Celebration of Disciple: The Path to Growth is one of the best books that I’ve read in the last few years. Richard Foster’s book is a helpful discussion and guide to twelve spiritual disciplines of the Christian life, including prayer, study, fasting, confession, and worship among others.
What I find most beneficial about this book is that I believe Foster has a proper understanding of the disciples. Some believe and teach that the things that we do, including practicing spiritual disciplines, earn our relationship or favor with God. The teaching of Scripture, however, refutes that belief and teaches that our relationship with God and His love for us is a gift of his grace and not something that we can earn by our works. Ephesians 2:8-9 puts it this way, “by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Foster points out that “the needed change within us is God’s work, not ours.” (p. 6)
However, Foster continues, “the moment we grasp this breathtaking insight we are in danger of an error in the opposite direction. We are tempted to believe there is nothing we can do.” (p. 7) This is why I like his book so much. We as Christians do have a part to play in the transformation that God is making in our lives. The true disciple of Christ seeks to follow Him and grow in relationship with Him, not out of obligation, but out of love and gratitude for all that He has done. Foster acknowledges this and that is the whole point of the book. He puts it this way, “the disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that He can transform us.” (p. 7)
As far as the way the book is organized, Foster divides the disciplines into three categories: the inward disciplines (prayer, fasting, study, meditation), the outward disciplines (simplicity, solitude, submission, service), and the corporate disciplines (confession, worship, guidance, celebration). He spends a chapter on each discipline, providing a basic picture of what each looks like and giving practical guidance on how to make each a part of your life. I found the chapter on fasting especially helpful, among others.
I would recommend this book for everyone. Don’t just read it though. Seek to integrate these disciples into your life.
