These lessons are concerned with the subject of knowledge. The children will be introduced to the idea that they have been created to know God and to love Him and that seeking knowledge through His Manifestations and through the study of His creation will be a central occupation of their lives. You will strive to strengthen within them the thirst for knowledge that they already possess and to raise their awareness of the importance of applying knowledge to the betterment of humanity. Further, you will consider with them the qualities and attributes that are essential for the investigation of reality.
THE PRAYER TO MEMORIZING OVER THE 3 LESSONS 7 TO 9 IS:
O my Lord! Make Thy beauty to be my food, and Thy presence my drink, and Thy pleasure my hope, and praise of Thee my action, and remembrance of Thee my companion, and the power of Thy sovereignty my succorer, and Thy habitation my home, and my dwelling-place the seat Thou hast sanctified from the limitations imposed upon them who are shut out as by a veil from Thee. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the Most Powerful.
EACH LESSON WILL HAVE A DIFFERENT QUOTE TO MEMORIZE
QUOTE LESSON 7
The purpose of God in creating man hath been, and will ever be, to enable him to know his Creator and to attain His Presence
QUOTE LESSON 8
Exert every effort to acquire the various branches of knowledge and true understanding. Strain every nerve to achieve both material and spiritual accomplishments.
QUOTE LESSON 9
He must search after the truth to the utmost of his ability and exertion, that God may guide him in the paths of His favor and the ways of His mercy.
The purpose of this lesson is to help us understand that all the Manifestations of God call upon humanity to live in a state of submission to His Will.
We will learn specifically about the life of Muhammad, Whose teachings spread among the Arab people, making them, as Abdu’l-Baha explains, “superior to the other nations of the earth in learning, in the arts, mathematics, civilization, government and other sciences.”
In this connection, we will gain a sense of the power of submission to the Will of God, one of Muhammad’s principle teachings, to unite people around a center and to promote order and prosperity.
We know that, because of our deep love for God’s beauty, we constantly strive to do all that He asks of us. The teachings that the Manifestations of God bring to humanity tell us what He wants us to do, and what we should not do. By allowing the teachings of God’s Manifestations to fill our hearts and minds, we begin to want only what He wants, to desire only what He desires, and to take pleasure in that which is pleasing to Him.
Order and harmony are brought about as more and more people live in a state of submission to God’s Will, all focused on His good pleasure. Think of the planets, all circling harmoniously, with the sun at their center. Through submission to the Will of God, humanity lives harmoniously and makes great progress- governments are just, communities are well organized, education flourishes, knowledge increases, and beauty is manifested in music and the arts.
Muhammad was a Manifestation sent by God some 1,400 years ago. He appeared among a people in a desert region at a time when their great capacity and rich potential were hidden behind selfish desires and ignorance. He taught them to put away such desires, to trust God, and to submit to His Will. He raised them out of the depths of cruelty and contention and showed them how to live in harmony according to Divine teachings, causing them to become examples of orderly and civilized life.
QUESTIONS
Whose good pleasure do we seek at all times?
Gods
How can we be sure that we are acting according to God’s good pleasure?
Order and harmony are brought about as more and more people live in a state of submission to God’s Will, all focused on His good pleasure
How are the planets that circle the sun orderly and harmonious? Do they ever fight with one another? Do the bigger planets ever want to control the smaller ones?
Obey the laws of physics and are in harmony with one another. Don’t fight or want control
When everyone is focused on God’s good pleasure and carrying out His commands, how does it change people? How does humanity progress?
humanity lives harmoniously and makes great progress- governments are just, communities are well organized, education flourishes, knowledge increases, and beauty is manifested in music and the arts
Who was Muhammad?
Messenger of God
What effect did the teachings of Muhammad have on the people of His time?
His teachings caused them to become examples of orderly and civilized life
REMEMBER TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF TO HELP MEMORIZE THE PRAYERS FROM LESSON 4 IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO!
SET 1
Glory be to Thee, O my God! Make manifest the rivers of Thy sovereign might, that the waters of Thy Unity may flow through the inmost realities of all things, in such wise that the banner of Thine unfailing guidance may be raised aloft in the kingdom of thy command and the stars of Thy divine splendour may shine brightly in the heaven of thy majesty. Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou, verily, art the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
SET 2
I beseech Thee, O my God, by all the transcendent glory of Thy Name, to clothe Thy loved ones in the robe of justice and to illumine their beings with the light of trustworthiness. Thou art the One that hath power to do as He pleaseth and Who holdeth within His grasp the reins of all things, visible and invisible.
SET 3
I have wakened in Thy shelter, O my God, and it becometh him that seeketh that shelter to abide within the Sanctuary of Thy protection and the Stronghold of Thy defence. Illumine my inner being, O my Lord, with the splendours of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, even as Thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of Thy favour.
