Focus on Reproduction, Mentor's Guide, MG12

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F O C U S O N R E P R O D U C T I O N

In regard to outreach and methods of sharing the Good News in the city, one of the key concepts deals with the principle of oikos or household evangelism. An oikos is a web of common kinship relationships, friendships, and associations that make up a person’s larger social circle. The concept of oikos in the NT is significant, explaining not only the Church of God as the family of God but also as the most common term for family unit . The biblical meaning of oikos was much fuller than our modern day notion of family (i.e., father, mother, and children), but included blood relatives, other dependents (including slaves, employees, and “clients,” among others), as well as those whom the head of the household patronized and protected. The concept became significant in NT times, where evangelism was done in conjunction with this structure, and it became the primary structure for worship, discipleship, and outreach. The oikos was actually considered a “church” if its members came to faith in the Lord Jesus. For those living in the city today, this concept of a web of connection and influence can offer us new exciting ways to conceive of outreach in terms of family members, friendships, and affiliations with others based on work, living, interests, and associations. We ought to do all we can to plan strategies which acknowledge and build upon the natural relationships that flow out of a person’s oikos. If you are interested in pursuing some of the ideas of Planting Urban Churches: Sowing , you might want to give these books a try: Arn, Win and Charles Arn. The Master’s Plan for Making Disciples . 2nd Ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998. Green, Michael. Evangelism in the Early Church . Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1970. McGavran, Donald and Win Arn. How to Grow a Church . Glendale, CA: Regal, 1973.

Restatement of the Lesson’s Thesis

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Resources and Bibliographies