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Religious education is not only for children.Adult faith formation, by which people consciously grow in the life of Christ through experience, reflection, prayer, and study, must be the "the central task in [this] catechetical enterprise," becoming "the axis around which revolves the catechesis of childhood and adolescence as well as that of old age." (OHWB #5)The Bishops outline three key goals of Adult Faith Formation (OHWB #67-73):
Inviting and enabling ongoing conversion to Jesus in holiness of life:
- helping adults acquire an attitude of conversion to the Lord
- leading adults to repentance of sin, reconciliation through the sacraments and deepening faith in Jesus
Promoting and supporting active membership in the Christian community:
- helping adults make a conscious and firm decision to live the faith through membership in the Christian community
- inviting and supporting baptized adults in their co-responsibility for the Church's mission and life
Calling and preparing adults to act as disciples in mission to the world:
- inviting baptized adults to evangelization and justice in the world
Adult faith growth touches on six areas, all of which are needed for the full maturation of the Christian person:- Knowledge of the faith
- Liturgical Life
- Moral Formation
- Prayer
- Communal Life
- Missionary Spirit