{"id":1812,"date":"2026-10-08T00:35:24","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T00:35:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cslewis.org\/programs\/retreat\/?page_id=1812"},"modified":"2026-10-09T16:51:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T16:51:04","slug":"breakout","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.cslewis.org\/programs\/retreat\/the-c-s-lewis-retreat-2026\/breakout\/","title":{"rendered":"Breakout Sessions 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Please check the schedule<\/a> to see what time each session is being held<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Arrival Add-On Sessions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

C.S. Lewis 101: Life <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader:<\/strong> Andrew Lazo <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 2:45 PM Friday November 6th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Explores the biographical milestones, upbringing in Northern Ireland, and formative years of C.S. Lewis<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Pantomime Demon and the Real Trap-Door <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Jason Smith <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 2:45 PM Friday November 6th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

This session explores Uncle Andrew’s machinations and their relevance to today’s transhumanist movement. Using as our guide Lewis’ assertion in The Abolition of Man<\/em> that magic and applied science are “twins… born of the same impulse”, we will trace his prophetic warnings about mistaking science for religion through The Magician’s Nephew<\/em> and the Ransom<\/em> trilogy, briefly survey where society stands today on these matters, and discuss what Christians should do in response. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

C.S. Lewis 101: Works<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Andrew Lazo <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 4:00 PM Friday November 6th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Breaks down major themes and the context behind Lewis’s influential fiction and non-fiction writings <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Book Discussion Group on The Magician’s Nephew <\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader:<\/strong> Lori Arnold <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 4:00 PM Friday November 6th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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Have you read The Magician\u2019s Nephew <\/em>in anticipation of the retreat this year? Are you excited to talk with other conference attendees about The Magician\u2019s Nephew <\/em>and its place within The Chronicles of Narnia? <\/em>Early arrivals are invited to join a book discussion group led by Dr. Lori Arnold, an English professor and experienced discussion group leader. The goal of this breakout session is to provide an opportunity to join with other Lewis enthusiasts in discussing the delightful book that is the focus of the retreat this year. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Saturday Morning Breakout Sessions <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Special Lewis Themed Session<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Andrew Lazo<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 11:00 AM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

TBA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Bearing Witness<\/em><\/strong> (Live Stream Session)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Lancia Smith <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 11:00 AM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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What does it mean to truly bear witness to Christ in our everyday lives? This session will explore how, as Christians, we can reflect Christ more faithfully through our words, actions, relationships, and the way we live out our faith. Together, we\u2019ll consider what it looks like to point others toward Christ\u2014not simply by what we say, but by how we live.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Great Books Sessions 1<\/strong>: Selections from Thus Spake Zarathustra <\/em>by Friedrich Nietzche<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leaders: <\/strong>Jason Smith and Lori Arnold<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 11:00 AM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n

Lewis fondly remarked, \u201cWhen one has read a book, I think there is nothing so nice as discussing it with some one else \u2013 even though it sometimes produces rather fierce arguments.\u201d The C.S. Lewis Great Books Sessions celebrate just that kind of community which arises from reflective reading and good talk. 

In the spirit of the Inklings, readers from a wide range of experience and familiarity with Lewis\u2019s works meet together to delve deeper into the concepts that Lewis presents. Led by experienced Lewis teachers, these roundtable discussions sparks all kinds of productive, intriguing, and inspiring conversation about the classic texts that constitute the \u201cgreat conversation\u201d of Western Civilization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading for Session 1:<\/strong> Selections from Thus Spake Zarathustra<\/em> by Friedrich Nietzsche <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Educators Session<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>TBD<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 11:00 AM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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\n

TBA<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Singing Creation: Participating with Aslan<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Amber Salladin<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 11:00 AM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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An interactive session for those who are interested in joining in with their voices. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Saturday Afternoon Breakout Sessions <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Courage, Dear Heart: Finding Consolation in the Face of Suffering<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Christin Ditchfield Lazo<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 3:00 PM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n

C.S. Lewis knew firsthand about pain and suffering, loss and grief and despair \u2014 and the silence that can sometimes follow our prayers. Drawing from The Magician\u2019s Nephew<\/em>, The Problem of Pain<\/em>, A Grief Observed<\/em>, and other writings, we\u2019ll explore what it means to bring our lament honestly before God, to seek the comfort that sustains us, rest in the grace that carries us, and find the courage and hope to persevere.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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From Testimony to Telling the World: Our Stories as a Reflection of the Great Story<\/em> <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Steven Elmore<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 3:00 PM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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The creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration \u2013 is the source of all of our stories, from our individual testimonies to the stories we write for others. Together, we will explore the link between His story and ours. In this session, we\u2019ll identify the wide range of testimonies each of us possesses of God\u2019s work in our lives, so that we might be better able to share those stories with others, both inside and outside the Church. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Great Books Sessions <\/strong>2: Passage from Magician’s Nephew<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leaders:<\/strong> Jason Smith and Lori Arnold <\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 3:00 PM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n

In the spirit of the Inklings, readers from a wide range of experience and familiarity with Lewis\u2019s works meet together to delve deeper into the concepts that Lewis presents. Led by experienced Lewis teachers, these roundtable discussions sparks all kinds of productive, intriguing, and inspiring conversation about the classic texts that constitute the \u201cgreat conversation\u201d of Western Civilization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reading for Session 2: <\/strong>The Magician’s Nephew<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Communication Strategies for Teachers: Lessons from C.S. Lewis<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Steven Beebe<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 3:00 PM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n

Teaching is a communication process. Whether you teach online, in person, first grade, or graduate students, the essential process of teaching others is the same: you use communication strategies to achieve your instructional goals. C. S. Lewis was an excellent educator known for his exacting skills both in tutorial sessions and when captivating student attention in the lecture hall. What are lessons about teaching that we can learn from C. S. Lewis? How do Lewis\u2019s teaching strategies link with the latest instructional communication principles and practices? Using lessons from C. S Lewis, as well as applications of instructional communication principles, this session explores practical ideas to enhance your skill as an educator.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Forge of Friendship<\/em>: Visual Arts That Grow Connection<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Leader: <\/strong>Kirk Manton<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Time:<\/strong> 3:00 PM Friday November 7th<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n

This session covers those who are interested in the visual arts side of things. What does it look like to grow in connection when your job is meant to stay behind the scenes? <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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