A Better Way

I am currently taking an online course through the University of Notre Dame on Emerging Models of Catechesis.  The course discusses the differences between traditional faith formation models (those that use classroom learning techniques targeted to age specific groups) and intergenerational faith formation models (those that bring a broad range of people from a faith community together to be both learners and teachers).  Most of the other people in the course have some formal role in catechesis at their parishes.  I am one of the few in the course that do not have such a formal role.

I think I caught some of the catechesis veterans off guard when I mentioned that this method of learning/teaching is not special to faith formation.  What is the best way to learn a language?  Immersion.  One can learn a language in a classroom with vocabulary and grammar drills.  However, things don't "sink in" until one has the opportunities to apply the language - conversations with other people in the language, reading magazines in the language, seeing movies in the language, etc.  The idea is to get people to apply what they have learned about a language without really thinking about it.  That can only come about with exposure to diverse opportunities to use the language.  That further comes about only through contact with a diverse group of people.

Why should one not expect the same with faith formation?  I can read and memorize the Catechism.  However, unless I have access to experienced mentors that can help me apply what I have learned to my daily life, I haven't learned anything - I have just memorized some information.