Bahá’ís see the young as the most precious treasure a community can possess. In them are the promise and guarantee of the future. Yet, in order for this promise to be realized, children need to receive spiritual nourishment. In a world where the joy and innocence of childhood can be so easily overwhelmed by the aggressive pursuit of materialistic ends, the moral and spiritual education of children assumes vital importance.
In recent years, training institutes around the world have been playing an increasingly important part in the training of teachers to conduct classes for the spiritual education of children. The materials being developed for use by the institutes emphasize the acquisition of spiritual qualities—for example, truthfulness, generosity, purity of heart, and kindness, to name a few—which are considered attributes of God that are reflected in the mirror of the human heart. Year after year, the materials build on the understanding of these qualities and add lessons related to the history and the Writings of the Bahá’í Faith. The goal is for the children to reach a stage in which they can understand and act upon the imperative to tend to their own spiritual development and contribute to the well-being of society.
A selection of prayers from the children class material put to song by local teachers of children classes.
"The art of music is divine and effective. It is the food of the soul and spirit. Through the power and charm of music the spirit of man is uplifted. It has wonderful sway and effect in the hearts of children, for their hearts are pure, and melodies have great influence in them" ~‘Abdu’l-Bahá~
A selection of community efforts to learn about enkindlement.
"Verily, I supplicate God to enkindle in thy heart the fire of His love" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about following Creator's teachings.
"My love is My stronghold; he that entereth therein is safe and secure" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about generosity.
"To give and to be generous are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My virtues" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about honesty.
"Beautify your tongues, O people, with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about hope.
"Be thou ever hopeful, for the bounties of God never cease to flow upon man" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about joy.
"O Son of Man! Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me and to mirror forth My beauty" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about justice.
"Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily, is the straight path." ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about kindness.
"O Son of Spirit! My first counsel is this: Possess a pure kindly and radiant heart..." ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about love.
"O Friend! In the garden of thine heart plant naught but the rose of love..." ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about patience.
He, verily, shall increase the reward of them that endure with patience" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about prayer.
“O Son of Light! Forget all save Me and commune with My spirit. This is of the essence of My command, therefore turn unto it.” ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about radiance.
"O Son of Man! Thou art My lamp and my light is in thee. Get thou from it thy radiance and seek none other than Me" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about steadfastness.
"Supremely lofty will be thy station, if thou remainest steadfast in the Cause of thy Lord" ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about true friendship.
“O ye beloved of the Lord! Commit not that which defileth the limpid stream of love or destroyeth the sweet fragrance of friendship.” ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about truthfulness.
"Truthfulness is the foundation of all human virtues." ~Bahá’u’lláh~
A selection of community efforts to learn about unity.
“So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.” ~Bahá’u’lláh~