Stage 2 - INQUIRER

DEFINITION of an Inquirer:

Someone who "may or may not be weighing whether to become a Bahá'í. At this point, he or she is seeking to find out more about the Faith to see whether further investigation is warranted."

-- Regional Council of the Western States, Teaching: A Working Paper on the Roles of Individuals, Communities, and Institutions in Guiding Souls through the Various Stages of Attaining Belief in Bahá'u'lláh, p. 4

GOAL of this stage:

The inquirer seeks to learn more about the Faith on their own initiative and rises independently to know more about the Faith.

TIP: The Bahá'í is still responsible for initiating opportunities for the inquirer to learn more about the Faith. Remember: Be pro active!

"Let him remember the example set by 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and His constant admonition to shower such kindness upon the seeker, and exemplify to such a degree the spirit of the teachings he hopes to instill into him, that the recipient will be spontaneously impelled to identify himself with the Cause embodying such teachings." [EP9]

CHECKLIST:

Identify possible mentor(s):

DEFINITION of a Mentor - The Bahá'í who takes on the responsibility of accompanying the Inquirer through the stages to New Bahá'í.

Ways of initiating opportunities for the inquirer to learn more:

• Provide literature of interest to the inquirer based on their needs expressed in the Contact stage.
• Identify people within the community the inquirer may connect with: a mentor.
• Provide the inquirer with the means of learning more about the Faith on their own initiative by:
  • Ensuring they have their mentor's contact information.
  • Providing them with a list of events going on in the county.
  • Sending them personal, handwritten invitations to Holy Days, proclamations and special events.
• The mentor should show interest in the activities the inquirer enjoys. E.g., go to their church or to a movie etc.
• Invite the inquirer to participate in public service projects you and/or the Bahá'í community are involved in.

Note: It is important to keep in mind that everyone has different methods of learning !

SIGNS OF SUCCESS:

The inquirer:

• Shows increasing interest and enthusiasm.
• Asks about various activities.
• Asks questions related to the Faith.
• Attends activities on their own initiative.

TIP: "The inquirer stage precedes the stage of active 'seeker.' Not everybody who is an inquirer will become a seeker. It is the role of the individual and the community to serve inquirers, to increase the percentage of those who progress from one stage to the next. The progression from inquiry to serious consideration of the Faith varies from person to person in its nature and duration, and is ultimately between that person and God."

-- Regional Council of the Western States, Teaching: A Working Paper on the Roles of Individuals, Communities, and Institutions in Guiding Souls through the Various Stages of Attaining Belief in Bahá'u'lláh, p. 6

BENCHMARK:

Stage 2 is complete when: the Inquirer begins to show initiative and immerse themselves in the Teachings. He or she becomes a SEEKER .

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