On Sunday 5th October 2025, after the service in CCC Central, we’ll be running a seminar for anyone who is interested in being part of a life group. Here is a bit about the vision of life groups, the different types we have and what will happen at the seminar.
Being known and loved
An essential ingredient to thriving as a person is to be ‘known and loved’. Genesis 2 describes it as being ‘naked and unashamed.’ So it’s important that someone knows everything about us; that we are emotionally naked and yet embraced and cared for, so we need not know shame. This is what it is to live in the light.
However what we see in Genesis 3 is that when sin enters the world we do everything we can possible to cover up, to hide and to make excuses – we’re desperate not to be known. Being known is painful, it bruises our pride, it leaves us open to being rejected. Sin has left us feeling ashamed of ourselves, and pushes us into living in the dark.
In Jesus we have the promise and assurance that because of what he has done ‘there is now no condemnation’ (Romans 8:1) and that we have been transferred from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:12-13). Through faith in Christ we are now forgiven, justified, righteous and accepted (Romans 5:1-11, 1 Corinthians 1:30-31).
We look forward to the day when sin and shame have been completely done away with, when God will be all in all (1 Corinthians 15:28) and we’ll live in his glorious light. However as we wait for that day Paul urges us (Ephesians 5:8-11):
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
That in essence is what a life group is – learning to live in the light so we can better discern what pleases the Lord.
Life Groups
Life groups are small intentional same-sex groups where we can be honest and vulnerable, confess sin, share struggles, discern what is going on in our hearts and learn to apply the gospel to the areas where we are currently living in darkness. They’re a place to be known and loved and from that position to grow.
There are two types of life groups in Christ City Church:
(1) Discipleship Groups – these are led by someone who is more mature in the faith who invites 2-3 others to join them on a 1-3 year journey with the aim to multiply the groups.
(2) Accountability Groups – these are more peer-to-peer, organised by friends who intentionally commit to growing in God together, these typically last 6 months and are then reviewed.
We have written in more detail what life groups are, how to get going and what resources to use in a group, so do read those to get a broader understanding of life groups.
Seminar Format
Why – to envision and equip those who would like to be in an accountability life group to start one with some others in the church.
Who – anyone who is interested in learning more or being part of a life group who is part of Christ City Church. Do invite others you know in church to come.
What – an interactive seminar with teaching and discussion, and practical tools so you can actually go away and start an accountability life group between March-September, and we can try to ‘pair people up’ where needed.
Where – both locations, CCC South (Oatlands Primary School) and CCC Central (Synge Street Secondary School)
When –
South – Sunday TBC, after the service
Central – Sunday 5th October, after the service
Resources
Please find the seminar handout here and the seminar talk below.