Everyone. Everywhere. Part 1Uzorak

Oikos Map: Oikos Mapping is a tool that has revolutionized the way many Christians think about evangelism. Simply put, oikos is a Greek word that means family. A family in Jesus’ time would also include servants, extended family, and anyone else residing in their home. Basically, it is their circle of influence. For us, this could include not only our family, but our friends, coworkers, and acquaintances. It can even include the person at the gas station that we see every morning. It is anyone that we commonly come in contact with on a regular basis giving us the ability to, even in a small way, have a bit of influence in their lives. So what does this have to do with us, and how does it help us to spread the Gospel? The word oikos is used about 120 times in the New Testament. Often times, when Jesus found people that were open to His message, He would eventually share the message with the entire family network, their oikos. A great example is when Jesus met the demon possessed man. After Jesus healed him, the demon possessed man went and told his oikos, the whole town, what had happened. 

• Questions:
  • Are there people you see at the places you regularly go to that you could befriend this summer? 
  • How would your current friends describe you in three words?
  • Do those words reflect Jesus?
• Application:
  • Create your own Oikos map! Think about the people in your spheres of influence. With whom do you live, work or play? Who are you near that may be of a different ethnicity, nationality, or socio-economic group?