Imagine a space where you can be completely honest, experience God’s love in real life, and grow faster than you ever thought possible. That’s what a CHEW Triad is all about.
Why CHEW on God’s Love Together?
God designed us to be His image-bearers—created for relationship, reflecting the loving community of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
From the very beginning, God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). We are made to know and be known, to love and be loved, to support and be supported. Just as God exists in relationship, so must we.
Isolation breaks us down.
Think of Tom Hanks’ character in Castaway—alone on an island, he begins to lose himself. We are not meant to walk this journey alone. When we try to grow in God’s love by ourselves, we often end up stuck in our heads, disconnected from the real, transformative power of His love.
God’s love moves from our heads to our hearts best in community.
Scripture is clear: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up… A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12).
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17).
Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there I am with them” (Matthew 18:20).
The early church “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42).
We are called to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2) and to “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34).
To love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30), we must engage with one another.
It is in honest, grace-filled friendships that we heal, grow, and are developed into the people God created us to be.
You can’t truly experience God’s love in isolation. It’s in community that His love becomes real, tangible, and life-changing.
What People Are Saying
“After joining a CHEW Triad, I felt safe to be honest about my struggles for the first time. Over time, I noticed I was less anxious, more secure in God’s love, and more willing to love others.”
How to Form Your Triad
- Invite Two Others:
Choose two people who want to grow in experiencing God’s love. - Commit to Confidentiality:
Agree that what is shared stays in the group—creating a safe space. - Set a Regular Rhythm:
Decide how often you will connect (weekly or biweekly). - Choose Your Format:
Meet in person, via video, or through voice memos/texts—whatever works for your group.
How to Run a CHEW Triad Meeting
1. Opening (5–10 minutes)
- Check In:
Briefly share how you are doing—emotionally, mentally, spiritually, or in any way that matters to you right now. - Pray:
Ask God to help you receive and reflect His love.
2. CHEW Time (15–30 minutes per person, 45–90 minutes total)
Each person takes a turn as the “Sharer.” The other two are “Supporters.”
- Confess:
The Sharer shares a struggle, joy, or area where they want to grow.
Example: “I feel overwhelmed at work. It’s like I’m carrying a heavy backpack. My shoulders are tight, and I get irritable.” - Hear:
Read a short Scripture about God’s love or care.
Tip: Search for a Scripture that matches what was shared (e.g., “Scriptures about being overwhelmed at work”). - Exchange:
The Sharer asks, “If I really believed God loves me so much that He [fill in with a specific truth, e.g., ‘offers me real rest’], how would that change me?”
The Supporters also answer the Sharer’s question as if they were in the Sharer’s shoes, saying, “I can see you…” and sharing what they notice or imagine.
Focus on God’s love, not just on overcoming sin or struggle. - Action Step:
The Sharer considers a practical step or mindset shift to help live out this truth before the next meeting.
Example: “This week, when I feel stressed, I’ll pause and pray for God’s comfort before I react.” - Repeat for each person.
3. Closing (5–10 minutes)
- Gratitude:
Each person shares one thing they’re grateful for from the meeting. - Pray:
Pray for each other, asking God to help you all walk in His love.
Between Meetings
- Daily CHEW Practice:
Encourage each other to “chew” on God’s love throughout the day—using the C-H-E-W steps in moments of stress, joy, or ordinary life. - Check-ins:
Text or call each other midweek to encourage and support. - For more resources, ideas, and real-life examples, visit the Central CHEW Hub:
https://1stprinciplegroup.com/chew-on-this/
Key Practices for Effectiveness
- Be Honest About Feelings and Experiences:
Share what you’re experiencing—using images, thoughts, or feelings if it helps. - Listen and Understand Before Offering Insight:
Reflect back what you hear before moving to problem-solving.
Ask, “Am I understanding you right?” so the Sharer knows you are trying to understand. - Avoid Judging, Advising, or Correcting:
Don’t judge, give unsolicited advice, or correct the Sharer during sharing time. Focus on understanding and empathizing, not fixing or instructing. - Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection:
Emphasize grace over shame. Celebrate small wins and remind each other of God’s steadfast love, especially when someone struggles or fails. - Confidentiality & Vulnerability:
Model vulnerability by sharing your own struggles and how you’re experiencing God’s love. Keep what is shared in the group. - Pray Together and for Each Other:
Regularly pray for each other, both during meetings and throughout the week. Pray specifically for each member to experience God’s love in their hearts.
The Holy Spirit’s Role
As you meet together, trust that the Holy Spirit is at work, helping you experience God’s love and grow in freedom and joy.
Ready to Start?
How to Start a Triad in 3 Steps:
- Invite two friends who want to grow in God’s love.
- Set your first meeting—in person, by video, or through voice memos/texts.
- Begin with the CHEW steps above—and watch what God does!
Try This
Pick a moment from your day—whether you’re feeling discouraged, joyful, distracted, or simply going about your routine—and try a quick CHEW using the same structure. Practicing it on your own will help you go deeper when you do it with your triad. See what God does! CHEWing on God’s love can happen anytime, not just in moments of struggle.
Final Encouragement
“Ready to experience God’s love in a whole new way? Invite two friends and start your CHEW Triad today. You’ll be amazed at what God does in your heart and relationships.”
The most important thing is to keep showing up and CHEWing together. The goal is to help each other experience and internalize God’s love—allowing it to shape every part of life.
This is just the beginning. Every honest CHEW is a win—God meets you in the process.
Was this helpful?
