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Baha'i Children class Free Ridvan Ruhi Book 3

BAHÁ’U’LLÁH HAS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM SOULS  RUHI BOOK 3 GRADE 4 LESSON 7 SET 2

Welcome Grade 4 Rughi Book 3

Introducing The Principal Theme

Welcome to Lesson 7 Grade 4

In this class, we will begin to understand Baha’u’llah’s Station by looking at  His power to transform souls.  

We already know that the Manifestations of God manifest all of God’s names and attributes to humankind.  One of the attributes is His infinite love for every human being.  Baha’u’llah has told us that God created us out of His love for us.  If we were to be deprived of God’s love, even for a moment, we would perish and be no more.  God’s love permeates the entire creation.  It is because of His all-embracing love that the sun shines, that the plants grow, that animals give birth to their offspring, and that human beings receive blessings with every breath of their lives.  Our love for each other, the kindness we give and receive, the tenderness we feel in our heart for so many people, is all but a reflection of God’s love for His creatures.  This love is manifested today by Baha’u’llah.  And His love has the power to transform us. 

The word “transform” means to change from one condition to another.  For example, a caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon and later emerges as a beautiful butterfly.  The caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly.  After a period of drought, the rains come and transform the barren ground into lush meadows and prairies.  Likewise, from Baha’u’llah shine the rays of the Divine love that bring life to the universe.  His teachings have the power to transform our souls.  Through prayer, the study of His Writings, and constant effort, we can fill our hearts with His love.  His Words have the power to enlighten our minds and hearts and create in us the capacity to perform great deeds in service to humankind.

When you think of Baha’u’llah, then, remember always His immense love for you.  Regard Him as a most loving Father, Whose teachings and counsels will guide you and make firm your steps.  Become dependent on His love.  Let His love give you courage so you will not be afraid of change.  Let His Words change you and make you grow.

NOTE: In the craft/activity section are 2 video experiments. Watch the videos, or do the experiments here.

  • What do Manifestations of God manifest to humanity? (to manifest means to reveal what was not known before)
  • Why did God create us?
  • What are some of the signs of God’s love?
  • What would happen to us if God’s love did not reach us?
  • Where does our love for each other come from?
  • Who manifests God’s love for humanity today?
  • What does the word “transform” mean?
  • Can you give a few examples from the physical world of one thing transforming into something else?
  • What do Baha’u’llah’s teachings have the power to do?
Prayer Grade 4 Ruhi Book 3

Prayer 1

O God, Educate These Children

Prayer 2

O my God, aid Thou Thy servant

Prayer 3

O God, my God! Aid Thou Thy trusted servants
Quote Grade 4 Ruhi book 3

In this lesson, you are going to memorize a quotation revealed by Bahá’u’lláh in which He confirms what a special time it is in the life of humanity when every eye can see the beauty of His Person and every ear can listen to His words when every heart can find its Beloved.

Let all eyes rejoice, and let every ear be gladdened, for now is the time to gaze on His beauty, now is the time to hearken unto His voice. Proclaim unto every longing lover:  ‘Behold, your Well-Beloved hath come among men!’

Bahá’u’lláh

Meaning Of Words

Need to know the meaning of some of the words? Use the pdf to record the meanings.

SEND A POSTCARD

Send To A Friend Or Neighbour: Use Email, Snail Mail, Or Hand-Deliver It!

Song Grade 4 Ruhi Book 3
Paradise – Music Inspired by the Heroes Teaching Conference
Turn Your Faces Sung By Goleta Burriston Master
I’ll Walk the Path
I Have Found Baha’u’llah
Source Of Courage
The Promise
We Are The People Of Baha
Story grade 4 ruhi book 3

Historical Episodes

The period of Bahá’u’lláh’s ten-year stay in Baghdád culminated in the Declaration of His Mission in the Garden of Riḍván, which was followed by His departure for Constantinople. The historical episode in this lesson describes some of the circumstances surrounding that momentous Declaration.

You know that during His stay in Baghdád, Bahá’u’lláh revived the fortunes of the Bábí community through His love and wisdom and through the power of His words. The hearts of those near to Him were afire with the love of God, and His companions felt as if they had entered paradise. Though He had not yet made His station known, He revealed volumes and volumes of Divine verses during this period.

One of the volumes Bahá’u’lláh revealed while in Baghdád is called the Book of Certitude, or Kitáb-i-Íqán, in which He explains the nature of God’s Revelation. In that book, He establishes in clear terms the unity of the world’s great religions. The book was revealed in answer to some questions posed to Bahá’u’lláh by Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad, one of the Báb’s uncles.

