In a culture built on comfort, accumulation, and safety, David Platt’s Radical disrupts the status quo of modern Christian life. Through deeply biblical insights and uncomfortable truths, Platt invites us to follow Jesus with everything—not just in words, but in our time, our money, and our purpose.
Part of my vision at Renewed and Rooted Life is to start a Faith-Based Book Club where we’re not just reading books, we’re letting them change us. This is a book that I am adding to my “Must Read” list when I do start the Book Club because one of the most powerful challenges in Radical is the Radical Experiment—a one-year commitment to transform how we live the gospel in real, tangible ways.
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What Is the Radical Experiment?
At the end of Radical, Platt lays out a one-year plan he calls the Radical Experiment—five intentional commitments to refocus your life around the gospel and the global mission of God. This is not a theoretical idea; it’s a practical invitation to discipleship that costs something. Here’s what the experiment entails:
The 5 Commitments of the Radical Experiment:
- Pray for the Entire World
Commit to praying daily for people around the world, especially those who have never heard the gospel. Use resources like Operation World or the Joshua Project to intentionally intercede for the nations. A friend in my area has also started a Prayer Hub where we are meeting once a month as a small group to learn how to pray for ourselves, our families, our community, our schools, and more. - Read Through the Entire Bible
If God’s Word is central to our lives, we must immerse ourselves in it. The Radical Experiment encourages reading the Bible in its entirety over one year—not as a checkbox, but to be shaped by God’s truth. Consider using a one-year Bible plan and committing to daily study. Let this be the year you don’t just read Scripture, but live it.
TIP: I have found that reading the physical book AND listening to it help me to process the information more clearly. I have started this part of the Challenge by reading The Daily Walk Bible NIV (Softcover) along with listening to the NIV Version on Audible. I can’t be the only one that does this, right? - Sacrifice Your Money for a Specific Purpose
One of the most convincing parts of Radical is how it challenges our financial priorities. What if you chose to cap your lifestyle—like John Wesley did—and gave radically to kingdom work?
Wesley, who earned what would now be the equivalent of $160,000 a year, lived on just $20,000 and gave the rest away. He didn’t allow his income to dictate his standard of living; he let his values shape his lifestyle. That’s radical. And it’s possible for us too.
Ask yourself:
- What is “enough” for me and my family?
- How much of my income can I repurpose for global missions, local needs, or church planting?
- Am I using my financial blessings to advance my comfort or His kingdom?
- What is “enough” for me and my family?
- Spend Time in Another Context
This could mean going on a short-term mission trip, serving in an underserved area in your city, or even stepping outside of your routine to intentionally engage with people who live differently than you. Radical faith grows when we step into uncomfortable, unfamiliar spaces.
5. Commit to a Multiplying Community
Surround yourself with a group of believers who are committed to living out this radical gospel together. This could be your small group, your family, or even an online community like this book club. Growth happens in community, and accountability fuels commitment.
Living the John Wesley Way
Let’s zoom in on that third point—sacrificing money for a specific purpose—because this is where most of us feel the tension between the American Dream and the Jesus Life.
John Wesley’s example is especially inspiring. Despite his increasing income, he maintained a simple lifestyle. He understood that God gives us wealth not for self-indulgence but for kingdom advancement. Platt echoes this by confronting the lie that we can follow Jesus and chase financial security at the same time. One will always win.
Ask yourself:
- What if you chose a lifestyle cap today?
- What if instead of upgrading your life with every raise, you upgraded your giving?
- What if you saw your job not as a way to build wealth, but to fund mission?
Living like Wesley isn’t about poverty—it’s about purposeful generosity.
Radical Faith Requires Radical Habits
Living radically doesn’t happen by accident. It requires daily rhythms:
- Reading the Word: Not skimming. Soaking. Letting God’s truth change how you think and live.
- Praying globally: Developing a heart that beats for nations and people groups who’ve never heard the name of Jesus.
Giving sacrificially: Not just the 10%, but everything beyond that too—until it costs something.
Discussion Questions for the Faith-Based Book Club:
- Which of the five Radical Experiment commitments speaks to you the most? Why?
- What barriers keep you from living more sacrificially with your money?
- How might your daily life change if you fully committed to reading the Bible in one year?
- What does it look like for you to “cap” your lifestyle in order to give more?
How can we, as a group, encourage each other to live radically for Jesus?
Radical is a wake-up call. It’s not a feel-good read—it’s a faith-reset. And when lived out, the Radical Experiment can reshape not just your spiritual life, but your priorities, your finances, your routines, and your purpose.
🌿 Feeling Stirred by Radical?
If this post challenged or inspired you, you’re not alone. At Renewed and Rooted Life, we’re building a community of women who want to live out their faith with intention, generosity, and purpose—and Radical is just the beginning.
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