According to the United States Bishops' Document,  Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us (OHWB):

 

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:

 

Promoting and supporting active membership in the Christian community:

 

Calling and preparing adults to act as disciples in mission to the world:

Adult faith growth touches on six areas, all of which are needed for the full maturation of the Christian person:
 

1. Knowledge of the faith
2. Liturgical Life
3. Moral Formation
4. Prayer
5. Communal Life
6. Missionary Spirit