Study Circles

Groups of friends come together to study the Bahá'í teachings and apply them in service to their communities.  Study circles are a form of collaborative learning designed to systematically bring education about spiritual concepts at a grassroots level. Because they are intended to be sustainable and reproducible on a large scale, study circles shy away from formally taught classes, opting instead for participatory methods. They are usually led by a tutor whose role is not to act as an expert but rather to facilitate the rhythm and pace of the study circle. In this way, attendees of study circles are expected to become active participants in their own learning process. The most common curriculum used in study circles is from the Ruhi Institute in Colombia and is now used in communities around the world.

Modules Available Include:

The main sequence of courses, for those 15 and older - The modules are intended to be used as the main sequence of courses in a systematic effort to enhance capacity for service. The sequence is conceived in terms of three cycles, each one concerned with the spiritual and moral empowerment of individuals from a particular perspective.

Junior youth spiritual empowerment program - Since its inception, the Ruhi Institute has attached special importance to its work with youth aged 12 to 15; specifically, it has sought to understand the dynamics of maintaining small groups in local communities that offer a setting in which young people can discuss ideas and form a strong moral identity.

Bahá’í children’s classes for spiritual education - Lessons for Bahá'í children's classes, beginning with Grade 1 for age 5 or 6, are presented in the context of teacher training. While people everywhere are eager to have their children participate in classes for their spiritual education, experience has shown that the challenge lies in training an adequate number of teachers to meet this demand. The Ruhi Institute is developing a set of courses for training Bahá'í children's class teachers.

To attend a study circle near you or to host an event please contact Gita or Roco, at gitakn@aol.com, roco9@aol.com or call 760-929-8008 / 760-216-9592.