A journey to hearing God for all of life's decisions.

We've all been there.

We made a choice. We thought God was leading us. It made sense. It felt right.

So why did it go so wrong?

The Formula is an in-depth study of the three influences referenced throughout God’s Word. Using a framework that began with Jesus and continued through the teachings of Paul, it helps you identify the competing influences behind every decision and recognize the one voice that truly matters.

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"The book you’re about to dive into is filled with years of thoughtful reflection on the nuances of decision-making. It presents a formula that beautifully illustrates how decisions unfold. It's much more than a theory; it’s a wonderful method for applying biblical guidance in our decision-making."

- Dr. Jason C. Murphy, D.Min. | Collierville Grace Chapel -

You've been there. A decision that checked every box. You prayed. The peace was there. The logic held up. Everyone around you agreed. And somewhere down the road, it fell apart. Not because you didn't care about God's will. But because something that felt exactly like His voice wasn't.

Every choice you make is being shaped by something. The question most believers never stop to ask is what, exactly, is doing the shaping.

Scripture is clear that more than one voice is competing for your attention in every decision you face. One of them is always right. One of them is always loud. And one of them is so convincing it has fooled sincere, faithful, God-seeking people since the beginning of time.

The pattern doesn't have to continue. The same choice. The same regret. The same moment six months later when you wonder how you missed it again. There is a way to hear God's voice clearly before consequences have to teach you what discernment should have.

Because the decisions that shape your life deserve more than a feeling. Relationships. Career. Money. Ministry. Family. These are not small crossroads. They are the moments that define decades. And every single one of them is subject to the same three voices.

The Formula gives you a biblical framework for telling them apart. Not after the fact. Before you move.

Hear the right voice. Make the right choice.

GET THE FORMULA TODAY ... and also available is the companion Small Group study Guide.

"The Formula is an amazing read! Spot on, relatable and has such depth, yet the message is incredibly simple! I wish everyone could read this life-changing book!"

- Shari Wheeler | Editor -

Why I Wrote The Formula

The Formula began with a simple question from a friend:

“How do you know what God wants you to do in a specific situation? How do you actually hear Him?”

That question stayed with me. It led me to reflect on the many decisions I had made throughout my life, both good and bad. Some brought blessing. Others brought consequences I still remember today. Like many people, I know what it’s like to look back and wish I had listened more carefully to God’s direction.

As I prayed about that question, I remembered something God had shown me in a dream about a year earlier. It was a simple framework for understanding the different voices that compete for our attention whenever we face a decision.

What began as a conversation over coffee and a few notes scribbled on a piece of scrap paper eventually became The Formula.

My hope is that this book helps you recognize those competing voices, grow in discernment, and gain greater confidence in hearing God’s voice when life’s most important decisions are in front of you.

The Formula provides a simple, yet comprehensive approach to discovering God’s loving plan in every person’s life at any age or stage. It reads almost as a personal devotional as the biblical truth comes shining through, both encouraging and convicting its reader. This will not only reveal God’s trajectory for life but will also reveal his heart for his children. This is a must read!

- Todd Forrest, M. A. | Professor, Grand Canyon University, College of Theology and Seminary -

Who this book is for:

This book is for anyone who has ever asked:

How do I know if God is speaking to me?
How can I tell the difference between God’s voice and my own thoughts?
Why do I keep making the same mistakes?
How can I make major decisions with greater confidence and peace?

Whether you’re facing a career change, relationship decision, ministry opportunity, financial commitment, or simply seeking God’s direction for the next season of life, The Formula provides a practical Biblical framework for understanding the influences shaping your decisions.

If you’ve ever wanted greater confidence in discerning God’s guidance, this book was written for you.

"A transformative guide for believers seeking to discern God’s voice and live with a renewed mind. His thoughtful and timely critique of progressive Christianity provides clarity and conviction and exposes the subtle deceptions that can mislead those not firmly grounded in God’s Word. Vulnerable and relatable, this book is a must-read for those desiring a deeper walk with God and a life led by the Spirit."

- Judy McEachran | Rev. (ordination with AG) -

The Small Group Study Companion Guide

The book introduces the framework. The companion Small Group Study Guide helps you apply it alongside people who are asking the same honest questions.

Twelve sessions. Real-life scenarios. Meaningful discussion. Built-in accountability. And a practical framework that becomes even more valuable when explored with others.

The Formula Small Group Study Guide is available separately.

Inside the Book: The Formula, Illustrated, in Color

Every chapter builds on the last. And so does the illustration. Starting as a soft, blurred sketch and sharpening with each chapter into a complete, full-color diagram, the formula takes visual shape right alongside the teaching. By the time you reach the end, what once looked like a vague circle of competing influences becomes something clear, specific, and immediately useful. Lot's of great illustrations. One formula. Unfolding exactly the way understanding does.

Introduction
Where it all started. A scrap of paper, a cup of coffee, and a formula that changed everything.

The Spiritual Awakening
The moment you stop and honestly look at the trail of decisions that led you here. This is where the journey begins.

The Influences
Three voices compete inside every decision you make. This chapter names them, defines them, and shows you exactly how each one operates.

The Listeners

Not everyone hears God the same way. Find out which kind of listener you are and why it matters more than you think.

The Values

Each voice carries a different weight. Learn how to measure what you're actually hearing before you move.

The Opposition

Two of the three influences will never agree. That conflict is not a flaw in the system. It's the most reliable signal you have.

The Danger

What to do when you genuinely can't tell which voice is winning. There is an answer. And it requires something most people aren't willing to do.

The Tie

The flesh's most sophisticated move. It doesn't fight the Spirit. It tries to join it.

The Impossible Alignment

The flesh's most sophisticated move. It doesn't fight the Spirit. It tries to join it.

The Alignment Exposed

You can know the truth and still be fooled. This chapter gets personal.

The Renewed Mind

The battle is always won or lost here first. Everything in the formula depends on this.

The Perfect Score

What God's confirmation actually feels like. And why it's worth waiting for.

The Church and Leadership

The flesh doesn't retire when someone enters ministry. Church leaders aren't immune. The formula applies to every decision made behind a pulpit too.

The Wrong Choice

What happens after. And why God doesn't waste it.

The Best Choice Ever

Every chapter has been pointing here.

"Ryan’s book, “The Formula”, is a solid read not just for new believers, but for seasoned Christians alike. His animated style of writing conveys a heart of inspiration and encouragement, as we all seek to hear God’s voice in times of uncertainty."

- Gary Hauwert -

A Gift for Pastors

If you’re a pastor, ministry leader, or church planter, I’d like to personally send you a complimentary copy of The Formula and its companion Small Group Study Guide.

Over the years, I’ve seen how many believers wrestle with important decisions and struggle to recognize God’s direction in the middle of life’s noise. My hope is that these resources will encourage you, strengthen your ministry, and perhaps even provide a tool you can use within your church, small groups, or discipleship programs.

There is no cost for the books themselves. I simply ask that you cover the shipping expense.

Take a look. Read it. Evaluate it. If you believe it can help your congregation, I’d be honored to see it used in your ministry.

Pastors may request one complimentary copy of both resources by clicking below.

Take a Look

Read it. Evaluate it. Use it.

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