in our body, wounds in our family, and distance from community.

Break chains that hold us back.

Silence lies that steal our peace.

Crush fear that keeps us trapped.

We will no longer settle for survival—we step into renewal.

No longer bound by shame, we walk in redemption.

We are no longer prisoners in the past—we claim freedom.

Let this moment be a turning point. Let what we lay down tonight stay down, and what we step into be unshakable, Unstoppable, and undeniably Yours. In Jesus' name, Amen!