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Baha'i Children class Free Kids Can Do Ruhi Book 3

GOD’S MANIFESTATIONS ILLUMINE HUMAN HEARTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD G3 L2

Grade 3 Lesson 2

WELCOME GRADE 3 RUHI BOOK 3

The purpose of this lesson is to enhance our understanding that we know God through His Manifestations and that, by listening to and following their words, we do what is pleasing to God.

The Manifestations of God tell us about the Will of God and the purpose of our lives, that we were created to know God and to worship Him, and that we should learn to live according to His Will. 

God knows what is best for us. He has created us and bestowed upon us great capacities that we must each develop. To do so, we must recognize the Manifestations of God and follow their teachings. For example, we all have the capacity to be generous to our friends, not wanting everything for ourselves. The Manifestations of God teach us how to be generous and when we follow this teaching, we are acting in a way that is pleasing to God. When we forgive others, as all the Manifestations have taught us to do, we know we are doing what God desires.

 Similarly, we should love one another and be kind to each other, we should tell the truth and be sincere, and so on.

Knowledge brought to humanity by God’s Manifestations is not acquired through book learning or schooling.

The Manifestations of God know exactly what we need. They are all-knowing and all-wise, for their knowledge comes directly from God, Whose knowledge holds all things.

What does it mean that God’s knowledge holds all things?

Is there anything whatsoever that can escape God?

The Manifestations of God are the source of His knowledge on earth. What they say is true, and through their teachings, we are able to distinguish between right and wrong. They reflect the beauty of God, which we learn to love and cherish. The more we follow their teachings, the closer we get to God. And we help the world become more beautiful, as He created it to be.

ruhi book 3 grade 3 prayer

O Thou Whose face is the object of my adoration, Whose beauty is my sanctuary, Whose habitation is my goal, Whose praise is my hope, Whose providence is my companion, Whose love is the cause of my being, Whose mention is my solace, Whose nearness is my desire, Whose presence is my dearest wish and highest aspiration, I entreat Thee not to withhold from me the things Thou didst ordain for the chosen ones among Thy servants.  Supply me, then, with the good of this world and of the next. Thou, truly, art the King of all men.  There is no God but Thee, the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Generous.

Bahá’u’lláh

Would anyone like to say a prayer?

Memorization Aid

Cut the prayer apart like a puzzle and put it back together

ruhi book 3 grade 3 song
The purpose of these educators
The Purpose
Consort with the followers of all religions
Brilliant Star Magazine Music

Download Treble Chef’s Music Cafe: The Spirit is the same here

ruhi book 3 grade 3 quote

In the following passage, Bahá’u’lláh speaks of the duty of every human being to recognize God’s Manifestation on earth and to follow that which He ordains—this, out of our love for God. Are there any words or phrases you find difficult or unfamiliar?

Say: O ye lovers of the One true God! Strive, that ye may truly recognize and know Him, and observe befittingly His precepts. 

Bahá’u’lláh
Memorization Aids

Quote to cut apart and put together

Use the Worksheet For Any Words You Do Not Know

Download Here

There are so many accounts in the history of the Faith that offer insight into the theme of this lesson, that God’s Manifestations shine forth the light of His knowledge, brightening the world of humanity and illuminating human hearts.

For this lesson, there are 4 stories that will enable you to understand what it means that the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh possessed innate knowledge. Read all or just one as time permits.

Download all 4 stories HERE

Resource

Use the generic storyboard to draw as the story is being read or use blank paper. There is also the comic strip, story report, and How Do you feel? that can be used during storytelling.

Access here

Vignette 1:

The father of the Báb passed away when He was a small child, and He was raised by His uncle, who placed Him in school around the age of five. The Báb, of course, was endowed by God with innate knowledge and did not need to be instructed by any man. But He obeyed His uncle’s wishes and attended school with the other boys. He was told by His uncle, who had already noticed His extraordinary qualities, that, while in class, He should follow the example set by His fellow students.

Now, the schoolmaster was a man of great learning, and he taught the boys how to read and recite verses from the Qur’án, the Holy Book of Islám. One day, he asked the Báb to recite the opening words of the Qur’án. The Báb hesitated. He then replied that, unless He was told what the words meant, He would not attempt to recite them aloud. The schoolmaster pretended not to know their meaning, and so the Báb asked for permission to explain them. He then spoke with such knowledge and clarity that the schoolmaster was struck with amazement. Never before had he heard or read such an eloquent explanation of these words, and he immediately recognized the great capacity of the Báb and realized there was nothing that he could teach Him. He decided to take the Báb back to His uncle and tell him that he was unworthy to instruct so remarkable a child. He found the uncle alone in his office and said: “I have brought Him back to you and commit Him to your vigilant protection. He is not to be treated as a mere child . . .” The uncle turned to the Báb and said: “Have You forgotten my instructions? Have I not already admonished You to follow the example of Your fellow-pupils, to observe silence, and to listen attentively to every word spoken by Your teacher?” Promising to follow His uncle’s wishes, the Báb returned to school. But do you think anything could stop the flow of His intuitive knowledge? Surely not, and day after day, His teacher was amazed by the signs of wisdom and greatness that were manifest in Him.

