There is no minimum number of participants required before a study circle can be formed. Study circles can be formed with only two or three members. If the number of participants becomes too large, it is advisable for them to be divided into smaller groups. The members of a study circle might consist of friends who have known one another for a long time. But a group might also be made up of individuals who have separately responded to the call of the institute to establish a study circle in the community. If you have any questions regarding study circles or the Training Institute please contact Mr. Jim Holmland, 3 Galgorm Gardens, Ballmena. County Antrim. BT42 1BA
A new study circle group named the Pearl Divers has been busily working its way through book 2 of the Ruhi Institute, "Arising to Serve". The members of the circle came from the communities of Armagh, Craigavon and Rostrevor. The tutor was Patricia Jamshidi. A challenging target of two months to complete the course was set early on to allow youths in the group to finish well before exam time. This meant meeting every week over the period. However, the study was well interspersed with some very serious fun, entertainment and Bahá'í spirit which made the time pass very quickly. The only remaining task is the service project where the study circle is offering an event to the organizers of the Fiddler's Green Festival in Rostrevor later in the year.
They gathered near to the ancient settlement… the place that was known in the old language as "the corner of the spades". They had traveled from near and far… and very far, these few who had responded to the call, the summons of "the True Ones"… the "Body of Nine" who had met in that far distant land.
They came to seek assistance… assistance from the "Trained One", she who would guide them on their quest. They had come to prepare… to train… to ready their weapons… to plan their tactics. She would guide them, train them.
They came to prepare for a great quest… a mighty quest… a quest to capture those elusive cities… The cities spoken of by "The Great One", the One who had passed eleven decades ago… the One who had left the "Great Guidance" which the "True Ones" and the "Trained One" were following.
These few, these few and many others who, with other "Trained Ones", had come to prepare… to gain the knowledge… the insights… the skills of service… they had come to find the "Power"… She had led them to its source.
This "Power" they had discovered was contained in the Words of the "Great One"… that "Great One" who had passed eleven decades before. They would learn the secret of unleashing it… They would increase their strength because of it… They, these few and many others like them… they would arise, prepared and eager… they would fight and win the greatest battles… those battles for the "cities"… the "cities of the hearts of men".
Their God… He would be with them. They need not have any fear.
The Words of the "Great One" would go with them… Resounding in their ears.
"Alternative report" from a "Teaching the Cause" (course 6) study circle at Cullybackey.
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