How I Empower Adult Learners: Embracing the Journey of Faith and Understanding

For two decades now, I've walked alongside adults in their learning journeys, whether in the welcoming halls of nursing homes, the familiar spaces of our churches, various secular settings, or even across the digital landscape via Zoom. From local gatherings to workshops at national conventions, I've witnessed the profound growth that comes when adults are invited to engage with new ideas and deepen their understanding actively.

My approach to adult education isn't about simply imparting information; it's about fostering a dynamic encounter with the material, particularly when we're exploring matters of faith. I believe that true growth often comes through wrestling – grappling with concepts, questioning assumptions, and allowing our understanding to be challenged and refined.

My theological education has profoundly shaped this conviction, particularly at my Catholic university, where I was introduced to the "hermeneutic of suspicion." This critical lens, pioneered by thinkers like Paul Ricoeur, encourages us to approach texts and traditions with healthy skepticism, recognizing that power dynamics, biases, and hidden agendas can influence how we understand the world and our faith. It's not about dismissing everything we've learned but rather about digging deeper, asking "why?" and uncovering potential layers of meaning that might otherwise remain hidden.

I often think of the story of Jacob in Genesis. Here was a man who wrestled with God through the night. It was a difficult, even painful encounter. Still, it was through that struggle that Jacob's name was changed to Israel, signifying a new identity and a deeper relationship with the Divine. Just as Jacob wrestled, I believe adults in a learning environment need the space and encouragement to wrestle with new concepts, question long-held beliefs, and grapple with the implications of what they are learning for their own lives and faith journeys.

I aim to create a learning environment where it's safe to ask difficult questions, to voice doubts, and to explore different perspectives. Proper understanding can take root in this honest, challenging space, and faith can mature. Empowering adult learners means equipping them not just with answers but with the critical thinking skills and the spiritual courage to engage deeply with the complexities of life and faith, ultimately leading to a more robust and personal understanding of God's presence in their lives and God's call to go out into the world.