Study Circles

To build a better world requires an ever-growing pool of people capable of contributing to the accomplishment of the myriad tasks at hand. In this connection, the concept of the “training institute” was introduced by the Baha’i faith’s governing body in the mid-1990s. Its purpose to assist individuals to deepen their understanding of their true spiritual identity and to gain the practical skills to carry out service to the community.

In Ipswich, study circle groups meet 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. The nature of the meetings can be understood by imagining an ongoing conversation taking place among friends in many social spaces—neighbourhoods, streets, schools, universities, and workplaces—concerned with contributing to the advancement of civilization through the application of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. As the number of participants in the conversation grows, processes to achieve collective spiritual and material goals in each space are set in motion.

In response to the materials they study, participants in Study Circles arise to carry out specific acts of service relating to the themes discussed, including organizing devotional gatherings, spiritual education classes for children and youth groups.