Open to all, youth groups at Strive bring together friends ages 15 and older to advance through a sequence of courses developed by the Ruhi Institute inspired by the Bahá'í Writings — walking together on a path of service that contributes to the betterment of their communities.
At Strive, training takes place through study circles — a space where a tutor, a more experienced friend, supports and accompanies a group of youth and adults as they study the materials and put into practice acts of service that gradually increase in complexity.
Like a path we walk together, acts of service begin simply — organizing a devotional gathering or visiting a friend to share meaningful conversations — and gradually grow in complexity, such as offering children's classes, animating junior youth groups, or serving as a tutor for a study circle.
Study circles, which usually form in a locality with the assistance of a more experienced participant or "tutor," provide participants with the knowledge, spiritual insights, and skills to enable them to contribute to the betterment of society — starting with their own neighborhood, and according to their own pace and possibilities. Institute courses build capacities to serve as a host of devotional gatherings, a teacher of children's classes, an animator of a junior youth group, and a tutor of study circles, among others.
In study circles, participants also learn about the transformative power of prayer and the life of the soul — and begin having meaningful conversations with friends and neighbors on themes such as the role of prayer, the equality of women and men, and many more.
As youth study and walk the path together, acts of service start simply and increasingly grow in complexity — each one a way of translating study into meaningful action. Click a waypoint below to learn more.
The path begins with a question of identity — who is the "I" that walks this path? Together, participants develop the capacity to reflect on the Bahá'í Writings, to pray and to study prayers, and to shape a pattern of life known for its devotional character.
Unity and fellowship are essential features of community life. Participants reflect on the joy of service and build the skills, qualities, and knowledge needed to enter into conversations with others that are uplifting to the mind and spirit.
The spiritual education of children is essential to the transformation of society. Participants develop the knowledge, skills, and qualities needed to enter this important field of service — learning to foster spiritual qualities in small children with love and discipline.
The years between childhood and adulthood — roughly ages 12 to 15 — are a time when fundamental concepts about individual and collective life take shape in the mind of an adolescent. Participants develop the concepts, skills, qualities, and attitudes needed to carry out a program for the spiritual empowerment of junior youth.
Mutual accompaniment on a path of service is central to the capacity building set in motion by the courses. Participants study the spiritual dynamics of advancing along the path, examine the concepts and attitudes needed to accompany a group of friends on this journey, and consider the role of the arts within a study circle.
Diana describes her journey from reluctance to joy as she became an animator for a junior youth group.
The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct.
Contact us to find a study circle in your area or to become trained as a tutor.
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