The Junior Youth Spiritual Empowerment Program (JYSEP) is a part of an educational process that seeks to raise capacity within a population to take charge of its own spiritual, social and intellectual development. This program is open to all young people aged between 11 and 14, of every religious or non-religious background, and assists them to navigate through this crucial stage in their lives.
Those in their early adolescent years possess altruism, a sense of justice, eagerness to learn about the universe, and a desire to contribute to the construction of a better world.
The program helps them form a strong moral identity and empowers them to contribute to the well-being of their communities and the world at large.
By developing their character, intellectual capabilities, power of expression, and capacities for service to society, the participants come to see that they can become agents of positive change in the world.
The groups are facilitated by “animators”, often in their late teens or twenties. The animator and participants learn from each other in a participatory mode of learning. Groups of participants engage in activities such as discussion, drama, artistic expression, cooperative games, study of literature, story telling and acts of community service.
The junior youth program explores themes from a Bahá’í perspective, but is not a formal religious education program. It is open to all, subject to parental approval. Junior youth groups meet on a regular basis and there is no written homework.
Bahá’ís see the young as the most precious treasure a community can possess. In them are the promise and guarantee of the future. Bahá’í Children’s Classes are not classes of indoctrination. The children are instructed in the principles, teachings and basic beliefs of the Bahá’í Faith, and the emphasis is on learning to think, to reflect and to apply spiritual laws to the life of the individual and society.
Especially during the early years of childhood, great attention is given to the development of spiritual qualities such as love, compassion, justice, joy, trust, etc. and to those beliefs, habits and behaviours that constitute the essential attributes of a spiritual being.
The Bahá’í class teachers are trained in the curriculum which is based on the concept of the nobility of man. By the mere acceptance that each student is “a mine rich in gems of inestimable value”, the teacher who is familiar with the nature of spiritual qualities and knows enough about human talents and capacities will search to discover these gems in their students and actively help polish them.
Teachers are also fully aware of the importance of helping children develop habits and patterns of behaviour, such as maintaining a prayerful attitude, adhering to the Laws of God, seeking Knowledge, living in Harmony with others, being a good friend, devoting their life to service and engaging in consultation, all of which are in keeping with a Bahá’í way of life.
Students will also learn about and deepen their knowledge of the lives and teachings of God’s Manifestations including: Abraham, Krishna, Zoroaster, Moses, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh. It is hoped that by learning about these Special Beings their awareness of God’s infinite love for humanity will increase. These lessons seek to strengthen in the minds of the students the connection between the knowledge of God acquired through His Manifestations and the habits and patterns of conduct that were the focus of their earlier classes. They will learn that our relationship with God is ultimately one of love.
Baha'i Devotional Gatherings
One of the main principles of the Bahá'í Faith is to associate with members of all religions; A manifestation of this practice is holding regular devotional meetings involving all people. The Bahá'ís recognize that the holding of regular meetings for worship open to all are expressions of this element of Bahá'í life and a further step in the implementation of the Law of God.
Baha'i Devotional meetings take place in a variety of locations, including homes, parks, places of worship, and public halls. In devotional meetings, each member has the opportunity to recite a prayer or a passage from the Holy Scripture of his or her choice. There are no rituals, and no one person plays a special role.
Bahá’í Devotional meetings are held in villages, neighborhoods and in various regional cities of our country. In view of the strife and hatred among people of different religions around the world, it is truly heartwarming to see members of different religions praying together in a spirit of love and friendship.
“Devotional meetings are occasions where any soul may enter, inhale the heavenly fragrances, experience the sweetness of prayer, meditate upon the Creative Word, be transported on the wings of the spirit, and commune with the one Beloved. Feelings of fellowship and common cause are generated, particularly in the spiritually heightened conversations that naturally occur at such times and through which the “city of the human heart” may be opened. By convening a gathering for worship at which adults and children of any background are welcome, the spirit of the Mashriqu’l-Adhkár is evoked in any locality.” -December 29, 2015 Letter of the Universal House of Justice to the Conference of the Continental Boards of Counsellors
A study circle is a small group that meets at least once or twice a week for a few hours, usually in the home of one of its members, to study the course materials. Anyone aged fifteen or older, whether a Bahá’í or not, is welcome to take part. The group is brought together by a tutor associated with the training institute. Tutors do not hold any special status. They are simply those who are further along in their study of the materials. Everyone can potentially serve as a tutor on some occasions, while taking part as a member of a study circle on others. All those participating are seen as active agents of their own learning, and tutors strive to create an atmosphere that encourages individuals to assume ownership for the educational process in which they are engaged.
The purpose of Bahá’í study circles is to provide participants with the knowledge, spiritual insights and skills to enable them to contribute to the betterment of society, starting with their own neighborhood. This is done through systematic study of a sequence of courses based on the Bahá’í Writings using the courses of the Ruhi Institute.
“A distinguishing feature of study circles is that in many countries, and across diverse cultures, they have created a new dynamic within the community and have become nuclei of community life and catalysts for teaching, service, and community development. In addition to study of the institute courses, the members of the study circle, both Bahá’ís and non-Bahá’ís often participate in service and extracurricular activities that bind the group together in fellowship and attract others to this mode of learning.”
International Teaching Centre, 2000 Feb, Training Institutes and Systematic Growth, p. 7
Study circles are held all around Ethiopia and are open to all. You are invited to take inspiration from the Bahá’í teachings, benefiting from whatever gems of wisdom and knowledge will help you to address the challenges you face.
Community Building
Devotional Program
“There is nothing sweeter in the world of existence than prayer. Man must live in a state of prayer. The most blessed condition is the condition of prayer and supplication. Prayer is conversation with God. The greatest attainment or the sweetest state is none other than conversation with God. It creates spirituality, creates mindfulness and celestial feelings, begets new attractions of the Kingdom and engenders susceptibilities of the higher intelligence.”
-‘Abdu’l-Bahá