1. Matthew 28:18-20

2. oi=koj Greek word for “household”. During Grecian and Roman empires this word not only described the immediate family, but it also included servants, servants’ families, friends and business associates. In other words, an oi=koj back then was one’s social system – those related by blood, work or common territory.

3. oi=koj is our social system or our sphere of influence…

4. Too many equate “evangelism” with knocking on a door and presenting the Gospel of Grace “cold turkey”…

5. to better realize the potential for soul winning all about us

6. IThe Oikos Factor and the New Testament A.In the Gospels

7. Mark 5:19 “…Go home (oikos) to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.”

8. Luke 19:9 “…Today salvation has come this house (oikos)…”

9. Mark 2:15 “And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house (oikos), and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.” “And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house (oikos), and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him.”

10. John 1:41 “The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is the Christ).”

11. IThe Oikos Factor and the New Testament A.In the Gospels B.In the Book of Acts

12. Acts 11:14 “He will bring you a message through which you and all your household (oikos) will be saved.”

13. Acts 16:15 “And when she and the members of her household (oikos) were baptized, she invited us to her home…”

14. Acts 16:33 “…then immediately he all his household (oikos) were baptized.”

15. IThe Oikos Factor and the New Testament A.In the Gospels B.In the Book of Acts C.In the Epistles

16. Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family (oikos) of believers.”

17. Ephesians 2:19 “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household (oikos).”

18. James 5:19,20 “My brothers if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

19. Kenneth Latourette (church historian) “The primary change agent in the spread of the Gospel… were men and women who earned their livelihood in some purely secular manner, and spoke of their faith to those whom they met in this natural fashion.”

20. IIThe Importance of the Oikos Factor A.This Factor is Timeless B.This Factor is Truth

21. Why did the 1 st Century church grow? Christians were seeking to “make disciples” from their “oikos”… The following statistics will confirm the truth behind this…

22. Institute of American Church Growth Survey: 1.Special need… 2.Walk in… 3.Preacher… 4.Visitation… 5.VBS… 6.Revival… 7.Church Program… 8.Friend or Relative… Which of these proved to be the most influential?

23. IIIThe Effectiveness of the Oikos Factor A.Provides a Natural Network B.Provides a Receptive People C.Provides Unhurried Opportunities D.Provides Needed Support E.Provides Effective Assimilation F.Provides a Constant Source

24. Three Significant Accomplishments 1. Realize the potential available to us right here right now... 2.Realize the seriousness of friends and family who are outside of Christ… 3.Realize the personal privilege to be used of God to do something about it…

25. Conclusion and Summary If each person here would take seriously the call of our Lord to evangelize (make disciples), the work of this local church could not help but flourish both now and on into the future unto the glory and honor of Christ our Lord!