The Oikos Principle is a simple yet effective way to be intentional about loving people to Jesus. By embracing holy habits like prayer, witnessing, and everyday interactions, disciples who make disciples can share the love of Christ in a natural and relational way with people we already have a relationship with.

Oikos is a Greek word meaning “household” or “inner circle of extended family.” But in our daily lives, our oikos will include more than just relatives—it’s the circle of people we regularly interact with, such as neighbors, coworkers, classmates, teammates, coaches, grandkids, and even service providers like hairdressers, doctors, nail tech, barista, and landscapers. These are the people God has supernaturally placed in our lives, not as ‘projects’, but as future brothers and sisters in Christ.

A practical way to start is by making a prayer list of 8-15 people by name in your oikos. If you have kids or a spouse, put them on the list! Other family members, friends, or acquaintances who are part of your everyday life belong there, too. Our prayers are the fuel, simple yet powerful:

• Lord, may [NAME] come to faith in Jesus.
• Lord, though [NAME] believes in You, I pray they grow in their faith and hunger for Your Word.
• Lord, may the decisions [NAME] makes honor and glorify You.
• Lord, let my interactions with [NAME] draw them closer to You.
• Lord, may [NAME] sense Your presence and encouragement.

When we pray consistently, God grows a boldness in us to talk about Jesus and reflect His love in our everyday lives. We become more caring, ask better questions, build trust, and make deeper connections. The Holy Spirit nudges us to reach out more often, to pray for and with our oikos, and to share helpful resources that speak to their challenges. Over time, we find ourselves being more generous, courageous, and attentive to the needs of those around us. We become more like the Jesus in the process.

Krista Bontrager, known as Theology Mom, explored the Oikos Principle in a 2024 series of podcasts on evangelism through relationships already in place. This principle was pioneered by Rev. Tom Mercer of High Desert Church in California, offering a practical way for everyday believers to share Jesus as Christ commanded in the Great Commission. You don’t have to be Billy Graham to make an impact—you just need to be intentional about loving those in your oikos to Jesus.

In 2018, I was challenged by Dave Ferguson’s Hero Maker to focus on reproducing leaders in the church. Then in 2021, Dave and Jon Ferguson introduced the B.L.E.S.S. model—Five Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World. Our pastors have taught this B.L.E.S.S. approach twice in the past year because having a plan, and modeling that plan, to reach neighbors and nations helps us live out our mission to make disciples of Jesus.

So, what’s your plan for sharing Jesus with your oikos? Whether it’s through B.L.E.S.S. or the Oikos Principle, I’d love to chat and encourage you on this journey!

“Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.” Psalm 66:16