If you want to grow in spiritual disciplines, one of the most helpful things you can do is learn from people who have spent years thinking deeply about them, practising them and teaching them.
Spiritual disciplines are simple in principle, but they are not always so easy in practice. These books will help you understand why they matter, how they work and how to build them into your everyday life in a practical and sustainable way.
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Celebration Of Discipline – Richard Foster
Richard Foster’s Celebration Of Discipline is one of the most influential books ever written on spiritual disciplines. Prior to its first publication in 1978, the Protestant / Evangelical world largely considered spiritual disciplines either as legalism or as mystical practices reserved for Catholic monks. But the publication of Celebration Of Discipline completely changed that view.
(It also happens to be the first book I ever read on spiritual disciplines – it has had a big impact on my own spiritual growth and sparked in me a lifelong passion for the spiritual disciplines… which, by a very meandering route, ultimately led to the creation of TSHP!)
Foster’s central message is simple but powerful: superficiality and a culture of instant satisfaction are the twin curses of our modern age, and that deep, lasting spiritual joy is found only through the intentional practice of the spiritual disciplines, which open up our lives to God’s transforming grace.
He is very clear that by themselves, the disciplines do nothing, but rather they “get us to the place where something can be done”. In other words, God has given us the disciplines as a means of receiving his grace.
He is also keen to stress that spiritual disciplines are for ordinary Christians – not just spiritual giants and monks! But on the other hand, he is also keen to point out the biggest potential peril with spiritual disciplines: turning them into “soul-killing laws”.
This book is both theological and practical. After introducing the spiritual disciplines, he introduces 12 of the disciplines, covering not just what they are, and their Biblical basis, but also how to actually DO them – with practical tips and action steps.
Celebration of Discipline was first written in 1978, so there are a few references that seem a little dated and the language is, at times, a little old fashioned. But this in no way detracts from the main message of the book, which is timeless… This book is a classic for a reason!
Key quote:
“Joy is the keynote of all the disciplines. The purpose of the disciplines is liberation from the stifling slavery to self-interest and fear.”
Best for:
- Christians wanting a broad overview of the topic
- Readers wanting a good balance of theology and practical tips
- Anyone who feels overwhelmed by modern consumerism, digital noise and constant distraction
BUY IT HERE >>> Celebration Of Discipline
Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life – Donald S. Whitney
If you only read one book on spiritual disciplines, make it this one!
Celebration of Discipline has a special place in my heart, as the first book I ever read on spiritual disciplines… and I recommend it to everyone who wants to go deeper with the spiritual disciplines.
But I recommend you read Whitney’s book FIRST.
Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life is a really great introduction to the topic of spiritual disciplines – it’s really easy to read, immensely practical and really well structured.
Like Celebration Of Discipline, Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life covers both the theory and the practical side of spiritual disciplines.
Whitney’s core argument centres around 1 Timothy 4:7
“Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (NASB)
In other words, if your desire is to become more Christlike, if your goal in life is to become spiritually mature, then the way to get there is via the spiritual disciplines.
But also, the spiritual disciplines are a means, not an ends – the end is Christlikeness.
Of course, like Foster, Whitney does very much stress that the spiritual disciplines do not do the transforming, God does the transforming, but the disciplines place us before God in order to receive his transforming grace.
Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life covers many of the core disciplines (such as Scripture, prayer, worship, fasting and evangelism) and explains how to actually do them in everyday life.
However, Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life expressly only covers the “personal disciplines”. That is because Whitney has written a second book on the corporate disciplines.
Key quote:
“The light of Christ will shine more steadily through you the more you persevere in the practice of the spiritual disciplines.”
Best for:
- Christians who want practical guidance on the spiritual disciplines
- Readers who prefer clear, practical and very actionable teaching
- Anyone who is new to the spiritual disciplines
BUY IT HERE >>> Spiritual Disciplines For The Christian Life
Habits Of Grace – David Mathis
Another immensely readable and practical book on the disciplines. The central argument of Habits Of Grace is that the spiritual disciplines are God’s “means of grace”. The spiritual disciplines are not about earning God’s favour, twisting God’s arm or controlling his blessing, but rather they are a way to “put yourself in the path of God’s grace”.