SET 4
O my God, my Master, the Goal of my desire! This, Thy servant, seeketh to sleep in the shelter of Thy mercy, and to repose beneath the canopy of Thy grace, imploring Thy care and Thy protection. I beg of Thee, O my Lord, by Thine eye that sleepeth not, to guard mine eyes from beholding aught beside Thee. Strengthen, then, their vision that they may discern Thy signs, and behold the Horizon of Thy Revelation. Thou art He before the revelations of Whose omnipotence the quintessence of power hath trembled. No God is there but thee, the Almighty, the All-Subduing, The Unconditioned.
A RING UPON THE HAND
STRIVE THAT YOUR ACTIONS
ONE TREE
The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure
Submission- accepting and yielding to a higher force or will
Written submission for children’s class teachers was sent out to our community
Contentment- a state of happiness and satisfaction
They finally found contentment in living a life of service
USE THE WORKSHEET
For any words, you are not sure of or record the ones above and save them in your notebook/lapbook Download here
SEND A POSTCARD WITH THE QUOTE TO A FRIEND PRINT OR EMAIL
The story has a historical component to give some background content. Also, there may be props for the story, videos, and other resources to use as you like
As the final lesson, we will learn about the life and Mission of Muḥammad, the last Manifestation Who appeared before the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
Muḥammad was a Manifestation sent by God some 1400 years ago to the people who lived in the region we know as Arabia. You remember that one of the descendants of Abraham, Ishmael, was the father of the Arab people, and they had believed in the one true God and followed His teachings. But centuries had passed, and they had long turned away from Him and had forgotten how to live together peacefully. There were many warring tribes that worshipped idols and behaved in the most cruel and barbarous ways. The great capacity and rich potential of the Arab people were hidden behind veils of ignorance when Muḥammad appeared among them.
Muḥammad was born in the city of Mecca in the year 570 AD. As a young man, He became a merchant, and in His dealings with people He displayed such a sublime and noble character that He was known as “The Truthful” and “The Trustworthy”. At the age of forty, He became aware of His Divine Mission, while praying and meditating in the Cave of Hira. When Muḥammad began to share God’s Message, the people of Mecca rose up against Him, and for some twelve years, He and those who followed Him were the constant targets of the darts of hatred. At last, when Muḥammad’s very life was under threat, they migrated to the city of Medina. It was there that His Message spread rapidly, and many souls came to recognize His station as a Manifestation of God. He taught them that there is only one God to Whom we should turn in worship. It is God Whom we should trust, and by Whose Will we should all abide.
After several years in Medina, Muḥammad returned to His native city of Mecca, where the people also embraced His Cause. And through obedience to the laws and teachings that He revealed, the Arab people were eventually united and became renowned for their learning in the arts and sciences, reaching the greatest heights of civilization. The word “Islám” means “submission to God”, and the light of Islám, the religion founded by Muḥammad, shone across all of Arabia and beyond. His words were recorded in the Qu’rán, the Holy Book of His followers, and today all of humanity has access to His Divine Revelation.
There are 3 Stories in today’s lesson
story 1
Muḥammad’s father died before He was born, and His mother when He was only six. For most of His childhood and youth, He was raised by His uncle. There were no schools for formal education in Arabia at that time, and Muḥammad was not taught to read and write but learned the trade of His uncle, who was a merchant. Over time, as He helped His uncle with his business, Muḥammad gained a reputation for His integrity. He was called “The Truthful”, because He never told a lie, and “The Trustworthy”, because He never deceived anyone and always kept His word. His noble reputation eventually came to the attention of Khadija, a widow who was known for her purity. She came to admire Muḥammad’s honest and upright character. At the age of twenty-five, Muḥammad married Khadija, and they worked together as merchants.
Muḥammad was deeply disturbed by the way the people of Mecca lived. Thousands of years before, a sanctuary had been built in Mecca for the worship of one God as taught by Abraham. But this sacred place, known as the Ka’bah, had long been filled with idols, some say 360 of them, each with a different name and all worshipped by different tribes. These tribes were constantly at war, and when one tribe claimed victory over another, the women and children of the losing tribe were taken captive and suffered greatly as slaves to merciless masters. The region had sunk to the lowest depths of cruelty and despair. Muḥammad, unable to bear the godlessness and degradation of life in Mecca, would often retreat to the Cave of Hira, concealed in a mountain just outside the city, where He would pray and meditate. It was in this cave that Muḥammad, then forty years of age, became aware of His Divine Mission. All around Him He heard the voice of the Angel Gabriel, calling upon Him to speak out in the name of the Lord, God.
Muḥammad returned home and told Khadija what He had experienced. She became the first to recognize His station as a Manifestation and to accept His Message: that there is only one God, He Who had also spoken to the Manifestations of the past; that people should turn to God with humility, worship Him, trust in Him and be obedient to His Will; and that, in accordance with His Will, all people should be kind to one another, honest, and just. For some time, Muḥammad made His station known only to His close relatives and friends, some of whom chose to follow Him, including His cousin ‘Alí and His friend Abú-Bakr.
