Oikos Strategy

Church Mission Statement

To passionately fulfill the Great Commission by growing reproducing communities of Jesus followers.

Strategy

Target OIKOS

Definition - house; household; family; descendants; nation

Oikos in our context means our family, friends, co-workers, classmates, and acquaintances.

A Biblical Strategy

John 1:40–42 “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).”

Acts 10:24 “And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”

Acts 11:14 “he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’”

Acts 13:2–5 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.”

Acts 16:14–15 “One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.”

Acts 16:29–31 “And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.””

Acts 18:8 “Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.”

Fire as a Metaphor

Kindling - evangelism that is not tied to relationships.

Logs - evangelism that is tied to relationships.

Challenges to this Strategy

The longer you are a believer, the fewer lost people are in your oikos.

The better the church does Christian community, the harder it is to find time to invest in lostness.

It takes a sacrifice of time with family and friends to invest in new social circles.

Tips to Living Missional

Pray

Allot a set amount of time each week to invest in lostness.

Join an interest group:

Sports

Book club

Hobby group

Volunteer

Team-up with your Community Group

Focus on faithfulness, not results.

Remember the Three:

Corporate Worship

Community Group

Interest Group