When he attained the presence of Bahá’u’lláh in Baghdád in 1862, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad had not yet accepted the Báb as a Manifestation of God, as the Promised Qá’im for Whose advent the people of Persia had long-awaited. Bahá’u’lláh asked him to write down all the questions that perplexed him and which left him in doubt about the Báb’s station. This he promptly did, and in the span of two days and two nights Bahá’u’lláh revealed His lengthy reply. After reading the Book, Ḥájí Mírzá Siyyid Muḥammad recognized the Báb and became a firm and steadfast believer.

It was also during His stay in Baghdád, while wrapped in meditation, as He walked along the banks of the Tigris, a river which runs through the city, that Bahá’u’lláh revealed the Hidden Words, so cherished by Bahá’ís everywhere today as a guide for their spiritual growth. You already know by heart some of the gems of Divine wisdom contained in this small volume.

Here is the first passage:

“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.”

Can you imagine the joy that filled the hearts of the friends as they listened to these and other verses for the first time?

But the joy of those days was not to last. The enemies of the Cause did not give up their constant scheming. You should know that they had already gone so far as to hire an assassin to kill Bahá’u’lláh. His name was Ridá. Learning where Bahá’u’lláh was going one day, Ridá appeared with a pistol hidden under his cloak, ready to carry out his deadly task. To his surprise, he found that he lacked the courage to proceed when he saw Bahá’u’lláh. So he decided to wait for Him in the street and try once again. But, the minute his eyes fell upon Bahá’u’lláh, he was so overcome with fear that the pistol dropped from his hand. Bahá’u’lláh was with His brother Áqáy-i-Kalím at the time. “Return his gun to him, and show him the way to his home,” said Bahá’u’lláh to Áqáy-i-Kalím. “It seems that he has lost his way.”

Time and again the efforts of His enemies had been thus frustrated. But, some ten years after Bahá’u’lláh’s arrival in Baghdád, they succeeded in arranging another exile. Bahá’u’lláh, of course, knew all this and had already begun to speak of the tests and difficulties that lay ahead. A dream He once related to the friends caused them great distress.

“I saw,” He stated in a Tablet, “the Prophets and the Messengers gather and seat themselves around Me, moaning, weeping and loudly lamenting.”

When Bahá’u’lláh inquired from them as to the cause for such weeping, they responded that they were crying for Him. But, in the dream, the Concourse on high then addressed Bahá’u’lláh saying:

“Erelong shalt Thou behold with Thine own eyes what no Prophet hath beheld. Be patient, be patient.”

The spring of 1863 had just opened when, one day, a messenger brought a communication for Bahá’u’lláh. It was a request that an interview take place between Him and the governor of Baghdád. The governor was supposed to deliver a message from the Prime Minister of the Ottoman Empire to Bahá’u’lláh. But for three months he had, out of his profound respect for Him, put off doing so. The next day Bahá’u’lláh went to meet the governor near his home. Upon arriving at the meeting place, He was presented with a letter from the Prime Minister. It was worded in a courteous manner, inviting Him to travel to the Ottoman capital, Constantinople. You see, the Prime Minister had been convinced by Bahá’u’lláh’s enemies that, because of His growing popularity and influence, He should not remain in Baghdád. A mounted escort was ordered to accompany Him to  Constantinople for His protection. Bahá’u’lláh agreed to the request at once but refused to accept the money that the government was offering for His travels. The governor’s representative insisted, saying that the authorities would be offended if He did not accept the money. So Bahá’u’lláh took the sum and immediately distributed it among the poor of the city.

News of Bahá’u’lláh’s exile from Baghdád shook the Bábí community. The friends were overwhelmed with sadness. Gradually, however, they were consoled by Bahá’u’lláh’s kind and comforting words. As a sign of His love, He wrote in His own handwriting a Tablet for each of the friends who lived in the city—every man, woman, and child. Nabíl, the great Bahá’í historian, tells us that in the immediate days before His departure, many of them would gather together in one room, lit only by candles, and would chant aloud the verses and Tablets newly revealed by Bahá’u’lláh. Pondering on His words, they would become completely forgetful of the world, not noticing how time had passed and that night had turned into day.

Close to Baghdád there was a beautiful garden known today as the Garden of Riḍván. At the time it was full of roses. The garden belonged to a prominent man who offered it to Bahá’u’lláh so that He could greet all those wishing to bid Him farewell. On the afternoon of 22 April 1863, Bahá’u’lláh left His house, where crowds had gathered to catch a final glimpse of One Whom they had grown to love and admire. There were people of all ages, from different backgrounds, some notables and officials, others poor and orphaned. All were heartbroken and tearful. Gradually He made His way to the river Tigris, where a boat was waiting to take Him to the other side. It was there that the Garden of Riḍván was located, and He entered the garden in the late afternoon. This was the first stage of the journey that would carry Him to Constantinople. The Bábí community was grief-stricken. What would be the future of this young religion now that Bahá’u’lláh was being exiled once again? The heartbroken Bábís who gathered to bid Bahá’u’lláh farewell did not know what happiness God actually had in store for them.

