Week 1

I. Before the meeting

You must complete points 1, 2, and 3 before the next Growth Group meeting. Read each section carefully, as the instructions and activities may change from week to week. You should have a (small) notebook to answer the questions at the end of each reading and to take notes during the Group meetings. You could also use the notes app on your phone.

1. Daily Prayer

This week's goal:

Set aside at least 5 minutes each day to speak with God the Father through private personal prayer. At least 5 days this week.

Write down in your journal what you believe God the Father spoke to you during your time of prayer.

Prayer is a natural conversation that doesn’t require fancy words or phrases. In that conversation, you can express your gratitude to God the Father for what He gives you and for what He does for you every day. You can also share your personal needs and requests with Him.

This Week's Goal:

Read 1 Bible passage a day for at least 5 days this week. Avoid doing all five readings on the same day. Each Bible passage is accompanied by explanations and commentary to help you understand what the Bible is truly communicating, as well as questions for you to answer in your notebook. Click on the day number to access the corresponding reading. Read the passage twice that day: once in the morning and once in the evening.

2. Daily Reading

Ephesians 3:8-12 (NIV)

8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.

- The apostle Paul, one of the most important authors of the New Testament, says that he had received a commission from God to preach Christ and to help all people understand God’s Plan.

- That Plan of God was hidden from human beings for centuries. The apostle Paul calls it “the mystery hidden in God.”

- The question then is: how and when was that mystery revealed? It was revealed more than two thousand years ago when the Son of God became incarnate and lived as one of us on earth. God’s Plan (the mystery) was revealed to all humanity through Jesus.

- Paul calls this divine plan the “Eternal Purpose of God.” This means that God the Father had a Purpose from eternity. That Eternal Purpose is the starting point of all God the Father’s actions, including the creation of human beings.

- The goal of that Eternal Purpose is “to make known the manifold wisdom of God.” That is God’s ultimate intention: to make himself known on earth.

Ephesians 1:3-14 (NIV)

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

- Perhaps you have wondered: How is it possible that God chose us before the creation of the world? How is it possible that there is a “history” before the world existed?

- While the chronological history of humanity begins in the first book of the Bible (the book of Genesis), the apostle Paul explains to us that there is a history before the world was created. That “history” took place in past eternity.

- In that past eternity, the Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—defined a perfect plan that would include the creation of human beings.

- Paul explains to us the origin and reason for that Eternal Plan: love. God is love. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, who share an intimate communion in that love, decided to share Their love with human beings.

- In His Eternal Plan, God decided to create human beings, not as just any other creature, but He decided that we would be His sons and daughters—that is, His family.

- The “mystery revealed” is, then, that God’s Eternal Purpose was, from eternity, for us to be His sons and daughters, through whom He would make Himself known on earth.

- His Eternal Purpose (or eternal plan) would be possible only through the Son (Christ). In the Son we were adopted as children, and in Him we have also received every blessing and spiritual inheritance.

- The Son (Christ) is the one who reveals the “mystery” to us and who enables us to be part of God’s “good purpose of His will.”

John 1:1-18 (NIV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and[b] is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

- “In the beginning was the Word.” The beginning refers to the creation of the world and of humanity (Genesis 1). The “Word” existed before creation. This confirms that there was a “before creation,” that is, creation is the result of a prior intention of God.

- Who is the “Word”? The Word is the Son (Christ).

- The apostle John uses the expression “the Word” (“logos” in Greek) to refer to the Son (Jesus). “Logos” means “word,” “reason,” or “speech.” This means that Jesus is the expression, the reason, the communication, and the supreme self-revelation of God to humanity. Just as we use spoken words to communicate our thoughts, God “uses” Jesus as His active and living message to reveal Himself to the world.

- The apostle John teaches us a fundamental truth: “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.” No human being has seen God the Father; however, we can know him through Jesus (the Son).

- John also stated, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” The incarnation of the Son as a man (Jesus) allowed us to know the Father and understand “the mystery” of which the apostle Paul wrote. This is one of the most beautiful realities: God Himself became incarnate (took the form of a man) so that we might know God the Father, enter into fellowship with Him, enjoy His love, and be part of His Eternal Purpose.

- God’s Eternal Purpose (Eternal Plan) is therefore sustained by, centered on, and enabled by the Son. Through Him (the Son) all things were created; without Him, nothing would exist, including us.

Colossians 1:15-20 (NIV)

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

- Try the following exercise: read the text again, but this time, every time the pronoun “he” appears, substitute the name “Jesus.” Read it aloud.

- “He is before all things.” Once again, the apostle Paul confirms that the Son is prior to all creation and, therefore, confirms God’s Eternal Purpose (Plan).

- The apostle John told us (in John 1) that “no one has ever seen God.” Now Paul tells us that Jesus is “the visible image of the invisible God.” It is clear, then, that God the Father reveals Himself only through the Son. This is why the Son became incarnate—that is, took the form of a man (Jesus)—and lived among us. The prophet Isaiah (Old Testament) calls him “Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

- The apostle Paul further states that it was through the Son that God created everything that exists—in heaven as well as on earth, the visible and the invisible. All things were created through Him and for Him. This places the Son, and not us human beings, as the sole and absolute center of God’s Eternal Purpose; “to be first in all things.”

- The Son is not only the means by which all things were created, but He is also the sustainer, the owner, and Lord of all; this includes us human beings.

- Everything God the Father does, He does in, through, and for the Son. The Son is the origin, the means, and the purpose of all that exists. We, human beings, gain true meaning only when we align ourselves with that purpose—that is, when we live in and for the Son.

- " For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him " Only in the Son (Jesus, Christ) can we find the fullness of God; His power and glory. If we want to come “into contact” with the power and glory of God, we must be IN the Son (Christ).