Vignette 2:

There are many stories from the time of Bahá’u’lláh that demonstrate how people were attracted to His knowledge and awed by it. One such story is about the visit Bahá’u’lláh made to Núr, the district of His birth in Mázindarán in Persia, soon after He accepted the truth of the Báb’s Revelation.

The enthusiasm with which the people of Mázindarán greeted Bahá’u’lláh was indeed extraordinary. They were spellbound by the eloquence of His speech. The arguments and proofs He set forth, as He announced the dawning of a new Day, convinced them of the greatness of the Cause of the Báb. They admired His enthusiasm and were deeply impressed by His detachment and self-effacement. No one dared oppose Him except His own uncle ‘Azíz, who became jealous of the love and respect Bahá’u’lláh was receiving from the people.

Alarmed by Bahá’u’lláh’s success, ‘Azíz decided to seek the assistance of a well-known clergyman in the region, presumably the possessor of great knowledge. “Behold what has befallen the Faith,” exclaimed ‘Azíz. “A youth, a layman, attired in the garb of nobility, has come to Núr, has invaded the strongholds of orthodoxy, and disrupted the holy Faith of Islám. Arise, and resist his onslaught.” The clergyman did not find in himself the strength to confront Bahá’u’lláh, so he did his best to quiet ‘Azíz, assured him that he would be protected, and dismissed him. But the Message Bahá’u’lláh had brought to the region was rapidly spreading, and the clergyman’s students kept pressuring him to visit Bahá’u’lláh in person and find out for himself the nature of this new Revelation. Finally, after much delay, he decided to send two of the most learned and trusted individuals in his company to visit Bahá’u’lláh and determine the true character of the Message He had brought. He promised to everyone that he would accept the judgment of these two trusted souls and would abide by their decision.

When these two emissaries reached the presence of Bahá’u’lláh, He was in a gathering, engaged in revealing a commentary on one of the chapters of the Qur’án. With great self- assurance, they entered the meeting and sat down, prepared to ask questions and examine the extent of Bahá’u’lláh’s knowledge. But as they listened to the voice of Bahá’u’lláh, they were enraptured by the eloquence of His speech and the profound meaning of His statements. Mullá ‘Abbás, one of these two emissaries, was entirely overwhelmed. He arose from his seat, walked back slowly and stood beside the door in an attitude of utter submissiveness. “You behold my condition,” he told his friend as he trembled with emotion and with eyes full of tears. “I am powerless to question Bahá’u’lláh. The questions I had planned to ask Him have vanished suddenly from my memory. You are free either to proceed with your inquiry or to return alone to our teacher and inform him of the state in which I find myself. Tell him from me that ‘Abbás can never again return to him. He can no longer forsake this threshold.” His companion found himself in a similar state. “I have ceased to recognize my teacher,” he replied.

“This very moment, I have vowed to God to dedicate the remaining days of my life to the service of Bahá’u’lláh, my true and only Master.”

So the two emissaries of the famous clergyman never went back to their teacher. The news of their conversion traveled fast. It awakened the people from their sleep. People of all walks of life journeyed to Núr in order to enter the presence of Bahá’u’lláh and partake of His Divine knowledge. A considerable number of them accepted the new Faith of God. But as you know, this and the many other early successes of the Cause aroused the envy of those who took advantage of the people’s ignorance in order to rule over them. Soon a tremendous wave of persecution arose throughout the entire country, bringing unimaginable sufferings to both the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.

Vignette 3:

Shaykh Ḥasan was a devoted follower of the Báb, who, for many years, lived in the city of Karbilá. The Báb had instructed Shaykh Ḥasan to go to Karbilá and remain in that city, for there he would see with his own eyes “the beauteous countenance of the promised Ḥusayn”. “Countenance” means “face”, and by “the promised Ḥusayn” the Báb meant Bahá’u’lláh. At that time Bahá’u’lláh had not yet declared that He was the Promised One of All Ages, so His station was not known to people. The Báb, Who Himself was a Manifestation of God, of course knew this hidden truth.

Thus Shaykh Ḥasan made his home in Karbilá. Days, weeks and months went by, and he did not meet the Promised One; yet, he did not lose heart. He was certain that the day would come when he would enter into His presence. Shaykh Ḥasan lived a simple life. He worked as a scribe, and although the pay was not good and he was not without hardship, he was content. He was careful not to talk too much about the Báb because there were many enemies of the Faith in Karbilá at that time who were ready to create trouble for the Bábís whenever they could. More important still, he spoke to no one about the Báb’s special promise to him.

