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SECTION NINE
ATTAINMENT TARGET ONEA SPIRITUAL & MORAL CHARACTER
d) SERVICE
Profit-making has supplanted service as the main motive in business, and in human affairs generally. Material reward, especially if it is instant in nature, is seen as the goal of work - whether money, status or power. Attitudes of service are considered as belonging to a bygone era and are considered personally demeaning. These attitudes can affect Bahá’ís, especially the young, in their approach to serving the Faith, in whatever capacity, and in their serving of the community at large, whether in their occupations or their personal lives.
The priceless privilege of serving the Faith, or serving humanity, is often rejected outright or abandoned part way through when circumstances become a little difficult. However, we know as Bahá’ís that those activities and occupations which do not serve others, or advance the world of being, are merely self-indulgence.
We need to rekindle the spirit of service in our children so that they will be willing and faithful servants of the Cause as adults, and devoted servers of humanity. Our lessons and training programmes must enhance the culture of service which is part of our Bahá’í identity. Attention must be given to the development of methods and materials which will accomplish this difficult but necessary task.
An examination of the four Strands in this attainment target shows that they are closely interlinked, that elements appearing in one overlap into one or more of the others. However, it remains vital that each Strand be taught in such a way that they be given more or less equal weight, for a spiritual and moral character is all very well in isolation but it must be directed to the fields of sacrifice and service if it is to be of use in the world.
Programme of Study for Service
i) Aspects of Service
What is service?
Why should we serve others?
Service to the Faith
Work in the spirit of service
The element of service in all occupations and tasks
Attitude to service
Work as worship
Equality of value of all occupations
Pride in apparently menial tasks if they are of service
Concepts of duty and responsibility
ii) Paths to Service
Helping at home
Helping friends and neighbours
Helping others, doing things for others
Activities, occupations that are of service to humanity
Care of the sick, elderly and very young
Care of pets, animals, plants, nature and the environment
Hospitality
Helping in the local Bahá’í community
Helping at local events:- Feasts, Holy Days, Unit Conventions etc.
iii) Enhancement of Service
Carrying out service projects: Service in the community
Service to the environment
Service to Bahá’í Institutions or to Bahá’í individuals
Youth Year of Service
What to do on Holy Days, especially Ayyám-i-Há / Intercalary Days
Stories of those who have rendered great service - throughout history
- in the Faith
KEY STAGE APPROPRIACY
KS 0, KS1: Here service might be approached chiefly through the idea and practice of doing things for others, helping others
KS 2: Introduce basic concepts of service: what it is, why we should serve, work as worship etc. Encourage them to help in the home. Use stories to inspire children with desire to serve.
KS 3: Greater sophistication of ideas and practices; concepts of duty and responsibility. Get them to take on service projects looking after an elderly person, a pet, a wood etc.
KS 4: Enable students to discuss all aspects of service with confidence, to be confident in their own service to the Faith and to humanity, and to know how to enhance service in themselves and others.
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