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Ruhi Children’s Classes
Ruhi Book 3 Children’s Classes and Brilliant Star: Second Branch Course (Grade 2)
Ruhi Book 3 Children’s Classes – Second Branch Course
Edition 1.1.1.PE June 2024
These twelve lessons (arranged in four sets) are for kids who have completed the first year of children’s classes in Ruhi Book 3, Grade 1 and the nine lessons of the first branch course. Each set has a theme, and three lessons foster development of spiritual qualities related to that theme. Kids are also encouraged to develop their skills in creative drama and visual arts. The Brilliant Star content below provides supplemental material to the published lessons for use in the classroom, at home, and in other spaces.
Brilliant Star presents a wide range of stories, activities, and songs that are ideal for complementing the Ruhi lesson plans in children’s classes. You can discover some below.
We’d love to know how you’re using Brilliant Star in your classes and what other materials you’d find helpful. E-mail us at brilliant@usbnc.org or share your ideas in our Facebook group, the Brilliant Star Idea Exchange.
Download the Second Branch book of lessons here.
Lesson 4.1: The importance of living in unity
We are all part of one human family. When diverse people of the world live in unity, the truth strength of humanity will be seen.
Quotes:
O Lord God! Make us as waves of the sea, as flowers of the garden, united, agreed through the bounties of Thy love. O Lord! Dilate the breasts through the signs of Thy oneness, and make all mankind as stars shining from the same height of glory, as perfect fruits growing upon Thy tree of life. Verily, Thou art the Almighty, the Self-Subsistent, the Giver, the Forgiving, the Pardoner, the Omniscient, the One Creator.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth.—Bahá’u’lláh
Quotes to Review from Grade 1:
Tread ye the path of justice, for this, verily, is the straight path. —Bahá’u’lláh
O Friend! In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love . . .
—Bahá’u’lláh
O Son of Being! Thou art My lamp and My light is in thee. Get thou from it thy radiance and seek none other than Me. For I have created thee rich and have bountifully shed My favor upon thee. —Bahá’u’lláh
The Kingdom of God is founded upon equity and justice, and also upon mercy, compassion, and kindness to every living soul.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Story: Two men who are angry at each other accidently meet at ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s house and he brings them into unity.
Click to find supplemental activities on living in unity:
Lesson 4.2: Treating everyone with justice and fairness
In a family, everyone is treated with fairness. We need to find ways to work together for everyone’s benefit.
Quote:
We ask God to endow human souls with justice so they may be fair, and may strive to provide for the comfort of all . . .—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Story: Christian merchant who took charcoal makes ‘Abdu’l-Bahá wait. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá kindly explains about the teachings of Christ and gains his respect.
Click to find supplemental activities on justice and fairness:
Lesson 4.3: Cooperating with others
As one human family, we work together for the good of all. Without cooperation, we can’t accomplish much in the world.
Quote:
The supreme need of humanity is cooperation and reciprocity.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Story: Seamstress Nettie Tobin worked with friends to bring the cornerstone to the House of Worship site.
Click to find supplemental activities on cooperation:
Lesson 5.1: Respecting the dignity of all people
God created us all noble. We can all reflect the qualities of God, such as kindness, generosity, and compassion.
Quote:
O my Lord! Make Thy beauty to be my food, and Thy presence my drink, and Thy pleasure my hope, and praise of Thee my action, and remembrance of Thee my companion, and the power of Thy sovereignty my succorer, and Thy habitation my home, and my dwelling-place the seat Thou hast sanctified from the limitations imposed upon them who are shut out as by a veil from Thee. Thou art, verily, the Almighty, the All-Glorious, the Most Powerful. —Bahá’u’lláh
Quotes to Review from Grade 1:
He, verily, shall increase the reward of them that endure with patience.
—Bahá’u’lláh
We should at all times manifest our truthfulness and sincerity . . . —‘Abdu’l—Bahá
Beautify your tongues, O people, with truthfulness, and adorn your souls with the ornament of honesty. —Bahá’u’lláh
Story: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá shared his birthday cake with boys in a park in New York City.
Click to find supplemental activities on respecting all people:
Lesson 5.2: Treating everyone with courtesy
Courtesy is a way to recognize that we’re all created by God. It beautifies our relationships.
Quote:
I admonish you to observe courtesy, for above all else it is the prince of virtues. Well is it with him who is illumined with the light of courtesy and is attired with the vesture of uprightness.—Bahá’u’lláh
Story: 'Abdu'l-Bahá transformed a journalist with his deep and courteous listening
Click to find supplemental activities on courtesy:
Lesson 5.3: Feedom from prejudice
Since all people are created noble, we strive to honor every person, no matter what their background. We keep our hearts free from prejudice.
