Many of us have confusing ideas regarding what it means to hear from God. We think of audible voices or outlandish experiences. We think we’ll hear Him as obviously as if fireworks had been set off and doubts will not exist when He speaks.

We all know what really happens though: We doubt, we hear subtle things we aren’t sure are God. Meanwhile, another Christian seems to have those fireworks encounters and we feel like something must be wrong with us. Perhaps we just aren't as spiritual as the people around us.

Hearing God is a book that will debunk these lies and more. This book helps combat the "myths" we have about hearing God and His movement in our lives. It will even mention those super spiritual friends whose relationship with God makes you feel like you must be a failure in yours.

Humorous and down-to-earth, this book reads like a conversation in a coffee shop as the author shares about hearing God’s voice. You’ll feel as if you’ve found a friend who cares enough to simplify what it means to have conversation with God. You’ll feel as if you’ve finally found someone who wants you to discover the real reason God wants you to grow in hearing His voice, without being so serious the topic becomes boring.

This book brings us back to the simple truth of God’s Word on the subject. If we'll begin the journey personally, the truths shared in this book will cut through the myths and lies we believe about experiencing the reality of what we most long for: To hear our very Father and Creator speaking to our hearts.

(A copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.)

Hearing God is one of my favorite books so far this year. It is a refreshing, witty, honest read from the teaching pastor at Hillsong in New York City. You will enjoy Nathan Finochio’s interesting perspectives on how we can hear God’s voice even in our fast-paced lives.

Many Christians want to hear God’s voice, but aren’t sure how to listen for it. In Hearing God, Nathan Finochio dispels 10 common myths about how we think we are hearing from God. He straightens out Christian viewpoints with warmth, enthusiasm, and joy. You will be encouraged by his perspective on how to listen for God’s voice. It’s not as hard as you think.

His fresh voice will appeal to a wide age range of readers. I’m a Gen X’er, and I loved his humor and honesty that appeals to readers in my age group. I think Baby Boomers will enjoy his wiser-than-his-years approach with a fidelity to biblical teaching. Millennials will love his personal stories and exuberant zeal.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me in several chapters of this book. I truly appreciated the insight about spiritual warfare and prophetic encouragement. Though I regularly hear God’s voice in my prayer life, I was excited to learn new, practical ways to listen for his still, small voice. I’m certain that no matter how long you have been a Christian, you will be inspired to listen to God in new ways through this book.

Favorite Quotes from Hearing God
I highlighted many interesting passages in Hearing God, and these are just a few of my favorite quotes.

“Scripture is your litmus test for all other sorts of hearing, and it creates the grid of meaning and language within you to hear and discern.”

“Somehow in our world today, the Holy Spirit and the Bible have been pitted against each other. That’s like pitting Ronald McDonald against cheeseburgers.”

“You don’t need to be the Lone Ranger Christian when you have the right people around you. It’s hearing God for dummies, it’s safe, it’s more objective, and it’s biblical.”

“When a prophetic word has been measured and people you trust have confirmed that it’s probably God speaking, treat that prophetic word like it’s God speaking! Write it down, memorize it, pray about it, thank God for it, and use it as a tool to wage war.”

“A negative attitude toward creation is exactly why many of us can’t hear God speaking through it.”

And I’m still meditating upon this gem:

“God put Adam into a deep sleep while He was creating the best possible gift for him–Eve. I tend to think God prefers this mode–when we’re settled and in a place of obedience, yielded to the processes of life, and then awake to incredible things He’s been weaving out of our very sides, undetected.”

This book has a built-in study guide for group discussion. I’m planning to use it in my small group, because it’s sure to inspire lively conversation. Whether you use it personally or with others, Hearing God will grow your faith.

I received a preview copy of this excellent book from WaterBrook.

Wonderful & inspiring read. Practical advice/suggestions along with numerous references to the Gospel. All told in a very entertaining & pragmatic fashion with a delightful sense of humour.

I found Hearing God by Nathan Finochio to be a refreshing read. He takes some common myths on the subject of hearing God and puts a spin on them. I enjoyed how he made a concept clear by using a word picture or real-life example making it greatly relatable. He had a lot of great points and I found myself marking all over my book pages. The goal of the book is to help people learn how to listen. He doesn’t leave the reader hanging but instead he gives us what we need to know to experience this amazing gift given to all believers in expected and unexpected places. As a silence and solitude attendee, co-leader, and leader I find myself very interested in this topic and this book is a great resource to share with others.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

When someone says they can hear God, does it ever make you wonder how they heard Him? Here we have “Hearing God” by Nathan Finochio. When I first started reading this book, I could tell that it would be easy for me to get engrossed in it. The writing from the author is meant more for a dialogue between two friends rather than just someone telling you what to do.

