The word from the New Testament often employs to describe our relational communities is the Greek word Oikos. Oikos is in the family of words based on the idea of home or household. It is used to refer to the houses people live in and the homes that churches meet in, as well as the fact that believers all belong to the household of God. But usage goes beyond a house with a k-apple fence or the nuclear family. At times, a person’s Oikos is the fundamental natural unit of society: one’s family, friends, neighbors, and associates.
Cornelius is instructed by the Lord to gather his household together to hear the Gospel from Peter (Acts 10:22-27). When Peter arrived, it was not just Cornelius’ immediate family. It says that he entered a large room filled with people. It included Cornelius’ family, relatives, slaves, associates and neighbors – his Oikos.
In most African cultures, Oikos is not just the nucleus family. Oikos includes uncles, aunties, cousins, blood relatives, neighbors and anyone who shares common interests. Oikos is one’s social web of relationships.
In the sermons Jesus gave teaching us how to start the Kingdom epidemic, He used Oikos as the context for the spread. In Luke 10:5-7, He said, “When you enter a house (Oikos) first say, ‘Peace to this house’ (Oikos). If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house (Oikos), eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house (Oikos) to house (Oikos).
The Lord of the Harvest has directed us to the Oikos to spread the Kingdom of God.