Bahá’u’lláh stayed in the garden for twelve days. His enemies had tried to strike a fatal blow at the Cause by separating Him from the majority of the believers. God, however, turned the farewell into an occasion of immense gladness. During those memorable days, Bahá’u’lláh proclaimed to the believers present that He was the One promised by the Báb, that He was the Promised of All Ages. The banner of the oneness of humankind was now being raised for everyone to see.

The Declaration of His Mission created new life in the souls of His companions. This was the Day of Days for which the Báb had prepared them. Bahá’u’lláh Himself has said that on that Day “all created things were immersed in the sea of purification”.

Unfortunately, there is little known of the details of the conversations Bahá’u’lláh held with the many visitors He received in the Garden of Riḍván. The historian Nabíl was present on that occasion, and through his brief account, we are able to get but a glimpse of the glory of those days. Nabíl tells us that, at the hour of dawn every day, the gardeners would pick fresh roses and pile them in the center of the floor of Bahá’u’lláh’s tent. The pile was always so high that, when His companions gathered in the tent to drink morning tea, they were unable to see each other across it. Bahá’u’lláh would then give the roses to those present and request that they be delivered, on His behalf, to His friends in the city. All day long, from morning to evening, He would meet with the stream of visitors who kept flowing in from Baghdád. In the evening, a few of the believers took turns watching over His blessed tent. Nabíl stood watch for three nights in a row. “Every time I passed by the couch whereon He lay,” Nabíl says, “I would find Him wakeful.”

On 3 May 1863 Bahá’u’lláh mounted His horse and set out for Constantinople. Today Bahá’ís around the world celebrate this twelve-day period as the Festival of Riḍván, the anniversary of the Declaration of Bahá’u’lláh of His world-embracing Mission. It is the holiest and most significant of all Bahá’í festivals.

So many spiritual insights can be gleaned from the above historical episode into the greatness of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation and the significance of this Day. One, for example, is the interplay between crisis and victory in the Cause of God—that every crisis leads to an even greater victory.

What are some of the other insights offered by the episode? And what are some of the attributes of God manifested by Bahá’u’lláh that we glimpsed as we read the stories?

For any of the figures we heard about, use the biography page to write down the information you would like to remember.

Download from Teachers Pay Teachers here AND Download my story report HERE

facts about Bahá'u'lláh Grade 4

Facts

  1. Bahá’u’lláh was exiled to Constantinople, after staying in Baghdád for ten years.
  2. The Book of Certitude, or Kitáb-i-Íqán, was revealed in Baghdád.
  3. The Book of Certitude was revealed in 1862 in answer to some questions posed to Bahá’u’lláh by the Báb’s uncle.
  4. The Book of Certitude was revealed in two days and two nights.
  5. The Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh were revealed in Baghdád.
  6. Before departing for Constantinople, Bahá’u’lláh spent twelve days in the Garden of Riḍván.
  7. The Garden of Riḍván was located outside the city of Baghdád.
  8. In the Garden of Riḍván, Bahá’u’lláh declared His Mission.
  9. The twelve-day period in April is celebrated by Bahá’ís every year as the Festival of Riḍván.
  10. The Festival of Riḍván is the holiest and most significant Bahá’í festival.
games/ drama grade 4 ruhi book 3

Blind Drawing

Use your eloquence and your powers of listening and observation!

Blind Drawing is a team-building activity that can be done in pairs. All you need is pen, paper and something to press on such as a clipboard or book (or you can use a whiteboard marker, a mini whiteboard and an eraser).

The two participants sit back to back. Only one person should have the drawing materials. The other is handed a picture (or draws a picture themselves), and must make sure that the other cannot see it. They describe the picture as carefully as possible while the other person attempts to draw it from the description.

Then they swap roles. You can set a time limit (e.g. 3 – 5 minutes) for each turn to keep things moving and get all the pairs to finish at a similar time.

Everyone can be given a few minutes at the beginning of this activity to make their secret drawing to describe to their partner. These can then be folded in half until it is their turn to describe it.

It can be helpful for the teacher to have a picture prepared beforehand to first describe to the whole class. Each child can be given an A5 piece of paper to try to replicate the picture from the description. It pays for this picture to be relatively simple and somewhat quirky, e.g. an alien with three eyes. Alternatively, it could be an element/scene from the story.

THE RIDVAN GARDEN

You live in the times of Bahá’u’lláh and you heard Bahá’u’lláh is leaving. Your family and friends have gathered to talk about this in your home and then will go to visit Bahá’u’lláh in the Ridvan Garden.

Here are some ideas to discuss:

  1. How did you hear about or meet Bahá’u’lláh?
  2. Why is Bahá’u’lláh important to you?
  3. What have you learned from Bahá’u’lláh?
crafts grade 4 ruhi book 3

MAKE A TENT CRAFT

TEMPLATE ON WEBSITE TO USE

COLOURING PAGES AND RIDVAN GARDEN CRAFT

WEBSITE HERE

TRANSFORMATION

Let us explore the science of Transformation!

