User:Brettz9/meetings for teaching/curriculum justification

Subjects

Proofs

Note: As 'Abdu'l-Bahá uses the term "proofs", these are logical proofs, not empirical ones. This does not corrupt religion to negate the possibility for all miracles and the need for some faith.

For each quotation, summarize its meaning, and suggest who might be in particular need of hearing it.

Great need for the study of proofs

Binding on everyone to acquire knowledge of proofs and evidences

"It is imperative to acquire the knowledge of divine proofs and evidences...This matter is highly important. It is binding on everyone and must be regarded as an obligation."

('Abdu’l-Bahá, from a newly translated Tablet, Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 29)

Though proofs are for weak souls, it is necessary to set forth external arguments for such souls

"These are theoretical arguments adduced for weak souls, but if the eye of inner vision be opened, a hundred thousand clear proofs will be seen. Thus, when man feels the indwelling spirit, he is in no need of arguments for its existence; but for those who are deprived of the grace of the spirit, it is necessary to set forth external arguments."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 2, par. 8)

People of the world require rational arguments in this day

"These are rational arguments, which are what the people of the world require in this day."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, Chapter 3, par. 2)

Need to know proofs not merely through susceptibilities

"Day and night you must strive that you may attain to the significances of the heavenly kingdom, perceive the signs of divinity, acquire certainty of knowledge and realize that this world has a creator, a vivifier, a provider, an architect,–knowing this through proofs and evidences and not through susceptibilities,–nay, rather, through decisive arguments and real vision; that is to say, visualizing it as clearly as the outer eye beholds the sun. In this way you behold the presence of God and attain to the knowledge of the holy, divine Manifestations."

(From the utterances of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, p. 65; also in Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 60)

Attempting to convince others is called for by sense of brotherhood

Recipient of gift should inform and invite his friends with love and kindness

"The children of men are all brothers, and the prerequisites of brotherhood are manifold. Among them is that one should wish for one’s brother that which one wisheth for oneself. Therefore, it behoveth him who is the recipient of an inward or outward gift or who partaketh of the bread of heaven to inform and invite his friends with the utmost love and kindness. If they respond favourably, his object is attained; otherwise he should leave them to themselves without contending with them or uttering a word that would cause the least sadness. This is the undoubted truth, and aught else is unworthy and unbecoming."

(Bahá'u'lláh, Tabernacle of Unity, par. 2.39)

Do not dispute, but bring forth proofs and arguments

"Our methods are different, we do not attack, neither calumniate; we do not wish to dispute with them; we bring forth proofs and arguments; we invite them to confute our statements. They cannot answer us, but instead, they write all they can think of against the Divine Messenger, Bahá'u'lláh."

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, p. 103)

(Opinion of scholar that one more ready of argument could scarcely be found than 'Abdu'l-Bahá)

"One more eloquent of speech, more ready of argument, more apt of illustration, more intimately acquainted with the sacred books of the Jews, the Christians and the Muhammadans, could, I should think, be scarcely found even amongst the eloquent, ready and subtle race to which he belongs."

(Browne, E.G. (1891), A Traveller’s Narrative, Cambridge)

See also

• https://bahai-library.com/zamir/sm/?9 (for many more injunctions to study the proofs, study them in meetings, and use them)

History

Regard Dawn-Breakers as source of inspiration in artistic pursuits, companion in leisure time, instrument to resist attacks

“Feel impelled appeal entire body American believers to henceforth regard Nabíl’s soul-stirring Narrative as essential adjunct to reconstructed Teaching program, as unchallengeable textbook in their Summer Schools, as source of inspiration in all literary and artistic pursuits, as an invaluable companion in times of leisure, as indispensable preliminary to future pilgrimage to Bahá’u’lláh’s native land, and as unfailing instrument to allay distress and resist attacks of critical, disillusioned humanity.”

(Shoghi Effendi, cablegram dated June 21, 1932, Messages to America, p. 1)

See also

• See https://bahai-library.com/zamir/sm/index.html?16 (sections 1 and 6)

Prophecies

Bible

"The first thing to do is to acquire a thirst for Spirituality, then Live the Life! Live the Life! Live the Life! The way to acquire this thirst is to meditate upon the future life. Study the Holy Words, read your Bible, read the Holy Books, especially study the Holy Utterances of Bahá’u’lláh; Prayer and Meditation, take much time for these two. Then will you know this Great Thirst, and then only can you begin to Live the Life!”

