Christian Eduation

I see adult education being important to my ministry.  I would probably be inclined to develop “read and lecture” type of materials on my own, since that has been my experience of adult learning.  However, I realize that biblical exegesis and scholarship are not as on-the-surface interesting to most folks as they are to me.  Certainly part of developing engaging material is making accessible and comfortable such dense material, but developing dialogue around it is what (I think) translates such material into meaning.  It’s also important for me to consider the needs and wants of the particular group I might be working with, since subjects exciting to me may not spiritually feed others.  “Who needs what as defined by whom?” will be an important question.

 Keeping in mind that the Stages of Faith are not necessarily the norm and that not everyone will conform or process at the same rate, I considered how I might use the stages to shape meaningful material for particular demographics.  When working with adolescents, for example, I might consider the ways that youth, who might be in the “Synthetic-Conventional Phase” might be particularly responsive to imaginings of Bible stories that place themselves in the shoes of particular characters.  In working with adults, I might begin a spirituality group by beginning with articulating beliefs and values (Individuative-Reflective Faith) and eventually progress into discussions of other faith traditions and the tensions we feel with our own faith narratives.  I think that in creating a space of safe dialogue, people may feel willing to explore questions and feelings about their faith and their journeys that may open others to learning and growing in their own understandings.  While adults seem to (according to Fowler) have more variability in their faith understandings and many do not “progress” onto later stages, creating an environment where people can explore their feelings about their faith in safe dialogue may create the space for entering into some of the later stages.