Chapter 1 What's Celebration of Discipline
"Celebration of Discipline" by Richard J. Foster is a seminal work that explores the various spiritual disciplines that can deepen one's relationship with God and foster personal spiritual growth. Published in 1978, the book categorizes disciplines into three main sections: the inward disciplines (such as meditation and prayer), the outward disciplines (like simplicity and service), and the corporate disciplines (including confession and worship). Foster emphasizes that these practices not only lead to a deeper spiritual existence but also promote a compassionate lifestyle in community, making it a foundational text for those seeking to cultivate a vibrant Christian faith through the systematic practice of these time-honored disciplines.
Chapter 2 The Background of Celebration of Discipline
"Celebration of Discipline," published in 1978, emerged during a time of significant social and religious upheaval in the United States, particularly within evangelical circles. The counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s ushered in a questioning of traditional authority and structured religious practices, prompting many to seek deeper spiritual experiences beyond mere doctrinal adherence. Richard J. Foster, writing against this backdrop, aimed to offer a framework for spiritual growth that emphasized the importance of classical Christian disciplines like prayer, meditation, and fasting. His intention was to guide individuals towards a deeper, more authentic relationship with God, promoting inner renewal and communal living, which resonates with the growing desire for meaning and authenticity in spiritual practice during this era.
Chapter 3 Quotes of Celebration of Discipline
Celebration of Discipline quotes as follows:
"Superficiality is the curse of our age. The doctrine of instant satisfaction is a primary spiritual problem."
"The desperate need today is not for a greater number of intelligent people, or gifted people, but for deep people."
"The disciplines allow us to place ourselves before God so that he can transform us. They do not earn us the grace of God but allow us to receive it."
"The purpose of the disciplines is to transform our lives, not merely to make us more efficient."
"In the world of the Spirit, there is an infinite possibility. And if God is Lord of our lives, we can explore that possibility to the fullest."
"Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us."
"We must be willing to give ourselves to the disciplines of God and allow Him to work through us."
"Much of the unhappiness in our lives comes from the fact that we are living with a frequency of need rather than a frequency of sufficiency."
"The spiritual disciplines are not about doing more; rather, they are about becoming more."
"To be a disciple of the Lord Jesus, one must be willing to follow him, to take up your cross daily, to be a servant to all, and to work towards the values of the kingdom of God."
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