Based on Transforming Souls

We see transformation every day…for example when we bake a cake. This is a chemical reaction where different substances are transformed into a new substance: flour, butter, eggs, etc to cake! We can use this simple science experiment to show the transformation of a substance. Unfortunately, it’s not a cake but very easy to do!

Transformation

Potential energy into movement: Burlington did this car using an empty wooden thread spool, a washer, rubberband and a chopstick.

Brilliant Star and Dayspring Magazine.

The downloadable PDF contain Stories and activities.

Dayspring Magazine: Issue #66 Ridvan

Brilliant Start Lesson 21

Other Websites

All done monkey

PLASP Child Care Services

Bahá’i Blog

Delighted Hearts Ridvan Garden Printable

Multicultural Kid Blogs

Youtube Tissue Flower

We summon you to God, We remind you of His Day, We announce unto you tidings of your reunion with Him, We draw you nigh unto His court, and send down upon you tokens of His wondrous wisdom . . .”

Gleanings From the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
Download The Memorization Aid
Review Quote G4 L7
resource grade 4 ruhi book 3
POWERPOINT LESSON 7 HERE

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

WE MUST WORK TO SPREAD BAHÁ’U’LLÁH’S TEACHINGS IN ORDER FOR JUSTICE TO BE ESTABLISHED ON EARTH RUHI BOOK 3 GRADE 4 LESSON 6 SET 2

Welcome Grade 4 Rughi Book 3

Introducing the principal theme

Welcome to Lesson 6 Grade 4

This lesson seeks to help the children understand that Bahá’u’lláh has come to educate souls and bring new life to humanity.

In the quotation you memorized in the last lesson,(Lesson 5. ) Bahá’u’lláh makes clear that as His hardships and tribulations grew, so did His love for God, and that nothing could stop Him from carrying out the Mission with which God had entrusted Him. He bore all the sufferings heaped upon Him with radiance and forbearance. For four months He was imprisoned in the most terrible conditions in the Síyáh-Chál.

  • Do you remember what happened to Bahá’u’lláh and His family after He was released from His imprisonment?
  • What did the government and religious leaders hope would happen by exiling Bahá’u’lláh from His native Persia?

We know they feared that, if He remained in Persia, the teachings of the Báb would continue to spread and they would lose their power and control over people. And so they forced Bahá’u’lláh to leave His homeland, thinking that His influence would fade away and His light would be extinguished. Of course, they could never succeed.

You remember that, when Bahá’u’lláh first arrived in Baghdád after He left Persia, He was so saddened by the disunity among the followers of the Báb that He went to the remote mountainous region near the town of Sulaymáníyyih. In this lesson you are going to learn what happened when Bahá’u’lláh finally returned to Baghdád. After two years, He found the Bábí community in a terrible state. But quickly everything changed as Bahá’u’lláh began to educate the believers. Soon the people of Baghdád found in their midst a community that was distinguished by the love of God and by its noble character.

The quotation you will start to memorize today speaks of the quickening power of Bahá’u’lláh’s words and the joy experienced by all those who had the bounty of attaining His presence and listening to His utterances.

Prayer Grade 4 Ruhi Book 3

Prayer 1 Set 2

O God, Educate These Children

Prayer 2 Set 2

O my God, aid Thou Thy servant

Prayer 3 Set 2

O God, my God! Aid Thou Thy trusted servants
Quote Grade 4 Ruhi book 3

All joy to such as have attained His presence, gazed upon His beauty, hearkened unto His melodies, and been quickened by the Word that hath been issued forth from His sacred and exalted, His glorious and resplendent lips!


Bahá’u’lláh

Meaning of Words

If there are any words you do not know or are unsure of, record them in this document!

Send A Postcard

Why not share the quote from today’s class as a postcard with a friend?

G4 L6 Postcard
Song Grade 4 Ruhi Book 3
A Noble Way
GIVE ME THY GRACE
Ystävällinen Kieli
The purpose of God
CREATE
Story grade 4 ruhi book 3

Historical Episodes

The episode in this lesson centers on Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in Baghdád following His return from Sulaymáníyyih. The story of His Declaration in the Garden of Riḍván, just prior to His departure for Constantinople, will be reserved for the next lesson. 

Story 1

During the two years of Bahá’u’lláh’s absence from Baghdád, the fortunes of the Bábís had gone from bad to worse. Mírzá Yaḥyá had shown his total incompetence and had done nothing to stop this rapid decline. Bahá’u’lláh set out to educate the Bábís and to renew in them the spirit of faith they had once possessed. Over the years, through His love and wisdom, and the power of His words, He changed the behavior of the followers of the Báb. Under His guidance, the Bábís became, once again, righteous people who were the well-wishers of humankind. They put aside conflict and became promoters of unity and peace. Many Bábís from different parts of Persia began to make the long journey to Baghdád so that they could enter His presence. One of these was the young man we know today as Nabíl, the great historian of the Bahá’í Faith, whose book “The Dawn-breakers” you will someday read yourselves. He has left for us an account of what it was like for the believers to be close to Bahá’u’lláh in those special days.