('Abdu'l-Bahá, Star of the West, vol. 19, no. 3, p. 69)

See also

• See https://bahai-library.com/zamir/sm/?9 (section 8.B)

Qur'án

For teaching

“The Sacred Books are full of allusions to this new dispensation. In the Book of Íqán, Bahá’u’lláh gives the key-note and explains some of the outstanding passages hoping that the friends will continue to study the Sacred Books by themselves and unfold the mysteries found therein.

“The people, failing to comprehend the meaning of the symbols and the truth of the Sacred Verses, thought them to be myths and unrealizable dreams. It is the duty of the friends who have been endowed by Bahá’u’lláh with the power of discernment to study these Sacred Books, ponder upon their passages and teach the disheartened people of the earth the treasures of knowledge they enclose.”

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 91)

For attaining knowledge of mysteries

“I have been informed that the purpose of your class meeting is to study the significances and mysteries of the Holy Scriptures and understand the meaning of the divine Testaments. It is a cause of great happiness to me that you are turning unto the Kingdom of God, that you desire to approach the presence of God and to become informed of the realities and precepts of God. It is my hope that you may put forth your most earnest endeavor to accomplish this end, that you may investigate and study the Holy Scriptures word by word so that you may attain knowledge of the mysteries hidden therein. Be not satisfied with words, but seek to understand the spiritual meanings hidden in the heart of the words.”

(‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Promulgation of Universal Peace, pp. 458-459)

For understanding the Writings

“Shoghi Effendi wishes me also to express his deepfelt appreciation of your intention to study the Qur’án. The knowledge of this revealed holy Book is, indeed, indispensable to every Bahá’í who wishes to adequately understand the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh. And in view of that the Guardian has been invariably encouraging the friends to make as thorough a study of this Book as possible, particularly in their summer schools.”

(On behalf of Shoghi Effendi, Importance of Deepening Our Knowledge and Understanding of the Faith, no. 122)

See also

• See Qur'án#Importance of studying the Qur'án (though not required to acquire a mastery unless desired) and subsequent sections

Curriculum materials

Bahá'í Writings

• Books to study

Methodology

• Use of study outlines

Outcomes

Use of proofs in teaching

The sharing of proofs may be suitable for public meetings, firesides, home visits, etc.

Present to public the proofs of Cause with tongue of fire to exhilarate souls and fill minds with tumult and acclamation

"This Cause is proclaimed through eloquent, sincere addresses. We must unloose the tongue, spread the fragrances of God, diffuse the words of God. We must present to the public the proofs and evidences of this Cause with a tongue of fire so that souls may be exhilarated, minds become full of tumult and acclamation. "With words of love and illumination we must set hearts aglow with the fire of the love of God, enkindle minds with the power of the Kingdom. We must explain the teachings orally so that hearts may become like pure fountains, the invisible inspirations may descend, the bounties of the Holy Spirit may be revealed, the rays of the Sun of Reality may shine; the breezes of the Paradise of Abha may waft and the glad tidings of the Kingdom of Abha may be announced."

(Words of 'Abdu'l-Baha, in Star of the West, vol. 13, issue 10, p. 276)

Use of proofs and history at Feast

At Feast, should converse as to proofs of Advent of Bahá'u'lláh and tell of the martyrs' detachment from the world

"As to the Nineteen Day festivity, it is of the utmost importance that the friends should gather at a meeting where, in complete attunement and love, they should engage in the remembrance of God and His praise, and converse as to the glad tidings of God, and proofs of the Advent of Baha'u'llah, and should recount the high deeds and sacrifices of the lovers of God in Persia, and tell of the martyrs' detachment from the world, and their ecstasy, and of how the believers there stood by one another and gave up everything they had.

"The Nineteen Day festivity is, therefore, of very great importance.”

('Abdu'l-Bahá, from a Tablet to an individual believer - translated from the Persian, Nineteen Day Feast (compilation), no. 11)

See also

• https://bahai-library.com/zamir/sm/?4 (section 9)

Curriculum

• Sequence of teaching (first three subsections; Read, noting the specific sequences listed in each quotation.)

Navigation

• previous
• next