He explains that God is free to dispense his grace wherever and however he chooses, without our cooperation, if that’s what he so chooses… BUT, and it’s a big but, he has his “regular channels” – in other words the spiritual disciplines – and that’s the way he usually chooses to do things. It’s up to us whether we choose to avail ourselves of the “means of grace” (AKA spiritual disciplines) he has so generously given us. But great blessing is to be found when we do!
One of the key features of Mathis’ book is he has deliberately chosen to keep it short and “doable” to make it more accessible to and realistic for ordinary Christians with normal, busy lives.
David Mathis structures his book around three key “means of grace”:
- Hearing God’s voice (the Bible)
- Having God’s ear (prayer)
- Belonging to God’s body (fellowship)
The book is simple, readable and very encouraging. It focuses less on complicated theological arguments and more on building sustainable, joyful rhythms with God.
Key quote:
“The means of grace [AKA the spiritual disciplines] fill our tank for the pursuit of joy, for the good of others, and for the glory of God… They are spiritual blessings – not mere disciplines, but channels through which God gives us spiritual food for our survival, growth, and flourishing in the mission.”
Best for:
- Readers who want simplicity and clarity
- Christians who want an approach to the disciplines that is realistic and achievable
- Anyone who feels overwhelmed by too many disciplines
BUY IT HERE >>> Habits Of Grace
Practising The Way – John Mark Comer
John Mark Comer’s Practising The Way is one of the most readable, modern and accessible books on the spiritual disciplines.
His approach is quite different from the previous three books.
The central premise is we are always being shaped by something.
And if we don’t actively choose to be shaped by Jesus (by means of the spiritual disciplines), we will, by default, be continually shaped by the world around us.
If we want to be shaped by Jesus, we need to become his disciple (AKA his apprentice).
And being Jesus’ apprentice involves three key things:
- Being with Jesus
- Becoming like Jesus
- Doing what Jesus did
He argues that apprenticeship to Jesus requires intentional practices (AKA spiritual disciplines) that reshape our habits, desires and attention.
One of the key arguments of this book is that “disciple” is a noun, not a verb. When we treat “disciple” as a verb, we treat it as something someone else does TO us… it puts the onus of responsibility onto someone else to “disciple” us (e.g. a pastor or a mentor). But when we treat “disciple” as a noun… it puts the onus of responsibility onto us – we have to choose to be a disciple, or “to apprentice” under Rabbi Jesus.
The book is highly engaging and very relevant to modern life, especially in our culture of distraction, busyness and constant noise.
Key quote:
“For those who desire to follow Jesus, here is the reality we must turn and face: If we are not being intentionally formed by Jesus himself, then it’s highly likely we are being unintentionally formed someone or something else.”
Best for:
- Christians in busy, modern lifestyles
- Readers struggling with distraction, overwhelm and the busyness of life
- Those wanting a fresh, highly accessible approach to the spiritual disciplines
BUY IT HERE >>> Practising The Way
Spirit Of The Disciplines – Dallas Willard
I will be honest with you, this book is a tough read. It’s dense and complicated. It’s certainly not for the faint-hearted. And if you struggle with deep theological books, you will not enjoy this.
However, if you are someone who really enjoys getting deep into the theological weeds, this is the book for you.
Dallas Willard takes a much deeper philosophical and theological approach, helping readers understand why spiritual disciplines matter in the first place.
His key argument is that spiritual formation is about becoming the kind of person who naturally lives like Jesus would live if he were in your circumstances.
He challenges the idea that spiritual growth is automatic, showing instead that intentional practices are essential for transformation.
Unlike the previous four books, there is much less practical, “how-to” content in Spirit Of The Disciplines.
Key quote:
“The secret of the easy yoke is simple, actually. It is the intelligent, informed, unyielding resolve to live as Jesus lived in all aspects of his life, not just in the moment of specific choice or action.”
Best for:
- Theology-geeks who love thoughtful, academic, Scripture-rich teaching
- Anyone who struggles with the theology of spiritual disciplines
- Those wanting to understand why spiritual disciplines matter
BUY IT HERE >>> Spirit Of The Disciplines