Story 2
Eventually, Muḥammad proclaimed God’s Message to the people of His tribe. Only a few, however, understood the importance of His words and began to follow His teachings. They became known as Muslims. The others did not want to give up their old ways and live according to the laws of God. The idea of change angered them. They behaved with the utmost cruelty towards Muḥammad and the small but growing band of His followers. When Muḥammad spoke of God’s Message, they laughed at Him and attacked Him with stones. For years Muḥammad and His followers endured violent persecution. Some of His companions were killed and their property confiscated. From time to time, members of His tribe would try to persuade Muḥammad to stop spreading His teachings, in return for wealth or power. He, of course, would refuse. His uncle and His wife were greatly respected in Mecca, and they were able to act as Muḥammad’s protectors for a time. But after their deaths, both in the same year, life for Muslims in the city of Mecca became even more difficult.
After many years of suffering, Muḥammad was visited by two leaders from other tribes. They had decided to embrace His teachings and offered, in the city of Medina, a safe place for the Muslims to live. Muḥammad instructed His followers to move to Medina, and they gradually left Mecca for that city. His enemies, however, were determined to put an end to His life while they had the chance. They devised a plot to kill Him, and one night they surrounded His house with the intention of carrying out their plan. They could easily see inside the house and would know whether He tried to leave. So Muḥammad turned to His faithful cousin ‘Alí. He asked him whether he would be willing to cover himself with a blanket and pretend to be sleeping in His bed. Without hesitation, despite the danger to his own life, ‘Alí gladly accepted. Such was his love for God’s Manifestation. And, while ‘Alí lay resting on the bed, Muḥammad was able to leave the house undetected and join His friend Abú-Bakr.
According to tradition, Muḥammad and Abú-Bakr then made their way out of the city in the dark of night, guided by the moon and stars, and took shelter in a cave in the mountainous desert. By morning it had been realized that Muḥammad was gone, and His enemies were in fast pursuit of Him. As the sun rose, the sound of galloping horses grew louder, and Abú-Bakr was filled with fear. How could he protect Muḥammad here in the desert, he wondered. Abú-Bakr held his breath and listened as the enemies drew closer and closer until there were footsteps just outside the cave. Abú-Bakr heard voices, but he could not make out the words. He was certain that they would be found. But Muḥammad reassured him, reminding him that God was with them. And, indeed, the search party soon left, without even looking inside the cave. You see, there was a spider at the opening of the cave, and right after Muḥammad had entered, it had spun a huge web, closing off the entrance. When the men searching for Muḥammad reached the cave, they assumed no one could be inside it because the web was perfect and unbroken. It must have been a very long time since anyone had entered that cave, they thought. So they continued looking elsewhere, but with no success. Tired, frustrated and confused, they finally returned to Mecca empty-handed. Muḥammad and Abú-Bakr remained in the cave for three days to make sure the enemies had gone and then left through another opening, preserving the web that had served as their protection. With camels brought by a trusted friend, they set out for Medina, traveling by night for several days, until they, at last, reached that city safely. Muḥammad’s move from Mecca to Medina is known as the Hijrah.
Story 3
From His new home of Medina, Muḥammad was able to teach God’s laws and commandments much more widely, and people from different tribes began to live together in harmony according to His teachings. Those who rejected them, however, were still determined to kill Muḥammad and His followers. The Muslims were steadfast in their faith and devoted to God and His laws. They did their utmost to avoid contention. But, they knew the cruelty of their enemies, and at times they were forced to take up arms to defend themselves and protect their children from enslavement. Over time, the sacrifices of the Muslims and their transformed way of life helped people to realize the truth of God’s Message.
There are many accounts that show the transformative effect of the spiritual powers that emanated from the Person of Muḥammad. In one such account, it is said that Muḥammad once awoke to find a soldier armed with a sword standing above Him, intending to take His life. The angry man asked, “Who is there now to save Thee?” Muḥammad replied that God would save Him. The soldier became afraid and dropped the sword, which Muḥammad picked up. He then asked the soldier who would save him. The man did not follow God’s teachings and realized that he was alone, with no one to come to his aid. Muḥammad did not harm the soldier but handed the sword back to him, telling him to learn to show forth mercy. The man was changed by this experience and devoted himself to Muḥammad and His teachings.
After several years the people of Mecca agreed to let the Muslims visit the holy sanctuary, the Ka’bah, where they could gather once a year to worship God. But soon the agreement collapsed, and the city was once again closed to the Muslims. The followers of Muḥammad now numbered in the thousands, and they went to Mecca en masse, ready to draw arms if necessary. But the people, seeing the waves of His followers approaching the city, surrendered without resistance. Muḥammad then made a pilgrimage, or hajj, to the Ka’bah, which He restored to a place of worship dedicated to the praise and glorification of the one true God.
Eventually, many of those who had at first rejected Muḥammad’s teachings came to believe in one God and changed their ways, striving to align their will with the Will of God. Through His words, which were recorded in a Holy Book called the Qu’rán, they learned to turn their hearts to God, especially through prayer and fasting, and to reflect those heavenly qualities that Muḥammad had manifested throughout His life. Under His influence, the people of the region rose from the sad condition in which He found them to the highest state of civilization. The warring tribes united and systems for organizing communities into well-ordered nations were established. Great universities were founded, knowledge of arts and sciences expanded, and new and beautiful forms of architecture emerged. At a time when other parts of the world were in decline, the Arab world flourished and the effects of Muḥammad’s teachings ushered in a whole new era of human civilization.
