Teaching Narnia

One of my all-time favorite series in the history of literature is C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia. I know that many of you will agree with me in saying that there is not a more fanciful tale out there that can completely capture the imagination while at the same time communicating both scriptural truths and character lessons. It is a brilliant work and I'm very much looking forward to sharing it with my children as they grow up.

Even now, although my son is a mere 2 years old, I am searching and looking for good resources to teach Narnia to him as he grows. By far and away the very best resource I have found is a series of seven lectures by Douglas Wilson and offered by Canon Press entitled What I Learned in Narnia. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed listening through these lectures and found that many of the points that Wilson made hit awfully close to home. There is nothing that I can say here that will do justice to this series. Suffice it to say - if you intend to teach Narnia in your home, you must not be without this lecture series. Topics include:

1. Authority
2. Confessing Sin
3. Nobility
4. Spiritual Disciplines
5. Love of Story
6. Complete Grace
7. Love for Aslan, Love for God

Another set of resources are books by Thomas Williams and published by Thomas Nelson Publishers. These books are intended for adults though and are marketed more as pamphlets to share with friends as discussion points to the movie versions of the same story. I would not hand these books over to any child under the age of 16 but would choose to glean from it and share. I received a copy of Following Prince Caspian and found Williams insightful in a smaller dose than Wilson.

These are just two items. But there is so much out there. If you have a particular resource to use when teaching (as well as just "simply" reading!) this series, I would so love to hear about it! Leave a comment or a link to your own thoughts and comments on Narnia. I'm listening!