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CS Lewis Course

Inkling Hour: C.S. Lewis Course Curriculum (30 Weeks)

Cost: $50  
Schedule: Fridays from 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM


Week 1: Introduction to C.S. Lewis

– Overview of Lewis’s life and background

– Discussion: Why study Lewis?

– Homework: Read introductions to Lewis’s major works.


Week 2: Mere Christianity – Preface and Book 1

– Themes: Moral Law, Nature of Humanity

– Discussion: What is the “Moral Argument” for God’s existence?


Week 3: Mere Christianity – Book 2

– Themes: Christian Behavior

– Group Activity: Role-playing scenarios based on Christian ethics.


Week 4: Mere Christianity – Books 3-4

– Themes: The Trinity, Christian Faith

– Discussion: The significance of the Trinity in everyday life.


Week 5: Mere Christianity – Books 5-6

– Themes: Church, Sacraments

– Homework: Compare the Church’s role to the importance of community.


Week 6: The Screwtape Letters – Letters 1-7

– Themes: Spiritual Warfare, Temptation

– Discussion: Analyzing how modern society faces similar temptations.


Week 7: The Screwtape Letters – Letters 8-15

– Themes: Prayer, Faithfulness

– Activity: Write a response letter from an “angelic” perspective.


Week 8: The Screwtape Letters – Letters 16-31

– Themes: The Nature of Evil, Human Beings

– Discussion: How does Lewis illustrate the nature of evil?


Week 9: The Problem of Pain – Introduction and Chapters 1-2

– Themes: Suffering, Joy

– Discussion: Why does God allow pain?


Week 10: The Problem of Pain – Chapters 3-4

– Themes: God’s Love, Theodicy

– Homework: Reflect on personal experiences of suffering.


Week 11: The Problem of Pain – Chapters 5-6

– Themes: The Nature of God

– Discussion: Contrast Lewis’s ideas with modern secular beliefs.


Week 12: A Grief Observed

– Themes: Grief, Loss, Faith

– Discussion: How does Lewis process his own grief?


Week 13: Out of the Silent Planet – Intro and Chapters 1-5

– Themes: Space, Spiritual Journey

– Activity: Compare Lewis’s fictional universe to Christian beliefs.


Week 14: Out of the Silent Planet- Chapters 6-End

– Themes: Redemption, Salvation

– Discussion: What does the book say about creation and fall?


Week 15: Perelandra – Chapters 1-5

– Themes: Good vs. Evil

– Group Activity: Discussion on moral decisions faced by characters.


Week 16: Perelandra – Chapters 6-End

– Themes: Free Will, Temptation

– Discussion: The significance of choice in a sinless world.


Week 17: That Hideous Strength – Intro and Chapters 1-6

– Themes: Science, Ethics

– Homework: Discuss the role of science in modern society.


Week 18: That Hideous Strength – Chapters 7-14

– Themes: Society, Morality

– Group Activity: Role-play characters making ethical decisions.


Week 19: That Hideous Strength – Chapters 15-End

– Themes: Authority, Leadership

– Discussion: How does Lewis portray authority and its dangers?


Week 20: The Great Divorce – Introduction and First Half

– Themes: Heaven and Hell, Choices

– Homework: Reflect on the allegory presented in the story.


Week 21: The Great Divorce – Second Half

– Themes: Redemption, Human Choices

– Discussion: How does Lewis depict the concept of Heaven?


Week 22: A Mind Awake (Essays)

– Themes: Literature, Faith

– Activity: Debate on the intersection of faith and literature.


Week 23: Christian Reflections – Papers 1-5

– Themes: Faith and Reason, Moral Values

– Discussion: Which essay resonates most with personal beliefs?


Week 24: Christian Reflections – Papers 6-10

– Themes: Literature’s Role, Cultural Critique

– Homework: Reflect on Lewis’s critiques of modern culture.


Week 25: The Discarded Image – Introduction and Chapters 1-2

– Themes: Medieval Worldview, Order and Chaos

– Discussion: How does understanding the medieval model enhance our reading of Lewis?


Week 26: The Discarded Image – Chapters 3-5

– Themes: Christian Cosmology, Literature

– Activity: Compare Lewis’s view of history with modern perspectives.


Week 27: Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer – First Half

– Themes: The Nature of Prayer

– Discussion: What does Lewis suggest about the relationship with God?


Week 28: Letters to Malcolm – Second Half

– Themes: Spiritual Growth

– Activity: Write your own letter about prayer experiences.


Week 29: The Abolition of Man – Chapters 1-2

– Themes: Education, Objective Values

– Discussion: What are the implications of “men without chests”?


Week 30: The Abolition of Man – Chapters 3-End

– Themes: Morality, Nature of Humanity

– Homework: Reflect on the implications for modern education.


Materials:

– book list above