Our Families, Our Hopes

Introduction
Families come in all shapes and sizes, no two are alike. They may have two parents, may have
been through divorce, single parent families, guardians, families with all different types of
talents, joys, difficulties and trials. Yet, we manage to get through it all, some days better than
others, but always with the hope of a better tomorrow. With the day to day needs of a
growing, ever evolving family, we often don’t have time to sit down and allow ourselves to
think about our hopes and dreams for our families. Perhaps, we think about our children,
about our parents, our careers, but what about our hopes for our families?
We will study some material over the next day and a half that will open spaces for us to explore
the theme of our families and our hopes. We will be looking at the life of ‘Abdu’l-Baha, who
lived a life of service in the most difficult of situations.
He was born to a wealthy family in Persia. When he was only 8 His Father, Baha’u’llah, was
unjustly imprisoned for accepting the Message of God for His day. Their home was pillaged,
they had to go into hiding. He was chased and stoned by other children. At one point there
was no food and his mother put a bit of flour in the palm of his hand, and that was their food.
His Father was banished from country to country. As Baha’u’llah declared His Mission, that He
was the Manifestation of God for this Day, the family’s persecutions increased day by day. They
finally were exiled to a prison colony in Palestine called Akka. There, ‘Abdu’l-Baha and his
family lived in deplorable conditions. But throughout all the suffering and calamities of His
Family, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was always serving others. His life was threatened and rather than hiding,
he went out and visited the poor and ill.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá is our perfect example of how we should live our lives and serve others, and for
that reason we study His life, and include some stories in the discussions we will be having
today.
But, first, let’s start with you and your family.

Day 2 – Session 1 – My Family, My Hopes

1. Introduce yourselves to the rest of the group and share a little about who comprises
your family and where you live.
2. Briefly describe your neighborhood.
3. Share one hope that you have for your family.
4. What strengths does a family need to possess to help it attain its hopes?
Quote:
“Note, ye how easily, where unity existeth in a given family, the affairs of that family are
conducted, what progress the members of that family make, how they prosper in the world.
Their concerns are in order, they enjoy comfort and tranquility, they are secure, their position is
assured, they come to be envied by all. Such a family but addeth to its stature and its lasting
honor, as day succeedeth day.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Selected Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, #22

1. Think of questions that one finds answered in the quotation. Eg. What happens to a
family where unity exists? What is needed for a family to enjoy comfort and
tranquility?

2. Think of questions that the quotation inspires.

3. What comes to mind when thinking of unity? Give some examples of unity in a
family or in a neighborhood.

4. What are some examples of progress and prosperity? Of comfort and tranquility?

5. How would such a family be secure and their position assured?

6. What type of families are envied in current society? How would that change to be a
united family?

7. What would some examples of stature and lasting honor be?

Story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

Every day many people came to visit ‘Abdu’l-Bahá in His home, and He welcomed them all with
open arms. One day, a gentleman arrived at the house and was greeted warmly. Sometime later,
while this gentleman was still visiting with ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, a second man came to call, and he,
too, was warmly welcomed. Now, it so happened that these two gentlemen had had a
disagreement, and they were not at all happy to see each other. In fact, they did not even want to
be in the same room together. What would happen? Both wanted to be with the Master. Would
one of them decide

‘Abdu’l-Bahá resolved the matter immediately. He started by telling some funny stories and,
before long, both men were laughing. Then He said that His home was a home of peace and joy,
a home of laughter and exultation. He did not want them to leave with feelings of enmity in their
hearts. The gentlemen listened carefully, thinking about the Master’s words. After a while,
‘Abdu’l-Bahá gave them each some sweets and a silk handkerchief. These were to be, He
indicated, a token of their pledge of friendship. The two men smiled. They recognized that it was
God Who had directed their steps to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s home that day. And they went away from
His presence joyous and full of laughter.
Book 3A, p. 88
 8. What can we learn from the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá?

9. Work together to memorize the quote.

Day 2 – Session 2 – Positive and Negative forces

Questions:

1. First, consider your family’s hopes, dreams, and goals. For example, you might have
a goal that everyone be able to learn and develop new knowledge, skills, and
abilities. Then, think about and share some of the forces in your neighborhood,
community, or even society that affect families in a positive way, aiding it to achieve
that goal. Some examples might be caring among neighbors, community prayers,
etc.

2. Name some of the negative forces that work against a family achieving its hopes.
(eg. Materialism, lack of trust, etc.) How do we combat those negative forces? Use
the list from question #1, then add others that could be developed by the family,
neighborhood, or community.

Quotes:
“When a thought of war comes, oppose it by a stronger thought of peace. A thought of hatred
must be destroyed by a more powerful thought of love.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Paris Talks, p. 28

“Never lose thy trust in God. Be thou ever hopeful, for the bounties of God never cease to flow
upon man…Man is under all conditions immersed in a sea of God’s blessings. Therefore, be
thou not hopeless under any circumstances, but rather be firm in thy hope.”
Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 178

1. How does the quote suggest we overcome the negative forces of war and hatred? What
would be some examples of how those “thoughts” are overcome? How can we apply
this knowledge to working to achieve our hopes as a family?
2. Look at the qualities that children learn in Grade 1 Children’s Classes. Which of these
could be applied to help our families achieve our goals? How could they be applied?
purity of heart justice love truthfulness
generosity selflessness joy sincerity
humility thankfulness forgiveness honesty
compassion detachment contentment kindness
courage hopefulness trustworthiness enkindlement
radiance faithfulness patience steadfastness
Story about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá:

In the days of Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the people of ‘Akká had been misled about the Bahá’ís and
did not think they deserved to be treated fairly. But ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, with His great wisdom and love,
changed the hearts of many of these people. He showed kindness to the people of all religions and helped
them become united.