Today we will act out the story of Zoroaster’s visit to the court of Vishtaspa, culminating in the king’s acceptance of Zoroaster’s Message.
Need a Narrator: The part of the Manifestation Himself is never portrayed by a person.
Vishtaspa,
the scheming priests,
and joyful courtiers.
How do the courtiers express the joy in their hearts?
How does Vishtaspa react to Zoroaster’s words?
What expressions and gestures does he use to show his eagerness to hear more?
How do the priests act when Zoroaster first arrives?
How does their reaction change?
What might they say to each other in plotting to have Him banished from the court?
Hula Hoop Pass
Have the group form a circle holding hands. Ask two people to let go of their grip long enough for them to place their hands through a hula hoop before rejoining them.
The team task is to pass the hula hoop around the circle in a specified direction until it returns to the starting point.
Silly Willy
Two lines stand facing each other and become teams.
One player from each team, at the opposite end of the line, start by bowing to each other and calling out “Silly Willy”
The two players then walk toward and past each other without laughter or smiling, while the teams attempt to make the passer-by from the opposite team burst into laughter. (specify beforehand that it all needs to be clean and appropriate)
If a player should crack a smile, they join the line of their opponents.
5. The game ends when there is only one team left, or everyone is too laughed out to continue!
LAYERED PAPER: INSPIRED BY THE STORY OF ZOROASTER GOING TO THE MOUNTAINS
This is a layered paper scene of the mountain area where Zohrester went to pray and meditate to find the truth. The quote will be attached to this layered paper scene.
Instructions
Download pdf, print, and cut
layer using foam tape or cardboard pieces so that each layer is slightly raised
Try making a never-ending card. the pictures can be all the same as the video below, or have them transform from something like a cocoon to a butterfly, etc.
Nice activity that becomes the snack. Show the children how kernels transform into popcorn but need something for this to happen: heat and oil. Once it transforms, it takes up a different space and looks different. Here is a link for more information if needed
Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others.
The purpose of this lesson is to help us understand that all the Manifestations of God call upon humanity to live in a state of submission to His Will.
We will learn specifically about the life of Muhammad, Whose teachings spread among the Arab people, making them, as Abdu’l-Baha explains, “superior to the other nations of the earth in learning, in the arts, mathematics, civilization, government and other sciences.”
In this connection, we will gain a sense of the power of submission to the Will of God, one of Muhammad’s principle teachings, to unite people around a center and to promote order and prosperity.
We know that, because of our deep love for God’s beauty, we constantly strive to do all that He asks of us. The teachings that the Manifestations of God bring to humanity tell us what He wants us to do, and what we should not do. By allowing the teachings of God’s Manifestations to fill our hearts and minds, we begin to want only what He wants, to desire only what He desires, and to take pleasure in that which is pleasing to Him.
Order and harmony are brought about as more and more people live in a state of submission to God’s Will, all focused on His good pleasure. Think of the planets, all circling harmoniously, with the sun at their center. Through submission to the Will of God, humanity lives harmoniously and makes great progress- governments are just, communities are well organized, education flourishes, knowledge increases, and beauty is manifested in music and the arts.
Muhammad was a Manifestation sent by God some 1,400 years ago. He appeared among a people in a desert region at a time when their great capacity and rich potential were hidden behind selfish desires and ignorance. He taught them to put away such desires, to trust God, and to submit to His Will. He raised them out of the depths of cruelty and contention and showed them how to live in harmony according to Divine teachings, causing them to become examples of orderly and civilized life.
QUESTIONS
Whose good pleasure do we seek at all times?
Gods
How can we be sure that we are acting according to God’s good pleasure?
Order and harmony are brought about as more and more people live in a state of submission to God’s Will, all focused on His good pleasure
How are the planets that circle the sun orderly and harmonious? Do they ever fight with one another? Do the bigger planets ever want to control the smaller ones?
Obey the laws of physics and are in harmony with one another. Don’t fight or want control
When everyone is focused on God’s good pleasure and carrying out His commands, how does it change people? How does humanity progress?
humanity lives harmoniously and makes great progress- governments are just, communities are well organized, education flourishes, knowledge increases, and beauty is manifested in music and the arts
Who was Muhammad?
Messenger of God
What effect did the teachings of Muhammad have on the people of His time?
His teachings caused them to become examples of orderly and civilized life
REMEMBER TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF TO HELP MEMORIZE THE PRAYERS FROM LESSON 4 IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY DONE SO!
SET 1
Glory be to Thee, O my God! Make manifest the rivers of Thy sovereign might, that the waters of Thy Unity may flow through the inmost realities of all things, in such wise that the banner of Thine unfailing guidance may be raised aloft in the kingdom of thy command and the stars of Thy divine splendour may shine brightly in the heaven of thy majesty. Potent art Thou to do what pleaseth Thee. Thou, verily, art the Help in Peril, the Self-Subsisting.