We know that the house in which Bahá’u’lláh lived with His family became a place of much activity, and people came to see Him there in great numbers. One room of the house was set aside for the reception of guests and visitors. It was a simple room with a low roof, but, Nabíl tells us, it seemed to “reach to the stars”, so uplifted were the hearts of those who attained the presence of Bahá’u’lláh. For them, to be surrounded by His love and immersed in the sea of His words, was like being in paradise. All the Bábís took great care, Nabíl writes, to make sure that their conduct conformed to the high standard to which He was calling them. Each one entered into a pact with one of his fellow believers, so that, if necessary, they could remind one another of the lofty standard they had pledged to follow. Often they would gather late into the night, reciting prayers and poetry and singing songs in praise of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. Many nights, ten or more of them would eat no more than a few dates. They all lived modestly but were content. “I, myself with two others,” Nabíl writes, “lived in a room which was devoid of furniture.” Yet they thought little of such things. No one knew to whom the shoes, the cloaks and the robes they wore belonged. Whoever went to the bazaar to buy a few things would put on what he found without noticing whether it was his own or not. So filled were their hearts with the love of God that they even forgot their own names. “O, for the joy of those days,” are Nabíl’s words, “and the gladness and wonder of those hours!”

Story 2

As the Bábí community was spiritually revived, love and admiration for Bahá’u’lláh also grew among the inhabitants of Baghdád, including some of its dignitaries and officials. Even the governor of Baghdád eventually came to visit Him as a sign of courtesy and respect. No one who entered His presence could fail to recognize His greatness and glory. Nabíl records a story of how one night about a hundred people surrounded Bahá’u’lláh’s house, at the instigation of His enemies, ready to stir up mischief. They had swords by their sides. But Bahá’u’lláh approached the situation with His usual calm and dignity. He invited them into the house and requested His attendants to open the door for them. “They are our guests”, He said. He had refreshments served to them and discussed with them profound spiritual matters. By the time they arose to leave, their hearts had been transformed by the majesty and the kindliness of Bahá’u’lláh.

How fortunate are human beings when they can immerse themselves in the ocean of God’s mercy and partake of the knowledge and wisdom of His Manifestation! Yet, although those close to Bahá’u’lláh enjoyed the bounties of His presence and the people of Baghdád were attracted to His nobility and wisdom, some of the leaders refused to acknowledge His greatness because of their own ambition and pride. They saw Bahá’u’lláh’s growing influence as a threat to their own power. And so it will not surprise you to learn that, during this time, opposition to the Cause also grew steadily.

In one instance, a group of religious leaders decided to send a learned man to Bahá’u’lláh and to submit to Him a number of questions in order to test Him. When Bahá’u’lláh replied to all the questions satisfactorily, the learned man accepted the vastness of His knowledge. Even so, he presented the group’s request that Bahá’u’lláh perform a miracle to convince them of His extraordinary powers.

“Although you have no right to ask this,” Bahá’u’lláh replied, “for God should test His creatures, and they should not test God, still I allow and accept this request.” He told the man that first the group should choose one miracle and in writing declare that, after it had been performed, they would no longer have any doubts about Him and would all recognize Him and accept the truth of the Cause. They should seal the document and bring it to Him. The man was profoundly struck by this clear and challenging reply. He instantly arose, kissed the knee of Bahá’u’lláh, and departed. He delivered Bahá’u’lláh’s message to the group. For a few days these power-hungry men discussed how they should respond, but they could not come to any decision. Finally they had no other choice but to drop the matter. So it was that, out of His infinite love for humanity, Bahá’u’lláh invited friend and foe alike to drink deep from the cup of His wisdom and guidance. Alas! Though in dire need of the truth, some refused to partake of the life-giving waters of His Message. Driven by ambition and fear, they turned away from the Source of all knowledge and lost their way. Yet, in the end, nothing they did could prevent a growing number of people from drawing close to Him and being revived by His teachings.

Reflect

Now that we have read these 2 accounts, do you recognize that God’s promise to Bahá’u’lláh in the Síyáh-Chál—that He would be made victorious by His Person and by His Pen—was being fulfilled? Though outwardly an exile, with no earthly power or riches, He conquered hearts and became loved and respected by people of all backgrounds. Such is the influence exerted on souls by God’s Manifestation. What other spiritual truths do you glean from the events narrated today?

