Celebration of Discipline

The Path to Spiritual Growth - 25th Edition

4.23 based on 1139 reviews.

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In the twenty years since its publication, "Celebration of Discipline" has helped over a million seekers discover a richer spiritual life infused with joy, peace, and a deeper understanding of God. For this special twentieth anniversary edition, Richard J. Foster has added an introduction, in which he shares the story of how this beloved and enduring spiritual guidebook came to be.

Hailed by many as the best modern book on Christian spirituality, "Celebration of Discipline" explores the "classic Disciplines," or central spiritual practices, of the Christian faith. Along the way, Foster shows that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found.

Dividing the Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit, Foster shows how each of these areas contribute to a balanced spiritual life. The inward Disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study, offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward Disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service, help prepare us to make the world a better place. The corporate Disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration, bring us nearer to one another and to God.

Foster provides a wealth of examples demonstrating how these Disciplines can become part of our daily activities-and how they can help us shed our superficial habits and "bring the abundance of God into our lives." He offers crucial new insights on simplicity, demonstrating how the biblical view of simplicity, properly understood and applied, brings joy and balance to our inward and outward lives and "sets us free to enjoy the provision of God as a gift that can be shared with others." The discussion of celebration, often the most neglected of the Disciplines, shows its critical importance, for it stands at the heart of the way to Christ. "Celebration of Discipline" will help motivate Christians everywhere to embark on a journey of prayer and spiritual growth.

Product Details

  • Media: Hardcover Book, 256 pages
  • Publisher: HarperOne (Oct. 31st, 1988)
  • ISBN-10: 0060628391
  • ISBN-13: 9780060628390
  • Dimensions: 5.81 x 8.51 x 0.95 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 0.83 lbs

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Customer Reviews

  • Book Rating 4 out of 5
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    by Laura from The United States | Dec 28, 2008

    Everybody thinks of changing humanity and nobody thinks of changing himself.
    Leo Tolstoy


    I first read this book in 1996 and loved it. I re-read it in 2005 and got even more out of it the second time. The book is inspiring and is a good reminder of the way I can have a more Christ-centered life through discipline.

    Foster deals first with the inward disciplines: meditation, prayer, fasting, study. Then, he moves on to the outward disciplines: simplicity, solitude, submission, and service. The corporate disciplines: confession, worship, guidance, and celebration (these last two didn't resonate with me as much, but were still worthwhile).

    What I love the most about the book is his reminder that the pursuit of a Christ-centered life is all about change and bringing ourselves closer to God. To pray is to change. To confess is to change. To worship is to change.

    The idea is that daily scripture study and prayer is not to check off a to-do list, but actually change my life and who I am. The disciplines themselves are worthless without change.

    I like the idea of incorporating meditation into my prayer time and allowing for more silence. I like the idea of emptying myself through meditation and then allowing myself to be filled with God's love. To let myself be open to God's will.

    The chapter on simplicity was very interesting and just what I needed to hear. (Foster has an entire book dedicated to the subject of simplicity that I recommend, Freedom of Simplicity - if you're interested in a book that doesn't have a Christian point of view I recommend Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin). Foster does a good job of inspiring change and encouraging you to start where you are at now.



  • Book Rating 4 out of 5
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    by Iamthird from The United States | Sep 19, 2009

    Meditation heightens our spiritual sensitivity which, in turn leads us into prayer. Very soon we discover that prayer involves fasting as an accompanying means. Informed by these three Disciplines, we can effectively move into study which gives us discernment about ourselves and the world in which we live.
    Through simplicity we live with others in integrity. Solitude allows us to be genuinely present to people when we are with them. Through submission we live with others without manipulation, and through service we are a blessing to them. Confession frees us from ourselves and releases us to worship. Worship opens the door to guidance. All the Disciplines freely exercised bring forth the doxology of celebration. The classical Disciplines of the spiritual life beckon us to the HImalayas of the Spirit. Now we stand at timber line awed by the snowy peaks before us. We step out in confidence with our Guide who has blazed the trail and conquered the highest summit.



  • Book Rating 5 out of 5
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    by Shannon from Bruceville, TX | May 30, 2007

    love this book--a basic primer and an in-depth study of the spiritual disciplines all in one. it is a wonderful blend of both the abstract and specific discussions...for example the chapter on fasting provides a scriptural basis for the practice, the historical use as well as practical how-tos and exhortations on how to begin. this is a book i should probably read yearly.


     1 people found this review helpful


  • Book Rating 5 out of 5
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    by Jeremy from Washington, DC | Jul 7, 2009

    Wow. One of the most powerful books I have ever read. This book is an incredible read for those who want to take their faith from the foothills to the "Himalayas of the Spirit." Foster not only explores the classical disciplines of Christianity in a deep sense, he also breaks the topic down for any layperson to understand. He does this all while maintaining scholarly integrity.

    Foster readily admits that this book is an invitation to people of all ages to explore their faith and to go deeper in it. Through the insights of the saints and thinkers of Christianity, Foster makes the case for living solely for the Kingdom. Be encouraged and read this book. You won't regret it.



  • Book Rating 4 out of 5
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    by Dick from The United States | Dec 1, 2009

    Joel Fitch loaned this book to me and when he did, he said it was so good he stayed up one night to read it through. Well, it book me far longer than that - because it is very pithy, well written and lays out a solid foundation for discipling your spiritual life. The disciplines are challenging for sure. It was clear to me that the author - Richard J. Foster - is on the walk - that his grace and humility shown throughout the book.

    If you want to sink your teeth into a solid Christian book on discipling yor spiritual life - I can highly recommend this book.

    I may go out and buy a copy for myself - as it requires re-reading to get it all.



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