Nurturing Spiritual Growth: A Review of Adult Christian Education among Episcopal Church Congregants in South California

Abstract

Christian education has grown, expanded and diversified during the late twentieth and the beginning of the twenty first century. With more emphasis being put on meeting the educational needs of diverse ages within the church, various developments have characterized adult education programs. These programs which aim at meeting adults’ spiritual and educational needs include single adults and small group ministries which provide informal times for fellowship, Bible study, caring and prayer groups. Outreach programs include the seeker services and short-term mission trips, and para-church events like Promise Keepers. This paper is a review of literature on adult education. The author makes reference to a study undertaken in Episcopal churches in the Diocese of Los Angeles within the Southern California region. The key elements discussed in this paper include a historical overview of Adult Christian Education in America where the author points out the non-formal learning context.  The paper also explains the Christian worldview integration focusing on the New Testament perspective of the goal of Christian Education. In this, the author points out some of the motives that propel spiritual maturity. Some biblical references are made such as the occasion of the Epistle to the Philippians, the message of the Epistle to the Philippians and puts forth some of the exhortations for living the Christian life with reference to Philippians 3:1-16. Finally the author discusses some of the implications for the book of Philippians chapter 3 in relation to motivation for Christian education.

Keywords: Christian Education, Spiritual growth, Motivation, Adult participation, Episcopal churches, South California