The Purpose of Christian Education "Christian disciples today are invited to know and experience God as present and active in our everyday lives and in our world. The invitation is to know God in a uniquely Christian way. The biblical understanding of 'knowing' has to do with knowing 'who' and knowing 'how' as well as knowing 'that.' In other words, it is an intimate and personal way of knowing God, much like the way we know those we love." (Foundations for Teaching and Learning, page 23).

I really admire Fred, an older-adult member of the Sunday school class that I lead. Fred is a retired — and highly active — United Methodist elder who always shows up prepared and energetic, no matter what the topic. He is engaged in the subject and with the other group members. He is very complimentary of my leadership efforts, which I certainly appreciate.

During the past year, Fred has had some significant health challenges, so one Sunday as he neared the beginning of his treatment phase, we put off getting into the content of the lesson so that we could gather round, anoint, and pray for him. This was a sacred moment for all the class members, as we once again evoked the name and power of God to comfort and to heal.

I not only admire Fred's faithfulness and integrity; I appreciate his attitude toward learning. Here is a man with a seminary education and LOTS of theological and life experience who doesn't rest on his laurels, but who comes to each session expecting to learn something more and to see God revealed in a new way. Fred is an excellent model of a Christian who is open to God's teaching and leading. He's not content to rest with his past or the present knowledge and experience of God; he wants to know what God has in store next.

The Sunday school class and the numerous other disciple-making opportunities we offer in the church are prime settings in which people can come to experience God and to learn the daily personal practice of God's presence. I can certainly attest to an experience of God's presence when we anointed Fred — and when the class members anointed me at the outset of my own health concerns some months later.

These occasions are teachable moments as well, because Christians do not spring fully formed from the mind of God. We need to learn how to pray, how to study, how to look for and to see the hand of God at work in our daily affairs. This takes practice and experience, some on our own, and some in seeing how mature Christians like Fred approach the adventure of being open to God. Thanks be to God for all the Freds out there, and there are plenty!

Dr. Diana L. Hynson, writer of this issue, is the Director of Teaching and Learning Ministries, working with conference leaders, at the General Board of Discipleship, Nashville, Tennessee.