Multidimensional competence and the space between faith formation and scripture study

This chapter identifies aspects of the relationship between the formal education of religion in English state-funded schools, which we might generally frame as a secular study of religion, including the study of mainly a single-faith tradition in English state-funded Christian schools, and the community formation (informal or non-formal) learning that is associated with the passing on of religious faith that happens in homes, parish church groups and retreat contexts. This chapter reviews two strands of research. One strand is a series of studies exploring the teaching of scripture in English Religious Education school contexts. The other strand contains projects that explored aspects of faith formation and spiritual development. This chapter draws on insights from these two strands.