For any of the figures we heard about, use the biography page to write down the information you would like to remember. OR Download my story report HERE

facts about Bahá'u'lláh Grade 4

Facts

  1. Bahá’u’lláh returned to Baghdád from the region of Kurdistán in April 1856.
  2. During the two years of Bahá’u’lláh’s absence from Baghdád, the fortunes of the Bábís had gone from bad to worse.
  3. During Bahá’u’lláh’s stay in Baghdád, the Bábí community was revived through His love and wisdom and the power of His words

Download The Fact Cards Here

games/ drama grade 4 ruhi book 3

GAMES

We know that the house in which Bahá’u’lláh lived with His family became a place of much activity, and people came to see Him there in great numbers. One room of the house was set aside for the reception of guests and visitors. It was a simple room with a low roof.

Act Out The following:

You are new pilgrims who have come to see Bahá’u’lláh and you are entering the room for guests. Remember we do not portray Bahá’u’lláh.

We know the following from Nabíl:

  1. The room “reach to the stars”,
  2. It was like being in paradise.
  3. All the Bábís took great care,  to make sure that their conduct conformed to the high standard to which He (Baha’u’llah was calling them).
  4. Each one entered into a pact with one of his fellow believers, so that, if necessary, they could remind one another of the lofty standard they had pledged to follow.
  5. Often they would gather late into the night, reciting prayers and poetry and singing songs in praise of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh.
  6. Many nights, ten or more of them would eat no more than a few dates.
  7. They all lived modestly but were content. sometimes in a room that was devoid of furniture. 
  8. No one knew to whom the shoes, the cloaks and the robes they wore belonged.
  9. Whoever went to the bazaar to buy a few things would put on what he found without noticing whether it was his own or not.
  10. So filled were their hearts with the love of God that they even forgot their own names.
Another Scene to act out.

Act out the Scene where the clergy and holy men of the city had to come up with a miracle for Bahá’u’lláh to perform.

Activity Blind drawing

The two participants sit back to back. Only one person should have the drawing materials. The other is handed a picture (or draws a picture themselves) and must make sure that the other cannot see it. They describe the picture as carefully as possible while the other person attempts to draw it from the description.

crafts grade 4 ruhi book 3

CRAFTS

Shaker card

Here is a blog post with ideas. Used the sentence “Bahá’u’lláh invited friend and foe alike to drink deep from the cup of His wisdom and guidance” on the finished product.

Here is my free with the quote template!

Journal the “history” in your community one day at a time

Based on story 2: Nabil was a great historian and wrote what he observed and what he considered important. Can you be a historian and capture the important Baha’i events in your community? It can be in any form you like, a piece of writing, a drawing, a poem, a comic strip, a new article, or a journal entry.

Journal to record events like Nabil to use if needed can be downloaded here.

Some other templates:

comic book template

drawing template

storyboard

Diorama

Based on Story 1, construct a diorama using a box (a shoebox works well). Construct the room the pilgrims stayed in as you imagine it to be. Below is a video of just stars to get your imagination going.

Craft based on “uplifted hearts

Create a paper circuit to light up and “uplift” the heart

Audio/ video  Recording the group discussing the following

You live in the times of Bahá’u’lláh and you heard Bahá’u’lláh is leaving. Your family and friends have gathered to talk about this in your home and then will go to visit Bahá’u’lláh in the Ridvan Garden. Here are some ideas to discuss:

How did you hear about or meet Bahá’u’lláh?

Why is Bahá’u’lláh important to you?

What have you learned from Bahá’u’lláh?

Review Quote

REVIEW QUOTE

resource grade 4 ruhi book 3

RESOURCE: BRILLIANT STAR MAGAZINE

LETTERS OF LIGHT

LETTERS TO WORLD LEADER

ABDU’L-BAHA’S GREAT VOYAGE

SHINING LAMP BADÍ

SHINING LAMP MARTHA ROOT

Categories
Baha'i Children class Free Ruhi Book 3

Humility Grade 1 Lesson 9

HUMILITY

Today we will start to memorize a new prayer and the topic is on Humility OR BEING HUMBLE

  • What is Humility?
  • How do we know we are being Humble?
  • Why should we practice the virtue of Humility?
  • When do we practice the virtue of Humility? 

When you are humble, you don’t consider yourself more important than other people. You are happy to serve others and think other people’s needs are important.

Humble means doing your best without attracting too much attention to yourself.

1.You are not afraid to ask for help

2.Don’t pay lots of attention what people say about you GOOD OR BAD

3. Don’t spend energy trying to impress others

4. Don’t worry about mistakes, be eager to learn
 Being humble is about taking on an attitude of learning. 

BEFORE MEMORIZING THE QUOTE  LET US TALK ABOUT SHOWING  HUMILITY BEFORE GOD

L9G1 Prayer
Lesson 9 Grade 1 Ruhi Book 3

Blessed is the spot

Blessed is the spot, and the house,

and the place, and the city,

and the heart, and the mountain,

and the refuge, and the cave,

and the valley, and the land,

and the sea, and the island,

and the meadow where mention

of God hath been made,

and His praise glorified.

