Ritual Links Worship and Learning: An Empirical and Theoretical Contribution from the Perspective of Young People Participating in the Lord's Supper

Abstract

This article aims at more clarity on the interrelationship between worship and learning, and more insight into the ‘how’ of the formative power of worship practices. By a theoretical discussion, and by an empirical investigation into the practice of the Lord's Supper, this article serves current practical theological research on the edge of liturgical studies and religious education. The leading research question is: How do worship practices of the Lord's Supper contribute to the religious learning of young participants? The authors conclude that religious learning can be interpreted as a communal quality of participation in the Lord's Supper, which is anchored in social, cognitive and action processes before, in and after participation in the liturgical – ritual aspect of the practice of worship. The conclusion is that the liturgical ritual basically serves the relationship between worship and learning in faith communities.