How to Read a Book: 3 Tips
1) See yourself in every character - including the narrator.
2) Let the book ask you questions.
3) Share the experience with a friend.
My dear friend - known by those closest to him as simply "the Monk" or "Brother" - liked to say:
"If you don't see yourself in every character in every story, either you don't know the story or you're not really being honest with yourself."
Want to join us LIVE?
Wouldn't it be great to be part of a virtual book discussion of this classic? Let me know by registering here and we'll let you know once we get the show on the road!
Join us for LIVE sessions!
You can join LIVE or virtually. Upcoming live sessions:
1) Our Lady of Victory, 55 N. Lake Road, Troy, NY 12180 (6-7:30pm every Thursday in June... 6/1, 8, 15, 22, 29)
2) Holy Family Parish, 29 Sugarloaf St. South Deerfield, MA 01373 (March of 2024... details to be announced - click here to join us on March 2, 2024 for the kickoff event)
3) Your parish? Let's make this incredibly popular and transformational series happen in your area!
an Introduction
"Read not the times. Read the eternities." Thoreau wrote those words. He didn't stop there.
Thoreau continued: "Knowledge does not come to us by details, but in flashes of light from Heaven."
C.S. Lewis begins The Screwtape Letters with one such flash of light from Heaven!
Letter 1: Fuddle Him!
1) Guide his reading! How would a tempter guide your reading? Towards what? Away from what? Via which media? How's it working?
2) "...Does not think of doctrines as true or false [right or wrong, good or bad]…" how is this the case today & with you?
3) You're there to fuddle him... distract him. Send him off to have lunch. Distract him with "a healthy dose of real life"! What are your biggest distractions? How can you better combat this strategy?
Letter 2: the PROBLEM with the Church!
1) Will you discuss this with a friend, asking "What do you think?" When?
2) All habits are still in our favor… Which of my habits are in their favor?
3) PROBLEM with the Church! (boots squeak, sing out of tune, odd clothes, too simple/serious/happy/...) How does this distraction affect you?
4) In all of life, there's a "...transition from dreaming aspiration to laborious doing." (learning a language/getting good at a sport - dream turns into daily work!)
5) Counting on emotion… When do you? How do you help others who still count on emotions? How do you deal with moments when you don't FEEL like it?
6) After the "initial dryness… much less dependent on emotion and therefore much harder to tempt." What could help you get through the dry seasons?
7) No real humility yet… uh oh. Where do I not have humility? When am I most tempted to not have humility?
8) Screwtape highlights hypocrisy in other Christians! What in your own conduct and character would you prefer to avoid or ignore?
Letter 3: Family Struggles ;)
1) “Keep his mind OFF elementary duties by directing it to most advanced & spiritual…” What are some “elementary duties” you could give more attention?
2) Can you practice self-examination without noticing your most glaring faults? Are you sure?
3) How does Screwtape’s advice shed light on your own family interactions? (tone, facial expression, belief of innocence held by all parties)
4) “Religious” behavior can be used to get under the skin of family members. In what ways might you play the role (or be perceived as playing the role) of the prodigal son’s older brother…?
Letter 5: WAR & why God allows it!
The eternal perspective on war is slightly different from yours, yes?
"In wartime, not even a human can believe that he is going to live forever." ~ Uncle Screwtape
With the current invasion of the Ukraine, we skipped forward to Letter 5
Stay tuned for future conversations!
About Jonathan Fanning
Internationally renowned speaker and leadership expert, Jonathan Fanning, has written several books, including Who are you BECOMING? and I Once Was Lost.
He's been helping organizations (Alvin Ailey, FDNY, Mercedes, Mars Chocolate, McDonald's, Schools, Churches, Non-profits) find and implement game-changers for over 20 years.
Jonathan's TEDx Talk was voted "best of the conference!"
He has also built several successful businesses, including a national children’s fitness franchise and Entrepreneur Adventure, to help young people experience business start-up and ownership.
Jonathan brings his amazing gift of combining story-telling, humor, emotion, and tough questions to his acclaimed online coaching programs.
Keynotes, Retreats, Workshops, Coaching Programs
Live, Virtual, or Hybrid!
- Set the World on FIRE! - Catherine of Siena said, "Be who God meant you to be... and you will set the world on FIRE." This program has been a favorite in churches across the country. We'll discover a handful of habits that change everything.
- Passion & Purpose: Is it possible to have both in this crazy busy world? - What changes when you have more passion in your life? What about a deeper and more consistent sense of purpose? What if there were a recipe for having more of both?
- Who Are You Becoming? - A year from now, you’ll be a better leader, parent, person... or not. More courageous, caring, focused, patient, humble, passionate, effective... or not. Based on Jonathan’s best-selling book, discover the "Simplest and Most Effective Leadership Development Plan!"
- Creativity Unleashed - Are you and your organization becoming more - or less - creative? Jonathan’s TED Talk on this topic won the best speaker of the conference and the “Innovator’s Equation” is just one of many game-changers we'll explore.
- Managing Emotions Under Pressure - Emotions affect everything! Emotions are contagious. Are yours worth spreading? Discover a powerful framework to take your Emotional Intelligence to the next level.
- They Serve: The Essence of Authentic Leadership - Every leader is an agent of change… for better or for worse! What separates those we choose to follow from those we follow simply because we "have" to? 4 Habits that change your world!
- building COURAGE bootcamp - Courageous moments echo through space and time. You took math classes every day for over a decade. When did you last take a building COURAGE bootcamp?
- and more!
