Facilitator’s Guide 2025 Program for SCR Baha’i School

ByGrace Sherrill

South Central Regional Bahá’í School

October 31-November 2, 2025

My Home is the Home of Peace: 

How can our families contribute to the transformation of our neighborhoods and communities?

Objective: The participants will advance in their understanding of how as individuals and families they can work with others to form a nucleus that is reading the reality of their surroundings, identifying a need, drawing on the Revelation of Bahá’u’lláh to decide on a next step, act and then reflect. 

Agenda

Friday 10/31

5:00 p.m. Registration begins

6:00 p.m. Dinner

7:00 p.m. Opening Devotions and welcome. Review of weekend’s program and camp 

expectations.

7:30 p.m. Costume party, trick or treating, face painting, mask making and other crafts

9:00 p.m. Close formal evening program

Saturday 11/1

7:30 a.m. Breakfast 

8:30 a.m. Morning Devotions 

9:00 a.m. Children are dismissed to their classes

9:15 a.m. Welcome to camp – logistics and housekeeping

9:30 a.m. Session 1 – Plenary

How do (Bahá’í) families contribute to the process of transformation in 

neighborhoods and beyond? 

  • Opening remarks for 5-10 minutes 
  • Refresh & Gladden – A Rich Tapestry

Quote? Narratives?

  • Participants divide into random groups of 10. Each facilitator will support a small group.
  • Ask the participants to think about the objective of the weekend: How can we contribute to the transformation of our neighborhoods and communities. Also think about the video. If you could ask any question, from the two ladies or any question about the objective of the weekend, what would it be?  
  • Distribute pencil and paper and set a timer for 3 minutes. 
  • Invite the participants to write down as many questions as they can think of. No question is a bad question. It can be questions they already know the answer to or not. and generate questions about the guiding question for the weekend. 
  • At the end of the three minutes, ask the participants to share their list with the person sitting next to them and then choose their top two questions from the combined list. Allow 2 minutes for this work
  • Bring the group back together and ask each partner pair to share their top question. 
  • As a group choose three or four questions and one person to share with the whole group.

10:30 a.m Dismiss groups to the first session

11:00 a.m. Session 2: How to Build a Home of Peace?

12:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30 p.m. Session 3 – How does opening our homes both strengthen family life and 

create opportunities for vibrant families to contribute to the process of community building? 

3:00 p.m. Choice activities

Art workshops on singing in a choir, drumming, drama, watercolor, knitting or 

crocheting, presentation on Huquq, presentation on environment (Blessed Tomorrow), pioneering, arising to serve

4:00 p.m. Recreational activities – group games, music jam session

6:30 p.m. Dinner

7:30  p.m. Evening activities: Ice cream bar, story time, campfire and dancing!

Sunday 10/27

7:30 a.m. Breakfast

8:30 a.m. Morning Devotions 

9:00 a.m. Session 4: How do we expand the community-building conversation? 

11:00 a.m. Break

11:30 a.m.  Closing remarks – plenary, reflections and planning next steps

12:30 p.m. Lunch

Session 2 –  How to Build a Home of Peace? (page 3 of participant materials)

Objective: Participants will be able to think about how thoughts, words and actions cultivate the various elements of a home where the Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh are at the center of creating a home of peace.

Facilitator Note:  There will be a lot of talk about family life, raising children, families we belong to and families we want to create in the future. As a getting to know each other activity, invite each participant to introduce themselves and share one dish they loved as a child and who made it? (5 min.)

‘Abdu’l‑Bahá is reported to have said: “My home is the home of peace. My home is the home of joy and delight. My home is the home of laughter and exultation. Whosoever enters through the portals of this home, must go out with gladsome heart. This is the home of light; whosoever enters here must become illumined.”

In its March 19th, 2025 message, the Universal House of Justice draws our attention to the vital role families play in the transformation of our societies: 

 “Bahá’í family life opens an arena for dynamic interaction with the wider society. This interaction flourishes as family members strive to express in their lives the fundamental Bahá’í teachings. For example, the application of the principle of the equality of women and men, already mentioned, creates a distinctive relationship between wife and husband as well as among the children and the family as a whole, preparing family members to contribute to interactions in society that release the potential of all. Similarly, adherence to the principle of the oneness of humanity requires that children are provided with experiences that guard them from prejudice of all kinds and enhance their appreciation of diversity, which contributes to the ability to create relationships of unity and oneness in a divided world. In addition, fostering the capacity for the investigation of truth, for appreciation of the harmony of science and religion, for resolving differences of opinion and making decisions through consultation and cooperation rather than contention and contest empowers family members as effective protagonists in a process of social transformation. And developing qualities such as justice and compassion among family members prepares the children to establish sound and balanced relationships with others in society. Thus, the effort to learn to apply the Teachings within the family both generates within children a vision that transcends the family itself and raises consciousness about the conditions and needs of the peoples of the world.”

