Purpose 

This Tutor Tip is a fun exercise that really makes a great point with a hands-on exercise about becoming a magnet and attracting people to the Faith.

The exercise is based on the quote from the Beloved Guardian:

"All the Bahá'ís, new and old alike, should devote themselves as much as possible to teaching the Faith; they should also realize that the atmosphere of true love and unity which they manifest within the Baha'i Community will directly affect the public, and be the greatest magnet for attracting people to the Faith and confirming them." --Shoghi Effendi: Light of Divine Guidance Vol.2, p. 64

Materials

1 magnet, of any shape or size, 1 non-magnetic metallic object (something is shiny, sparkling, more physically appealing than magnet), some other object such as a nail that will respond to the magnet

Steps

Pass around the shiny object. Ask participants to observe its qualities, think about what they like about it, but not to share their observations. Then, pass around the magnetic object. Ask the participants to observe its qualities, think about what they like about it, but again not to share their observations.

After each has looked at both objects, ask what makes these objects qualitatively different from each other? After the participants share some comments, demonstrate the magnetic quality of the magnet. Briefly differentiate the shiny object, as something that is outwardly appealing, but has no power of attraction.

Share the quote:

"All the Bahá'ís, new and old alike, should devote themselves as much as possible to teaching the Faith; they should also realize that the atmosphere of true love and unity which they manifest within the Baha'i Community will directly affect the public, and be the greatest magnet for attracting people to the Faith and confirming them." --Shoghi Effendi: Light of Divine Guidance Vol.2, p. 64

To wrap up, have the participants briefly discuss how we as a Baha'i Community have the capacity to become a magnet when we, through the institute process, create "the atmosphere of true love and unity." We also need to make sure we are not like the shiny, non-magnetic object: good looking but not possessed of that magnetic power.

Notes 

You might also share what makes a magnet have the power of attraction is that in the magnet, all the molecules have positive charges pointing in one direction, and the negative charges pointed behind them, in the opposite direction. In a sense, all the molecules that make up the magnet have the same "clear vision."