Sharing the Gospel with Our Lives: A Relational Approach to Catholic Youth Ministry

The only effective way to share the Gospel with teenagers is to also share our lives with them. Youth ministry happens when adults (like you) humble themselves to love and serve young people, just as Jesus did.

Sharing the Gospel with Our Lives is an inspiring, informative, and empowering resource for your ministry with Catholic teens. This is the book that helps you realize that Catholic youth ministry is more than putting a meeting together or teaching a class; it's about getting to know teens and sharing Jesus with them.

Whether you are brand new to the mission of youth ministry, a seasoned vet, a master catechist, or a caring adult with a full-time job who volunteers for your parish, this is the book for you.

Endorsements for Sharing the Gospel with Our Lives

“If youth ministry has a Yoda, a Gandalf, a … you get the point … his name is Bob Rice. And we need to listen to him. Kids are falling away from faith faster than ever. As a Church, we need to shift from handwringing to action. Fast. Bob doesn’t only show us how to win young people for Jesus, he makes the way accessible, clear, and exciting. Sharing the Gospel with Our Lives isn’t just about teenagers. It’s about the army of adults waiting to wake up to a life-changing mission, but who have, for too long, been paralyzed by the idea that they can’t make a difference in the lives of young people. They can. You can. Read this book.” — Chris Stefanick, Evangelist and President of Real Life Catholic

“If anyone is going to ‘write the book’ on youth ministry, I want it to be Bob Rice. He knows the ins and outs of ministering to young people, but more than simple methodology or techniques, Bob knows Jesus and knows how to help youth ministers know Jesus themselves and share Jesus with others. I’ve had the inestimable privilege of watching Bob do this work in many different settings over the years, and every time, I’m in awe of his skill as a teacher and his witness as a disciple of Jesus. This book is a gift, as is Bob, and you need to read it.” — Katie Prejean McGrady, host of The Katie McGrady Show on The Catholic Channel on Sirius XM and co-host of Family Mass Prep on Hallow 

“In his unique and inimitable way, Deacon Bob masterfully outlines a convincing case for reassessing our approach and attitude to youth ministry in the Church today. The stories he shares are not just compelling; they are poignant reminders of the challenges and triumphs that come with ministering to today’s youth. One of the book's greatest strengths lies in its ability to balance humor with depth. Deacon Bob seamlessly transitions from light-hearted, laugh-out-loud moments to serious, thought-provoking discussions, making the book not only enjoyable to read but also profoundly impactful. His ability to address complex issues with such clarity and compassion is a testament to his deep understanding of youth culture and ministry. Whether you are a seasoned youth minister, a parent, or someone new to the field, this book is sure to leave a lasting impression.” — Julianne Stanz, Storyteller, Author, and Director of Outreach for Evangelization and Discipleship, Loyola Press, and Consultant to the USCCB

“Sharing the Gospel with Our Lives by Bob Rice offers profound insights into modern youth ministry. I strongly encourage anyone with a heart for teenagers to read and absorb this book. In my 30+ years of Catholic Youth Ministry, I have rarely met youth leaders as passionate as Bob Rice about reaching today’s teens. I appreciate Bob’s unwavering focus on relational ministry with young people as the cornerstone for parishes. This is an essential read for parish leaders.” — Randy Raus, Life Teen President / CEO

“In Sharing the Gospel with Our Lives, Bob Rice offers us what we most need: a youth ministry guide that is both deep and practical, and both timeless and fresh. Not only will you be glad you apply Bob’s transformative insights, so will the young people who are changed by Christ to change our world.” — Kara Powell, PhD, coauthor of Future-Focused Church and Chief of Leadership Formation at Fuller Seminary

“Sharing the Gospel with our Lives is not merely about developing the skill set of a youth minister, it is also a story of an individual who has loved young people, has served them, discipled them, and laid down his life for them. You will be inspired by Bob’s witness to Jesus and the Church and, in the end, you will grow in your love and knowledge of Christ who calls each of us to participate in the building of his Kingdom. Bob brings decades of experience to this book, and his practical wisdom permeates every page. Whether you are a person involved in active ministry, a volunteer, or even a parent, this book will be a blessing to anyone who spends time with it.” — Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, President of Franciscan University of Steubenville

“Rather than just focusing on best practices and programs, Sharing the Gospel with Our Lives raises up the importance of those who accompany young people, share the Catholic faith, and equip them for transforming the world. The Holy Father and the U.S. Bishops have shared the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of being faithful witnesses of the kerygma for younger generations. In this book, Bob Rice provides insights on ‘how’ that can take place in the lives of youth today and those who journey with them.” —  Paul Jarzembowski, Associate Director for the Laity for the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

“Deacon Bob Rice presents the heart of ministry to the young Church with the insight of well-earned experience to produce a book that is foundational for anyone considering leadership — paid or volunteer — in Catholic youth ministry. It is a reflection of the best of God and the Church’s mission to adolescents.” — Craig Gould, Program Director of Notre Dame Vision

“Deacon Bob Rice is a leading voice in Catholic youth ministry today not only for his expertise in youth ministry, but also because of his contagious authenticity as a disciple of Christ. Sharing the Gospel with Our Lives is a master class on helping young people encounter the Blessed Trinity in a life-transforming way — not just once but steadily and over time. Powerfully steeped in scripture, this book is a page-turner full of insight, inspiration, and good humor. Anyone serving Catholic teenagers today will delight in reading this book!” — Dr. James Pauley, author of An Evangelizing Catechesis and editor of The Catechetical Review