Best Practices in Adult Faith Formation. - Diocese of Pittsburgh

diversity….For the ties which unite the faithful together are stronger than those which separate them: let therebe unity in what is doubtful, and charity in everything.” 13The adult disciple enjoys the fruits of the Spirit which are “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Gal 5:22-23). Mature faith is open to the action and powerof God’s Spirit and cannot remain idle or unproductive. Where the Spirit is active, faith is fruitful.Adult faith bears the fruit of justice and compassion through active outreach to those in need.Recognizing also the connection of personal sins and social consequences, they pray and work both forpersonal conversion and for systemic change and social transformation that will serve the common good and,ultimately, the realization of God’s reign of justice and peace “on earth as in heaven” (Mt 6:10).Adult faith bears the fruit of evangelization. While fully respecting the religious freedom and choiceof others, the adult disciple bears witness in the world to the gift of faith and to the treasure we have found inJesus and among the community of his disciples. In this process, the witness of the word is essential, but aliving witness in the service of love and justice speaks with special power today.These are some of the characteristics of mature adult faith. But it is essential to remember also thatsalvation is not the fruit of our innate gifts, our adult competence, or our achievements. Mature faithrecognizes that, however great or modest our competence or accomplishments, God’s favor is always a giftand a grace. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God”(Eph 2:8).13 GS, no. 92; cf. John Paul II, “Eight Address of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Bishops of the United States during Their AdLimina Visits,” Ad Limina Addresses: The Addresses of His Holiness Pope John Paul II to the Bishops of the United States duringTheir Ad Limina Visits; March 5-December 9, 1988 (Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 1988); John XXIII,Ad Petri Cathedram (On Truth, Unity and Peace), 1959.