SET 2
I beseech Thee, O my God, by all the transcendent glory of Thy Name, to clothe Thy loved ones in the robe of justice and to illumine their beings with the light of trustworthiness. Thou art the One that hath power to do as He pleaseth and Who holdeth within His grasp the reins of all things, visible and invisible.
SET 3
I have wakened in Thy shelter, O my God, and it becometh him that seeketh that shelter to abide within the Sanctuary of Thy protection and the Stronghold of Thy defence. Illumine my inner being, O my Lord, with the splendours of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, even as Thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of Thy favour.
SET 4
O my God, my Master, the Goal of my desire! This, Thy servant, seeketh to sleep in the shelter of Thy mercy, and to repose beneath the canopy of Thy grace, imploring Thy care and Thy protection. I beg of Thee, O my Lord, by Thine eye that sleepeth not, to guard mine eyes from beholding aught beside Thee. Strengthen, then, their vision that they may discern Thy signs, and behold the Horizon of Thy Revelation. Thou art He before the revelations of Whose omnipotence the quintessence of power hath trembled. No God is there but thee, the Almighty, the All-Subduing, The Unconditioned.
A RING UPON THE HAND
STRIVE THAT YOUR ACTIONS
ONE TREE
The source of all good is trust in God, submission unto His command, and contentment with His holy will and pleasure
Submission- accepting and yielding to a higher force or will
Written submission for children’s class teachers was sent out to our community
Contentment- a state of happiness and satisfaction
They finally found contentment in living a life of service
USE THE WORKSHEET
For any words, you are not sure of or record the ones above and save them in your notebook/lapbook Download here
SEND A POSTCARD WITH THE QUOTE TO A FRIEND PRINT OR EMAIL
The story has a historical component to give some background content. Also, there may be props for the story, videos, and other resources to use as you like
As the final lesson, we will learn about the life and Mission of Muḥammad, the last Manifestation Who appeared before the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
Muḥammad was a Manifestation sent by God some 1400 years ago to the people who lived in the region we know as Arabia. You remember that one of the descendants of Abraham, Ishmael, was the father of the Arab people, and they had believed in the one true God and followed His teachings. But centuries had passed, and they had long turned away from Him and had forgotten how to live together peacefully. There were many warring tribes that worshipped idols and behaved in the most cruel and barbarous ways. The great capacity and rich potential of the Arab people were hidden behind veils of ignorance when Muḥammad appeared among them.
Muḥammad was born in the city of Mecca in the year 570 AD. As a young man, He became a merchant, and in His dealings with people He displayed such a sublime and noble character that He was known as “The Truthful” and “The Trustworthy”. At the age of forty, He became aware of His Divine Mission, while praying and meditating in the Cave of Hira. When Muḥammad began to share God’s Message, the people of Mecca rose up against Him, and for some twelve years, He and those who followed Him were the constant targets of the darts of hatred. At last, when Muḥammad’s very life was under threat, they migrated to the city of Medina. It was there that His Message spread rapidly, and many souls came to recognize His station as a Manifestation of God. He taught them that there is only one God to Whom we should turn in worship. It is God Whom we should trust, and by Whose Will we should all abide.
After several years in Medina, Muḥammad returned to His native city of Mecca, where the people also embraced His Cause. And through obedience to the laws and teachings that He revealed, the Arab people were eventually united and became renowned for their learning in the arts and sciences, reaching the greatest heights of civilization. The word “Islám” means “submission to God”, and the light of Islám, the religion founded by Muḥammad, shone across all of Arabia and beyond. His words were recorded in the Qu’rán, the Holy Book of His followers, and today all of humanity has access to His Divine Revelation.
There are 3 Stories in today’s lesson
story 1
Muḥammad’s father died before He was born, and His mother when He was only six. For most of His childhood and youth, He was raised by His uncle. There were no schools for formal education in Arabia at that time, and Muḥammad was not taught to read and write but learned the trade of His uncle, who was a merchant. Over time, as He helped His uncle with his business, Muḥammad gained a reputation for His integrity. He was called “The Truthful”, because He never told a lie, and “The Trustworthy”, because He never deceived anyone and always kept His word. His noble reputation eventually came to the attention of Khadija, a widow who was known for her purity. She came to admire Muḥammad’s honest and upright character. At the age of twenty-five, Muḥammad married Khadija, and they worked together as merchants.
Muḥammad was deeply disturbed by the way the people of Mecca lived. Thousands of years before, a sanctuary had been built in Mecca for the worship of one God as taught by Abraham. But this sacred place, known as the Ka’bah, had long been filled with idols, some say 360 of them, each with a different name and all worshipped by different tribes. These tribes were constantly at war, and when one tribe claimed victory over another, the women and children of the losing tribe were taken captive and suffered greatly as slaves to merciless masters. The region had sunk to the lowest depths of cruelty and despair. Muḥammad, unable to bear the godlessness and degradation of life in Mecca, would often retreat to the Cave of Hira, concealed in a mountain just outside the city, where He would pray and meditate. It was in this cave that Muḥammad, then forty years of age, became aware of His Divine Mission. All around Him He heard the voice of the Angel Gabriel, calling upon Him to speak out in the name of the Lord, God.
