Big Book Study Guide
AA Big Book Study Guide: How to Work the Big Book in Recovery
If you're new to Alcoholics Anonymous — or coming back after a while away — you've probably heard people talk about "the Big Book." Maybe someone at a meeting told you to read it. Maybe your sponsor handed you a copy and said, "Start here."
The Big Book is the foundation of AA. Its full title is Alcoholics Anonymous, and it was first published in 1939. But reading it cover to cover like a novel isn't really how it's meant to be used. That's where an AA Big Book study guide comes in. A good study guide helps you slow down, ask questions, and actually apply what you're reading to your own life.
This page will walk you through what a Big Book study guide is, why it matters, and how to find or start one — including right here in St. Louis.
What Is a Big Book Study Guide?
A Big Book study guide is any structured tool that helps you work through Alcoholics Anonymous with intention. It might be:
The goal is the same: to help you understand the text, connect it to your own experience, and take action on what you learn.
The Big Book itself contains the Twelve Steps, personal stories from early members, and a clear description of the spiritual program of recovery. A study guide doesn't replace the book — it helps you get more out of it.
Why Studying the Big Book Matters
Many people in AA will tell you the same thing: the Big Book changed how they understood their drinking, their thinking, and their relationships. But the language is from the 1930s, and some of it can feel old-fashioned or hard to relate to at first.
A study guide helps bridge that gap. It also:
If you're working with a sponsor, a study guide gives you both a shared framework. If you don't have a sponsor yet, studying the Big Book is a great way to prepare for that relationship.
How to Get Started
You don't need special training or a degree to study the Big Book. Here are a few simple ways to begin:
1. Read the first 164 pages. These pages contain the core of the program — the "how it works" section, the steps, and the promises. Many study guides focus here first.
2. Find a study meeting. Many AA groups host Big Book study meetings where members read a section aloud and discuss it. These meetings are usually listed in local AA directories.
3. Ask your sponsor. If you have a sponsor, ask how they studied the Big Book. Many will walk you through it themselves.
4. Use a written guide. There are free and low-cost Big Book study guides available online, as well as workbooks sold at some recovery stores. Look for one that includes questions you can answer in writing.
5. Take it one chapter at a time. Don't try to finish in a week. Consistency matters more than speed.
Big Book Study in the St. Louis Recovery Community
St. Louis has a strong, active AA community, and Big Book study is alive and well here. You'll find study meetings across the metro area — in the city, in St. Louis County, and in surrounding communities like St. Charles, Kirkwood, and Florissant.
Many St. Louis groups run dedicated Big Book study meetings where members work through the text together, often with a guide or a set of questions. Some are open to newcomers; others are more focused on step work. If you're not sure where to start, ask someone at any local meeting — chances are they know a study group that would be a good fit.
The St. Louis area also hosts workshops and speaker events throughout the year that focus on the Big Book and the Twelve Steps. These can be a great way to deepen your understanding and meet others who take their recovery seriously.
A Gentle Next Step
If you're ready to start studying the Big Book, you don't have to do it alone — and you don't have to figure it out all at once.
Recovery Companion is here to help. We offer daily recovery texts and a searchable literature library so you can keep the Big Book close, wherever you are. Whether you're looking for a passage to reflect on in the morning or a specific chapter to revisit at night, we make it easy to stay connected to the program.
Take one page at a time. That's how this works — and it works.
Recovery Companion is an independent resource and is not affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.