There is more than one way to hear God and this is just what the author strives to tell you. I feel that this book would open the eyes of others. When you read this book, you’ll be amazed at how many ways the author can tell you how you can hear God. I suggest you check out this book and see for yourself the extraordinary love of hearing God.

I received this book through the publisher, Waterbrook & Multonomah, launch team.

Worship leader, pastor, and author Nathan Finochio uses a blend of everyday illustrations and Biblical teaching mixed with humor to speak to the question of how we can hear God. When I was offered the opportunity to review the book, I was curious about his approach and his theology. I am more familiar with the worship music of Hillsong than its teaching and didn't know if I should expect a more liberal or conservative viewpoint.

I really appreciated his approach. The illustrations were appropriate and enhanced the points he used to illuminate instead of overpowering them. They were practical everyday type examples that will resonate with many people. The writing style was engaging and the prose was neither too self-deprecating nor too boastful. I felt I could relate to the author, for the most part. (Not the self-centered generation stuff - of course that couldn't be me!)

The teaching was quite good and used examples from both the Old and New Testaments. Nothing was taken out of context and I learned more about the church in Rome than I had previously known. This made the things Paul shared with the church there easier to understand. Yay!

One of the points that stood out the most was about the importance of quieting the noise we are so surrounded, making it possible to hear what the Lord may be saying. After all, if I'm not listening, how can I hear? I know my life gets really busy and that I need to take more time to just be still and know that He is God.

While the author's worldview is a charismatic, there was little, if anything, here to make a more conservative believer uncomfortable. Yet I would challenge all believers to read the book with an attitude of learning and considering its message.

I loved the emphasis on the importance of comparing what you think the Lord is saying to you with what Scripture teaches. God never contradicts Himself.

Spiritually mature Christians could benefit from this book as a great reminder of the things we should know already and could also learn, like I did, some new things along the way. Newer Christians will find this to be very helpful in learning the basics of Christian living. Despite the title, I would consider this book much more about walking with God daily rather than simply teaching us to hear God's voice. Yet as you will discover in your reading, living a life of walking in the Spirit is a huge component of hearing God.

Hearing God by Nathan Finochio is a book written for Christians seeking a deeper relationship with God. Finochio has a keen ability to relate to the reader at whatever level they may be on in their spiritual journey. The book is very easy to read yet gives the reader much to consider.

He describes obstacles that get in the way of our relationship with God and offers suggestions on how to deal with/remove them. God speaks and works through seasons in our lives in both large and small circumstances. The more we study God's word as individuals and as part of a community of believers, the deeper and more mature our relationship with God becomes, and the more likely we are to recognize the many ways God is speaking to us.

The author stresses the importance of community, as the variety of ideas and knowledge help us to understand the Bible in new ways. "Who has God brought into your life?" is a question we should ask ourselves often. It is only through the eyes of others who will tell us the honest truth and help hold us accountable for our missteps that we can see the log in our own eye preventing us from growing in our relationship with God.

A well-written, worthwhile read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and WaterBrook and Multnomah for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions expressed here are my own. The publication date for this book is 6/11/19.

I’m laughing a little as I type this opening statement: Hearing God is one of the most audacious actions a person can take.

Think about it we have stories in the bible of people who heard God’s voice and were led to some of the most intense moments of their lives. Elijah on Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal. Jonah going to Nineveh. Moses leading the nation of Israel from Egypt through a separated sea. Peter walking on water and the list goes on. Yet everyday believers cry out “God let me hear your voice.” We do this because we want to know how God feels about us, what he desires of us and when we will be used tour full capacity. Ok there are a dozen other reasons as well.

But we struggle with hearing God all the time. Enter this wonderfully written book by Nathan Finochio. A 30 something man serving at Hillsong NY who comes from a small town in Ontario Canada. Nathan uses wit and humour like some of the best while applying scripture so well in the context and without bending its original meaning. There was not a chapter within where clear points were not made or specific and approachable application was not made.

To be honest it was as though Nathan was living my everyday as he walked through some of the chapters, and that is how a book on this topic should be written. The author needs to meet their audience and live in their shoes, if they present a picture of someone who never struggled with hearing God the issue becomes impossible to conclude for the readers. I am so thankful this book had an appearance of accessibility and ease of application.

One high point was the way Nathan walked readers through his family dynamic and how that influenced his life, not shying away from the hard parts and what some people are for sure going to label the “crazy parts.” Having attended his parents church in Ontario, and a family member who did so for a long season of life, I know the honesty presented within these pages.

If I were to make a recommendation for this book, I would never limit it. Honestly every single believer, and those outside the faith needs a book like this. We need to pay attention to the words within and walk through the response ideas at the end of the book. If you want to learn about hearing God, don’t miss this book.

*A special note, thank you Nathan for being one voice in a long time who did not over quote CS Lewis.