For some years now there has been talk of phenomenological approaches in the discussions around religious education and practical theology. Multi-faceted concepts such as lifeworld ('Lebenswelt'), everydayor perception have been mobilised to point the formation of theory in a new direction. The motif of 'closeness to life' ('Lebensnähe') plays a central role in this. But what are we to understand by phenomenology? Contemplating the philosophical origins of the concept, this study reflects on the opportunities and limitations of phenomenological conceptions and their significance for religious education.