MBA Episode 57: Teaching Your Kids the Chew and Spit Method

Chapter 3 of our first book, Mama Bear Apologetics, describes the “Chew and Spit” method. In the chapter, we write, “We don’t need to train our children to be picky when it comes to what they feed their bodies—they do this on their own. But we do have to train them to be discerning about what they feed their minds.”¹Hillary Morgan Ferrer, ed., Mama Bear Apologetics (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishing, 2019), 49 (emphasis in original). For this podcast, we’ll talk about what it looks like to chew and spit in our culture, and how we as Christian parents and grandparents can help our children discern about what they should and shouldn’t put in their minds.

Warning: Around 6:50 of the video podcast (7:30 of the audio podcast), Hillary and Amy address some sensitive topics, so beware if there are little ears around!

How do we analyze messages we receive in movies, books, and television shows?

• What is chew and spit?
  • Using discernment, keep the good and get rid of the bad.
  • Let’s evaluate things with an open mind. We don’t have to accept everything as true, but we don’t have to outright reject things, either.
  • “Safe for the whole family”—there are even instances in the Bible that are not safe for the whole family.

The chew and spit method acknowledges that we’re in the world, we can’t get out of it, so we have to know how to navigate it. Share on X

How do we chew and spit?

• Hillary’s example of discernment using her hands that may be helpful when explaining it to your kids.
• Things to look for when we chew and spit:
  • Glorification of non-Christian worldview
  • Sin is portrayed as having no consequences
  • Promoting, glamorizing, desensitizing, or normalizing sin

Teaching your kids to chew and spit:

• Questions that help identify what to Chew or Spit Sequence
  • What’s the genre?
  • What’s being laughed about?
  • What’s the main message?
  • What values are being elevated?
  • What values are being demeaned or ridiculed?

Looking ahead to the next podcast, we’ll be talking about how to discern between what you should watch and what you shouldn’t, as well the difference between conviction and God’s commandment.

When you make something funny, you make it acceptable. Share on X

Resources Mentioned:

Mama Bear Apologetics (book)

MBA Episode 55: The Art of Disagreeing Agreeably

Pre-order the Mama Bear Apologetics Study Guide here!

Scripture References:

Romans 12:2

Quotable Quotes:

“The chew and spit method acknowledges that we’re in the world, we can’t get out of it, so we have to know how to navigate it.” – Amy

“Keep your mind open, but not so open that your brain falls out.” – Walter Kotschnig (incorrectly attributed to Charles Spurgeon in the podcast)

“An open mind is really a mark of foolishness, like an open mouth. Mouths and minds were made to shut; they were made to open only in order to shut.” – GK Chesterton

“Watch out for media that promotes, glorifies, or normalizes sin. #chewandspit” – Hillary

“When you make something funny, you make it acceptable.” – Hillary

[1] Hillary Morgan Ferrer, ed., Mama Bear Apologetics (Eugene, OR: Harvest House Publishing, 2019), 49 (emphasis in original).

Questions or ideas? Send us an email at admin@mamabearapologetics.com.

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