Books for Christian Spiritual Life
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The Spirit of the Disciplines
, Dallas Willard, Harper, 1988. While providing insights into how God changes lives, philosophy professor Dallas Willard sounds a profound call to follow Jesus in the practice of his spiritual disciplines. Transformation into Christlikeness is realized through taking on Christ’s disciplines of abstinence and engagement.
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Renovation of the Heart
, Dallas Willard, Navpress, 2002. In this important work, Dallas Willard describes “the transformation of the spirit…a divine process that brings every element in our being into harmony with the will of God or the kingdom of God.” Willard describes how we cooperate with the divine process to experience God’s shaping of our inner life and character. In addition to providing insight into the spiritual transformation process, this book provides practical help for Christians struggling with character issues. An Interactive Teen Edition is also available.
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Streams of Living Water
, Richard Foster, Harper, 1998. This book is a rich resource for exploring six dimensions of Christian faith and practice found in the life of Christ and in church history: the Contemplative, Holiness, Charismatic, Social Justice, Evangelical, and Incarnational traditions. Foster examines the unique contribution of each tradition and offers as examples the inspiring stories of faithful people whose lives help define each of these “streams.”
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A Spiritual Formation Workbook 
, James Bryan Smith with Linda Graybeal, Harper, revised 1999. An excellent resource for a small group based on the six major dimensions of the spiritual life described in Streams of Living Water above. Each chapter contains an introduction to one of the traditions and exercises in that tradition for individuals to practice during the week. The book also provides a format for a weekly meeting for a small group where individuals can share their experience with the exercises. Although the workbook is written for 9 sessions, it lays a foundation for an ongoing spiritual formation group.
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Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home, Richard Foster, Harper, 1992. Although Foster describes different types of prayer, this book is not primarily about methods and techniques, but about developing a growing love relationship with God.
Others authored, co-authored, edited, or co-edited by Dallas Willard or Richard Foster
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Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible, NRSV, edited by Foster and Willard with Brueggemann and Peterson
The Divine Conspiracy, Willard
Hearing God (formerly In Search of Guidance), Willard
Celebration of Discipline, Foster
The Challenge of the Disciplined Life (formerly Money, Sex, and Power), Foster
Freedom of Simplicity, Foster
Devotional Classics, edited by Foster and Smith
Spiritual Classics, edited by Foster and Griffin
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Soul Feast, Marjorie Thompson, Westminster John Knox Press, 1995. This beautifully written book introduces Christian Spiritual disciplines such as prayer, spiritual reading, worship, fasting, and hospitality. Both practical and inspirational, this is a good guide for individuals wanting to go deeper in faith and for church study groups.
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Beginning Prayer, John Killinger, Upper Room Books, 1993. Although written for the person who is new to prayer, this book will help anyone who wants to experience more fully the presence of God in everyday life. It is about attitude in prayer, times and places for praying, and methods of prayer.
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Too Busy Not to Pray, Bill Hybels, InterVarsity Press, 1998. Written by a busy man who felt compelled to make prayer a priority, this book is a practical guide to slowing down to be with God.
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