For many world faiths, the ongoing development and formation of each person is foundational. Faith communities do not always use the same language as professional educationalists, but the parallels are very clear. Although not always thought of as "education", one approach used in some churches to encourage growth is known as "spiritual direction" or guidance. This process can involve classic adult education methodology and principles. Learning is facilitated through discussion with a "director" (mentor or teacher), rather than being expected to result from the didactic input of information. The starting point will be a person's own experience. Experiential activities or structured learning experiences and tasks are frequently offered as "homework", with outcomes discussed at future meetings. The Christian church can boast a long--and exceptionally varied--tradition of engagement with adult education. In this article, the author reflects on the roots of this commitment and describes some of the ways in which today's church contributes to encouraging adult learning.