How to Share Your Faith Using The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Does the movie version of C. S. Lewis' beloved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe measure up to the delightful, enchanting world created in the imaginations of devoted readers? There will be as many opinions on the answer to that question as there are movie viewers! But whether you walk out of the theater basking in the glow of Narnia's magical world or vaguely sensing that your own imagined Narnia was even more intriguing than the movie version, this movie provides a natural opportunity for some direct spiritual conversations with your friends.
On the surface, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe follows the adventures of four children who pass through a magical wardrobe and stumble onto a fantasy world filled with talking beasts, an evil White Witch, and a True King - Aslan the Lion. On a deeper level the story provides insight into the struggles in our world between selfishness and sacrifice, good and evil, and the power of a "deeper magic" that evil can not 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.
Those new to the Narnia stories may wonder if Aslan is really intended to be symbolic of Jesus? When author C. S. Lewis was asked years ago in a letter from a little girl what Aslan's other name was in our world, he wrote back to her:
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?
Just as Aslan lay down his life for Edmund and took the punishment in his place, the Bible tells us in Roms. 5:8, " But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."
Jesus frequently used stories and parables to teach deep spiritual truths to his followers. Perhaps the world of Narnia can help you give your friends a glimpse into the inviting world of being in relationship with the True King. Here are some discussion starters to help you initiate a spiritual conversation with your friends:
- What was your favorite part of the movie? Why?
- Which of the four children do you most identify with? Do you have a simple confident faith like Lucy or do you struggle to believe like Susan? Do you see yourself as striving to be brave like Peter or tempted and manipulative like Edmund?
- What did you think of Aslan? Talk about how Aslan, who gave himself up to pay the penalty for other's faults and came back to life again, is symbolic of Jesus in our world.
With a movie so rich in Christian imagery, conversations about God should come easily and naturally! Don't miss this opportunity!
