Direct vs. indirect teaching
Indirect teaching consists in presenting social/humanitarian teachings to attract them to specifically Bahá'í aspects of the Faith[edit]
"As to your question as to what constitutes indirect teaching: it essentially consists in presenting some of the humanitarian or social teachings of the Cause which are shared by those whom we are teaching, as a means of attracting them to those aspects of the Faith which are more challenging in character, and are specifically and solely Bahá’í. The teaching of Esperanto, for instance, has been a very useful way of presenting the Cause indirectly to many people. It has opened many doors of contact for the believers, and has lately proved to be of tremendous help in introducing the Teachings into important social and intellectual circles."
- (On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, 28 May 1937 to an individual believer, Materials Provided by the Bahá'í World Centre on Universal Auxiliary Language, no. 7)
Consider the hearer's receptivity to determine whether to use the direct or indirect method of teaching[edit]
"Let him consider the degree of his hearer's receptivity, and decide for himself the suitability of either the direct or indirect method of teaching, whereby he can impress upon the seeker the vital importance of the Divine Message, and persuade him to throw in his lot with those who have already embraced it."
- (Shoghi Effendi, Advent of Divine Justice, pp. 51-52)
Importance of the direct method of teaching[edit]
"What the Guardian feels it of vital importance for the friends to do is to teach the Cause directly and by means of imparting the Holy Words...."
- (From a letter dated 6 May 1936 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer; in Guidelines for Teaching, no. 1944)
