The Forgotten Commandment

by Dennis Rainey

The Forgotten Commandment <> Hardcover <> DennisRainey <> FamilyLifePublishing

177 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2014

About the author

Dennis Rainey is president and CEO of FamilyLife, a division of Cru. Dennis and his wife, Barbara, have spoken at Weekend to Remember conferences around the world. Dennis serves as the daily host of the radio program "FamilyLife Today". He and Barbara have authored more than two dozen books, including the bestselling "Moments Together for Intimacy" and" Moments Together for Couples". The Raineys have six children and nineteen grandchildren.

Reviews

[Jory Bayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how Rainey takes the fifth commandment at face value and encourages the writing and presenting of a “tribute” as a practical first step for adults to honor their aging parents with lots of anecdotal evidence to support it’s effectiveness. It’s brilliant.

That said, for what it sets out to do, I think this 170 page book should’ve been a 40 page book. There were a lot of stories and much effort was spent persuading the reader why they should attempt to write a tribute. Yet, if you bought this book you probably don’t need much convincing. Also, the title is a bit misleading. The book is much more about the transformative power of writing a tribute than a teaching of the meaning and application of Exodus 20:12. I think its original title “The Tribute” is more fitting. Also, some of the advice given throughout feels reductionistic and can be too quick to suggest a written tribute as a fix all for complex relationship dynamics.

[Mark Youngkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are the son or daughter of aging parents, no matter your relationship with those parents, you will benefit from this book from Dennis Rainey of the Family Life ministry. It is a thorough dissection of what it means to honor your mother and father, as Scripture commands. Rainey's clear goal is to have his readers present a tribute to their parents, and he both makes the case for that step and explains how to make it happen. A helpful appendix includes questions that can spur memories and, ultimately, text.

This book has challenged me to arrange a suitable tribute to my own aging parents, one of whom is beginning to have cognitive issues. So be forewarned - this book comes with homework. But it's a good source of inspiration and encouragement to complete the assignment it suggests.

[Mark Youngkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are the son or daughter of aging parents, no matter your relationship with those parents, you will benefit from this book from Dennis Rainey of the Family Life ministry. It is a thorough dissection of what it means to honor your mother and father, as Scripture commands. Rainey's clear goal is to have his readers present a tribute to their parents, and he both makes the case for that step and explains how to make it happen. A helpful appendix includes questions that can spur memories and, ultimately, text.

This book has challenged me to arrange a suitable tribute to my own aging parents, one of whom is beginning to have cognitive issues. So be forewarned - this book comes with homework. But it's a good source of inspiration and encouragement to complete the assignment it suggests.

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rainey makes a strong case for honoring parents, and to do so by way of written tribute. It frustrates me that sentimentalism dominates his arguments a few times, which for me distracts from a case that is adequately Scriptural. The variety of examples of written tributes culled from past reader testimonies help present the complexities and nuances of parent-child relationships but all point back to "What does God command?" It is arguably a bit loaded to say the Fifth Commandment is the "Forgotten" one, but I for one hope that I may experience the sort of spiritual blessings that he rightly observes is promised to those who obey it.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every adult should read this whether you have a great or challenging relationship with your parents.

[Lo · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some touching parts, but I am not Christian.

[James VanHook · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really good book and made me rethink a lot of the ways that I am a son, a father and a husband.