Celebrating the Disciplines: a journal workbook to accompany Celebration of Discipline             

by Richard J. Foster and Kathryn A. Helmers.

Published 1992, Harper, San Francisco

Reviewed by David Collins

Suzanne and I were late discoverers of Richard Foster’s classic work ‘Celebration of Discipline’. It had already helped countless lives and had been in print for over 25 years by the time we read it as a text for a course we were doing in 2004. We were immediately hooked - not as one might to ‘sugar’, but as one might to ‘wholemeal bread’ - you can’t put it down because you know it’s going to do you so much good!

In ‘Celebration of Discipline’, Richard Foster presents twelve spiritual disciplines, each of which is a “means of grace”, a door way to spiritual growth and a fuller experience of God. The twelve disciplines are:

The Discipline of Meditation,

The Discipline of Prayer,

The Discipline of Fasting,

The Discipline of Study,

The Discipline of Simplicity,

The Discipline of Solitude,

The Discipline of Submission,

The Discipline of Service,

The Discipline of Confession,

The Discipline of Worship,

The Discipline of Guidance,

The Discipline of Celebration.

Each chapter clearly defines each discipline, explains the benefits to be derived from practicing it, shares inspiration from other authors (often quoting the classics of centuries past), and provides practical steps to embracing and practicing the discipline in ones life. It’s a marvellous book - one that was waiting, albeit 20 years later, a ‘journal workbook to accompany’.

When we embarked on our Sabbatical last year, we sought out a study course that would enhance our experience of seeking God together. When we discovered ‘Celebrating the Disciplines: a journal workbook to accompany Celebration of Discipline’, there was no question in our mind that this was the course we wanted to do. One of our primary reasons was that we knew it would require that we put all twelve disciplines into practice. And so with a little adjustment to the course structure, we embarked on Richard Foster’s and Kathryn Helmer’s Journal / Workbook. The adjustment was required because the Workbook is set up for groups meeting no more than once a week. We were a very small group of two, and wanted to work on it daily (well, almost daily).

We found that the arrangement of each chapter led us back to the original book for re-reading and guided reflection, presented us with several exercises for putting the discipline into practice, and asked us to reflect again on our experience upon completing  the practical exercise.

Whilst it is possible to learn of and practice the spiritual disciplines from Foster’s ‘Celebration of Discipline’, we found that the ‘workbook journal’ acted as a type of group leader: directing action, provoking discussion with good questions, insisting on application and affirming our success.  ‘Celebrating the Disciplines: a journal workbook to accompany Celebration of Discipline’ became a key part of our sabbatical journey, and a good part of the reason, we believe, that we accessed the grace and nearness of God and returned home spiritually refreshed and holding a clear picture of God’s direction for our lives.