Facilitator Note: Work through the first set of quotes and questions as a whole group. An example has been provided for you. Divide the group into teams of 2-3 people. Assign each of the following concepts to a team. Participants will spend 10 min. consulting on their portion and then coming together to share with the whole group. 

  • ‘Abdul’ Bahá says: “The attainment of any object is conditioned upon knowledge, volition and action. Unless these three conditions are forthcoming, there is no execution or accomplishment. In the erection of a house it is first necessary to know the ground, and design the house suitable for it; second, to obtain the means or funds necessary for the construction; third, actually to build it.”  In your group, consider the various elements of a home environment that give shape to the truths enshrined in the quotations accompanying each concept.. What are some of the thoughts (knowledge)  that are expressed, the words that are spoken (volition), and the deeds (action)  that are performed to build a home described by ‘‘Abdu’l‑Bahá as a home of peace? Think of the homes where you belong to, homes you hope to build. You can also think about your heart as a home. How can your heart be a home of peace?
  • Oneness of humanity:  

He Who is your Lord, the All-Merciful, cherisheth in His heart the desire of beholding the entire human race as one soul and one body.  -Bahá’u’lláh 

That which the Lord hath ordained as the sovereign remedy and mightiest instrument for the healing of all the world is the union of all its peoples in one universal Cause, one common Faith.  

-Bahá’u’lláh 

Consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship. 

-Bahá’u’lláh 

Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch. Deal ye one with another with the utmost love and harmony, with friendliness and fellowship. He Who is the Daystar of Truth beareth Me witness! So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth. 

-Bahá’u’lláh 

Thoughts: (Level 1, explicitly from the quotes) We are one human family; God’s will is for us to be united in one universal Cause; we should have fellowship with all kinds of people, from all kinds of backgrounds; love, harmony, friendliness and fellowship should be our way of interacting with each other; unity is the most powerful force in the universe.

Words:  Avoid and eliminate language that creates us and them, refer to people of other nationalities, races and religions with a language of love and fellowship, avoid backbiting and criticism of other cultures, religions and races.

Deeds: We make every effort to have genuine friendship with people of other faiths, races and cultures, as a family we make time to get to know about other faiths, races and cultures, we invite people of other faiths, cultures and races to our home, we visit them in their homes, we make time to socialize with diverse people. 

  • Equality of Women and Men

“The world of humanity has two wings—one is women and the other men, . . . Not until both wings are equally developed can the bird fly. Should one wing remain weak, flight is impossible.” -‘Abdu’l‑Bahá

Know thou, O handmaid, that in the sight of Bahá, women are accounted the same as men, and God hath created all humankind in His own image, and after His own likeness. That is, men and women alike are the revealers of His names and attributes, and from the spiritual viewpoint there is no difference between them. Whosoever draweth nearer to God, that one is the most favored, whether man or woman. How many a handmaid, ardent and devoted, hath, within the sheltering shade of Bahá, proved superior to the men, and surpassed the famous of the earth.

(Selections from the Writings of ‘‘Abdu’l‑Bahá, section 38.3)

-‘Abdu’l‑Bahá

Thoughts: _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Words:  _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Deeds:  _______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

  • Experiences that guard them from prejudice of all kinds and enhance their appreciation of diversity: 

O CHILDREN OF MEN! Know ye not why We created you all from the same dust? That no one should exalt himself over the other. Ponder at all times in your hearts how ye were created. Since We have created you all from one same substance it is incumbent on you to be even as one soul, to walk with the same feet, eat with the same mouth and dwell in the same land, that from your inmost being, by your deeds and actions, the signs of oneness and the essence of detachment may be made manifest.

-Bahá’u’lláh

Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________

Words: ____________________________________________________________________

Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________

  • Fostering the capacity for the investigation of truth and appreciation of the harmony of science and religion

Knowledge is as wings to man’s life, and a ladder for his ascent. Its acquisition is incumbent upon everyone. The knowledge of such sciences, however, should be acquired as can profit the peoples of the earth, and not those which begin with words and end with words. Great indeed is the claim of scientists and craftsmen on the peoples of the world.   -Bahá’u’lláh

First among the great principles revealed by Him is that of the investigation of

reality. The meaning is that every individual member of humankind is exhorted and

commanded to set aside superstitious beliefs, traditions and blind imitation of

ancestral forms in religion and investigate reality for himself.”  -‘Abdu’l‑Bahá

Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________

Words: ____________________________________________________________________

Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________

  • Consultation and cooperation as a means for resolving differences of opinion and making decisions

Say: no man can attain his true station except through his justice. No power can exist except through unity. No welfare and no well-being can be attained except through consultation.

