St. Augustine, Thomas Merton, Fredrick Buechner, Evelyn Underhill, A.W. Tozer, G.K. Chesterton, Thomas More, Martin Luther King, Jr., Amy Carmichael, Simone Weil, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Hildegard of Bingen, John Milton, Dorothy Day, Leo Tolstoy, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and more. . .

From nearly two thousand years of Christian writing comes Spiritual Classcs,fifty-two selections complete with a profile of each author, guided meditations for group and individual use, and reflections containing questions and exercises. Editors Richard Foster and Emilie Griffith offer their expertise by selecting inspirational writings and including their own commentary and recommendations for further guided reading and exploration.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 10 reviews)

Spiritual Classics -12 Disciplines and so much more

I lead a Sunday School group of 20- and 30-somethings. While the book is set up primarily as an individual, daily devotional, it works wonderously in a group setting. The ideas collected under each discipline led to some thoughtful discussions. I only devoted 3 Sunday's to the book; but, we could have spent three times that many discussing the issues presented.

Taken as a whole (now that's I've read the book a second time) the WAY in which I approach worship and my faith in general, has been GREATLY enhanced. This is one of those books that reveals something new every time I read from it.
July 24, 2008

Classics for enquiring mnds

Our study group "The Enquiring Minds" finds this book ideal for group study. Especially helpful is the wide range of diversity both in content and contributors. Each chapter provides stimulating discussion material that is varied enough to remain interesting over an extended period.
February 08, 2008

Very powerful and applicable to everyday life.

I read this as supplemental reading for "The Celebration of Discipline." It is very powerful on its own, and great for a study group, but comes so much more alive when done in combination. There is so much wisdom in these classic Christian writers. The corresponding scriptures, questions and comments from Foster are very thought provoking, and invite you to personally experience the spiritual disciplines, bringing you to a more personal relationship with God.
September 30, 2007

Learning more about a relationship with God

Foster and Griffin have put together an excellent book for group or personal use. Readings are arranged according to spiritual disciplines, such as meditations, prayer or fasting. A brief selection of text from famous writers is followed by a Bible reading, questions to be used to understand the readings, exercises, reflections and a bibliography for those who want to delve deeper the topic. It took me a year to get through Foster's first book, Devotional Classics, doing a reading a week. In other words, it's a long term resource to enhance your spiritual life. I really loved this book.
February 20, 2006

More of The Same Thing Isn't Always Bad

In the case of Richard Foster, more is a very good thing. Once again Foster gives us a glimpse of spiritual disciplines through the lenses of the greatest Christian authors of history. This time he tackles the following subjects:
. INWARD DISCIPLINES
. meditation, prayer, fasting, study
. OUTWARD DISCIPLINES
. simplicity, solitude, submission, service
. CORPORATE DISCIPLINES
. confession, worship, guidance, celebration

If you liked any of Foster's other books, you will like this one.
February 18, 2004

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Devotional Classics: Revised Edition: Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups
by Richard J. Foster

Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth
by Richard J. Foster

A Spiritual Formation Workbook - Revised edition: Small Group Resources for Nurturing Christian Growth
by James Bryan Smith, Richard J. Foster

Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith
by Richard J. Foster

Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home
by Richard J. Foster