Focus on Reproduction, Student Workbook, SW12

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

Planting Urban Churches: Sowing

Segment 2: The Oikos and Urban Evangelism

Rev. Dr. Don L. Davis

In understanding the biblical conception of a relationship network, we see that the Gospel was shared and spread along the lines of the natural web of relationships that individuals had in their kinships, friendships, and associations. Today in our urban neighborhoods, we ought to develop strategies for evangelism and outreach that take seriously the natural social units, i.e., the oikos , of each person who we seek to reach. We must seek to win the entire household in the biblical sense, the web of influence represented in the network of the people we befriend, serve, and witness to. Our objective for this segment, The Oikos and Urban Evangelism, is to enable you to see that: • The roots of a relational network are grounded both in the Old and New Testament views of the household . Such networks included generational unity, kinship relationships, friendships, and associates with whom the head of the household protected and patronized. • Those who live in the city today also have a web of connection and influence which could be considered a kind of modern day oikos . This includes family members, friendships, and affiliations with others based on work, living, interests, and associations. • Oikos evangelism is effective, for a number of reasons. It is biblical, effective in terms of those who respond favorably to the Good News, and is based on contacts who are receptive to those within the network. Furthermore, in using those who have come to the Lord already, it both multiplies the workers who are sharing the Gospel, and emphasizes natural sharing (no cold calling) in the network. It greatly increases the number of possible positive contacts, and makes follow-up more personal. • Evangelizing in the oikos does have challenges, especially when one person speaks for the entire oikos , the possibility of sharing can be closed if that person rejects the Lord. Nevertheless, 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 .

Summary of Segment 2

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