Week 3 Discussion Guide

In this third session, we continue exploring Part Two and begin Part Three of A Marriage that Changed the World. This meeting builds on earlier discussions while introducing key developments in early recovery, relationships, and the formation of AA and Al-Anon.

Discussion Goal

To provide an opportunity to become acquainted with and discuss stories and ideas from the Wilson marriage and the founding of AA and Al-Anon. These discussions focus on themes relevant to personal recovery and carrying the message of family recovery today.

Reading for Week 3

Part Two (continued) and Part Three: March 29 and 30
Sunday group begins with Chapter 9
Monday group begins with Chapter 8

Note: Page numbers refer to the paperback edition. E-book page numbers may vary. Chapter titles and topics will help guide readers using electronic versions.

Monday Group Additional Reading

Chapter 8

• p. 99 (1st paragraph)
• p. 100 (2nd paragraph) to p. 101 (1st paragraph)
• p. 102 (last paragraph) to top of p. 103
• p. 103 (last paragraph) to p. 104 (1st paragraph)
• p. 105 (4th paragraph)
• p. 106 “Bill Goes Back to Work” to end of p. 107

Both Groups

Note: Sunday group begins at p. 114 (“Drinking Hell”)

Chapter 9

• p. 109 (1st paragraph)
• p. 110 “Dr. Bob Smith” to p. 111 (1st paragraph)
• p. 112 “Dr. Bob Struggles with Drinking” to top of p. 114
• “Drinking Hell” to p. 115 (2nd paragraph)
• p. 116 (paragraphs 3–5)
• p. 117 “Annie and the Oxford Group” to p. 118 (2nd paragraph)
• p. 120 “Dr. Bob Admits…” to end of p. 121

Chapter 10

• p. 123 (1st paragraph)
• p. 124 (paragraphs 1–2)
• p. 125 (paragraphs 1–3)
• p. 126 (paragraphs 1–2)
• p. 127 (paragraph 1 and last paragraph)
• p. 128 (paragraphs 1, 2, 4, and last paragraph)
• p. 129 (paragraphs 1–3)
• p. 131 (paragraphs 1–4)

Part Three

Chapter 11

• p. 135 to p. 137 (next-to-last paragraph)
• p. 138 (2nd paragraph) to p. 139 (4th paragraph)
• p. 140 (3rd paragraph) to p. 142 (1st paragraph)
• p. 142 (3rd paragraph) to end of p. 143
• p. 144 (paragraphs 2–4)
• p. 145 (2nd paragraph) to p. 146 (3rd paragraph)
• p. 147 to p. 148 (through 5th paragraph)
• p. 148 “Early Days” to end of p. 150

Chapter 12

• p. 151 to p. 152 (3rd paragraph)
• p. 153 (2nd paragraph) to end of page
• p. 154 “The Akron Meeting” to bottom of p. 158
• p. 159 (5th paragraph) to p. 165 (2nd paragraph)
• p. 165 to top of p. 167 (1st paragraph)
• p. 168 “The Suggested Twelve Steps” to p. 170

Discussion Topics and Questions

Family Disease and Recovery

• What did you learn about the effects of alcoholism on families and the importance of family recovery?

The Wilsons’ Love and Marriage

Looking at early lives, courtship, and marriage:

• What stands out as important?
• Did anything surprise you or spark curiosity?

Hitting Bottom and Surrender

The drinking years and the loss of the possibility of children had profound effects on their lives.

• How did that impact them individually and as a couple and influence the founding of AA and Al-Anon?

Lois and Anne Smith Hitting Bottom

During the final days of Bill’s drinking:

• What might that time have been like for Lois?
• What might that time have been like for Anne?
• What might it have been like for Bill?
• What might it have been like for Dr. Bob?

Our Roots

The foundations that shaped AA and the Twelve Steps include:

• Ebby Thacher
• Rowland Hazard
• Dr. Carl Jung
• The Oxford Group

How are these influences still relevant today?

Growing Spiritually

Bill’s spiritual awakening was a turning point.

• What it meant to Bill?
• What did it mean to Lois?
• What it meant to Dr. Bob?
• What did it mean to Anne?
• What it meant to AA and Al-Anon
• What does it mean to us?