Send a Postcard

Postcard Blessed Is the Spot

BE LIKE THE EARTH

See the earth 
It’s so humble 
Has all God’s wealth to give 
Everything we need to live 
Lets us walk on it every day 
But have you ever heard it say 
“I am richer 
Greater than you” 
 
See the tree 
It’s so humble 
The more its fruits abound 
It bows closer to the ground 
And shares the fruit that way 
But have you ever heard it say 
“I am richer 
Greater than you” 

Be like the earth 
Be like the tree 
Rise to the heaven of glory 
On the wings of humility 
Rise to the heaven of glory 
On the wings of humility

O Son of Man! Humble thyself before Me, that I may graciously visit thee.

THE HIDDEN WORDS OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH

Put to music HERE.

MEANING OF THE WORD

Humble 

Zinab works diligently on her math assignments and always does well. She is humble and never boasts about her achievements. 
The children in Yong Fu’s neighborhood are eager to learn, and he was asked to form a small class for them. Even though he has little experience and considers himself unworthy, he puts his trust in God and does his best. He approaches the task with humility.

humble_thyself Before Me

Memorization aid Download aid here

Lesson 9 Grade 1 Ruhi Book 3

STORY ON HUMILITY

Humility was one of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s most notable qualities.  Many people wanted to give Him great titles, but He only wanted to be called “‘Abdu’l-Bahá”, which means “Servant of the Glory”.  His most ardent desire was to serve.  One time some wealthy visitors made an elaborate plan for Him to wash His hands before a meal. They arranged for a specially dressed boy to carry a fancy bowl with “crystal water”, and they also had a perfumed towel waiting for Him. When the Master saw the group of friends approaching from across the lawn – with the little boy, the bowl, and the towel  – He knew their purpose. He hurriedly found some water nearby, washed His hands, and dried them with a piece of cloth the gardener had. Radiantly, He turned to greet the group.  And then, bestowing on His guests, the very honor that was meant for Him, He lovingly offered them water and a perfumed towel!

SCIENCE EXPERIMENT

Humility and Thankfulness attract God’s blessings

“Attract” a stream of water without even touching it.

What to Do

This works best on a dry day.

Set the tap running gently so that it has a steady but thin stream of water coming out. Move an inflated balloon near the stream of water. It should not affect the water at all. Now rub the balloon on your hair.

Now move the balloon near the stream of water. The water will be attracted to the balloon, and the closer you move the balloon, the more the water will bend.

HUMILITY AND THANKFULNESS ARE LIKE THE STATIC ELECTRICITY THAT THE BALLOON GETS FROM BEING RUBBED ON YOUR HAIR AND THIS ATTRACTS THE WATER OR “BLESSINGS”

ANOTHER STORY

Aid for Story: Download here

ANOTHER STORY

Role-Playing 

Present children with a series of scenarios where they can choose to be boastful or humble, such as winning a game, getting an A on a test, or giving someone a gift. Have children give a boastful response and a humble response to the scenario. For example, a child could pretend to brag about winning the game to demonstrate boastful behavior and say “good game” to the other players to demonstrate humility. Talk about how everyone involved would feel for each scenario to emphasize why choosing to be humble is the better option.

Games to Illustrate the virtue of Humility

from The New World Order Games Manual, by Linden Qualls

This game was created for our lesson on humility.  I explained that egos and lower selves can become too large and inflated, like a balloon.  We need to keep them “under control” and “inline”.  So for this game, 2 teams would each be given an equal sized blown up balloon.  Each team lined up across from the other.  The goal was to be the first team to get the balloon down their own line without it hitting the floor or going out of reach.  It is hard to control the lower self and the ego, so to make it hard to control the balloon, the team members could only use their heads and feet to maneuver the balloon.  Each team member could touch the balloon with their head or feet as many times as needed to get it to the next person.  No one is to be skipped.  If hands or arms were used, or the balloon hit the floor or went out of reach, it was brought back to the start. Youngest ones can be placed at the very beginning and end of the line, since the first one begins the race and the last one catches it, these are the easiest spots to be in.

Please note that the age and number of the children and the size of the balloon will greatly influence control. The less air, the faster it will fall. Teams should have different colored balloons so they never get mixed up. Encourage the winning 1agamesrules.doc 103 28-Apr-15 team to show humility by not boasting. You can also completely dispense with the race idea, and just make the control of the balloon the only challenge.

Variations:

The same rules apply—if the balloon goes out of reach or hits the ground, it goes back to the beginning.

Team members sat down on the floor and could use their hands and feet. They could slide about in their efforts to control the balloon. (Older groups may be able to use only feet for this version and the one below.)

They then did the same as above but had to be on their backs, with their legs in the air. They could also scoot if necessary.

