Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
Week 13: Chapter 12 — Celebration
Read Chapter 12 of Celebration of Discipline. Key Scripture: Philippians 4:4; Nehemiah 8:10; Luke 15:22–24
Previewing Week 13 of Celebration of Discipline
Read 3 of 7 discussion questions below. Unlock the complete 14-week guide when you’re ready.
The final discipline is the one that gives the book its title — and Foster argues that celebration is not a reward for completing the other disciplines but is woven through all of them as both their source and their fruit. This week, let joy have the last word.
Discussion Questions
7 questions1.Foster writes that 'if you have no joy, there's a leak in your Christianity somewhere.' That is a striking claim. Do you experience your faith primarily as joyful? If not, where do you suspect the leak might be?
2.He distinguishes between happiness (which depends on circumstances) and joy (which is a fruit of the Spirit, available in any circumstances). Can you point to a time in your life when you experienced genuine joy in the middle of difficult circumstances? What sustained it?
3.Foster argues that celebration is itself a discipline — something we must choose and cultivate, not merely something that happens when everything is going well. What does it mean to practice celebration? What habits or rhythms in your life currently foster joy, and which ones tend to drain it?
a.What would you need to add to your life to celebrate more intentionally?
b.What might you need to remove?