A.A. Big Book Study: Format, Why It Works, How to Join One

What Big Book study is

A Big Book study is an A.A. meeting whose body is the reading and discussion of Alcoholics Anonymous, the basic text of the program. Members read passages aloud, stop to share what the passages bring up, and move slowly through the text over weeks or months.

It is one of A.A.'s most traditional formats and one of the most consistent across regions. If you've been to a Big Book study in one city, the meeting in another city will feel familiar.

"Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path."
Opening line · Chapter 5, "How It Works"

Format

Most Big Book studies follow the same shape.

Opening: Standard A.A. readings — the Preamble, How It Works, the Serenity Prayer.
Read a passage: A member reads a passage from the Big Book aloud, often one paragraph or page at a time.
Discussion: Members share around the passage: what stood out, what they recognize from their own experience, what is hard.
Move forward: The group moves to the next passage. Studies often progress chapter by chapter over weeks or months.
Closing: Announcements, the basket, and a closing reading.

Why members study the Book

Fluency in the program: Members who have read the Book closely follow references, quotes, and step work more easily.
The original argument: The Big Book is where the founders laid out their case for how and why the program works.
Slowness: One or two pages per meeting is a fundamentally different pace from a topic discussion.
Discovery on rereading: The same passages reveal different things at different times in a member's recovery.

How to participate

You'll be invited to read a passage aloud at some point, but you can decline. Sharing usually happens around what the passage brings up: a memory, a recognition, a question, or a place where the text rubs against your own experience.

The principle of "no cross-talk" applies here as in discussion meetings. Members share from their own experience rather than debating each other.

Types of study

Front-to-back: Read the Book in order, beginning with the Doctor's Opinion. The most thorough format.
Chapter-focused: Concentrate on a single chapter (often 'A Vision for You', 'Working with Others', or 'Bill's Story') over several meetings.
Step study via the Book: Walk through the Steps by reading the relevant sections of the Big Book and Twelve and Twelve together.
Newcomer-friendly: Some studies are specifically slowed down for newcomers, with extra time for first questions.
Beyond the Big Book: Some 'literature study' meetings expand to other A.A. literature: Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, As Bill Sees It, Daily Reflections.

Common challenges

Older language: The Big Book was published in 1939. The prose can feel dated. Most studies acknowledge this and translate where helpful.
Religious framing: The original text uses 'God' and 'He' in places. Members are encouraged to substitute whatever language fits their own understanding.
Length: Front-to-back studies can take a year or more. Attending regularly matters more than attending every session.
Disagreement with the text: It's fine to push back. Studies generally welcome honest reactions, including critical ones.

Finding a Big Book study

Filter the directory by format and look for "Big Book" in the meeting name or type. If the studies in your area run on a long cycle, consider joining mid-way; most studies welcome newcomers at any point and will catch you up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find a Big Book study

Browse meetings near you and filter by Big Book study format.

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A note on independence. The AA Directory is an independent service for finding A.A. meetings. The Big Book is published by A.A. World Services, Inc. For official information, visit aa.org.