Quote:
They must endeavor to consort in a friendly spirit with everyone, must follow moderation in their conduct, must have respect and consideration one for another and show loving-kindness and tender regard to all the peoples of the world.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Story: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá treated his servant, Fujita, with respect, and they ate meals together.
Click to find supplemental activities on freedom from prejudice:
Lesson 6.1: God is always with us and is a true Friend to us
No matter how many friendships come and go in our lives, God is always with us. At all times, we should trust in the bounty of God.
Quote:
O Lord! Unto Thee I repair for refuge and toward all Thy signs I set my heart.
O Lord! Whether travelling or at home, and in my occupation or in my work, I place my whole trust in Thee.
Grant me then Thy sufficing help so as to make me independent of all things, O Thou Who art unsurpassed in Thy mercy!
Bestow upon me my portion, O Lord, as Thou pleasest, and cause me to be satisfied with whatsoever Thou hast ordained for me.
Thine is the absolute authority to command.—The Báb
Quotes to Review from Grade 1:
Trustworthiness is the greatest portal leading unto the tranquillity and security of the people.—Bahá’u’lláh
Blessed is he who mingleth with all men in a spirit of utmost kindliness and love.
—Bahá’u’lláh
To give and to be generous are attributes of Mine; well is it with him that adorneth himself with My virtues.—Bahá’u’lláh
Let your adorning be forgiveness and mercy and that which cheereth the hearts of the well-favoured of God.—Bahá’u’lláh
Incline your hearts, O people of God, unto the counsels of your true, your incomparable Friend.—Bahá’u’lláh
Story: Egyptian merchant ‘Abdu’l-Karim who slod everything to journey to see Bahá’u’lláh. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá helped him prepare his heart to meet Bahá’u’lláh.
Click to find supplemental activities about true friendship:
Lesson 6.2: Being a trustworthy friend
True friends trust each other and are honest and truthful. They know they can rely on each other to do what is right.
Quote:
O ye beloved of the Lord! Commit not that which defileth the limpid stream of love of destroyeth the sweet fragrance of friendship.—Bahá’u’lláh
Stories: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá refuses to pay the unfair price to the driver.
The legend of Damon and Pythias, who trusted each other completely.
Click to find supplemental activities about trustworthiness:
Lesson 6.3: True Friends care for each other
True friends care for each other and forgive each other if mistakes are made. We want to bring joy to our friends and share our time and possessions.
Quotes:
“. . .strive ye with all your might to create, through the power of the Word of God, genuine love, spiritual communion and durable bonds among individuals.”—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Story: When May Maxwell was ill, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá considerately postponed a trip to Mount Carmel so the group could all go together when everyone was well.
Click to find supplemental activities on building strong friendships:
Lesson 7.1: Serve God by serving His loved ones
When we help other people, we are giving service to God. We can visit the sick, help those in need, and share what we learn with others.
Quote:
O Thou kind Lord! These lovely children are the handiwork of the fingers of Thy might and the wondrous signs of Thy greatness. O God! Protect these children, graciously assist them to be educated and enable them to render service to the world of humanity. O God! These children are pearls, cause them to be nurtured within the shell of Thy loving-kindness.
Thou art the Bountiful, the All-Loving.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Quotes to Review from Grade 1:
Blessed is he who preferreth his brother before himself.—Bahá’u’lláh
O Son of Man! Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me and to mirror forth My beauty.—Bahá’u’lláh
Never lose thy trust in God. Be thou ever hopeful, for the bounties of God never cease to flow upon man.—‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Supremely lofty will be thy station, if thou remainest steadfast in the Cause of thy Lord.—Bahá’u’lláh
That one indeed is a man who, today, dedicateth himself to the service of the entire human race.—Bahá’u’lláh
Story: Lua Getsinger learned about service when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá sends her to care for a sick man in a dirty home.
Click to find supplemental activities on being of service:
Lesson 7.2: Make an effort to serve
Quote:
Waste not your time in idleness and sloth. Occupy yourselves with that which profiteth yourselves and others.—Bahá’u’lláh
Story: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá served all day, all His life. A man who tried to keep up with him grew exhausted by working all day with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá.
A king asks an old man why he is planting fruit trees that he will not live to see bear fruit.
Click to find supplemental activities on making efforts to serve:
Lesson 7.3: Work is Worship
Quote:
It is incumbent upon each one of you to engage in some occupation—such as a craft, a trade or the like. We have exalted your engagement in such work to the rank of worship of the one true God. —Bahá’u’lláh
Story: ‘Abdu’l-Bahá arranged for Bahá’í children to learn calligraphy and reviewed their lessons, but one child wasn’t diligent and honest about his work.
Click to find supplemental activities on work as worship:
Updated on 6.20.25