Seeing Jesus in Narnia
The teenagers recently watched The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe together. Before viewing the new Disney production, though, I gave each of them a worksheet to help them see the Christian lessons and Biblical truths behind the allegory of C.S. Lewis.
While the movie certainly didn't do the allegory complete justice, there is still plenty of truth to be had and considered, even in the cinematic version of the story.
To prompt your thoughts, whether you are reading the book or watching the movie, here are just a few of the questions that you may want to ask yourself or your family as you go:
- The Pevensie children are called “sons of Adam” and “daughters of Eve”. How is this different than how humans are described today?
- The White Witch’s Turkish Delight that Edmund eats is enchanted, so that you want more and more of it, but it never fills you up and finally kills you. What is described in a similar way in the Bible? (See James 1:14-15; John 8:34; Romans 6:16).
- The professor (who owns the house the children are staying in) wonders what they are teaching in school these days, because the children only believe what is rational, material, and explainable. Can you think of anything that is real, but is not physical or even completely understandable? (See John 4:24; 1 Timothy 1:17; Ephesians 6:12).
- The White Witch rules Narnia cruelly and selfishly; who does this resemble in the Bible? (2 Corinthians 4:4; Revelation 12:9).
- Beaver says that Aslan is “good, but not tame” (or, in the book, “good, but not safe”). Who is this like in the Bible? (1 Peter 2:21-23; Romans 14:10-11; Revelation 5:5).
- Aslan takes Edmund’s place in order for Edmund to go free. Who did this in the Bible? In whose place? What did it cost? (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 2:21-24; Hebrews 9:28).
- In the climax of the book and movie, Aslan is layed on the stone table and later the stone table breaks. What stone tables do we find in the Bible? What do you think is pictured by the stone table breaking under Aslan? (Exodus 24:12; John 1:17; Romans 6:14).
- Lucy and Susan watch from a distance as Aslan faces the witch, seems to be defeated, and then revives. What women in the Bible played a similar role? (Matthew 27:55-56; 28:1-5; John 20:11-16).
- When Aslan breathes on the Witch’s sculptures, something amazing happens. How does this resemble what the Holy Spirit does for us? (Ezekiel 36:26-27; John 3:7-8).
- Aslan says, “It is finished” at the end of the great battle. Who says that in the Bible? When? (John 19:30).