The Significance of Bahá’u’lláh’s Revelation/Preface
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Preface
A letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi states: “The principles, administration and fundamentals of the Faith are well known, but the friends need greatly to study the more profound works which would give them spiritual maturity to a greater degree, unify their community life, and enable them to better exemplify the Baha’i way of living... .”'
This book is part of a series whose purpose is to draw the reader into a study of the profound concepts found in the Baha’i Revelation. It is also intended to serve as a bridge leading to expanded study of the writings of Baha’u’llah, ‘Abdu’1-Baha, and Shoghi Effendi.
The book can be used for individual or group study. Each lesson is
divided into a number of possible segments that can be used selec tively:
An introduction to the lesson.
A general presentation of new information. einen Details of the “Overview” with quotes and examples.
Quotations from the writings on the lesson topic.
Excerpts on the lesson topic, usually from books by
Z
Bahda’is; often includes stories of Baha’i history. atmiamesieny Three ways to explore the lesson topic in more depth. Questions that review the lesson material.
Answers to the questions. Questions for group discussion.
poranems An exercise that explores the topic in more depth.
uselntaem Suggested answers for the exercise.
Note in the “Readings” section that some words in the passages from the writings are defined in the margins for your convenience. Words having a specific meaning in a Baha’{ context are underlined and defined with that meaning. Pronunciation of Baha’ and Islamic terms is also provided.
1 The Importance of Deepening 45-46
2
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To use this book for individual study, create your own study plan
by choosing the sections you want to cover in each lesson. Depending on your personal preference you may wish to skip some of the
sections. However, please do not skip the “Readings” section,
since this provides a chance to read the Word of God and
comments by ‘Abdu’l-Baha, Shoghi Effendi, and the Universal
House of Justice. Use the right margins on each page to make
notes and record ideas. You may find it most convenient to study a
lesson—or just one lesson segment—with your daily prayers in the
morning or evening.
The book can also be used to create a plan for group study. For example, each lesson can be read and discussed section by section. Or, group members can read the lesson on their own, then come together weekly for discussion of the quotations and questions.
As a third option, a group leader can summarize the “Overview,” “Explanation,” and “Illustration” sections in a ten to fifteen minute presentation before the group reads and discusses the quotations.
At the end of the book is an index with references that go beyond the quotations covered in the lessons. The index offers a valuable starting point for an extended study of the significance of Baha’u’llah’s Revelation.
Beyond personal and group deepenings, this book can be used as a resource for preparing for firesides, public talks, or seminar work at Baha’i schools. We hope you find it useful, educational, and uplifting.
National Teaching Committee April 1989
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Thou hast from everlasting been immeasurably exalted above
the mention of all beings, and wilt continue unto everlasting
to remain far above the conception of Thy creatures... . .
How sweet, therefore, is the praise Thou givest to Thine own
Self, and the description Thou givest of Thine own Being! —Baha’v’lldh