Then the day arrived when the eyes of Shaykh Ḥasan fell upon the countenance of Bahá’u’lláh. It was the fall of 1851, and Bahá’u’lláh had traveled to Karbilá. Bahá’u’lláh’s majesty, His kindliness, the sweetness of His smile, all had a profound effect on Shaykh Ḥasan’s soul. He was an old man by then, bowed with age. Bahá’u’lláh lovingly took him by the hand and said in a humorous tone: “This very day I have purposed to make you known as a Bábí throughout Karbilá.” Still holding his hand in His, He continued to converse with him. He walked with him along the market-street and showered love and affection upon him. Shaykh Ḥasan was beside himself. His heart was full of joy but he did not understand why he felt such happiness. Then, in a voice that was at once powerful and loving, Bahá’u’lláh told him: “Praise be to God that you have remained in Karbilá, and have beheld with your own eyes the countenance of the promised Ḥusayn.”

Shaykh Ḥasan instantly knew that the Báb’s promise had been fulfilled. He was indeed gazing on the countenance of the promised Ḥusayn. His faithful years of patience had been rewarded with the greatest of gifts: to have recognized the Manifestation of God for today.

Vignette 4:

God watches over us, and we live under the protection of His Manifestation, Whose knowledge is bestowed on Him by God. There once was an Egyptian merchant by the name of ‘Abdu’l-Karím who was on fire with the love of God and had a burning desire to enter the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. So he wrote for permission to visit the Holy Land. Bahá’u’lláh answered that he could come on pilgrimage, but only after he had paid all his debts.

Now, ‘Abdu’l-Karím had a very large business and also many, many debts. When he received Bahá’u’lláh’s answer, he instantly obeyed and began to pay the money he owed to his creditors. But, to his surprise, this did not turn out to be so easy. He had to stop expanding his business. Each time he received some money, he paid a debt instead of buying new merchandise to sell. So business shrank and shrank until finally, after five years, when all his debts were paid, ‘Abdu’l-Karím was no longer a rich man. In fact he only had enough money to provide for his wife’s needs and buy a ticket on a boat to the Holy Land. And he did not travel in the comfort to which he had grown accustomed as a wealthy merchant; he remained on deck and could hardly keep himself warm from the chill of the wind.

The day ‘Abdu’l-Karím’s boat was to arrive in Haifa, Bahá’u’lláh told His family that He was expecting an honored guest. A carriage was sent to the port to pick up the respected merchant and drive him to ‘Akká. But the man who went looking for ‘Abdu’l-Karím was expecting a wealthy guest and did not recognize the poorly dressed man who came off the boat carrying only a few possessions. So he went back and reported that the guest had not arrived.

Try to imagine ‘Abdu’l-Karím’s disappointment when he saw that there was no one at the port to receive him. He had no addresses in Haifa and did not even have enough money to take a carriage to ‘Akká. He sat on a bench drowned in sorrow. Unwanted thoughts kept creeping into his head: Had Bahá’u’lláh actually forgotten him? Had he freed himself of every obligation so that he could enter the presence of his Lord only to find himself in a strange land with no one to turn to? Oh, how happy he had been while he was preparing himself for pilgrimage. Was this to be the end to all those years of preparation?

In spite of the report He had received, Bahá’u’lláh of course knew that His guest had arrived. So, this time He asked ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to go to Haifa and bring the respected merchant to His presence. When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arrived at the port, He immediately recognized that the honored guest was none other than the lonely man sitting on the bench lost in sadness. He approached him, greeted him with love and affection, and explained to him what had happened. It was now late and night was falling. He asked ‘Abdu’l-Karím if he desired to go to ‘Akká that very night or wait until morning. With all the bitter thoughts that had passed through his mind, ‘Abdu’l-Karím no longer felt ready to enter the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. He wanted to spend the night in prayer and meditation to prepare himself for the great bounty that awaited him. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, of course, understood this. He sat on the bench by ‘Abdu’l-Karím, opened the long cloak He was wearing and wrapped it around him so they would both have some protection from the cold. All throughout that night, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and ‘Abdu’l-Karím prayed and let their souls be filled with the joy of the Kingdom. Then in the morning ‘Abdu’l-Karím, freed and purified, appeared before Bahá’u’lláh and received a plentiful share of Divine love and bounty.

Extra stories from Brilliant Star Magazine

Seasons of spirit

Baha’u’llah Life Timeline

RUHI BOOK 3 GRADE 3 GAMES/ NARRATION
CHOOSE ONE OF THE STORIES AND ACT IT OUT. 

REMEMBER THAT NO ONE PORTRAYS THE MESSENGER OF GOD.

