Celebration of Discipline

How to use Richard Foster’s Celebration of Discipline with the Discipleship Map

Much like the Discipleship Map tool, Richard Foster’s book, Celebration of Discipline, which is widely considered a modern spiritual classic, is a helpful introductory guide to living the Jesus-shaped life. Because of this, we highly recommend using it as a supplementary resource when leading groups or individuals through the lessons of the Discipleship Map (you may also benefit from using Foster’s Study Guide for Celebration of Discipline). In Foster’s book, he walks the reader through the biblical foundation for each of the most basic of the “classical” Christian spiritual disciplines, and provides much helpful and practical advice for how to learn and grow in practicing them.

While it is recommended that you start by reading the first chapter, the other chapters do not need to be read in the same sequence that they appear in the book, and can be read individually as needed. Below are some suggestions for which chapters of the book could be most helpfully paired with each of the lessons of the Discipleship Map. Keep in mind that these are only suggestions, and feel free to adapt this book to your personal use with the Discipleship Map as it seems good to you and the Holy Spirit.

Lesson 1 — The Gospel

Chapter 1 — The Spiritual Disciplines: The Door to Liberation
Chapter 10 — Confession
Chapter 13 — Celebration

Lesson 2 — Repent & Believe

Chapter 1 — The Spiritual Disciplines: The Door to Liberation
Chapter 8 — Submission
Chapter 10 — Confession

Lesson 3 — Father (Children of God)

Chapter 2 — Meditation
Chapter 8 — Submission
Chapter 13 — Celebration

Lesson 4 — Son (Servants)

Chapter 8 — Submission
Chapter 9 — Service

Lesson 5 — Spirit (Ambassadors)

Chapter 3 — Prayer
Chapter 9 — Service

Lesson 6 — Obey the Word

Chapter 1 — The Spiritual Disciplines: The Door to Liberation
Chapter 2 — Meditation
Chapter 5 — Study

Lesson 7 — Pray

Chapter 2 — Meditation
Chapter 3 — Prayer
Chapter 4 — Fasting
Chapter 7 — Solitude

Lesson 8 — Make Disciples

Chapter 3 — Prayer
Chapter 8 — Submission
Chapter 9 — Service

Lesson 9 — Love

Chapter 6 — Simplicity
Chapter 8 — Submission
Chapter 9 — Service

Lesson 10 — Persevere Through Worship

Chapter 11 — Worship
Chapter 13 — Celebration

Lesson 12 — The Lord’s Supper

Chapter 11 — Worship
Chapter 13 — Celebration

Lesson 13 — Give

Chapter 6 — Simplicity
Chapter 9 — Service

Lesson 14 — Leaders

Chapter 8 — Submission
Chapter 12 — Guidance

Lesson 15 — Gather

Chapter 3 — Prayer
Chapter 9 — Service
Chapter 11 — Worship
Chapter 13 — Celebration