— Bahá’u’lláh

Regarding reciprocity and cooperation, each member of the body politic should live in the utmost comfort and welfare because each individual member of humanity is a member of the body politic, and if one member is in distress or is afflicted with some disease, all the other members must necessarily suffer. For example, a member of the human organism is the eye. If the eye should be affected, that affliction would affect the whole nervous system. Hence, if a member of the body politic becomes afflicted, in reality, from the standpoint of sympathetic connection, all will share that affliction since this [one afflicted] is a member of the group of members, a part of the whole. Is it possible for one member or part to be in distress and the other members to be at ease? It is impossible! Hence, God has desired that in the body politic of humanity each one shall enjoy perfect welfare and comfort.

-’‘Abdu’l‑Bahá

The Great Being saith: The heaven of divine wisdom is illumined with the two luminaries of consultation and compassion. Take ye counsel together in all matters, inasmuch as consultation is the lamp of guidance which leadeth the way, and is the bestower of understanding.

-Bahá’u’lláh

Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________

Words: ____________________________________________________________________

Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________

  • Justice

O SON OF SPIRIT! The best beloved of all things in My sight is Justice; turn not away therefrom if thou desirest Me, and neglect it not that I may confide in thee. By its aid thou shalt see with thine own eyes and not through the eyes of others, and shalt know of thine own knowledge and not through the knowledge of thy neighbor. Ponder this in thy heart; how it behooveth thee to be. Verily justice is My gift to thee and the sign of My loving-kindness. Set it then before thine eyes.  

-Bahá’u’lláh

Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________

Words: ____________________________________________________________________

Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________

  • Compassion

Under all conditions, whether in adversity or at ease, whether honored or afflicted, this Wronged One hath directed all men to show forth love, affection, compassion and harmony.

-Bahá’u’lláh

Thoughts: __________________________________________________________________

Words: ____________________________________________________________________

Deeds: ____________________________________________________________________

Facilitator Note: Bring the group together and allow each team to share the result of their consultation. Invite one or two comments from other teams on that item before moving to the next concept. (40 min.)

2. How does learning to apply these principles at home help us develop a vision that transcends our own family and raises their consciousness about the conditions and needs of the peoples of the world? (5 min.)

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

3. What are the implications of such a level of consciousness and vision for the wellbeing of the society? (5 min.)

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

Integrating the arts: Provide a large sheet of paper to each group of 3-5 people. Using markers and other art supplies, or by cutting out pictures from magazines, participants use drawings and other visuals to represent a home of peace. Display the finished pieces and allow groups to visit each other’s work. (20 min.)

Session 3 – How does opening our homes both strengthen family life and create opportunities to contribute to a vibrant process of community building? (page 9 of participant materials)

Objective: Participants will gain a more expansive understanding of family beyond blood relationships and how they can open their homes and their hearts to those around them through activities that build vibrant communities.

Facilitator note: Ask participants to think of one of their grandparents.  What name do they use to refer to that grandparent and where did it come from? (or another relative) (5 min.)

In its March 19th message, The Universal House of Justice invites us to think about a new conception of family, both for its members and for the society at large:

“The nature of the flourishing communities that the Bahá’í world is striving to raise has profound implications for the family. It is within the family that the individual is born and nurtured, and within the family that individuals begin to learn how to live together with others. The family unit is the basic building block of community, and beyond, of the entire social order. Therefore, a society fashioned to meet the requirements of the age of the maturity of the human race requires both a mature conception of family and an ability to extend the insights derived from that conception to the relationships that shape the nation and the world. “A family is a nation in miniature”, ‘‘Abdu’l‑Bahá explains. “The conditions surrounding the family surround the nation.” Learning about a new pattern of family life is, therefore, an integral part of the effort to learn about the release of the society-building power of the Faith.” (10 min.)

  • Why is there a need for a “mature” conception of family? _________________________

________________________________________________________________________

  • What are some examples of the conditions surrounding families that impact the wider society?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

“The relationships of the nuclear family are embedded in ever-wider circles of relationships, beginning with the extended family. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins extend care and support that help to fulfil the purpose and responsibilities of the family. The characteristics of such familial relationships also extend to fellow Bahá’ís and other friends, who can assist a family in various ways. In the close social network forged in a vibrant community, elders offer deepening, wise counsel, and distinctive examples. Others step in as spiritual aunts and uncles to share affection and concern for the progress of young people and provide support that reinforces the labours and lofty aspirations of parents.  Youth act as older brothers and sisters who, in numerous ways, assist and inspire those younger than themselves. In this way, the sense of oneness, of love, care, trust, and solidarity that are initially cultivated in the family begin to be woven into the fabric of relationships in the community.” (15 min.)

