“I thought I had to figure out my faith on my own. But when I started sharing my CHEW questions with friends, I found encouragement, wisdom, and a sense of belonging I never knew I needed.”
God Designed Us to Grow Together
No matter your season—whether you’re building friendships, raising a family, navigating career changes, or adjusting to empty-nest life—one truth remains: we were never meant to follow Jesus alone. God’s design for transformation is deeply relational. We need each other to stay anchored in His love, to keep growing, and to get back up when we stumble.
Scripture says,
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds… encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Why We Hide (and Why We Don’t Have To)
- “If people knew the real me, they’d reject me.”
- “I should be able to do this on my own.”
- “No one else struggles like I do.”
These lies keep us isolated, ashamed, and stuck. But God’s truth is different: everyone needs support, everyone needs grace, and everyone grows faster in a safe, honest community.
Brief Prayer:
“God, help me step out of hiding and into the kind of community where Your love can reach me.”
What Community and Accountability Look Like
1. Safe Spaces, Not Perfect People
Find or create a group—big or small—where you can be honest, ask for prayer, and share your journey without fear of judgment.
Brief Prayer:
“Lord, bring the right people into my life and help me be real with them.”
2. Share Your CHEW Questions
Let others know what you’re chewing on this week. Invite them to ask you about it, pray for you, or share their own.
- Try texting your chew question to a friend or group chat.
- Ask, “Would you be willing to check in with me about this later in the week?”
Brief Prayer:
“Holy Spirit, give me courage to share honestly and humbly.”
3. Chew Together for Deeper Growth
When you talk over your chew question with another Christian, you gain new insights and encouragement.
One person noted, “I was nervous to share my struggle, but when I did, my friend shared her own story and a verse that really spoke to me. We prayed together, and I left feeling lighter and more hopeful.”
- Ask your friend, “What do you see in this truth? How would you answer this question in your own life?”
- Listen for insights, encouragement, or even just the gift of being heard.
- Pray together, even briefly:
“Lord, help us both believe and live out Your love this week.”
4. Celebrate Progress and Practice Grace
- Don’t just confess struggles—celebrate small victories!
- When you fall, let your group remind you: “Run to God, not away. His arms are always open.”
- Encourage, don’t fix. Sometimes the best gift is presence and prayer.
Brief Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for friends who point me back to Your grace.”
How to Start
- Text a friend or group: “Want to try the CHEW on This™ challenge together this week?”
- At your next small group, share one chew question and ask if anyone wants to join you.
- If you’re married or have kids, invite your family to share a truth about God’s love at dinner or bedtime.
- If you’re not sure where to start, pray for God to bring someone safe and encouraging into your life.
What Changes When You CHEW in Community?
- You experience encouragement, not just accountability.
- You discover you’re not alone in your struggles or your growth.
- You gain new perspectives and practical wisdom.
- You bounce back from setbacks more quickly, with less shame.
- You become a source of hope and grace for others.
Try This: The Community CHEW Challenge
This week, share your chew question with one person.
Ask them to pray for you, check in, or even join you in the practice.
Notice what changes—and look for our next post: “The Role of the Holy Spirit—Why Real Change Is Always God’s Work.”
This blog post is part of an in depth exploration of what it means to CHEW on God’s love. Return to the previous post in the series here.
Transparency Note: This series is crafted in collaboration with advanced AI tools and thoughtfully finalized by the 1st Principle Group staff to ensure biblical faithfulness and practical relevance for our readers.
