Study Circles
Study Circles
Study circles provide a space for a group of friends to come together, reflect on the Holy Writings and build their capacity to engage in acts of service to their community. Study circles are guided by a profound conviction in the basic nobility of every human being. No matter how rich or educated, how poor and lowly an individual may be, each and everyone can contribute to the well-being of themselves and others through service.
“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.” – Baha’i Writings
The purpose of a study circle is for participants to explore spiritual insights and develop skills that will enable them to “walk a path of service” to humanity. This is done through the study of a sequence of courses developed by the Ruhi Institute – with each book in the main sequence focussed on a specific act of service. The first course in the main sequence of 7 books is called Reflections on the Life of the Spirit. This study focuses on building the capacity to, on an individual level, develop the spiritual habits of praying and reflecting on the Word of God daily, and at a collective level, on contributing to unity through serving as host to a devotional meeting with family, friends and neighbours.
The courses are based on the Bahá’í Writings, but are open to all, regardless of religious or cultural background. Discussion, practical action and the use of the arts are essential to the learning process. Every individual in a study circle is an active member engaged in offering insights to the whole group. The role of the tutor of the study circle is to facilitate discussion around the Holy text as a more experienced friend, not to act as a source of knowledge.
The Ruhi Institute
The courses of the Ruhi institute are currently composed of 14 books in total. The first sequence, known as the main sequence, is composed of 7 books, they nurture individual spiritual growth and one’s capacity to engage in their desired avenue of service to the community.
INFORMATION ON FIRST 7 STUDY BOOKS:
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Book one
Reflections on the Life of the Spirit – Builds capacity to study holy writings, pray and to host and organise devotional meetings
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Book Two
Reflects on the joy of serving and teaching the Faith while developing the skills, knowledge and qualities necessary to engage in uplifting conversations that inspire the mind and spirit.
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Book Three
Learn to foster the development of spiritual qualities in small children with love and discipline.
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Book Four
The statement “I walk a path of service” reflects an individual’s sense of identity, which is shaped by both personal and collective history. The second and third units of the book focus on the life stories of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of the Bahá’í Faith, and His Forerunner, the Báb. Understanding these historical figures and their experiences helps individuals gain clarity about the past, empowering them to more effectively contribute to shaping the future.
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Book Five
Concepts, skills, qualities, and attitudes that experience has shown are required by those wishing to implement a program for the spiritual empowerment of junior youth.
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Book Six
Bahá’u’lláh’s message is one of the most essential services to be rendered, teaching is also a state of being in which one is constantly sharing with others that which one has been so bountifully blessed.
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Book Seven
Study the spiritual dynamics of advancing along a path of service, examine some of the concepts, attitudes, skills and abilities needed to accompany a group of friends on this path, and consider the role of the arts in the activity of a study circle.
