How to Use CHEW in Bible Studies or Home Fellowship Groups

A Story: Walls Come Down Around the Table

When their home fellowship group started, conversation was polite but guarded—safe, but shallow. One night, the leader paused the routine and invited everyone to try something new: to honestly reflect on God’s love using the CHEW formula. At first, only a few spoke, but the leader made it real by naming a personal struggle and exploring how God’s love could touch that place. Walls began to fall. With each week, honest sharing grew, Scripture felt alive, and the group became a place of trust, encouragement, and genuine transformation.

Why Use CHEW On This™ for Bible Study or Home Groups?

God made us to grow best together—not just as individuals seeking information, but as a community sharing real struggles and real hope. The CHEW On This™ approach helps groups move beyond surface-level study to create a space for honest reflection, practical application, and Gospel-driven encouragement.

Gospel truth: Lasting change flourishes in community when we bring our true selves to God and to each other, and let His love do the work.

The CHEW On This™ Framework

CHEW stands for:

• Confess
• Hear
• Exchange
• Walk

1. Confess — Get Real, Together

• Start with a check-in: Each person shares a real struggle, a question, or something they want to grow in.
• Keep it honest and specific—about life, the Bible passage, or anything pressing.

2. Hear — Listen to God’s Word

• Read a chosen Scripture (from your current study or something encouraging) aloud.
• As you listen, ask: What does this reveal about God’s love or character?

3. Exchange — Reflect with the CHEW Formula

CHEW Formula:
If I really believed God’s love is [truth or characteristic], how would that change [my situation, feeling, or response]?

• Invite each group member to fill in the blanks based on their week and the Scripture:
  • Truth or characteristic: “unconditional,” “faithful,” “patient,” “present,” “forgiving,” etc.
  • Situation: a feeling, relationship, work stress, family tension, hope, or fear.

Example:
Scripture: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases.” (Lamentations 3:22)

• “If I really believed God’s love is steadfast, how would that change the way I respond when I feel overlooked at work?”
• “If I really believed God’s love is patient, how would that change the way I react with my kids when I’m tired?”
• “If I really believed God loves me unconditionally, how would that free me from comparing myself to others?”

Let the group share their answers—there are no “wrong” reflections, just honest ones.

4. Walk — Live Out God’s Love Together

• Each person chooses a small, practical step to live out during the week: an act, a prayer, a change in attitude, a conversation, etc.
• Commit to pray for and check in with each other about these steps.

Sample CHEW On This™ Meeting Flow

1. Opening:
   • How’s everyone really doing? Share a high and a low from the week and pray for open hearts.
2. Scripture (Hear):
   • Read a passage and invite silent reflection on what it says about God’s love.
3. Sharing (Confess):
   • Group members name where they’re struggling or seeking growth.
4. Reflection (Exchange):
   • Using the CHEW formula, each person completes:
     “If I really believed God’s love is [truth], how would that change [my situation, feeling, or response]?”
5. Application (Walk):
   • Each person shares a tangible step for the coming week. Ask for prayer as they act on it.
6. Gratitude & Closing:
   • Thank God for sharing, honesty, and new insights.

Tips for Group Leaders: Fostering Vulnerability

• Start with the Core CHEW Question:
  Let everyone ponder, “If I really believed God loves me as much as He loves Jesus (John 17:23), what would change in me right now?”
• Lead the way: Share first, and be specific and honest.
• Celebrate vulnerability: Remind the group there’s no need for polished answers.
• Honor confidentiality and grace.
• Encourage process, not perfection: Any honest share is a step forward.

Why CHEW On This™ Changes Groups

• Authentic connection replaces surface talk.
• God’s love transforms not just what we believe, but how we show up for each other.
• Honest reflection and shared steps foster growth that lasts beyond the meeting.
• Group members feel known, supported, and free to be real.

“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

Try This: The 7-Week Group CHEW On This™ Challenge

For seven meetings, make it your closing habit to use the CHEW formula. Rotate who starts, track new insights and steps, and celebrate even the smallest growth.

CHEW On This™ Question for Your Group

How might our group be transformed if we honestly shared our lives—and reflected together on how God’s love meets us right where we are?

Bible Promise

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” —Proverbs 27:17

Bite-Sized Ways to Practice (This Week)

• Message a group member your CHEW On This™ reflection during the week.
• Open or close your group with each person naming one new way they noticed God’s love.
• Start a “CHEW log” together—share growing stories of risk, hope, and progress.

A Prayer for Today

Father, thank You that Your love meets us in the real places—in weakness, in doubt, and in joy. Give our group courage to be honest, to reflect deeply, and to walk forward in Your love together. Transform us one conversation, one prayer, and one step at a time. Amen.

Share Your Story

Has your Bible study or home fellowship group grown through honest reflection and God’s love? Share your CHEW On This™ journey—your story could inspire hope and courage in someone else!

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. All stories are fictional and not a representation of any one client.