There was a Christian merchant in ‘Akká who, like his fellow citizens, did not respect the Bahá’ís. One
day, outside the gates of the city, the merchant saw a camel-load of charcoal that belonged to the
Bahá’ís. He stopped the driver and said, “This is better charcoal than I can get!” Without paying any
money, he took the charcoal for himself.

When ‘Abdu’l-Bahá heard of this incident He went to the merchant’s shop to ask for the return of the
charcoal. There were many people in the office, and the merchant did not pay Him any attention.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá sat there and waited patiently. Finally, after three hours, the merchant turned to Him and
asked coldly, “Are you one of the prisoners? What have you done that you were imprisoned?” ‘Abdu’l-
Bahá replied that His crime was the same one for which Christ was persecuted. The merchant was
surprised. “What do you know about Christ?” he asked. Then ‘Abdu’l-Bahá calmly and kindly began to
talk to him about Christ and His teachings. As ‘Abdu’l-Bahá spoke, the merchant’s heart began to melt
and his pride and arrogance disappeared. At last, he explained to ‘Abdu’l-Bahá that unfortunately the
charcoal was gone, but he would gladly pay for it. Then ‘Abdu’l-Bahá rose to leave. The merchant also
rose and walked with Him to the street, treating Him with great respect and honor.

Day 2 – Session 3 – Strengthening our families to achieve our hopes

Quote:
The supreme need of humanity is cooperation and reciprocity. The stronger the ties of
fellowship and solidarity amongst men, the greater will be the power of
constructiveness and accomplishment tin all the planes of human activity.
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Will and Testament of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá,
 The Holy Spirit will give to man greater powers than these, if only he will strive after the
things of the spirit and endeavour to attune his heart to the Divine infinite love.
When you love a member of your family or a compatriot, let it be with a ray of the
Infinite Love! Let it be in God, and for God! Wherever you find the attributes of God love
that person, whether he be of your family or of another. Shed the light of a boundless
love on every human being whom you meet, whether of your country, your race, your
political party, or of any other nation, colour or shade of political opinion. Heaven will
support you while you work in this in-gathering of the scattered peoples of the world
beneath the shadow of the almighty tent of unity.
You will be servants of God, who are dwelling near to Him, His divine helpers in the
service, ministering to all Humanity. All Humanity! Every human being! Never forget
this!
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Paris Talks, P. 38
1. What is the source of the strength of a family?
2. Think of some examples of fellowship and solidarity. Of cooperation and reciprocity.
What can a family do to develop these?
3. Think of some examples of constructiveness and accomplishment of a family. To
what is the power of constructiveness and accomplishment related?
4. In what way will heaven support us?
5. What does love conduce to? How might this happen in our families?
Story of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá about how we must work hard in service to the human family:
There once was a very proud man who did not understand the Station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. One day, he
approached the Master in the street and said, “So, You are called the Servant of God.” ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
replied that, indeed, that was His name. You know, of course, that the name ‘Abdu’l-Bahá means
“Servant of Bahá” or Servant of God. “Well,” said the man proudly, “I am Moses.” Now, the man was
referring to the Prophet of God, Moses, and it was not really his name at all. Moses was one of the
Messengers of God that came long before Bahá’u’lláh. The man was trying to annoy ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, but
the Master did not respond to his jest. Instead, He told the man to meet Him the next morning at the same
spot on the street, and they would go together and serve the people like the great Moses had done.

The man agreed, and the next day from morning to evening he accompanied the Master as He visited the
sick and the suffering, served the needy and met with the people who were thirsty to receive His love and
His wise counsel. By evening, the man who called himself Moses was extremely tired. Yet, he would not
let go of his pride, and when ‘Abdu’l-Bahá asked him to accompany Him the next day, he accepted.
Again by the evening of the second day the man was exhausted, but he accepted to accompany ‘Abdu’l-
Bahá for yet another day. On the third day when they returned from their arduous work, the man could
not bear the thought of working so hard, not even for another minute. He had learned his lesson and had
caught a glimpse of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s greatness. So as they went to part ways, and before ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
could invite him for another day of work, the man said with great humility: “‘Abdu’l-Bahá, tomorrow
morning I will no longer be Moses.”

Day 3 – Session 1 – Class sharing

Youth

Junior Youth

Children’s Classes

Grade 1

Grade 2

Grade 3

Adults

Day 3 – Session 2 – Family reunion, sharing with the family, plans for
future
Read the following quote:
“The world of humanity is filled with darkness, you are its radiant candles. It is very poor; you
must be the treasury of the Kingdom.”
‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Promulgation of Universal Peace, p. 107

1. Discuss the meaning of the quote.

2. What are the positive qualities of your family?
3. What are our families hopes for the future?
4. Each one share how your hopes and aspirations, in relationship to our love and service
to the family (and God), today and tomorrow, short term, long term?
5. What plans do we have upon returning home?