THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA
The Lion, The Witch, And The Wardrobe (Part 1)
Doug Fields
December 12-15, 2005

Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.

Ephesians 5:2 (NLT)

C.S. Lewis was one of the greatest Christian writers of the twentieth century. More than forty years after his death, every one of his major book titles is still in print. The Chronicles of Narnia is a seven-volume series of children's stories, presenting a rich allegory of God's redemptive work through Christ. This month, the first book of this series, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, is brought into movie theatres through the new Walt Disney Pictures/Walden Media film. To equip us for dealing with real life situations, it's good to be prepared for the discussions that are bound to arise in our homes, our schools, our workplaces, or wherever people gather. Aslan, the main character in the Chronicles of Narnia stories, represents Jesus. Our lesson this week will focus on the spiritual traits exhibited by Lucy, the first to enter Narnia through the wardrobe; her brother Edmund, and Aslan himself.

MONDAY

1. WE ARE ALL LOOKING FOR SOMETHING BETTER
[Group Objective: Learn how to avoid settling for the next "something better," focusing instead on the best thing for us, which is growing in Christ.]

Read Genesis 3:6 and Ecclesiastes 1:8. What is the common theme to both of these verses?

  • If we are always searching for something better, at what point do we become content?
  • How were Adam and Eve deceived by looking for something better? In what ways do we continue to be deceived in this same way today?

IN NARNIA, LUCY REPRESENTS THE POWER OF CURIOSITY

What are the people curious about in Mark 1:27?

  • How can people's curiosity lead them to Christ?
  • Have a few members of your group share how curiosity played a role in their coming to Christ.

According to Ecclesiastes 6:7, how does feeding only our desires hurt our souls?

  • How is it easy to overlook the best thing when we're always looking for "something better"?

Discipleship (Maturity) - In a world where we are always looking for something better, we as believers must recognize that Christ is that something better. Instead of following the world's example of looking for our next temporary fix (a new job, "toy," or relationship), we need to fix our eyes on Jesus. What would your life, your job, your relationships, be like if you followed God's will completely? Ask God to guide you in making a commitment to follow His will in the way you conduct business, act toward friends, toward family, and even toward your enemies.

TUESDAY

2. WE ARE ALL MESSED UP
[Group Objective: Understand our need to be rescued from the penalty of our sinful nature.]

How do the two purposes in John 10:10 differ? Which purpose sounds more promising?

What has the Scripture declared in Galatians 3:22? Why did the Scripture declare this?

IN NARNIA, EDMUND REPRESENTS THE POWER OF EVIL

  • What evidence do we have that tells us our lives can be messed up?
  • Why do we need to be rescued from our anger, insecurities, addictions and need for approval?
  • How does ignoring the problems in our lives keep us from being rescued?
  • When we believe what God has promised, what is the result?

Worship (Magnification) - Encourage the group to share with one another their thankfulness to God for an area of their life where they have been rescued. Is there an ungodly attitude, activity, or behavior you need to be rescued from? Where have you experienced His redemption in the past? How can we express our gratitude to God for being rescued from the penalty of sin? Take time in your group right now to express that gratitude toward God.

WEDNESDAY

3. WE ARE ALL LOVED BY GOD
[Group Objective: Once you have personally experienced God's love, recognize the need to share it with others.]

How does God show He is my God, according to Psalm 59:10?

In John 3:16, what did God give the world and what does that gift bring? To whom is this gift available?

From Ephesians 5:2, how can we follow Christ's example?

IN NARNIA, ASLAN REPRESENTS THE POWER OF LOVE

  • What actions of humanity demonstrate that our greatest need is love?
  • How can God's love replace the quest for the next "thing"?
  • In the movie, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, how does Aslan's love for Edmund mirror God's love for us?
  • Discuss the ways you have felt God's love in your life. How has this love changed your life and caused you to draw closer to God?

Evangelism (Mission) - God's personal and sacrificial love for us exists so that we can live life to the fullest. Discuss as a group what a full life would look like. In Ephesians 5:2 we are told to live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ. This week, experience God's love by taking an opportunity every day to share love, by word or action, with those around you. Ask yourself at the end of the day if the world is a better place because you shared God's love. Feel God's love by sharing God's love.

THURSDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Group Objective: Recognize the basic need of every human heart to know God's love.]

God loves you. That may not be news to you. In fact, if you've never experienced that love, it may even sound hollow or trite. It is nevertheless true. Are you curious about God? If you go to see the Narnia movie or read the book, notice in particular Aslan's love for Edmund. That is how God, through Christ, loves you... just as you are.

Perhaps you are a Christian, but you're trapped in past mistakes. You've messed up and you don't know how to make it right. Spend time with God, in His Word and in worship, and get to know how much He truly loves you.

Or you may be a devoted follower of Christ. No matter where we are in our spiritual journey, we can forget how personal God's love is. One way to be reminded is to share it with someone else. When you tell another person about the depth of God's love for them and see the transforming power of that love, it is like water poured over the dry places in your heart. Practice loving, and you'll experience God's love for you.