Scene 1: The people of Mazindaran that are hearing the proofs Baha’u’llah is saying and are convinced of the greatness of the day of God being brought by the Bab.
  • The people are very enthusiastically welcoming Baha’u’llah (maybe hearing shouts of Welcome, Baha’u’llah!  Welcome!)
  • People are spellbound by the eloquence of His speech (How are they behaving?)
  • They are convinced of the truth of the dawning of a new Day of God, and they believe in the greatness of the Bab. (What might they be saying?)
  • They admire Baha’u’llah for His detachment and self-effacement (What might they be saying?)
Scene 2: Aziz goes to the well-known Mulla that is a teacher and speaks to Him.
  • Aziz, Baha’u’llah’s uncle, is jealous of the love and respect Baha’u’llah is receiving from the people and is alarmed by Baha’u’llah’s success (Aziz- get in character!)
  • Aziz seeks the advice of a well-known Mulla of the region.

 Aziz will need the following script as part of this scene:

Aziz: “O viceregent of the Prophet of God!  Behold what has befallen the Faith of Islam!   A youth, a layman, attired in the garb of nobility, has come to Nur, has invaded the strongholds of orthodoxy, and disrupted the holy Faith of Islam.  Arise, and resist his onslaught.”

  • The Mulla does not find in himself the strength to confront Baha’u’llah,s o he does his best to quiet Aziz, assuring him that he will be protected and then dismisses him
Scene 3: The students of the Mulla asking him to visit Baha’u’llah in person and find out for himself the nature of this new Revelation sent by God. 

The Mulla decides to send two of the most learned and trusted individuals in his company to visit Baha’u’llah and see if the Message is true, saying that He would abide by their decision.

  • The Message of Baha’u’llah keeps spreading rapidly and the Mulla’s students keep pressuring him to visit Baha’u’llah in person and find out for himself the nature of this new Revelation (can have someone come and ask the students have you heard about the Message Baha’u’llah is giving about the coming of a new Day of God? And then have the students pressure the Mulla to find out more about it).
  • Still the Mulla does not have the courage to do so, but FINALLY after much delay, he decides to send two of his most learned and trusted individuals in his company to visit Baha’u’llah and determine the true character of the Message He brought. (What might have the conversation sounded like?)
  • The Mulla promises everyone that he will accept the judgment of these two trusted souls and abide by their decisions.
Scene 4: The 2 trusted mullas set out and then arrive at a gathering where Baha’u’llah is sharing the meaning of a Holy Book.  They listen to His great knowledge and are transformed. 
  • The two mullas leave their teacher and set out to where Baha’u’llah is staying (what might have been their conversation in route?)
  • They reach the presence of Baha’u’llah and He is in a gathering, revealing the meaning of some of the passages of the holy book of Islam, the Quran 
  • The two mullas enter the meeting with great self-assurance, and sit down close to the front, prepared to ask questions and examine the extent of Baha’u’llah’s knowledge (What is their attitude like?  They think they know more than a Messenger of God and have come to test His knowledge- they are very arrogant)
  • They listen to the voice of Baha’u’llah and become enraptured by the eloquence of His speech and the profound meaning of His statements. 
  • Mulla Abbas becomes entirely overwhelmed by the greatness of the knowledge of the Manifestation of God, stands up, walks back slowly and stands beside the door in an attitude of utter submissiveness. (He has become humbled by his interaction with the Manifestation of God.)

Mulla Abbas needs the following script as part of this scene:

Mulla Abbas: Arising from his seat, walking back slowly and standing near the door in an attitude of utter submissiveness,  with a trembling voice and eyes full of joyful tears, say “You behold my condition.  I am powerless to question Baha’u’llah.  The questions I had planned to ask Him have vanished suddenly from my memory.  You are free either to proceed with your inquiry or to return alone to our teacher and inform him of the state in which I find myself.  Tell him that Abbas can never again return to him.  He can no longer forsake this threshold.”

  • Mulla Abbas’ companion responds that he finds himself in a similar state! Mulla Abbas’ companion says the following…

Mulla Abbas’ companion needs the following script as part of this scene:

Mulla Abbas’ companion: “I have ceased to recognize my teacher.  This very moment, I have vowed to God to dedicate the remaining days of my life to the service of Baha’u’llah, my true and only Master.”

  • The two emissaries never go back to their teacher.  They decide to stay and follow Baha’u’llah, to serve and teach His Cause.
Scene 5:  News of the conversion of the two Mullas spreads throughout the land and people of all walks of life journey to Nur to enter the presence of Baha’u’llah and partake of His divine knowledge.
  • News spreads fast about the conversion of these two mullas (What might the people have said to each other after this?)
  • People of all walks of life journey to Nur to be in the presence of Baha’u’llah and partake of His divine knowledge (What might they be saying?  Why do they want to be near Baha’u’llah?)
  • A considerable number of them accept the new Faith of God (What might they say upon recognizing the truth that their hearts have yearned for?)

