The Courses of the Ruhi Sequence: An outline of their purpose

pic-of-bk1.gifBook 1 - ‘Reflections on the Life of the Spirit’

Unit One: Purpose: To develop the capacity to read the Bahá’í Writings and to meditate on their meaning in order to fulfil the obligation of studying the Writings every day. Practice: To read daily, in the morning and evening, some Writings of the Faith.

Unit Two: Purpose: To understand the importance of daily prayer and to develop the required attitudes of prayer. To memorise 5 prayers and understand their meaning.
Practice: To visit at least two Bahá’ís and study a prayer with them.

Unit Three: Purpose: To understand that life is not the changes and chances of this world, and its true significance is found in the development of the soul.

pic-of-bk1.gifBook 2 – ‘Arising to Serve’ –

Unit One: Purpose: To understand that the joy of teaching is in the very act of sharing with others the Word of God, independent of immediate results.

Unit Two: Purpose: To develop the capability of making periodic visits to the homes of newly enrolled believers and sharing with them a number of deepening themes.
Practice: Visit a few families and study with them at least three themes presented in the unit.

Unit Three: Purpose: To help the participants acquire the ability to introduce Bahá’í ideas into conversation.

pic-of-bk3.gifBook 3 – ‘Teaching Children’s Classes: Grade One’ –

Unit One: Purpose: To understand some of the basic principles of Bahá’í education of children.

Unit Two: Purpose: To learn to teach simple children’s classes consisting of memorization of prayers and quotations, songs, stories, games and colouring.

Unit Three: Purpose: To develop the skills and abilities needed to conduct classes for children, managing it with a great deal of love and the discipline necessary to create a learning environment.

Book 3A – ‘Teaching Children’s Classes: Grade Two’ –

Purpose: To develop further the capability of teaching children’s classes.
Practice: To conduct a regular class for children in their second year of a Bahá’í program of spiritual education.

pic-of-bk4.gifBook 4 – ‘The Twin Manifestations’ –

Unit One: Purpose: To gain spiritual insights into the significance of this Day and the promises it holds for humanity.

Unit Two: Purpose: To learn to narrate the story of the Báb’s life and gain an appreciation of the potency of His ministry.
Practice: To visit a few families and share with them a simple illustrated presentation of the Báb’s life.

Unit Three: Purpose: To learn to narrate the story of Bahá’u’lláh’s life and gain an appreciation of the magnitude of the spiritual forces released by Him.
Practice: To visit a few families and share with them a simple illustrated presentation of Bahá’u’lláh’s life.

pic-of-bk6.gifBook 6 – ‘Teaching the Cause’ –

Unit One: Purpose: To understand that teaching is an act of particular spiritual significance. T o appreciate that effective teaching involves both ‘being’ and ‘doing’ – attention to one’s inner condition as well as constant activity.

Unit Two: Purpose: To reflect on the qualities and attitudes of a teacher of the Cause. To understand that effectiveness in teaching can be developed if we approach it in a posture of learning.

Unit Three: Purpose: To become familiar with some of the approaches and methods of personal teaching endeavors and collective campaigns.
Practice: To design and implement your own personal teaching plan and to participate in at least one teaching campaign.

pic-of-bk7.gifBook 7 – ‘Walking Together on a Path of Service’ –

Unit One: Purpose: To gain increased awareness of the spiritual dynamics of advancing along a path of service to the Cause and acquire an understanding of the forces at work.

Unit Two: Purpose: To explore some of the concepts and acquire some of the attitudes and skills that contribute to the capability of helping a group of friends go through Books1-6.
Practice: To form a study circle and accompany it through at least one book.

Unit Three: Purpose: To appreciate the role of artistic endeavors in the activity of a study circle.

Courses in Development –

‘Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth’ is a course currently in development by the Ruhi Institute and will take the place as Book 5 in the main sequence of courses.