Sacred Roots Workshop

Ses s i on 8: Reborn to Ser ve

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2. Cornelius’ example is a prime case, Acts 10-11.

3. Apostolic exhortations to do good to all, Gal. 6.10

4. Requirement to care for those in our immediate families, 1 Tim. 5.8 – But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

E. Equipping the body to serve: starting with our relational webs

“The Christ of God shows his superiority to all rulers by entering into their various provinces and summoning men out of them to be subject to Himself” (Origen, c. 248 [cf. David W. Bercot, ed., A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998, p. 387]). 1. Common kinship relationships (immediate, extended, and adopted families). We share the Story with those in our immediate sphere of kinship contacts.

2. Common friendships (friends, neighbors, special interests). We share the Story with those in our circle of friends and people who know us well.

3. Common associates (work relationships, special interests, recreation, ethnic or cultural alliances, national allegiances). We share the Story with our associates, those with whom we have contact and relationship as we live out the course of our ordinary lives.

F. Why oikos (household) evangelism via relational webs was and continues to be effective

“The peace of God is sent out from the heavens, where the church is, the typified ark” (Tertullian, c. 198 [cf. David W.