The Screwtape Letters Study

· C.S. Lewis

Session 1 of 6

Introduction to The Screwtape Letters

Key Quote

"There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them."

— C.S. Lewis, Preface to The Screwtape Letters

Reading Assignment

Read Lewis's Preface.
Read Letters I and II.
Familiarise yourself with the format and style.

Session Overview

This opening session introduces you to the unique format of The Screwtape Letters and establishes the foundation for understanding Lewis's satirical masterpiece. We will explore who Lewis was, why he wrote this book, and how to read demonic correspondence without losing sight of the truth it reveals about Christian life.

Key Concepts

1. Understanding the Format

The Screwtape Letters is written as correspondence from a senior demon (Screwtape) to his nephew (Wormwood), a junior tempter. This inverted perspective, seeing the Christian life from hell's viewpoint, allows Lewis to expose spiritual dynamics we might not otherwise recognise.

2. Who Was C.S. Lewis?

Born in Belfast, Ireland (1898–1963).
Oxford and Cambridge professor of medieval literature.
Former atheist who converted to Christianity at age 32.
Friend of J.R.R. Tolkien and the Inklings.
Author of Mere Christianity, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other works.

3. Historical Context

Lewis wrote these letters during World War II (1941–1942) when London was being bombed. The reality of evil was palpable, yet Lewis understood that the most dangerous spiritual attacks are not dramatic. They are subtle.

4. How to Read This Book

Remember you are reading satire. Screwtape's advice is the opposite of truth.
"The Enemy" = God. "Our Father Below" = Satan.
When Screwtape celebrates, we should be concerned.
When Screwtape is frustrated, we are on the right track.
The humour makes the medicine go down, but the diagnosis is serious.

5. The Central Insight

The devil's most effective work happens in ordinary moments through distraction, drift, and subtle compromise, not through spectacular temptation. This book trains us to recognise these patterns in our own lives.

Discussion Questions

Getting Oriented

What do you already know about C.S. Lewis? What drew you to study The Screwtape Letters?
Have you read this book before? If so, what do you remember from your first reading? If not, what are your initial impressions after the first two letters?

Understanding the Format

Why do you think Lewis chose to write from the demon's perspective rather than simply describing temptation directly? What does this inverted viewpoint reveal that a straightforward approach might miss?
In the Preface, Lewis warns against two errors: disbelieving in devils entirely, or being excessively interested in them. Which error do you think is more common in contemporary Christianity? Which are you personally more prone to?

Engaging with Letters I–II

In Letter I, Screwtape advises Wormwood to keep the Patient focused on the ordinariness and familiarity of real life to prevent him from thinking about his new faith. How does this tactic work in your own spiritual life?
Letter II discusses the Patient's mother and how she can be used to irritate him. Why are our closest relationships such fertile ground for spiritual attack? How does this play out in your experience?

Application

Lewis wrote during WWII when evil felt very present. How does our modern context, where we rarely talk about spiritual warfare, make us more or less vulnerable to the tactics Screwtape describes?
What do you hope to gain from this study? What questions or struggles do you bring to these discussions?

Reflection Exercise: Self-Examination

Personal Inventory (20 minutes)

Part 1: Honest Assessment (10 minutes)

Answer these questions honestly in your journal:

How would you describe your relationship with God right now? (Vibrant? Routine? Distant? Struggling?)
What spiritual practices are currently part of your life? (Prayer, Scripture reading, worship, community, service, etc.)
Which of these feel alive and real? Which feel mechanical or hollow?
What patterns of distraction or drift do you already recognise in yourself?
What are you hoping God will show you through this study?

Part 2: Setting Intentions (10 minutes)

What would "growth" look like for you over these six sessions?
What obstacles might prevent you from engaging fully? (Time, distraction, defensiveness, busyness?)
What one commitment will you make to show up fully for this study?
Write a brief prayer asking God to use this book to wake you up where needed and strengthen you where you are weak.

Going Deeper

Scripture Connections

Ephesians 6:12 — "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
1 Peter 5:8 — "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
2 Corinthians 2:11 — "...in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes."
James 4:7 — "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Historical Background

Lewis originally published these letters as weekly instalments in The Guardian (a religious weekly), written during the London Blitz when evil felt immediate and real. He wanted to expose how spiritual attack works in ordinary life. The book became unexpectedly popular and was published in book form in 1942.

Lewis's approach to spiritual warfare was balanced (neither obsessed with demons nor dismissive of them), practical (focused on ordinary temptations), grounded (rooted in classical Christian theology), and accessible (making complex spiritual realities understandable).

Practical Challenge: Awareness Practice

This Week's Focus: Notice the Ordinary

Screwtape's first letters emphasise keeping the Patient distracted by the ordinary and familiar. This week, practise awareness.

Daily Practice:

Each day, pause three times (morning, midday, evening) and ask:

What has my attention right now? (Work? Worry? Social media? A person? Nothing in particular?)
Is this where I want my attention to be? (Am I present or distracted? Engaged or just passing time?)
Where is God in this moment? (Can I recognise His presence? Have I thought about Him today? Am I avoiding Him?)

End-of-Week Reflection:

After seven days, journal about:

What patterns did you notice about where your attention goes?
When were you most present? Most distracted?
Were there moments you realised you were avoiding thinking about God? Why?
What did this simple awareness practice reveal?

The goal is not to judge yourself harshly, but to begin noticing the rhythms of your attention and awareness. These are the very things Screwtape wants to manipulate.

Prayer Focus

This week, pray for:

Openness — Willingness to see yourself and your spiritual life honestly.
Discernment — Ability to recognise subtle spiritual dynamics at work.
Humility — Grace to receive correction and challenge without defensiveness.
Wisdom — Understanding of how to apply what you are learning.
Protection — For yourself and your group as you engage with this material.
Transformation — That this would not be just intellectual exercise but genuine spiritual growth.

Facilitator Tips

Begin by acknowledging this material can be uncomfortable. Establish group norms: confidentiality, respect, honesty, grace. Model vulnerability by sharing your own struggles where appropriate. Make it clear there are no "wrong" answers to questions about personal experience.

You do not need to cover every question, choose the ones most relevant to your group. Allow silence, people need time to think. If someone dominates, gently redirect. If discussion stalls, share a personal example.

This book is both serious and humorous, allow room for both. Do not let it become only academic/intellectual. Do not let it become only confessional/therapeutic. Aim for honest engagement that is both thoughtful and personal.

Spend 5 minutes on welcome/opening prayer, 10 minutes reviewing key concepts, 40–50 minutes on discussion questions, 10 minutes introducing the practical challenge, and 5 minutes closing in prayer. For the first session specifically, spend extra time on introductions if this is a new group. Set expectations for the whole study. Be encouraging, this book can feel heavy, emphasise that awareness is the first step to victory.

Closing Thought

"The safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts."

You have begun a journey of awareness. Over the next five sessions, Lewis will expose how that gradual road works, and more importantly, how to recognise when you are on it and turn back toward the Light.

The very act of reading this book with intention is an act of resistance. You are choosing to pay attention, to see clearly, to take your spiritual life seriously. That is exactly what Screwtape does not want.

Keep going.

Session Timeline

For Groups — Estimated Time: 75–90 minutes

Welcome & opening prayer: 5 minutes
Brief introductions (if new group): 10 minutes
Key concepts review: 10 minutes
Discussion questions: 40–50 minutes
Practical challenge introduction: 5 minutes
Closing prayer: 5–10 minutes

For Individuals — Estimated Time: 30–45 minutes

Read the session material.
Work through discussion questions in journal.
Complete reflection exercise.
Note the practical challenge for the week.

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