Written by a man trained as a Clinical Psychologist before becoming a Christian, Free Indeed, Escaping Bondage and Brokenness for Freedom in Christ is a book written after his 25 years of experience as a Pastor. Dr. Ganz uses his experience to provide insights into patterns of thought and behavior that keep Christians from true freedom in Christ. A glossy, soft cover book of 134 pages, and conveniently sized at 5" x 8" inches, the book includes a page of Acknowledgements, a Foreword, Preface, Introduction, 27 chapters, and a Conclusion, with usually very short two to three page chapters. Each chapter ends with a brief study guide consisting of a few questions pertinent to the chapter with occasional scripture reference for guidance. Answers are not included in an answer for each question format, rather the answers are provided in the reading for the reader to draw out for themselves. Designed as a personal study to improve the Christian walk for the reader, it is appropriate for use in Sunday School classes, home school Bible studies, or in use in a personal Quiet Time. Mature middle school students with a firm grasp of their salvation and Godly walk, high school students, and adults, will find Free Indeed a comfortable read and challenge to their Christian walk.

Free Indeed is easy to read with chapters of only a few pages in length, enabling the reader to digest the material and apply the knowledge more readily. The questions are thought provoking and build on biblical responses throughout the book. The answers are not provided in an outright format on a per question basis, but are nonetheless provided in the reading, including scriptural references. Each chapter draws the reader closer to the desired conclusion that God?s business is all we should be concerned with accomplishing, and the realization that all other distractions, expectations, and activities in life only bind us in slavery to things other than true freedom in Christ. For home school use, the book could be easily completed in a semester format as parent/teachers could combine two chapters into one week sessions in order to read through the entire book in 18 weeks and allow for additional discussion, or the book could be spread out over an entire year. We would encourage a quicker coverage of the material over a lengthy reading in relation to time, the material is excellent and should be regularly discussed and moved through at a pace that keeps it in the forefront of the reader?s mind and thoughts. A quarter format of 9 weeks would perfectly allow for reading three chapters each week, while combining the Introduction and Conclusion into the first and last sessions.

Discussion includes parental guilt trips, peer pressure, and the many ways individuals allow others to control them through various forms of intimidation and the expectations of others, the information is enlightening. I would encourage parents to read this book before utilizing it with their students, as I found myself guilty of attempting to control my own children out of parental expectations. I needed to bring my own relationship with Christ into a more liberated walk before guiding my children to do so. I do wish some sort of answers would have been provided in order to help me with explanations during discussions with my children, but answers are within the text and will be drawn out during reading. There are books on the market claiming to bring various grand answers to the spiritual walk of a Christian, Free Indeed truly walks you through a kind of worldly walk many Christians have fallen into and guides you to a biblical walk of true freedom in Christ. Learning from Christ through His words in the Bible, Dr. Ganz leads the reader step by step into the responsible life of a Christian, relying on God and His purpose for life, which includes His personal call for each of us. Free Indeed will help take Christians to a maturity in their walk with Christ and a true understanding of His struggle with calvary, while Jesus still showed obedience to God and the greater purpose of His crucifixion. Free Indeed, Escaping Bondage and Brokenness for Freedom in Christ will allow the reader to let go of worldly expectations, focus on God and all He has done to assure your true freedom, and better understand the true freedom we have in Christ Jesus.

Product Review by Donna Campos, Senior Product Reviewer, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, February, 2009