Muḥammad returned home and told Khadija what He had experienced. She became the first to recognize His station as a Manifestation and to accept His Message: that there is only one God, He Who had also spoken to the Manifestations of the past; that people should turn to God with humility, worship Him, trust in Him and be obedient to His Will; and that, in accordance with His Will, all people should be kind to one another, honest, and just. For some time, Muḥammad made His station known only to His close relatives and friends, some of whom chose to follow Him, including His cousin ‘Alí and His friend Abú-Bakr.
Story 2
Eventually, Muḥammad proclaimed God’s Message to the people of His tribe. Only a few, however, understood the importance of His words and began to follow His teachings. They became known as Muslims. The others did not want to give up their old ways and live according to the laws of God. The idea of change angered them. They behaved with the utmost cruelty towards Muḥammad and the small but growing band of His followers. When Muḥammad spoke of God’s Message, they laughed at Him and attacked Him with stones. For years Muḥammad and His followers endured violent persecution. Some of His companions were killed and their property confiscated. From time to time, members of His tribe would try to persuade Muḥammad to stop spreading His teachings, in return for wealth or power. He, of course, would refuse. His uncle and His wife were greatly respected in Mecca, and they were able to act as Muḥammad’s protectors for a time. But after their deaths, both in the same year, life for Muslims in the city of Mecca became even more difficult.
After many years of suffering, Muḥammad was visited by two leaders from other tribes. They had decided to embrace His teachings and offered, in the city of Medina, a safe place for the Muslims to live. Muḥammad instructed His followers to move to Medina, and they gradually left Mecca for that city. His enemies, however, were determined to put an end to His life while they had the chance. They devised a plot to kill Him, and one night they surrounded His house with the intention of carrying out their plan. They could easily see inside the house and would know whether He tried to leave. So Muḥammad turned to His faithful cousin ‘Alí. He asked him whether he would be willing to cover himself with a blanket and pretend to be sleeping in His bed. Without hesitation, despite the danger to his own life, ‘Alí gladly accepted. Such was his love for God’s Manifestation. And, while ‘Alí lay resting on the bed, Muḥammad was able to leave the house undetected and join His friend Abú-Bakr.
According to tradition, Muḥammad and Abú-Bakr then made their way out of the city in the dark of night, guided by the moon and stars, and took shelter in a cave in the mountainous desert. By morning it had been realized that Muḥammad was gone, and His enemies were in fast pursuit of Him. As the sun rose, the sound of galloping horses grew louder, and Abú-Bakr was filled with fear. How could he protect Muḥammad here in the desert, he wondered. Abú-Bakr held his breath and listened as the enemies drew closer and closer until there were footsteps just outside the cave. Abú-Bakr heard voices, but he could not make out the words. He was certain that they would be found. But Muḥammad reassured him, reminding him that God was with them. And, indeed, the search party soon left, without even looking inside the cave. You see, there was a spider at the opening of the cave, and right after Muḥammad had entered, it had spun a huge web, closing off the entrance. When the men searching for Muḥammad reached the cave, they assumed no one could be inside it because the web was perfect and unbroken. It must have been a very long time since anyone had entered that cave, they thought. So they continued looking elsewhere, but with no success. Tired, frustrated and confused, they finally returned to Mecca empty-handed. Muḥammad and Abú-Bakr remained in the cave for three days to make sure the enemies had gone and then left through another opening, preserving the web that had served as their protection. With camels brought by a trusted friend, they set out for Medina, traveling by night for several days, until they, at last, reached that city safely. Muḥammad’s move from Mecca to Medina is known as the Hijrah.
Story 3
From His new home of Medina, Muḥammad was able to teach God’s laws and commandments much more widely, and people from different tribes began to live together in harmony according to His teachings. Those who rejected them, however, were still determined to kill Muḥammad and His followers. The Muslims were steadfast in their faith and devoted to God and His laws. They did their utmost to avoid contention. But, they knew the cruelty of their enemies, and at times they were forced to take up arms to defend themselves and protect their children from enslavement. Over time, the sacrifices of the Muslims and their transformed way of life helped people to realize the truth of God’s Message.
There are many accounts that show the transformative effect of the spiritual powers that emanated from the Person of Muḥammad. In one such account, it is said that Muḥammad once awoke to find a soldier armed with a sword standing above Him, intending to take His life. The angry man asked, “Who is there now to save Thee?” Muḥammad replied that God would save Him. The soldier became afraid and dropped the sword, which Muḥammad picked up. He then asked the soldier who would save him. The man did not follow God’s teachings and realized that he was alone, with no one to come to his aid. Muḥammad did not harm the soldier but handed the sword back to him, telling him to learn to show forth mercy. The man was changed by this experience and devoted himself to Muḥammad and His teachings.
