Recommended Reading List

Below are some resources that Matt recommends.

How Now Shall We Live (Charles Colson) A readable mesh of theology and what we are called to be and do. All of Colson's books are great but one of my favorites remains Loving God.

A Plain Account of Christian Perfection (John Wesley) Simple, profound.

Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis) A wonderful classic. No serious Christian should go five years without reading, and re-reading. Other Lewis works to get to soon: Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, Chronicles of Narnia.

Bruchko (Bruce Olsen) The incredible story of how Olsen, as a teenager, flew off to the mission field and evangelized a stone age tribe. Incredible.

Called to be Holy (John Oswalt) Want to know what holiness is all about? This from one of the great biblical scholars of the evangelical world.

Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret (Taylor) Missionary to Chinathat taught how to pursue godly goals and do it with total reliance on God and the banishment of worry.

A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life (William Law) Easy-to-read classic that will change your perspective on a full-orbed life. A marvelous classic that penetrates through the phoniness

Preaching in the Spirit (Dennis Kinlaw) Get it whether you are a preacher or not. And get everything else Kinlaw has written. A modern communicator without peer.

Compassionate Conservatism (Marvin Olasky) Tons of examples here of how compassionate conservatism lives, and usually without any help from the government.

Celebration of Discipline (Richard Foster) A modern day spiritual formation classic. Covers both corporate and personal
disciplines.

The Hour That Changes the World (Dick Eastman) Teaches a twelve step method of prayer that is refreshing, uplifting and very doable.

Scandal of the Evangelical Conscience (Ron Sider) How low has the "evangelical" crowd sunk? Low...but there is
hope.

John Wesley’s Sermon #98 ("Google" it) Compassion is biblically necessary. And it is of the "hands-on" variety, not simply sitting on boards or giving money.

Pursuit of God (A.W. Tozer) Anything you read of Tozer will draw you deeper in Christ; this is a good start.

Heavenly Man (Brother Yun) Think you know a little bit about hungering and thirsting for righteousness and getting persecuted for it? No, you don’t.

The Master Plan of Evangelism (Robert Coleman) If you make disciples by sitting around and talking, then your disciples will in all likelihood sit around and talk. Jesus had a better methodology.

Tragedy of American Compassion (Marvin Olasky) How to take compassion seriously. American once did. No longer…but we can begin again.

Hidden in the Heart A children’s catechism (available @ Wesley Biblical Seminary for $2 each)

Books by Matt Friedeman

The Master Plan of Teaching

"The Master Plan of Teaching" is for all disciples interested in Christian Education--teachers, students, Sunday School Superintendents, parents, small group leaders. The Great Commission implores us to "teach" everything that Jesus commanded. This book explores how to tackle that task.

In The Fight

A compilation of a decade worth of newspaper columns that are hard-hitting and timely. Matt kicks up the “dust of skepticism” over the sacred cows of the left and the cry of “intolerant” comes from the cheapest seats in the house. “In the Fight” embodies a wonderful combination of intellect, wisdom and a morally focused sense of right and wrong. You might not always agree, but the uncompromising drive to transform our society for God will make you think and act. You will never wonder where Matt stands, or what he stands for.

LifeChanging Bible Study

LifeChanging Bible Study is a fresh look at inductive Bible study. The authors--both of whom are pastors, teachers and speakers--consider mastery of this method essential for Christian communicators. With years of experience using inductive Bible study in their own ministries, they provide beneficial perspectives and practical applications for communicating the Word.

The Accountability Connection

The flaw with self-help is right in its name, Self. An accountability group can be the cheering section you've been looking for. And Friedeman offers clear, simple steps for getting started.

Discipleship In The Home

This book was born in Dr. Friedeman's own home, as the father of five, and in the classroom, as professor of Christian Education at Wesley Biblical Seminary. It is a wonderful blend of practical wisdom built on a firm Biblical foundation. The last quarter of the book is a powerful family catechism for the dining room table and scripture memory plans. He also gives creative plans for meaningful father-son and mother-daughter retreats and rites of passage celebrations.