A Radical Journey: Common Questions

By Nick Braito

What’s this “Radical” thing that everyone’s talking about?
Starting Sunday, September 11, leaders in our church will begin preaching a 10-week series called “Radical,” in which we look again at Jesus’ teaching in the Bible regarding what it means to be His disciple. Along with that, we’re inviting many of our small groups to study these same passages in their weekly meetings. We’re also recommending that people read the book Radical by David Platt as a supplement to our study.

Why are you doing this?
As a church, we are committed to keeping Jesus and the Gospel central. In every culture, people face the temptation to mold their image of Jesus into one they feel comfortable with. We want to look afresh at Jesus’ teachings and seek to take Him at His Word—for both His great glory and our ultimate joy.

But, why study Radical? Aren’t we supposed to study the Bible?
We’re not studying Radical. We’re studying Scripture. Sermons will be based on Scripture. Each study guide lesson is based on Scripture. We’re recommending Radical as a supplement because we’ve appreciated the author’s insights into various passages and his challenge to believe and obey what Jesus taught.

What if my small group isn’t participating?
Not all groups are able to participate in this study. If that’s true of your group, for these ten weeks you might join an additional group that is participating, or you could work through the study guide and/or read Radical on your own or with your family.

Will just one person preach this series?
No. Brad, Dan, Nick, Ryan and Nat will all be teaching on different Sundays throughout this series.

What do you expect to happen as a result of this study?
We hope that as we reflect on Jesus’ teachings together and reconsider our lives in view of those teachings, that God will bring about change in us individually and as a church. To this end, please pray with us. At the end of both the book and study guide you’ll find mention of The Radical Experiment, a commitment that we’ll be encouraging people to consider undertaking for the upcoming year. We’ll talk more about this as our series concludes.

Who’s New to the Neighborhood? - Vicki

by Barbara DeCofano

Vicki started life in the “Biggest Little City in the Word,” Reno, Nevada. However, it was a short stay, and her family soon moved to the Redding area. Religion didn’t play a very important part in Vicki’s life until recently, with the birth of her first grandson, Elijah.

Elijah was born to her son Josh and wife, Rachel. Josh is stationed in North Carolina where Vicki went to help out and become better acquainted with her new grandson. Josh is studying for his PhD in Special Services, Airborne. He has served two tours in Afghanistan.

While there, Josh, a Christian, shared the gospel where seeds started to sprout in Vicki’s mind. Josh expressed his desire that someday they would be together in God’s Kingdom but to do so she must repent of her sins and receive Jesus as Savior. She began attending church, received Christ and before returning to Anderson, was baptized. Vicki’s other son, Christopher, lives in Burley, Idaho and is a fireman.

Upon returning to Anderson, Vicki went in search of a “Bible-based church.” Neighborhood Church was what she had been looking for and knew it was the right choice—It felt like she was coming home. She is also spreading the good news to others.

This multi-talented lady is a writer and painter, including painting on sandstone and word burning. She has just written, illustrated and published a children’s book dedicated to her grandson titled, “Zack the Zebra,” which stresses that no matter how we appear, we are all God’s creation.

Vick is a registered Wintu Indian and much of her skills are being donated to the renovation of the Wintu facility in Shasta Lake City. She is currently looking for work in Customer Sales and Services. She shares her home with “Sadie,” her Golden Retriever.

The Bible is her guide, but she also finds a great deal of peace in the hymn by Dottie Peeples, “He’s An On-Time God,” and a book, “Living Waters for Those in Thirst – How to Find God.” Vicki says with Jesus in her life, she is never alone.