After several years the people of Mecca agreed to let the Muslims visit the holy sanctuary, the Ka’bah, where they could gather once a year to worship God. But soon the agreement collapsed, and the city was once again closed to the Muslims. The followers of Muḥammad now numbered in the thousands, and they went to Mecca en masse, ready to draw arms if necessary. But the people, seeing the waves of His followers approaching the city, surrendered without resistance. Muḥammad then made a pilgrimage, or hajj, to the Ka’bah, which He restored to a place of worship dedicated to the praise and glorification of the one true God.
Eventually, many of those who had at first rejected Muḥammad’s teachings came to believe in one God and changed their ways, striving to align their will with the Will of God. Through His words, which were recorded in a Holy Book called the Qu’rán, they learned to turn their hearts to God, especially through prayer and fasting, and to reflect those heavenly qualities that Muḥammad had manifested throughout His life. Under His influence, the people of the region rose from the sad condition in which He found them to the highest state of civilization. The warring tribes united and systems for organizing communities into well-ordered nations were established. Great universities were founded, knowledge of arts and sciences expanded, and new and beautiful forms of architecture emerged. At a time when other parts of the world were in decline, the Arab world flourished and the effects of Muḥammad’s teachings ushered in a whole new era of human civilization.
Today we will act out the story of Zoroaster’s visit to the court of Vishtaspa, culminating in the king’s acceptance of Zoroaster’s Message.
Need a Narrator: The part of the Manifestation Himself is never portrayed by a person.
Vishtaspa,
the scheming priests,
and joyful courtiers.
How do the courtiers express the joy in their hearts?
How does Vishtaspa react to Zoroaster’s words?
What expressions and gestures does he use to show his eagerness to hear more?
How do the priests act when Zoroaster first arrives?
How does their reaction change?
What might they say to each other in plotting to have Him banished from the court?
Hula Hoop Pass
Have the group form a circle holding hands. Ask two people to let go of their grip long enough for them to place their hands through a hula hoop before rejoining them.
The team task is to pass the hula hoop around the circle in a specified direction until it returns to the starting point.
Silly Willy
Two lines stand facing each other and become teams.
One player from each team, at the opposite end of the line, start by bowing to each other and calling out “Silly Willy”
The two players then walk toward and past each other without laughter or smiling, while the teams attempt to make the passer-by from the opposite team burst into laughter. (specify beforehand that it all needs to be clean and appropriate)
If a player should crack a smile, they join the line of their opponents.
5. The game ends when there is only one team left, or everyone is too laughed out to continue!
LAYERED PAPER: INSPIRED BY THE STORY OF ZOROASTER GOING TO THE MOUNTAINS
This is a layered paper scene of the mountain area where Zohrester went to pray and meditate to find the truth. The quote will be attached to this layered paper scene.
Instructions
Download pdf, print, and cut
layer using foam tape or cardboard pieces so that each layer is slightly raised
Try making a never-ending card. the pictures can be all the same as the video below, or have them transform from something like a cocoon to a butterfly, etc.
Nice activity that becomes the snack. Show the children how kernels transform into popcorn but need something for this to happen: heat and oil. Once it transforms, it takes up a different space and looks different. Here is a link for more information if needed
Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others.
I recently signed up for a Simon Says Card Kit of the Month and because I live in Canada, It did not get here until a few days ago (September 20th!). I was so excited to get this month’s kit for a few reasons. First of all, it had two stamp sets in it. and secondly, one of the stamps was a large stamp, my first ever.
Heads Up, before we go any further, this is a SHORT post!
My first look at the stamp and I was so excited. I knew what I wanted to do: use clear embossing ink and heat emboss. I lined it up in my stamping tool and dabbed embossing ink on it. STAMP. Not all areas of the stamp got inked!
Try number two, inked it all up. STAMP. Spaces in the image. Glad to have my stamping tool! I was ok to keep going as the image was stamping in the same spot over and over because of the stamping tool: mine is a Tim Holtz tool.
Well, I have to say by the fourth try, I was fed up! I decided that since I put all this energy into the thing, I might as will heat emboss what I could. I finished up the heat embossing and wondered if I could cut the image apart and used the pieces in different cards… I figured, hey, I have spent a good 15 mn with this, let me colour it in and see what it looks like before I start the cutting process..
So I coloured in the image MY STYLE which translates to no real knowledge of shading etc. Once it was finished I fussy cut it out.
I have to say that given all the mistakes with me not stamping it correctly, and colouring it incorrectly, I still like how it looks.
Next time I will not cut it out as there is too much inner white space, so I will just stamp it on the card base that I will use.
