How to Share Your Faith Using Prince Caspian
Narnia fans have been waiting in great anticipation for the return of the king! Wait a minute...wrong adventure fantasy series. But you'll forgive the slip when you see the grandeur of the knights, castles and battles swirling in Prince Caspian. Our favorite Narnian characters are setting off once again on another fantastical adventure.
Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy find themselves suddenly swept from a British train station back into the marvelous and magical world they visited in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. One year has transpired in human time, but the foursome gradually realizes there's a time warp between Earth and Narnia. One year in normal human time equates to 1300 years in Narnia time. A lot has changed, and not for the good. The evil king who has usurped the throne from its rightful ruler has woven a web of bondage and deceit. Evil is triumphing while good appears to be tittering on the brink of extinction.
For viewers familiar with C.S. Lewis and his Chronicles of Narnia book series, the spiritual overtones of the movie shout out like a trumpet before battle. But it's quite possible that your friends who aren't familiar with the message of Jesus will miss the Christian symbolism without a little help from you.
On a deeper level the story provides insight into the struggles between good and evil and the power of a "deeper magic" that evil cannot defeat. Aslan gives us a glimpse of what Jesus is like - taking the punishment for others because of his deep love for us, dying, and overcoming death with his infinite, ultimate power. The Bible tells us in Romans 5:8, "But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
C.S. Lewis described the spiritual symbolism best himself in responding to an inquiry from one of his young fans:
Well, I want you to guess. Has there ever been anyone in this world who...
- Arrived at the same time as Father Christmas,
- Said he was the son of the Great Emperor,
- Gave himself up for someone else's fault, to be jeered at and killed by wicked people,
- Came to life again, and
- Is sometimes spoken of as a lamb (see the end of Dawn Treader)? Don't you really know His name in this world? (Dorsett, Letters to Children, 32).
So step up to the golden opportunity Prince Caspian provides to talk naturally about spiritual things with your friends who don't know Jesus. Here are a few conversation starting questions to help generate some deeper spiritual discussion:
- In the ruins of Cair Paravel Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy rediscover the special gifts that were given to them by Aslan on their first trip to Narnia. Ask your friends if they believe people can have special 'God-given' gifts. Use this as an opening to ask your friends if they believe in God and what they think He's like. Then take the opportunity to share what you believe.
- Prince Caspian depicts an epic battle between good and evil, as the Narnians struggle to free themselves from living under the oppressive reign of someone who is not the rightful king. Ask your friends if they believe there's a real battle raging in the spiritual realm between the forces of good and evil. Listen, then share what you believe based on Ephesians 6:10-12.
- The young people in this movie have an uphill battle convincing Trumpkin they have something to offer in the midst of the struggle against King Miraz. Do you ever feel like you're dismissed as a minor player because you're young? Explain how the God of the Bible specializes in using young people in the thick of his battle. For examples, check out David and Goliath and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
- Susan and Lucy aid Aslan in freeing the Dryads, Naiads and others from bondage so they can join the battle against evil. Find out if your friends understand the Christian symbolism here, comparable to Jesus freeing those in bondage to sin, so they can join with Him in the spiritual battle to further God's kingdom.
- "The fate of all lies with the Destiny of One." Ask your friends if they realize the spiritual overtones to Jesus in this movie line. Explain the Good News of the free gift of salvation offered to all through Jesus' death and resurrection. For help explaining this check out the GOSPEL Journey.
Jesus often used stories and parables to teach deep spiritual truths. So follow his example and try using the realm of Narnia to help your friends get a glimpse into the inviting world of being in relationship with the True King.
