"We were no mutual admiration society: praise for good work was unstinted, but censure for bad work — or even not-so-good work — was often brutally frank."

Warren Lewis

The original Inklings were a group of Oxford-associated professors and authors, including C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, who gathered weekly at a local pub to discuss, critique, and explore each other's work with the goal of improvement.

In the same spirit, the modern Inklings exists to bring men together in a casual setting to invest time in each other with the same goal of navigating life, personal and work, together.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend

Proverbs 27:17

The proverb uses that image as a metaphor for human relationships. Just as iron sharpens iron,
true friendship and healthy relationships refine our character, thinking and faith.

Friends can bring out each other's best qualities through honest feedback, encouragement, and accountability.

Mutual
Growth

Growth often happens through friction — respectful disagreement, truth-telling and correction help us mature.

Constructive Challenge

A good friend helps us stay on the right path, just as sharpening keeps a blade useful and precise.

Accountability & Encouragement

In a Christian sense, believers "sharpen" one another through shared faith, prayer and helping each other live according to godly principles.

Spiritual
Application

Learn More

The Inklings Format

Create a Group

The invitation process can take many forms. Generally, the first few men to decide to create an Inklings group determine who to invite.

Leaders

Leaders should be men who are open to being vulnerable and willing to guide initial conversations beyond surface-level topics.

Location

A public location or a member's private residence — a place to gather and share resources and ideas.

Reasonable Time

The schedule should be late afternoon, concluding in time for participants to join their spouses and families for dinner.

Thought-Provoking Question

A thought-provoking question — known in Inklings as the Compass Question — selected from the Inklings question library.

Annual Retreat

Once per year, the gathering is some kind of daylong or weekend-long retreat, often including spouses.

The Inklings Purpose

Inklings is a fellowship for men, dedicated to personal and spiritual growth through honest conversation, scriptural reflection, and mutual encouragement. Inspired by the legacy of the Inklings of Oxford, our members journey together, tackling life's toughest questions — always challenging each other to examine their faith journey.

Latest Resources and Inklings News Read All

Making the Most Gains from the Fellowship with Strong Men

Men of Grit

Not all men make significant gains even though they have fellowship with other strong men. To take full advantage of these relationships and really sharpen one another, there are certain conditions required.

Want to start an Inklings?
Get in touch with us...

Inklings is currently invitation-only, however we would be happy to discuss your interest in starting an Inklings group.

All the fields are required

Men Making Each Other Better

As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend

Inklings Application