ManQuest by Mike McCormick

Guiding boys to become responsible godly men is a difficult task. Parents must take an active part in the training. If parents are not proactive, boys will get the image of manhood from our culture. Boys are bombarded with the worldly message, especially in the 32 hours teens, on average, watch television each week.

McCormick wrote this book out of his own determination to communicate the essence of male adulthood to his two boys. As he worked on the project, he arrived at six essential qualities of a man. He designated those guideposts, pointing the way to being a responsible and godly man.

He has designed this book for fathers and sons to work through it together as they embark on a life changing spiritual quest. There is text included and then interactive questions to discuss, with space given for writing. There are some movies dads and sons watch together, discussing the questions McCormick has provided. There are other activities suggested too. Communication is essential and to get it started, the father shares his life story (helpful hints are given).

Here are the six guideposts: accept responsibility, lead courageously, pretend about nothing (be a truth teller), journey with God (He is Master and Commander), protect your heart (the true “good life”), engage in deep and meaningful relationships (friendship and marriage). He has added Six Rugged Truths that every man must know, bringing an important level of reality to the study.

McCormick shares his own experience of finishing up this study with a group of fathers and their sons with a weekend initiation ceremony. He gives some tips for planning such a grand finale weekend, as he does for a kick off ceremony. He also includes a movie competition and questions for solitude.

While I am not a father, I can tell this book has a wealth of information to help fathers journey alongside their sons as they prepare for manhood. McCormick has provided the basic material for any father (or other male) to complete the steps he has outlined. If you decide to be proactive in the maturation of your son, this is a great book for you.

You can find out more about the book, order it, download sample chapters and watch a video at http://manquestmovement.com/.

Mike McCormick is the chief executive of a large retirement community in Michigan. He runs a program teaching basketball to over 300 area kids, is a church planter and youth group leader. He is married with two sons and a daughter.

Elk Lake Publishing, 104 pages.

I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through the Book Club Network for the purpose of an independent and honest review.