Stage 3 - SEEKER
DEFINITION of a Seeker:
Someone who has inquired about the Faith and is now actively seeking to learn more and immerse themselves in the Bahá'í Teachings.
GOAL of this stage:
The seeker declares their belief in Bahá'u'lláh and identifies themselves with the teachings of the Faith.
CAUTION: Before inviting a seeker to a predominantly Bahá'í event the mentor should determine whether the subject matter is appropriate. [EP5]
TIP: The mentor is responsible for ensuring that the needs of the seeker are fulfilled and that all possible avenues for learning more about the Faith are open.
CHECKLIST:
- Ensure the seeker has received a prayer book and some of Bahá'u'lláh's Writings. (Seeker Literature )
- Ask the seeker challenging questions. E.g., What do you think the purpose of life is? What do you think about the extremes of wealth and poverty? Do you think it's solvable? How? (The Story of Bernie Fishman )
- Introduce the seeker to spiritually mature believers or those with whom the seeker would share common interests. (Shahin Vafai, Raising the Call: The Individual and Effective Teaching, p. 66)
- Give the seeker a declaration card.
Remember: Everyone has different methods of learning !
SIGNS OF SUCCESS:
The seeker:
- Begins to tell others about the Faith.
- Invites family or friends to Bahá'í functions.
- Asks what is required to become a Bahá'í.
- Is hungry for Bahá'í Scripture.
- Engages in conversations related to Bahá'í laws and practices (i.e., the obligatory prayer, the Fast, the Fund) in a relaxed and open manner.
"Only when the lamp of search, of earnest striving, of longing desire, of passionate devotion, of fervid love, of rapture, and ecstasy, is kindled within the seeker's heart, and the breeze of His loving-kindness is wafted upon his soul, will the darkness of error be dispelled, the mists of doubts and misgivings be dissipated, and the lights of knowledge and certitude envelop his being. ... Then will the manifold favors and outpouring grace of the holy and everlasting Spirit confer such new life upon the seeker that he will find himself endowed with a new eye, a new ear, a new heart, and a new mind." [EP1]
BENCHMARK:
Stage 3 is complete when: the Seeker is "spontaneously impelled to identify himself with the Cause embodying such teachings." [EP9] He or she signs his declaration card and becomes a NEWLY DECLARED BAHÁ'Í .
The declaration card states:
"In signing this card, I declare my belief in Bahá'u'lláh, the Promised One of God. I also recognized the Báb, His Forerunner, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá, the Center of His Covenant. I request enrollment in the Bahá'í Community with the understanding that Bahá'u'lláh has established sacred principles, laws, and institutions which I must obey."
[ Home ]