For This is Right is a thorough, comprehensive guide to the Biblical command to "honor your father and mother." Although the book is primarily focused on a child's relationship with his parents, many of the principles can also be applied to other authority figures.

I especially liked the opening section titled "The Whole Duty of Man." It discusses how to parent the compliant child, the strong-willed child, and the rebellious child and ends with words of encouragement for parents of each. It also lists different ways to use this book as a tool in training your children in honor and obedience. Young people can use it as a self-examination tool. Parents can use it as a personal study or a teaching guide. It can also be used as an aid in counseling situations.

The next section relates to honoring parents in such areas as Due Reverence, Behavior, Prayer, Thanksgiving, Obedience, Fidelity, Bearing with Infirmities, and Covering with Love (and many more). Under each topic, the author poses questions to the student and then lists applicable Scriptures for each question. For example, here is just one of the questions under the topic "Thanksgiving":

Am I seeking satisfaction in life from God or am I seeking it from my family, friends, possessions, reputation, etc.?
"For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness." Psalm 107:9
"As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I am awake, with thy likeness." Psalm 17:15
"They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." Psalm 106:13-15

The next section covers specific sins that children can commit against their parents, such as Neglect of Duties, Envying, and Contempt of their Persons. This section ends with a chapter titled "Confession and Repentance." ("Am I ready to acknowledge and turn from my sin?")

The end of the book has sections called "Definition of the Words" and "Additional Resources," which is an annotated list of other parenting resources.

The book is based on Scripture and the Westminster Larger Catechism, which is taken from the 1600s Confession of Faith. A catechism is a series of questions and answers centering on doctrinal beliefs. This book expands upon questions #123 through #128 of the catechism, which cover the fifth commandment. You do not need to use or teach catechisms in order to profit from this book. The author simply used the questions as a framework for developing the book.

This 124-page spiralbound book is an extremely valuable resource for Christian parents. For This Is Right should be found in every homeschool library. Its Scriptural teachings can help families fulfill "the whole duty of man" as they learn to fear God and keep his commandments.

Another favorite from Doorposts!



Product review by Deborah Wuehler, Devotional Editor and Chapel Columnist, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, May 2007