Rivermont Presbyterian Church The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis Sunday School Class Is any pleasure on earth as great as a circle of Christian friends by a fire ? [or a barbecue grill]? Family Cookout Date:Saturday, August 8, 1998 Time:4:00PM to 8:00PM Place:Winridge - At the Pfisters Directions: 29 North Turn left on /2 miles, turn right on 795,(Winridge Dr.) 3/4 of mile on your left Warning: “It does not matter how small the sins are, provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards do the trick. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual one - the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” Screwtape “And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”. Mathew 10:28 Bring a Side-Dish or Dessert And your favorite quote from the Screwtape Letters

Rivermont Presbyterian Church Book / ChapterDateFacilitators 3 / 7 Forgiveness11/9/97 3 / 8 The Great Sin11/9/97 3 / 9 Charity11/16/97 3 / 10 Hope11/16/97 3 / 11 Faith11/23/97 3 / 12 Faith11/23/97 4 / 1 Making and Begetting11/30/97 4 / 2 The Three-Personal God11/30/97 4 / 3 Time and Beyond Time12/7/97 4 / 4 Good Infection12/7/97 4 / 5 The Obstinate Toy Soldiers12/14/97 4 / 6 Let’s Pretend12/14/97 Class Schedule Through 12/14/97

Rivermont Presbyterian Church Book 3 - Christian Behavior Summary of Chapters: 5 - Sexual Morality 6- Christian Marriage Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis The Christian Rule is: Either Marriage with complete faithfulness to your partner, or else total abstinence Ephesians 4: :22-32

Rivermont Presbyterian Church Sexual Morality The Christian Rule: Virtue of Chastity Chastity should not be confused with social rule of modesty, propriety or decency The Christian Rule is: Either Marriage with complete faithfulness to your partner, or else total abstinence This rule is so contrary to our instincts, that obviously either Christianity is wrong or our sexual instinct has gone wrong. The biological purpose of sex is children. Please discuss the following definition: Sex was made for the ultimate intimate enjoyment within the bounds of marriage in which children can be an additional blessing.

Rivermont Presbyterian Church Sexual Appetite Food strip-tease (sexual starvation or perversion) Why are lies about sex so powerful? Christianity has glorified marriage more than any other religion. What is the view of the Film and TV industry on sexual morality? Every civilized man must have some set of principles by which he chooses to reject some of his desires and and to permit others. Christian Principles Hygienic Principles Sociological Principles Perfect Chastity - like perfect charity - will not be attained by any merely human efforts. Sex: The Center of Christian Morality is Not Here.

Rivermont Presbyterian Church Christian Marriage Marriage is for Life Keeping Promises: A Basic Moral Principle The important difference between: Being in Love with someone or Loving someone Love is an evolving process - ever improving and deepening The Question of Divorce The Question of Man’s Headship Constitution, Natural Psychology

Rivermont Presbyterian Church Assignment for the Class At the End of this study I would like to encourage the class to Take action: at the personal, and communal levels Letters to the Editor or even a Manifesto covering aspects of the Moral and Social Reality of Our Times (With a Christian Perspective)

Rivermont Presbyterian Church Questions for Discussion 5. Sexual Morality - A discussion of the Christian virtue known as chastity. -How is Christian chastity different than social rules of modesty? -Lewis uses an analogy with food to prove that our sexual instinct has gone wrong. Describe the food analogy. -In regards to sex, does Christian philosophy contradict the following statement: "There is nothing to be ashamed of in the fact that the human race reproduces itself in a certain way, nor in the fact that it gives pleasure."? -Do you think that our sexual instinct has been corrupted? -Do you think that Christian chastity is impossible? According to Lewis, what is the most fatal thing we can do when faced with this seeming impossibility? - Is unchastity the supreme Christian vice? If not, what is?

Rivermont Presbyterian Church 6. Christian Marriage - A discussion of Christian marriage and its many implications.. -The sexual impulse in man works best in... -The words "one flesh" could be translated _ _ in modern English. -Using another food analogy, Lewis compares the isolation of sexual pleasure with... -All Christian denominations agree that divorce is more like having both legs cut off than... -According to Lewis, the most common reason for people who get married in church as a mere formality is... -According to Lewis, living together outside of marriage causes one to be guilty on two accounts which are... -According to Lewis, what does the passion of love impel two people to do? -Why does ceasing to be "in love" need not mean ceasing to love? -Why is Lewis against forcing the laws of Christian marriage on people through government regulation? -What example does Lewis site to support the idea that the headship of man over women is natural in marriage? -Why is a man better suited for dealing with the families foreign policy?