Lonely? 5 Online Communities to Grow Your Faith

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“I’m lonely,” my friend said to me, jostling her baby from one hip to the other. “Sometimes I just wish I could have adult conversation with someone who isn’t going to judge me for sticking my two-year-old in front of a cartoon show while I blow dry my hair.”

Created for Community

If you’ve every felt isolated and yearned for someone to talk to, to study the Bible with, or to pick you up when you’ve fallen yet again, you’re not alone. Your plight is shared by millions of women worldwide.

We were created for community, and while individual time with God is absolutely important, our faith will be shallow and hollow if we try to live the Christian life alone.

But what if you haven’t found a group of women to connect with? What if you’re living in the middle of nowheresville?

I’m glad you asked, because I want to share with you some of my favorite online communities of people who study the Bible together and encourage each other in the faith.

Meet Your New Study Buddy

Good Morning Girls

“Good Morning Girls exists to inspire, encourage and equip women all over the world to get into God’s Word.”

I’ve participated in several Good Morning Girls studies, reading and writing my way through the gospel of Luke, studying passages during Advent, and doing a close reading of Colossions. I love that they provide materials and Facebook groups to make for a no-excuses approach to studying God’s Word. Love it!

Hello Mornings

“Through challenges, tips and tools, encouragement and inspiration the HelloMornings team is here to encourage and equip you toward the life-changing habit of getting up early.”

I first heard about HelloMornings while reading Kat Lee’s incredible ebook Maximize Your Mornings. I like that the challenge encompasses not just reading the Bible (which is definitely important), but also time to plan your day and get moving, with accountability and fun mixed in. Challenges run 6 weeks with a 2 week break in between. Thinking of joining? Do it!

(in)couragers Community Groups

“We believe that one of the most amazing gifts God gave women is the ability to connect and (in)courage each other to walk with Him in our daily lives. We love that (in)courage is a place we can do life together.”

I’ve recently joined an (in)couragers group, and I’ve loved connecting with some of my blogger friends in a smaller setting. There are lots of groups to choose from, whether you want to join one based on demographics or purpose. The friendships you create through interactions about life are lifegiving.

She Reads Truth

“SheReadsTruth is an online community committed to reading God’s Word together. […] Our vision is to invite women into God’s word daily and facilitate meditation, reflection, discussion and prayer based on the Word of God.”

I haven’t personally participated in a SheReadsTruth study, though I’ve browsed their studies several times and have it only my list of things to try this year. I like that they read books of the Bible at a time, offer pointers for further meditation, a forum for discussion (in the comments of each post), and Spotify playlists to go with the studies. If you’re thinking of joining one of their studies, would you let me know? We can do it together. 🙂

Five Minute Friday

“We write for five minutes flat. All on the same prompt. No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation. Unscripted. Unedited. Real. On Fridays a group of people who love to throw caution to the wind and just write without worrying if it’s just right gather to share what five minutes buys them.”

If you’re a writer, you’ll love the Five Minute Friday community. You may have seen some of the FMF community members on here, and they’ve been incredibly encouraging through some of the weightier posts that I’ve found myself writing.

Also related to FMF, Kaitlyn Bouchillon created an opportunity for women to find community in their mailboxes. Basically, groups of women mail each other an actual physical note and drop it in the mail every week for 8 weeks. It’s called #fmfpartysnailmail and it’s loads of fun. (But you don’t have to participate in Five Minute Friday to be a part of this community; anyone with a heart for God and a desire to encourage others is welcome!)

Take action

I’ve found incredible women through online communities, and many of them have come to be good friends. We’ve studied the Bible together, prayed through hard situations for each other, and shared laughs and inside jokes.

The writer of Hebrews explains the importance of relational dynamics, and though this verse is often quoted about church gatherings, it’s just as true about online communities:

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
~Hebrews 10:24-25

So if you’re lonely or just looking for some encouragement, give one of these communities a chance. You may just find a new group of friends.

Your Turn

Are you in an online community? If so, what has your experience been like?

Or know of a community I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments below! I’d love to check it out!

This post is part of the this month’s #Intentional series: my walk with God. Read more posts in the #Intentional series here.

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