  • What are some examples of how the various members of the community, from youth to the elderly, can provide support to each other and act as an extended family? _______

_____________________________________________________________________

  • What is the impact of such close inter-generational relationships on the young people?  __________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

  • What is the impact of such close inter-generational relationships on the vibrancy of the community? _______________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

“The family members’ intimate association and their earnest desire to serve others opens a unique social space: a Bahá’í home. A vibrant Bahá’í home is an irreplaceable element in the process of community building at the grassroots. In the loving environs of the home, family members support one another in becoming capable and confident protagonists of the Divine Plan, and they welcome and assist others to play a part in transforming society. In a Bahá’í home, warm hospitality combines with spiritual quickening and intellectual progress. 

Through activities that every Bahá’í family can offer in its home, it can demonstrate a way of life that can be emulated by all those who seek to counteract the divisive forces that feed discontent, conflict, and self-interest, and to weave the bonds of trust, cooperation, and constructive action upon which a healthy community depends. Indeed, in a range of clusters worldwide, groups of families are already opening their homes and working together to help to consolidate local activities and to greatly extend their reach and influence.” (40 min.)

  • What are some of the activities that a family or individual can offer in their home that can start to build genuine relationships and friendships?  ____________________________

________________________________________________________________________

  • What are some examples of families and individuals opening their homes and their hearts and working together to help to consolidate and extend the reach of these activities?

________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

  • How does your involvement in these community-building activities help strengthen the bonds of trust and friendship with other members of your family or other members of the community? _____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Integrating the arts: In groups of 3-5, plan a gathering for several friends.  What could be a possible theme? How would you word the invitation? What food will you serve? What questions will you ask the group to engage them in an uplifting conversation? Create a simple invitation. (20 min.)

Session 4: How do we expand the community-building conversation? (page 12 of participant materials)

Facilitator Note:  Invite the group to think about instances where they have had a really meaningful, uplifting conversation. Who was part of the conversation? What was the topic? What made the conversation meaningful? How was listening and understanding demonstrated? (5 min.)

In its July 22, 2020 message, the Universal House of Justice names love as the ultimate power for transformation. “This divine love, ignited by the Word of God, is disseminated by enkindled souls through intimate conversations that create new susceptibilities in human hearts, open minds to moral persuasion, and loosen the hold of biased norms and social systems so that they can gradually take on a new form in keeping with the requirements of humanity’s age of maturity.”

  • What are the characteristics of these “intimate conversations” that can touch the mind and hearts of all those engaged? ________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

  • Discuss whether such intimate conversations might happen as the result of the following:
  • Giving the impression that you are telling people what to do with their lives and how to live it
  • Making comments that are critical of the way people are conducting their lives  
  • Insisting on what you feel is the right way of doing things
  • Creating the expectation that there is an immediate solution to for every challenge they are facing
  • Approaching conversations in a consultative spirit
  • Seeking to explore together relevant guidance and their implications for life and for the relationship between individuals, families  and community
  • Adopting a posture of learning

(15 min.)

  • Let’s practice! (30 min.)
  • Distribute the conversation starters among the participants.
  • Invite the participants to stand up and move around as music is playing. 
  • When the music stops, they will pair up with the person closest to them.
  • One partner poses their question and listens to the other respond. They will share their own insights about the question as well.
  • The second partner will pose their question and repeat the conversation.
  • Partners exchange cards.
  • Music starts again.
  • Participants move around and pair up with another person when the music stops.
  • Repeat steps 4-6 allowing 5-7 min. per round. 

4.  Reflection (30 min.)

Gather the participants together and ask for some reflection on the conversation practice:

  • How did our study from yesterday support your ability to engage in a meaningful conversation?
  • What is one thing you learned from the conversation?
  • How did you actively listen to your partner?
  • How did your partner support you during the conversation?
  • What followup questions helped keep the conversation going?
  • What is one further question you have after this conversation?
  • What was your biggest takeaway from this School?
  • What is one step you hope to take when you go back home?

Refer the participants to the form in their packet so the friends can share their next steps with the Regional Council.They can also scan the QR code and submit their next steps electronically.  This is so they can be connected to others who have the same hopes and aspirations for service, to learn from their efforts and to provide accompaniment. There is also a QR Code for the full text of the March 19th message. Please encourage the friends to consider studying with their families and others.

Select one or two people to share the group’s reflections with the whole group back in plenary. 

Conversation Starters for Adults

Conversation Starters for Youth 

General Questions for Everyone

Name: _______________________________

Locality/cluster: ________________________

Contact information (phone or email): _____________________________________

In order to open our home and our hearts to a wider circle of friends, neighbors and colleagues, I/we will ____________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

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