You're probably going to hear the word "oikos" a lot around here. It's a Greek word that Jesus used to describe your extended household. These are the people already inside your traffic pattern, with whom you have influence, and who do not yet know the radical love that Jesus has for them. They are the 8 to 15 people whom God has supernaturally and strategically brought into your life so that you might serve them on His behalf.

We all have an oikos. In fact, you were probably introduced to Jesus by someone in your oikos, someone who cares about you and wants you to enjoy the full life that only Jesus can give us.

The oikos principle is not a ministry program. It's not an event. It's not a church emphasis. Actually, oikos is like a worldview - a set of lenses through which you can more simply and efficiently plan your day, organize your life, or even strategically build a local church. You'll discover that the oikos principle is embedded in the New Testament. Effectively leveraging the oikos principle can provide you with a heightened sense of purpose and fulfillment, and give you the confidence you lack to make an impact for God's Kingdom in your world. It is so easy a caveman can do it!

WHAT IS OIKOS?

"Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." Mark 5:19

Oikos, n, extended household.

Oikos is:

1) The most natural and common environment for spiritual life change to occur,

2) A group of 8 to 15 people that God has strategically and supernaturally brought into your life,

3) The people for whom God wants to equip you to become an ideal instrument in His grace, and

4) A microcosm of the world at large, for whom God sent His Son - that all who place their faith in Christ would be delivered from the bondage of sin and enjoy life to the fullest.

WHY OIKOS?

The oikos principle is the same principle Jesus himself designed and modeled, time and time again. Oikos reminds us that honoring Christ requires that we demonstrate His deepest desire for humanity, that people be reconciled with God. He chose us - the church - to bring people back to Himself, so we consider it a privilege to be His partner in changing the world!

HOW DO I LIVE OIKOS OUT IN MY LIFE?

We become world-changers; people who are actively encouraging others in our relational world (our oikos) to become Christ followers. Download an Oikos card to help you stay intentional about your oikos. The card helps you do the following: LIST those 8 to 15 people in your relational world that don’t know Jesus, BELIEVE for them in prayer every day, LISTEN to them regularly and often, EAT with them, SERVE them in little and big ways, and SHARE your story with them when appropriate. Click below to download a pdf version of the card and begin living out the oikos principle with us!