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Youth & Young Adult Catechesis: Sharing the Gospel Message with Adolescents

The Catechism asks a question that is so simple and yet is one that many of us have never thought to ask: ‘Why did the Word become flesh?’

The amazing answer is the heart of the Gospel message and the missionary discourse that we invite teenagers to hear and accept in their lives.

There is nothing more dramatic than the story of our salvation, but in order to understand it we must tell it like any other story: in order.

What if we just jumped right to last chapters of Lord of the Rings? Frodo throws the ring into the fire. Without knowing what the ring was about, the journey they had taken to get there, or what would have happened if they didn’t, it’s just an interesting moment that seems to be important but you wouldn’t know why. And I think that is exactly how teenagers view the cross. They know it is important (because they see it everywhere), they are sorry that Jesus died and think it’s cool that he did, but so what? What does it mean to them?

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Dr. Bob Rice is an internationally known speaker, acclaimed musician, and innovative writer. He is Professor of Catechetics and the Director of the Masters of Arts in Catechetics and Evangelization at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He has a PhD in Theology from Liverpool Hope University where he researched Catholic youth and evangelization. He is a highly sought after presenter at youth conferences, young-adult gatherings, men’s conferences, parish missions, and catechetical workshops. Bob has authored many books, articles, and award-winning scripts that have helped people come to a deeper understanding of the Catholic faith. Bob has recorded numerous CDs and leads worship for over ten thousand people every year, mostly through the Steubenville Adult and Youth Conferences. He is the host of EWTN’s Franciscan University Presents. Bob lives in Steubenville with his beautiful wife Jennifer and their seven adorable children. You can find out more about him at bob-rice.com. He is the author of the life of Christ novel, Between the Saivior and the Sea, written through St. Peter's eyes and the spiriutality book, A 40-Day Spiritual Workout for Catholics.

This article is from The Sower and may be copied for catechetical purposes only. It may not be reprinted in another published work without the permission of Maryvale Institute. Contact [email protected]

Categorized Under

Categorized Under:

Youth Ministry

Issue:

31.4

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About Franciscan Catechetics

The Catechetics Degree Programs and the Catechetical Institute (CI) at Franciscan University of Steubenville work in concert to prepare clergy, religious and laity to join the “army of catechists” called for by St. John Paul II, eager to help the Church in her mission of making all nations joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. We combine a thorough formation in Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and Magisterial documents with training in effective pedagogical techniques to help those we serve to grasp the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Father’s plan, and to bear witness to others faithfully of the wonderful life of grace in the Holy Spirit.

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