Download a printable version here

RUHI BOOK 3 GRADE 3 CRAFTS/ ACTIVITIES
MAKE A SUN CATCHER AND ADD THE  LABEL “GOD’S MANIFESTATIONS  ILLUMINE HUMAN HEARTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD”

HERE is a template heart that you can use.

Stick washi tape or tissue paper on one heart and then glue the second heart on top the first.

MAKE A HEART LIGHT-UP CARD

This craft requires special materials that may not be available near your location.

Jar With Lights

Use a jar with an outline of a heart taped on it. The label “God’s manifestations illumine human hearts with the knowledge of God” can be used

View instructions  HERE

A Simple Gluing Activity

Paste the quote onto a heart. Download here

Download “our purpose” glue activity  HERE

From the Australian Peace Pack HERE

BRILLIANT STAR MAGAZINE

WHAT DO YOU SAY?

BAHA LEADING UPWARDS

ruhi book 3 grade 3 review quote

O Son of Man! Neglect not My commandments if thou lovest My beauty, and forget not My counsels if thou wouldst attain My good pleasure.

Memorization aid here

Categories
Baha'i Children class Free Kids Can Do Ruhi Book 3

WHY WE PRAY GRADE 2 LESSON 2

WELCOME

Welcome to the lesson on Why We Pray. In this lesson, we will try to answer the question WHY DO WE PRAY? We will continue to memorize the prayer  O Lord! I am a child; enable me to grow,  We will learn a new quote, hear more songs and stories, do crafts, and games, and continue to learn.

EACH SET HAS PRAYERS TO MEMORIZE

For the next 2 classes, we will memorize the following prayer 

O Lord! I am a child; enable me to grow beneath the shadow of Thy loving kindness. I am a tender plant; cause me to be nurtured through the outpourings of the clouds of Thy bounty. I am a sapling of the garden of love; make me into a fruitful tree. Thou art the Mighty and the Powerful, and Thou art the All-Loving, the All-Knowing, the All-Seeing.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá
G2 PRAYER SET 1

Would Anyone Like To Say A Prayer?

Send A Prayer To A Family Near You!
Postcard
Memorization Aid

Download and print the memorization aid. Use it as part of the lapbook or glue it into your class notebook.

Download Filling the blank Memorization Aid here

Download the Prayer, Print and Glue to your class notebook. Download Here

Songs for grade 2
BE HAPPY
TEACHING PEACE
Greatest Longing Of Every Soul
Quote for class to memorize

We know that God has created every one of us and that He is aware of what we need and what we want. He is the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. Why, then should we pray? God does not need our prayers, but we pray because it serves to strengthen our souls, for prayer is life food for the soul. Prayer brings life to the soul. We should pray in the morning, evening, during difficult times, and at times of great gladness. Of course, we do not only pray for ourselves but also for our family, our friends, our community, and for all of humanity.

Abdu’l-Baha assures us that if we pray for something that is in agreement with God’s wisdom, then God will provide us with it. But sometimes, unknowingly we ask for things that will harm us, and God, in His infinite wisdom does not grant our wish. To help us remember why we pray, let us memorize the following words of Abdu’l-Baha:

It is the greatest longing of every soul who is attracted to the Kingdom of God to find time to turn with entire devotion to his Beloved, so as to seek His bounty and blessing and immerse himself in the ocean of communion, entreaty, and supplication.

Abdu’l-Baha
MEANING OF WORDS
Longing

When Tanya’s brother went away to university, she missed him very much.  Tanya felt a great longing in her heart to be near her brother again. 

Rodrigo was tired after working many hours in the fields, planting crops. At the end of the day, he longed to rest.

She stood before the meeting with her head bowed and her eyes closed. Silence filled the room.  Then she lifted her head and began to intone the verses of God in a melodious voice.

Bahereh taught her children to intone beautiful prayers at the beginning of each new day and in the evening before they slept.

Immerse

In order to boil an egg, it must be completely covered with water.  To boil the egg, you must immerse it in water.

After working on the engine of the car, Norman’s hands were dirty and greasy.  So he filled a bucket of water from the well and put his hands into the water, washing off the dirt and grease.  His hands were immersed in the water.

Communion

Because of the difficulties in their own country, all the brothers left their homeland and went to different places around the world to look for work.  Many years went by, and they did not see each other or speak to one another.  But They remained in communion through their thoughts and prayers, and eventually, they were joyfully reunited as old men. 

When we pray, we turn our hearts to God and converse with Him.  Prayer is communion with God.

Entreaty

One of the king’s subjects was in great need, so he begged the king to assist him.  The king considered his subject’s entreaty and agreed to help.

The teachers were concerned that the textbooks the children were using were out of date and did not cover the latest discoveries and the most recent information, so they asked the principal to order new ones.  The principal listened to their entreaty, and now the children are using up-to-date textbooks.

