Education is from latin roots. It means "the act of leading out". Kind of an unfolding, as I see it. If it proceeds to maturity, it leads to a full flowering of understanding and wisdom in a subject area. The good educator "leads out" the expression of the student. Good coaching works this way, the coach "leading out" the talent and skill of the athlete. Math, for another example, may be expressed by the teacher in the classroom or in a text book, but it is "lead out" through the end of a pencil as the student expresses the truth of it by applying it.

Religious education, in my experience, is often superficial and arrested; it is insufficiently "led out". Knowledge and understanding of primary sources (scripture), built upon the bible stories of childhood and a distantly remembered catechism is often faintly held in our consciousness. The worship liturgy and the preaching we hear are able to provide an ongoing source of broadening and deepening of our religious education, but how could these passive activities "lead out" our own expression of the truth of it? Proper leading out closes the loop of experience through expression. We need to speak out or at least act out the knowledge we receive. Just as athletic coaching and good practice leads to muscle memory and then good athletic performance; and, just as mathematical drill leads to facility in problem solving and then practical solutions in life, speaking out our faith forms a deepened impression in our minds and hearts and etches into our selves the truth. We are changed and now able to function more fully as a member of the Body of Christ.

By giving testimony to our faith and its precepts, we close the loop of education and exercise the power of the Holy Spirit that is in us. We hear the word through preaching and worship, but we must internalize it, interact with it and speak it out. In so doing, we deliver the depth of our knowledge of the gospel to others while deepening our own faith.

All glory to God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.