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Summary:
On this episode Cynthia dives deep into the oikos concept; where it came from, how it works in different contexts and particularly addresses how it can work in more individualistic contexts in the West where isolation is on the rise.
Key Points From This Episode:
- Oikos is a Greek word used by Aristotle in the theory of household management
- It is used in the Greek New Testament 114 times and refers to a physical house, family or household.
- Examples of its usage in the New Testament include Mark 5:19 where Jesus told the man healed of demon possession to go home and tell his own people what the Lord has done for him.
- Another two examples are in Acts 16:15 and Acts 16:31 where Lydia and the Phillipian jailer’s oikos or household were mentioned.
- The gospel spread rapidly in the New Testament along relational lines.
- In many contexts oikos has to do with family and extended family, especially in the Global South (Africa, Asia, Latin America)
- For Westerners, it can be groups of people you know from: the gym, sports clubs, community orchestras, art classes, neighborhood groups, work circles, people who hang out at particular pubs, book clubs and many other groups.
- In Western nation, immigrants often maintain much stronger oikos with family and this should not be ignored.
- Become a community builder! Join a circle and expand your own oikos among the lost if most of your friends and network are Christians.
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Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Order The Multiplier’s Mindset Book
Getting Started in Disciple Making Movements Course