Baha’i Children’s class grade 3 (and kindergarten to grade 4) has been up and running on my course content platform free to anyone, all you need is to create an account and use it. For Grade 3, it has taken me a while to add the free downloadable resources for each of the lesson plans suggested in the Ruhi book. Just a note, while putting these lessons up, I used the curriculum from the Ruhi material, material found on other websites, lessons from the Australian Peace Pack, and Brilliant star magazine. The material I am adding is mainly developed by me or ideas found on other websites and modified. In my post today, I will share some of the new content that I have so far. This content is not on any other Baha’i children site (yet) but you are most welcome to upload it to your site (please give the credit and link to this blog) To access all the material developed so far: visit the registration page where all my Ruhi book 3 children’s class material are hosted. To make your own unique resources check out my post on how I create my resources
Lesson Design
Grade 3 contains SIXTEEN lessons, divided into THREE sets. The themes of the 3 sets are listed below, include three lessons.
The Fundamental Concepts Related to the Manifestations of God
The Lives and Missions of the Manifestations of God Who appeared before the Báb and Baha’u’llah
The Life and Mission of the Báb
Each lesson is broken down into the following sections:
Prayer
Music
Quote
Stories
Games / Narrative
Crafts/ Activities
Review of quotes from Grade 2
Resources
Prayer
The prayer section contains the prayers to be memorized and any video content that may be available, as well any as memorization aids. I also created postcards that can be emailed or printed and sent to friends in your neighborhood, or far away to say “Hi, thinking of you” Download the free postcard on the Children’s Class site, or from my Google drive here
Quote
For memorization of the quote, each lesson has a worksheet to fill in the definitions of any words the student is not sure of, this is a great way to build a personal dictionary of words and keep them in the class notebook or lapbook. By the way, I WILL be going back and adding material to compile lapbooks! I speak about lapbooks on the class platform and have some up for Grade 2. Although I am very excited about lapbooks as a learning resource, it is time-consuming to develop. This free worksheet can be download here or sign in to the lessons on Coach Zippy to download this and many more unique and free resources.
Story
The story section for Grade 3 typically has more than one story to choose from. In every lesson there are 2 documents that can be used with any story, one allows for the drawing of the main events and the other leans towards a written summary. Each lesson has different resources from a video of the story, slideshow of the story to questions specific to that story. We are always looking for resources, so feel free to reach out to us here on this blog or on the Coach Zippy platform. Below is the storyboard for drawing the main sequence of events.
Games and Narration
This section takes one of the stories and gives suggestions on how to act it out, or just how to tell the story with props. Sometimes, I put the props in a PDf as pictures, and other times, it’s up to the teacher to gather the props. If you like, any of the interactive games used in grade 2 can be substituted.
Craft and activity
Creating new crafts and activities not available on any other Baha’i children’s class site is something I love to try. Its not always possible and I do add what I know and find. There are some sites that have great paid content and some are free. Twinkl is a Canadian site with Baha’i content that has some free as well as paid content. I use the Australian Peace Pack, and Briliant Star magazine for many of the lessons and also Dayspring Magazine for a few.
Review Quote
This section is where a quote from grade 2 is reviewed. The document I created has the quote, then the second page is to fill in the blank and the third page is the answer page.
Quote to review from Grade 2 Children’s classfill in the blank quote reviewAnswer to the fill in the blanks for Quote review
Thank you for reading I hope that some of these free downloadable resources make your class more interesting and the information easier for the students to assimilate. Visit our platform to access all the free downloadable goodies.
For all of you card makers/ crafters who love shadow box cards AKA tunnel cards, here is a free template for you to use: Your card in 10 min
Ok so 10 minutes for those of you who own a Silhouette Cameo or Cricut. For those of you who do not own a machine then this will take about 20 to 30 minutes
Shadow Box: summer at the beach
The photo above is the free template to download ( see below) with free images I found on public domain welded on to the card.I used different colour cardstock so that I could show the layers better. You can use one colour or many colours. You could add cut out pieces, for instance to the palm tree, add green leaves etc.
The Template has the following pieces:
Front and Back pieces of Shadow box card. Dashed lines are fold lines.The inside parts that “slot in” to the main frame of the card.
Extra Back piece that can have a background scene
How to use the template:
To use this template with Silhouette or Cricut,
Download and open the file.
Gather the images you want to use in your card from files you have or free images on Google. If they are PNG images you need to trace and make them Studio or SVG
Make sure each section is ungrouped from the dashed lines (the fold lines)
Place your image on card and use Weld (Silhouette) /Attach (Cricut) to attach the image to the card so that it is one piece. The template has a few extra pieces that can be used in a merge and will form hills or clouds.
Group dashed lines to card before you move around
Send to cut.
To Use Without a cutting machine
Download the PDF file.
Print the images of the Shadow box onto cardstock.
Cut out the pieces including the inside rectangles of the pieces.
Use scrapbook embellishments or photos printed on cardstock and cut out. The template has a few extra pieces that can be used as hills or clouds.
Glue images to the inside of the frame ( the cutout section rectangle section)
How to Assemble
The front and back of card glue together to form a box that is open on top and bottom.
The inner pieces slide in to this open frame box in the order that you like and the tabs glue to the sides.
Note that the tabs should all be glued to one side first and bent in the same direction.
