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Core-Curriculum Spiritual Education (Content and Process Scope and…

- - - - Central Figures: Bahá’u’lláh — Level One
        Goal: Love for Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: Prayers and Meditations
        Topic: Loving Acts
        Topic: Children of His Household
        Goal: The Station of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: The Station of Bahá’u’lláh as Stated by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
        Goal: His Life and Ministry
        Topic: The Childhood of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: Youth and Early Manhood
        Goal: The Principles of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: Oneness of God and of Humanity
        
        Notice that in Level One there are four learning goals, each has one or more topics of study. In Level Two we see the same four learning goals, and the topics are different and more advanced. Two new learning goals are also added.
      - Central Figures: Bahá’u’lláh — Level Two
        Goal: Love for Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: The Suffering and Sacrifices
        Topic: Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
        Topic: The Holy Family
        Goal: The Station of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: The Station of Bahá’u’lláh as Stated by the Báb
        Topic: The Station of Bahá’u’lláh as Stated by His Own Pen
        Goal: His Life and Ministry
        Topic: Bahá’u’lláh in the Síyáh-Chál
        Topic: Banishment to Iraq
        Topic: Declaration in the Garden of Ridván
        Goal: Proofs & Evidences of His Station
        Topic: Progressive Revelation
        Goal: The Principles of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: Social Principles
        Goal: The Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: The Significance of the Writings
        
        In Level Three we see four of the same learning goals as Level Two, again with different and more advanced topics. One introductory learning goal is no longer included, and two more advanced goals are added.
      - Central Figures: Bahá’u’lláh — Level Three
        Goal: Love for Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: The Suffering and Sacrifices
        Topic: Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
        Topic: The Holy Family
        Goal: The Station of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: The Station of Bahá’u’lláh as Stated in the Holy Books of Previous Religions
        Topic: The Station of Bahá’u’lláh as Stated by Shoghi Effendi
        Goal: His Life and Ministry
        Topic: Exiles to Constantinople and Adrianople
        Topic: Exile to the Holy Land
        Goal: Proofs & Evidences of His Station
        Topic: Proofs & Evidences Found in Divine Religions of the Past
        Goal: The Principles of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: Personal Principlesy
        Goal: Laws of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: The Need for Laws
        Topic: The Kitáb-i-Aqdas
        Goal: The Writings of Bahá’u’lláh
        Topic: Mysteries and Hidden Meanings
        Topic: Major texts
      - In this manner the learning goals advance between levels. The topics within them become more complex with each level. Thus children of advancing age and grade levels will have material appropriate to their capacity to understand. Likewise people of all ages may pursue the learning goals and topics appropriate to their gradual advancement in knowledge of the faith.
        The lessons plans provide material on every topic suitable to a wide age range of learners. There is material on each topic suitable for beginning readers, and also for those reading at a middle school or more advanced level as well.
        The storybooks have chapters matched with every topic. In each chapter there are stories for several different reading levels. Thus many people of various ages and capacities can use these materials in a manner appropriate for their knowledge level and interest. The flexibility of this comprehensive system can be applied to a varied range of community situations. These are illustrated in the examples of implementation below.
- - - - “The Prophets and Messengers of God have been sent down for the sole purpose of guiding mankind to the straight Path of Truth. The purpose underlying Their revelation hath been to educate all men, that they may, at the hour of death, ascend, in the utmost purity and sanctity and with absolute detachment, to the throne of the Most High.”
        — Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh, pp. 156–157
      - Among the greatest objectives of humanity is the education and training of children.
      - Spiritual education embodies those virtues or attributes which, when enkindled in the hearts and minds of children, not only guide their morals, but also enhance their material education.
      - The Bahá’í writings state that, before all else, children must be taught to love and obey God.
      - This love and obedience is represented to a great extent in children’s relationship with their parents and in service to humankind. Children must learn their rightful role within their own immediate families, their role in their communities, and in the family of humanity, regardless of race, sex, nationality, or socio-economic condition.
      - “If . . . the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon light.”
        — ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 136
      - The purpose of spiritual education is to teach children to have high aims toward which they steadfastly progress.
      - Education is universal, and all children must be educated. Further, all children are to receive a spiritual education, regardless of their capacity, interest, economic status, or any other factor.
      - Core Curriculum supports the spiritual empowerment of children from all backgrounds, using the writings and principles of the Bahá’í Faith as the primary source of inspiration. The curriculum is designed to serve all children, those who are new to the teachings of the Bahá’í Faith and those already familiar with its principles.
      - Additionally, no difference should be made in the education of boys and girls. Yet the Bahá’í writings also state that if a parent can, for whatever reason, only provide education for some children, girls should be given priority because of their role as the mothers of the next generation. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke of this precedence and also stated that:
      - “the question of training the children . . . is extremely important, but most important of all is the education of girl children, for these girls will one day be mothers, and the mother is the first teacher of the child. In whatever way she reareth the child, so will the child become, and the results of that first training will remain with the individual throughout his entire life, and it would be most difficult to alter them. And how can a mother, herself ignorant and untrained, educate her child? It is therefore clear that the education of girls is of far greater consequence than that of boys.”
        — Bahá’u’lláh, Bahá’í Education, p. 37, no. 91