- The fact that Jesus is called “the firstborn” (first son) confirms God’s Eternal Purpose; God the Father desired, from eternity past, to make Himself known through His sons and daughters, of whom His Son (Jesus) is the “firstborn”—the first, the model, the standard.

John 17:1-5, 24 (NIV)

1 “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. 24 “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

Hebrews 1:1-3 (NIV)

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

- The apostle John confirms what we studied this week: there is a “history” before “history”—that is, the history of the world and of humanity has a “prelude” in eternity. The authors of the New Testament constantly convey this reality through phrases such as: “before the creation (foundation) of the world,” “before the world existed,” “in the beginning,” and “before the ages began.”

- This is why Jesus (the Son of God), when speaking to God the Father, refers to that past eternity: “Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” They have “existed” eternally.

- Before the universe, creatures, and human beings existed, the Trinity (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) developed a perfect plan. An eternal plan because it was designed in the past eternity.

- That Eternal Plan, also called the “Eternal Purpose of God,” is the origin and reason for everything that exists, including us human beings. There is nothing God does on earth that is outside of that Eternal Plan (Purpose).

- “... for you loved me before the creation of the world.” This statement by Jesus, the Son of God, reveals the reason and origin of that Eternal Plan: love. In eternity past, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit decided to share their relationship of love and their perfect communion. The essence of the relationship within the Trinity is perfect love.

- In order to truly understand what the Bible is about, it is essential that we realize, then, that the “history of humanity” does not begin in Genesis 1, but rather in eternity past; specifically in the Eternal Plan designed by the Trinity.

- Finally, the author of the book of Hebrews reminds us that the Son (Jesus, Christ) is the origin, means, and purpose of God’s Eternal Plan. Everything was created in and for him. It is the Son who “upholds all things by his powerful word.”

- “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation (that is, the image) of his (God the Father) being”. The Son (Jesus, Christ) is the only means by which we can know God the Father, and therefore, the only way to be part of His Eternal Plan (Purpose).

3. Weekly Reflection

After reading the five passages for the week, listen carefully to the following audio. It includes a summary of those passages and a reflection that will help you better prepare for the Growth Group meeting.
We recommend that you listen to the audio two or three times before the Growth Group meeting.

Week 1Artist Name

00:00 / 07:27

II. During the meeting

The group should complete the following activities during the meeting. Remember to bring your notebook so you can share what you wrote and take notes on what you learn during the meeting.

1. Group Prayer

[15 minutes]

Each person in the group will pray aloud. It’s quite possible that some aren’t used to praying aloud. This time will serve as practice and as a way to build their confidence in prayer.

This prayer could include:

Expressing gratitude to God the Father for His blessings, provision, health, family, work, church, opportunities, etc.
Praising God by acknowledging who He is and what He does for us every day.
Asking for forgiveness for any attitude or action contrary to His will.
Asking God to guide you as you reflect together on what you read the previous week.

[60 minutes]

All members of the Growth Group should answer each of the following questions.

Accountability Questions.

1. How did you feel about taking 5 minutes to pray each day? Were you able to set aside 5 minutes for prayer 5 times a week? If not, what do you think you can do to make it happen this week?

2. How did you feel about setting aside time each day to read the Bible? Did you read the 5 passages for this week, one each day? If not, how could you manage to complete the assigned reading?

3. What do you feel God the Father spoke to you through your time in prayer and through reading the passages? (You can share what you wrote in your notebook.)

Reflection questions based on the reading.

You may choose which questions you’d like to answer. You don’t have to answer all of them.

1. What truth, idea, or teaching stood out to you the most during this week’s readings and audio?

2. What did you learn about God the Father, the Son (Jesus, Christ), or His Eternal Purpose as you studied these passages?

3. Is there any change, step of obedience, or practical action you feel God is inviting you to take as a result of what you learned this week?

4. Before this week, when you thought about the beginning of the biblical story, where did you think it started? What struck you most when you discovered that God had a plan before creation?

5. What does the idea that God had an Eternal Purpose before the world and human beings existed mean to you?

6. John, Colossians, and Hebrews present Jesus as the origin, the means, and the goal of all that exists. Which of those three ideas impacted you the most, and why?

7. The readings teach that everything was created through Christ and for Christ. Is there any area of your life where you’ve realized you’ve been living more for your own purposes than for Christ’s?

8. What truth from this week challenges your current way of thinking or living, and what concrete change can you make to better align yourself with God’s will?

2. Conversation

3. Meditation

[5 minutes]

Take about 2 or 3 minutes to meditate in silence. The goal is to reflect on what you discussed and to listen to the voice of God the Father. Write down in your notebooks whatever God the Father speaks to you during this time of silence.

God the Father may want to give a message to a member of the group through another member of the group. Share whatever God the Father speaks to you.

4. Intercession

[10 minutes]

Take some time to pray for personal requests and to intercede for others. You can divide the prayer requests among yourselves.

Is there a personal situation (family, relationship, work, finances, health) for which you need us all to pray today? (Share a little about that situation.) Pray specifically for that situation.
Write down on your notepads the names of two people who are part of your “oikos” (family, friends, coworkers, or classmates) who are far from God the Father. Take some time to pray for those people.
Pray for the congregation based on this passage: “I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you spiritual wisdom and insight, so that you may grow in the knowledge of God.” Ephesians 1:17

Week 1: completed

Complete the form at the end of the Growth Group meeting. Do not do it beforehand. This way, your progress will be recorded. Also, write down any questions you may have.

Before ending the meeting, go over Week 2 together (button below) so you can familiarize yourselves with what needs to be completed before the next meeting.

Week 2