Team members lay on their stomachs, and could use only their hands. They could slide on their stomachs if needed to.

Team members stood in their lines and were allowed to use their hands—but each could only bat the balloon once. No child was to be missed. If this proves too hard, let them hit it twice.

Team members stood up and had to pass the balloon down the line by squeezing it between their stomachs. No hands or feet could be used.

Team members stood up and had to pass the balloon down the line by squeezing it between their knees. No hands or feet could be used.

Spread team members out down the line. Members have to hold balloons between their knees and hop to the next person in line. Or they can hold it between their ankles and hop. You can also try it as a relay race across a distance.

Do the same as above, but no hopping is allowed. Team members must therefore waddle, and it looks really funny. You can also try this one as a relay race across a distance.

Team members sit down (girls with skirts or dresses can’t do this one) in a line, as you would on a toboggan sled. Then kids scoot a little to create some distance from each other and they lay on their backs and put their feet and legs up in the air. I then placed the balloon in between the feet of the first person in line, and the goal is to pass the balloon all the way down the line to the

last person just using the feet. One always passes to the person behind them and they rock on their back (no touching the balloon with hands) and try to place the balloon between the feet of the person behind them. (If you want to continue and go the opposite direction, just have everybody rotate direction, and start with the person who was originally last.)

Students were divided up into groups of 2 or 3. They stood facing each other very close, with arms around each other. The balloon was placed at the bottom of their feet between them, enclosed by their bodies. No hands or forearms were to be used. The goal was to squirm and wiggle it up so that it was between their faces. Taller kids just bent lower at the endpoint. If the balloon escaped, they had to start over.

One day, there were only 3 kids, so we improvised. I also played, to make 4. We spread out and had to get the balloon down the line, then back up again to the first person. There was no race, but keeping the balloon under control was challenging enough.

The ego is the animal in us, the heritage of the flesh which is full of selfish desires. By obeying the laws of God, seeking to live the life laid down in our teachings, and praying and struggling, we can subdue our egos. We call people ‘Saints’ who have achieved the highest degree of mastery over their ego. (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, January 8, 1949)

…….the ego can and should be ever-increasingly subordinated to the enlightened soul of man. This is what spiritual progress implies. (From a letter dated 14 December 1941 written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer)

 Game: “Sometimes I am Tall” 

  • One person is blindfolded.  Everyone else stands around them in a circle

The people in the circle say together:

  •  “I am very tall.” (They stand on their toes and stretch as tall as they can.) 
  • “I am very short.” (They squat down and make themselves as short as they can.) 
  • “Sometimes I am tall.” (They stretch up again.) 
  • “Sometimes I am short.” (They squat down again.) 

The teacher points up/down and everyone stands/squats.  Then everyone says:

  •  “Guess what we are now!” 

The blindfolded child tries to guess by the level of their voice whether they are “short” or “tall”. Each child should take a turn at being blindfolded. 

Based on the story A Puppet Show:

Download craft

HUMBLE BRACELETS


Cover empty cardboard toilet paper rolls with decorative paper or fabric to make cute bracelets. First, cut straight across the length of the cardboard roll. Once you’ve made that cut you can cut around the roll making individual bracelets of various widths. Older kids can do this themselves; younger kids will probably need help. Cut paper or fabric rectangles that will cover the bracelet with a small border around each edge. Cover the back of the fabric or paper rectangle with a thin layer of tacky glue and carefully press it onto the bracelet smoothing out any wrinkles. Tuck all the overlaying edges to the underside. If the bracelet has lost some of its ability to spring back into shape roll it into a smaller roll and hold it in shape with a rubber band while the glue dries. For smaller wrists roll them into smaller rounds. If you’ve planned ahead you could invite the kids to bring paper or fabric they like.

Humble Potato Prints


Cut potatoes into thick slices. Outline and cut out the letters H-U-M-I-L-T-Y. Put a thin layer of seven paint colors on seven 7 small plates. Put one letter stamp on each plate. You’ll be using the I stamp twice. Let the children stamp the word HUMILITY onto fingerpaint paper. They can embellish around the word-painting things that remind them of humility. It’s also fun to use cookie cutters and cut out other shape potato stamps as well. This can get messy so it’s a good outside project. And it’s helpful if there’s a garden hose, or at least a bucket of water, for washing hands.

Based on Prayer Blessed is the spot mini book

Print the prayer for the children to color.

Print and cut the second section here and fold on dashed lines like as accordian. glue the prayer images in order. fold up and glue the prayer name “Blessed is the Spot” to the front.( it is the first section with no image only the words) The last piece can be glued to the note book or in to a small box. You can also attach string to the accordian book to tie it up.

A COLLAGE based on the song

CUT PICTURES FROM A MAGAZINE AND MAKE A TREE (HUMBLE LIKE THE EARTH)