Learning and Life Experience
By Carol F. Krau

From the time that my son Timothy could talk, it seems that his primary question has been “What if?” Tim is now almost 25 years old, so I’ve had lots of experience responding to this question. Several years ago I realized that Tim’s question had somehow become one of the ways in which I understand the nature of God as Creator, as the One who created all that is, and as the One whose creative presence is still at work in our world.

This anecdote illustrates the role that experience plays in meaning-making, which is a primary function of learning. We evaluate information and experience in light of its relevance to our lives and to the ways in which the information helps us perceive and interpret the world. We also reevaluate information and experience, reshaping or deepening our perceptions as we continue to make meaning.

Educators recognize that meaning making is a spiral process. Elizabeth Tisdell describes this process as “moving forward and spiraling back.” We recall past experiences, and we may assign new meanings to those experiences. We use those experiences to help interpret our current reality. We imagine the future from the perspective of our past and present experiences.

Faith and Meaning
Faith is also a meaning-making activity. We compare our experience with that of people whose stories we find in Scripture and throughout church history. The stories, symbols, and rituals of the faith shape our perception of God and of ourselves. Through the interplay of stories, themes, and experience, we envision the future that God desires for God’s people.

We can assist people in this meaning-making endeavor by:

• Connecting past and/or present experiences to the content of the Christian faith

• Providing time for personal reflection on experience (journaling can facilitate this process)

• Discussing experiences in pairs or small groups, allowing meanings to emerge

• Creating role plays, simulations, or games.

Making Meaning in Your Congregation
Use the following questions to consider how your educational ministry assists persons in making meaning of their experience:

1. What opportunities are available for people to engage in reflection on experience?

2. How are stories, symbols, and rituals used in classes and other small groups as lenses for interpreting current experience and future possibilities?

3. How do you equip teachers and small group leaders to facilitate reflection on experience?

Carol Krau is the Director of Adult Formation and Discipleship at the General Board of Discipleship in Nashville, TN.

Meaning-making through life experience is one key to learning.

For Further Reading

Exploring Spirituality and Culture in Adult and Higher Education. Elizabeth J. Tisdell. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003.

Teaching to the Brain’s Natural Learning Systems. Barbara K. Given. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 2002.

Teaching with the Brain in Mind. Eric Jensen. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, 1998.

Resources

Cokesbury
www.cokesbury.com

Events

Turn Aside and See
September 26, 2009
    Bridgewater, NJ
    Atlanta, GA
    Portland, OR
    Reynoldsburg, OH
November 7, 2009
    Leawood, KS
www.gbod.org/du/turn_aside/

CEF Regional Conferences
Retooling Christian Education and Spiritual Formation in the 21st Century
October 23-24, 2009
Gahanna, OH (near Columbus)
www.cefumc.org/cde.cfm?
event=251991

CE 2.0
Christian Education and the Internet: A link to the issues, needs, and possibilities of the Internet and educational ministry
September 11-12, 2009
Pfeiffer University
Misenheimer, NC
www.cefumc.org/cde.cfm?
event=236641

Quick Links

GBOD Christian Education

GBOD Family Ministries

Christian Educators Fellowship (CEF)

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