This four-part Bible study takes us to the world of C.S. Lewis’s Narnia, and looks at Edmund’s story of redemption and how it relates to our own.
Topics: Forgiveness, God’s Love, Identity, Salvation
Download a PDF of the Bible Study: A Visit to Narnia. Let us know in the comments if you use it!
About This Study
In C. S. Lewis’s classic children’s book, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, World War II is raging, and London is oppressed by air-raids. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie are sent to the country for safety, to the home of an old professor who has more rooms than people to fill them. One day while exploring the house, Lucy, the youngest Pevensie, discovers a room with a large wardrobe in it. She steps inside it to see what secrets it might hold and discovers the greatest secret of all. The wardrobe is a door to another world, Narnia, where animals talk and live side-by-side with fairy tale creatures like fauns, centaurs, nymphs and dryads (as well as other, more horrible, creatures). But Narnia has been under the rule of the evil White Witch for a hundred years, and she has made it so that it is always winter but never Christmas. The Pevensies’ arrival in Narnia is the answer to an old prophecy that states that when two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve sit on the Narnian throne, the time of evil will end. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy aren’t the only ones to arrive in Narnia at this time. Aslan, the great Lion, the King, the Lord of the whole wood, who has been absent from Narnia for longer than anyone can remember, has returned to Narnia, and means to set things right.
In this story, we are confronted with issues of good and evil, and with characters who remind us of ourselves in so many ways. While Edmund is often the least likable of the Pevensie children, it is his story of redemption that is most like ours, and it is his story we will examine most closely in this Bible Study series.
Ways to Use This Study
This study is best used as a series over a few weeks, at a retreat or on a trip with youth. Each part is designed to take about 20 to 30 minutes to complete. You can conclude the study with a viewing of the movie, but be sure to get the appropriate permissions so no copyright laws are violated!
Materials Needed
All you need is a copy of the book, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Page numbers given in this study are from the HarperCollins 2005 edition of the book, but first and last sentences are quoted so that you can use any copy of the book.
Part One: Turkish Delight
The character of Edmund in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis, represents us in many ways. In this part of the story he is led astray by the White Witch. We face similar tactics and temptations from Satan. Students will discuss the lies Satan uses against us. They will also hear that God is more powerful than Satan and know that by faith we share in His victory over Satan.
Part Two: Who’s Afraid of Aslan?
We can relate to Edmund’s insecurity. We have a need for an identity as people who are loved by God. In this study, students will discuss how they react to insecurities, and they will be reminded of the value and identity they have in Christ.
Part Three: It Will Be Harder Than You Think
There are times when we lose sight of the cost of forgiveness. Aslan hints at this cost in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Students will be reminded of the extent to which God went in order to win them back from sin. They will be reminded of the extent of God’s love for them.
Part Four: What Lucy and Susan Saw
In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Aslan gives his life for the sake of Edmund. This is a picture of Christ, who gave His life for our sake. Students will understand that Jesus was really dead and is truly alive. He suffered in this way because of the great love He has for each of us.
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