MEMORIZATION CARDS FOR LESSON 2 QUOTE

MEMORIZATION WORKSHEET HERE

STORY RELATED TO LESSON
A Story To Illustrate The Importance Of Praying Daily

This is a story of one of the early Baha’is in the West, Lua Getsinger, and an important lesson she learned about prayer.  Lua loved God very much, and she often turned to him in supplication, that she might be enabled to live a life of service.  She prayed, too, that her eager and enthusiastic spirit would learn to be patient.  Of course, she wanted to learn quickly, without having to wait too long!

Lua knew that ‘Abdu’l-Baha wanted her to learn patience.  One day, when she was visiting Him in the Holy Land, He helped her to see that there are some things for which we must always make time, no matter how hurried we might feel.  Rushing off to breakfast without having said her usual morning prayers, Lua met ‘Abdu’l-Baha in the hallway.  He looked at her, staring deeply into her eyes.  And what do you think he said to her? “Lua,” He said, “you must never eat material food in the morning until you have had your spiritual food.”  So it was that Lua learned she must never fail to draw sustenance from God’s heavenly bounties, the source of true strength.

Another Story about Prayer: The Bejewelled Sword

There was once a little child in Persia during the days of Persia’s ancient glory.  It was customary in those days that whenever there was an important feast the people would share gifts with their friends and loved ones.  So this little child prayed very hard and loudly for a bejeweled sword to be his gift.

At the time of the feast, this little boy was waiting, eagerly to receive the sword he had prayed so hard for.  However, the time passed and the feast was almost over and the child did not receive any sword as a gift.  He was quite sad and disappointed.

His father, who never believed in God or in any kind of prayers, saw his son’s disappointment and said, “My son, can’t you see, your prayers were not answered?”

The son looked at his father and replied, “Oh yes father, my prayers were answered.”

“How can that be?” asked the father in surprise.   “You did not receive the bejeweled sword that you desired so much.

“But father, don’t you understand?” said the child, “The answer is ‘no’.  God said No.” 

GAMES FOR GRADE 2 TO PLAY
Activities to help students develop skills and abilities related to drama.
  1. As you did in the previous lesson, have the children stand about two meters apart and imagine that they are in their own squares.  You may ask them each to walk along the border of their square.
  2. Ask the children to raise their arms and, stretching from the tips of their toes to the tips of their fingers, reach towards the sky.  Now, tell them to relax and let their arms and head hang freely.  Repeat this exercise three or four times.
  3. Next, ask your students to stand as tall as they can and raise their arms over their heads, pressing the palms of their hands together. They are candles burning brightly.  Explain to them that you will slowly count backward from ten.  As you do so, they should pretend they are melting.  By the time you reach zero, they should be like a pool of wax on the ground. The children should remain in that position until you give them the signal to move again.

The above exercises will have helped the children develop their skills of movement and physical expression.  They will also need to acquire increasingly effective skills of verbal expression. To assist them, ask them to say the sentence “Good morning”

  • as though they were respectfully greeting a teacher
  • as though they were excited to see a friend
  • as though they had met a friend who was feeling sad
  • as though they were trying not to wake a sleeping baby


The second set of activities has to do with the theme of today’s lesson: why we pray.  Tell the children that they are now going to improvise a situation to show why we need to eat every day to maintain our physical strength. Explain, that our souls need to turn to God in prayer to grow and remain strong and healthy.  

  1. Begin by having the children return to their imaginary squares.  Ask them to show that they are full of strength by pretending to lift some imaginary objects; by jumping up high to reach something in an imaginary tree; or by building an imaginary tower.
  2. Now, tell the children to pretend they are getting hungry and feeling weak.  Ask them to repeat the lifting, jumping, and building exercises.
  3. Then, tell them that they are receiving food and beginning to feel strong again.  Ask them to repeat the exercises once more.
BROKEN TELEPHONE

Speaking to God is like making a phone call, you speak and have to wait for an answer.

What happens if you don’t understand the answer? Play the game broken telephone

CRAFT IDEAS
Make A Bejeweled Sword

Make a sword PBS KIDS

SUPER EASY sword

Decorate A Prayer Mat 

Although we don’t use a prayer mat in Baha’i Faith, it is a cool and creative activity

Download the template mat here

FELT PRAYER BOOK COVERS

The class where these prayer book covers were made can be seen here

Lapbook Lesson 2

SIMPLE LAPBOOK USED THIS YEAR (2022)

We are using a simplified version of the lapbook, changing some elements, adding others, and making all the pieces larger for the children. Lapbooks are very easy, flexible tools and it’s easy for you to create your own or download my templates. you do not have to use all the elements I am posting. There are NO right and wrong ways. enjoy!

For lesson 2 we are using the wheel component.

