Q.      What is the only required practice component in “Reflections on the Life of the Spirit” – Book 1?

A.     To visit at least two Bahá’ís and study a prayer with them.

Here are some ideas received from tutors to encourage study circle participants to perform this practice:

• Have a “buddy” system to visit in pairs.
• Participants phoning to arrange visits can explain the visits are part of their study assignment. In this way the Bahá’ís being visited feel they are “helping out” and are happy to receive a visit.
• Try visiting “inactive” Bahá’ís. It can be an effective way to rekindle participation.
• Try visiting a family and include the youth and children in the study.
• Choose a short simple prayer to study.
• Try visiting a seeker.
• Ask everyone at each study circle meeting to share news of visits. This serves as a reminder!

One study circle participant arranged to study the prayer “Create in me a pure heart …” with  a very prominent member of society, using the Ruhi study “technique”.  It was a very successful teaching opportunity.  A visit to someone who had withdrawn from the Faith also had a very positive outcome. One person studied with a child and another with an elderly neighbour.