A Reflection of Spiritual Growth

In his book Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, Richard Foster “divided the Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit.”  He shows how each of these areas contributes to a balanced spiritual life. For example:  

Inward Disciplines	Outward Disciplines	Corporate Disciplines
Meditation – Ps. 1:1-3 Prayer - James 5:16 Fasting - Mt. 6:17,18 Study - John 8:32	Simplicity -Prov.11:28 Solitude - Mt. 14:23,24 Submission - Eph. 5:21 Service – Gal. 5:13	Confession - James 5:16 Worship - John 4:23 Guidance - Prov. 3:5,6 Celebration - John 15:11

According to Foster, one can conclude that if we call ourselves Disciples of Christ, therefore, “We are students and Christ is our teacher.”   It would give the impression that we are not dealing with discipline, but self-discipline.  Discipline is imposed from without; self-discipline is imposed from within.  Both involve training that develops self-control, character, orderliness and efficiency.  The over-all purpose is to replace old habits and inhibitions with carefully selected forms of self-control.  

Ultimately, the only mastery is self-mastery, and only after we have mastered ourselves to some degree can we voluntarily set aside our self-interest in order to follow Christ.   There is one conscious or unconscious assumption behind all efforts to discipline one’s self—that is: the upward way is difficult, but the easy way usually runs downhill. Self-discipline is the opposite of self-indulgence.  

The following twelve points will demonstrate and summarize Foster’s Spiritual Disciplines:

Ø                 Elementary Self-Discipline

Based upon the book, it seems that any spiritual discipline is something that a person does, inwardly or outwardly, alone or in a group. Therefore, any treatment of this subject presupposes that one has taken responsibility for one’s own actions. This includes what we do and what we do not do, what we receive and what we reject.  It also includes self-discipline in such apparently mundane matters as keeping our promises, being on time, and basing decisions on inner values rather than external rewards or punishments.  

Ø                 The Discipline of Meditation

The purpose of Christian meditation is to develop one’s ability to hear the “still, small voice” of God.  It is based on centuries of testimony that God can place in our minds thoughts which are not our own. This kind of “hearing” involves the subconscious mind but not the ears.  In practice, it means focusing attention on God and being aware of inner thoughts and feelings. 

Ø                 The Discipline of Prayer

 In real prayer, we begin to think God’s thoughts after him, to desire what he desires, to love what he loves, and to will what he wills. 

Ø                 The Discipline of Fasting 

There are three purposes for fasting: to purge toxins from the body, to develop self-control over a sensual appetite, and to weaken the hold of flesh upon spirit. This practice is a preparation for prayer throughout the Bible.   

Ø                 The Discipline of Study

This is the first discipline of intentional learning, an exercise in humility and teachability. We can come to any subject we wish to study as a student, not as a teacher or critic.  There are four axioms: (a) repetition—return to the same subject again and again; (b) concentration—focus attention; (c) comprehension-grasp the truth in what you study; and (d) reflection-look for the significance in what you study.

Ø                 The Discipline of Simplicity

Christian simplicity is an inward reality that results in an outward life-style. The purpose is freedom from anxiety about things and slavery to others’ opinions.  Both the inward and outward aspects are essential.  If we merely simplify our desires, we may still be swamped by possessions that possess us.  If we only get rid of excess accumulation, we may still retain the desires that lead to accumulation. This whole self-discipline centers around the question, “How much is enough?” and the instruction, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

Ø                 The Discipline of Solitude

In our busy world, taking time to be alone may itself be a major self-discipline. However, solitude is a prerequisite for most of the other disciplines and it is essential to spiritual health.  Solitude usually means silence and freedom from distractions. Since it takes most people a little while to unwind, the recommended contract is for one hour a day, every day.

Ø                 The Discipline of Submission

The purpose of submission is freedom from the terrible burden of needing to get our own way—from the obsession that demands things must go as we believe they should.  In the self-discipline of submission, we free ourselves to drop the matter, let it go and forget it. This is how we teach our inner selves that most things in life are no big deal.  The result is a vast sense of relief.  Therefore, submission is also how we teach ourselves to follow—and followership can be more difficult than leadership, but we must learn how to do it in order to follow the Lord.

Ø                 The Discipline of Service 

Service is the self-discipline of doing things for someone other than ourselves, without reward or recognition. The purpose is freedom from egocentricity and all the compulsions it creates. What we do is not nearly as important as why we do it. When our purpose in serving has no strings attached, we are free. When our real purpose is to get something—like attention, praise, approval or self-approval--we are hooked by the very strings we attach to our service.

Ø                 The Discipline of Confession

I believe that the purpose of confession is healing—specifically, healing of the damage done by the inner stress of trying to live a lie. It is an antidote for hypocrisy.  Confession is difficult, partly because we each tend to think we are the only sinner in church.  But, for the sake of our spiritual and physical health, we need to confess our sins to ourselves, to God, and to another person. Since all confessions are to be kept strictly confidential, reports will only cover the feeling of progress or the lack of it.

Ø                 The Discipline of Worship 

What is worship?   It is the most intense form of admiration, adoration and devotion.  Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matt. 22:37).  We need to improve our ability to do that.  Since most of us find it easier to love God either with our heart, or with our soul, or with our mind, we need self-discipline in whichever kind of love we find most difficult.

Ø                 The Discipline of Guidance 

According to Foster, “the knowledge of the direct, active, immediate leading of the Spirit is not sufficient.  Individual guidance must yield to corporate guidance.” Therefore, spiritual guidance and direction is the art of assisting another person to notice and respond to the presence and leading of God.  Although spiritual guidance individually is vital, God uses other Christians to guide us as He pleases.  God has always worked with a people, guiding them to covenant relationship, but this guidance involved individuals on a daily basis as well.   

Ø                 The Discipline of Celebration

Although the words sound contradictory, celebration is the discipline of rejoicing. It is especially needed by those who take life too seriously (including myself). Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and it is central to all the other disciplines—the leaven that helps us rise. Reverent joy empowers us and keeps us sweet and sane and strong.

How the book has enchased my call to ministry?

This book has enhanced my call to ministry in many different ways, for example:  Mr. Foster provides a wealth of examples demonstrating how the Disciplines can become part of my daily activities and how they can help me shed my superficial habits and “bring the abundance of God into my life.” He offers crucial new insights on simplicity, demonstrating how the biblical view of simplicity, properly understood and applied, brings joy and balance to my inward and outward life and “sets me free to enjoy the provision of God as a gift that can be shared with others.”

Points of Fact

Ø     “Discipline is training that corrects, molds, and perfects the mental abilities and moral character of a person.”  

Ø     “Discipline simply means to impose order upon disorder within the mind, heart and spirit.”

Ø     “Spiritual disciplines are tools of training for the spiritually unruly which will cause growth in the knowledge of God, growth in putting on the image of Christ, and growth in living an effective Christian life-style.”

Ø     “The disciplines enable the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ to come to a bountiful harvest in our lives, bringing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

Our Prayer

May God bless you and guide you as you study His Word this week.  May the disciplines create channels in our lives into which flows the Spirit of God. Where the Spirit flows, we are made rich.

Foster, Richard. Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth, (HarperCollins Publisher: NY), 1988.

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