The component for this lesson is the wheel ” why we pray” that turns and reveals information below. It is a modified version of the first lapbook shown below

download this here

Note you will need a brass fastener also known as split pins,  to attach the two pieces. you can get it from Amazon, craft stores like Michaels, and stationery stores.

This is what our lapbook looks like for lesson2

Remember, any item can be placed in the lapbook and any of the files for the lapbook can be used in a notebook or just as an activity.

Items:

  1. Wheel Why We Pray: blank or filled out template
  2. heading with lesson 2

Extra items can be added such as the door hanger, the prayer decorated in a frame from lesson 1. or the prayer mat from this lesson. position items before you glue to make sure what you choose fits.

Download all the elements for the lapbook here

ruhi book 3 grade 2 resources
Categories
Baha'i Children class Free Ruhi Book 3

A Quick look at Purity Lesson 1 Grade 1

Discussion: A Pure Kindly & Radiant Heart

How Do You Practice it?
You practice kindness by noticing when someone or something needs care.  You have become sensitive to the world around you.  Use your imagination to think of things that give others happiness – your parents, your friends, your teachers, your brothers and sisters, and even people you don’t know very well.  Find out what habits harm or help the environment and choose kinder ways.
When tempted to be cruel, to criticize, or tease, you decide not to do it You accept people who are different or handicapped instead of ignoring them or teasing them.  When you are practicing kindness, you take really good care of your pets.

What would kindness look like if:

  1. A new child comes into your class and she looks lonely.
  2. You start teasing your brother/ sister and they are getting upset?
  3. Some kids you have been playing with start ridiculing a boy who has big ears.
  4. Your pet got some dirt on them?
  5. Your mother seems tired lately.  

Signs of Success

Congratulations! You are practicing kindness when you…
Give tender attention to someone who is sad or needs help. Do things that give others happiness. Practice habits that help the earth (reduce, reuse, recycle) Resist the temptation to be cruel in your words and actions. Accept people who are different. Take good care of animals. Remember your connection to all creation.
Keep trying! You need more practice when you…
Always put yourself first. Don’t pay attention to the needs of others. Don’t think about how you can help the environment. Tease and play tricks on others. Ignore or ridicule someone who is different. Hurt animals. Neglect your pets. Forget that you are part of God’s creation and that all of it deserves to be cared for with kindness.
taken from this site

AFFIRMATION
I am kind.  I look for ways to help others.  I show kindness to any person or animal I see.  I do all I can to take care of the earth.  I remember my connection to all creation.

Note: All of the 24 lessons for grade 1 can be found here: Grade 1

Some of the activities may be around being clean and tidy in our life. This is not the main theme, (its PURITY OF HEART ) but general cleanliness can be used if the class is of mixed ages.

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Watch the video with the class or prepare your own demonstration for the class.

science experiment

THE WATER GOES FROM: PureThen impure Then pure again (symbolizes purifying our heart. ) 

You need: 2 clear cups (one labeled “sin” and one labeled with a cross), food coloring, bleach, baking soda, and water

How you do it: 

  • Fill one glass about 3/4 full of water
  • Stir in 1 tsp of baking soda
  • Add food coloring
  • Next pour about 1/4 cup of bleach into the colored water
L1G1 Prayer
lesson 1 grade 1 prayer

To begin, let us attract divine blessings and create a spiritual atmosphere by reciting a prayer.

Prayer To Memorize

Grade 1 Lesson 1

Here is a link with pictures to help memorize the prayer.

Listen to the prayer:

Want to send this prayer as a postcard? Print it from this link and post it to a neighbor or a friend!

There are so many lovely songs to choose from. Here are a few suggestions

O SON OF SPIRIT! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure, kindly, and radiant heart, that thine may be a sovereignty ancient, imperishable, and everlasting.

Bahá’u’lláh

My First Counsel

MEANING OF WORDS

Counsel
1. One day Gerard and Mary were coloring in some drawings.  Gerard needed the yellow crayon, but Mary did not want to give it to him.  The teacher told Mary that she should share.  The teacher gave Mary good counsel.
2. Patricia has to decide whether to spend her money on cookies or on a storybook.  Her parents advised her to buy the storybook.  Her parents give Patricia good counsel.

Possess
1. Tinaye likes to read prayers before going to sleep.  She has a small prayer book to read from.  Tinaye possesses a small prayer book.
2. There was a flood and many people lost everything they possessed, but friends came to their aid, and soon they had the things they needed again.

Pure heart
1. Cathy became angry and screamed at Susan.  Susan was sad but quickly forgave Cathy.  Susan possesses a pure heart.
2. Jorge likes to share his cookies with all the children, even with Gustavo, who throws stones at him.  Jorge possesses a pure heart.

Kindly heart
1. When people in need come to her house, Ming Ling always takes care of them.  Ming Ling possesses a kindly heart.
2. Mr. Robertson is very old. Jimmy helps him carry his fruit harvest to the market.  Jimmy possesses a kindly heart.

Radiant heart
1. When I feel sad, my mother always cheers me up and makes me happy.  My mother possesses a radiant heart.
2. Obuya became ill and has to spend all his time in bed.  He says many prayers, does not become sad, and continues to show forth happiness.  Obuya possesses a radiant heart.  

To memorize the quote, try taking out keywords in the sentence. Have the children have to work out together to find which word would best fit that gap.

MEMORIZATION AID

Access the word document memorization aid here

Before we leave the quote for today, here is one more short video from Spiritual Cookies to help with the meaning of the words

GRADE 1 LESSON 1 STORY 1

STORY OF ABDU’L-BAHA: LOVE OF CHILDREN

Story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá –  Purity Of Heart.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá could always tell what was in a person’s heart, and He greatly loved people whose hearts were pure and radiant. There was a lady who had the honor of being the guest of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá at dinner. As she sat listening to His words of wisdom, she looked at a glass of water in front of her and thought, “Oh! If only ‘Abdu’l-Bahá would take my heart and empty it of every earthly desire and then refill it with divine love and understanding, just as you would do with this glass of water.”

This thought passed through her mind quickly, and she did not say anything about it, but soon something happened that made her realize ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had known what she was thinking. While He was in the middle of His talk, He paused to call a servant and said a few words to him in Persian. The servant quietly came to the lady’s place at the table, took her glass, emptied it, and put it back in front of her.

A little later, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, while continuing to talk, picked up a pitcher of water from the table, and in a most natural way, slowly refilled the lady’s empty glass. No one noticed what had happened, but the lady knew that ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was answering her heart’s desire. She was filled with joy. Now she knew that hearts and minds were like open books to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Who read them with great love and kindliness.

The online platform has more stories with video content. If you can’t access coach zippy, I do apologize: the site is having ongoing issues but I am slowly moving content here to the blog! Sign up here

ACT OUT THE SENTENCES 

  •  Use soap to clean your hands after coming home from outside, and before eating.
  • Make sure to cover your mouth and nose when sneezing (cough into your sleeve or a tissue).
  •  Keep your distance from anyone who is coughing or sneezing Activity Two
  • Clean your room or an area of the house where you spend time so that you can have a clean area to spend your time in. Cleanliness brings us closer to God.
  • Find a mirror in the house and clean one-half of it, then compare the difference between the clean side and the dirty side.

STORM OF KINDNESS

Explain that kids will make a “rainstorm” of kindness. Being kind is contagious (ask them what contagious means). It may start off with one small act of kindness, but soon that one act with spread to someone else, and so on and so on. It will lead to other acts of kindness, and when those all get added together, they create an amazing “storm” of kindness.

Have kids stand in a circle. Tell them to each do what the teacher does when he/she looks at them and nods. Don’t do it until the teacher looks and nods. Starting at one spot in the circle, the teachers will have the children:

  • Rub hands together (sounds like rain starting to drizzle) 
  • Snap (or slap backs of hands, alternating) (bigger drops)
  • Clap out of rhythm (even bigger) 
  • Slap thighs (heavy rain)
  • Stomp feet (very heavy rain/thunder)
  • Then reverse steps, slapping thighs, then clapping, then snapping, then rubbing hands.

EAST WIND BLOWS

Begin with all the children in a circle, on chairs or cushions (can also take off their shoes and use them as markers). Each round begins with the teacher, who is outside the circle, calling out the following phrase: “The west wind blows on everyone who…”, continuing by referring to some characteristic that more than one child shares, such as blue eyes, black hair, blue pants, and so on. All the children who share that characteristic must then get up and switch places with each other. Each child must find a different seat from the one he or she was occupying before the call.

Care should be taken so that children do not push or collide with each other when switching seats. The circle should be wide enough to give all the children space to move when they are called.

THE BURNING THIRST

Tie sticks to the children’s arms so they cannot bend their elbows, and then tell them to pretend that they are walking in a desert and are very, very thirsty. When they come upon water in cups, they have to find a way to drink it. They will discover that the only way is to help each other, being careful not to get each other wet.

There are many craft and activity suggestions for you to consider. When you choose what you would like to do with the class, make sure all the required supplies are available for the children.

Folded heart with quote

GET TEMPLATE HERE

Make a kindness jar

Download here

Add A Kindness Jar activity to your notebook/lapbook

Kindness jar

Magnets

Use salt dough or premade dough to make fridge magnets. You can also use a material like felt, heave cardboard or even a small wooden heart and attach the quote.

THE ONLINE COACHZIPPY PLATFORM ALSO USES THESE CRAFTS AND OTHERS IN AN INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK.

Here is the Google drive link with most of the activities, quotes etc

WEBSITE FOR A DIFFERENT LESSON

Here is a link to another blog for this lesson

Here is another site with lesson for grade 1