Around the world, people of all ages, faith and backgrounds are engaged in a process of community building through an expanding range of activities based on the unifying teachings of Bahá’u’lláh. All the of the endeavors of the community are thus intended to revolve around, and promote the principle of the oneness of humanity.

The training institute functions as a system of distance education that builds capacity in individuals to contribute to the advancement of their communities through specific acts of service. The elements of the system include a study circle, a tutor and a set of courses from the Ruhi Institute grounded in the Word of God that impart participants with the necessary knowledge, insights, skills that enable them to contribute to the spiritual and material progress of their communities.

  • The Ruhi Institute's curriculum for youth and adults is a series of courses Atlantic RTI offers to build capacity to serve communities.

    Main sequence (ages 15+):

    • Book 1: Reflections on the Life of the Spirit

    • Book 2: Arising to Serve

    • Book 3: Teaching Children's Classes, Grade 1

    • Book 4: The Twin Manifestations

    • Book 5: Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth

    • Book 6: Teaching the Cause

    • Book 7: Walking Together on a Path of Service

    • Book 8: The Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh

    • Book 9: Gaining an Historical Perspective

    • Book 10: Building Vibrant Communities

    • Book 11: Material Means

    • Book 12: Family and the Community

    • Book 13: Engaging in Social Action

    • Book 14: Participating in Public Discourse

    The curriculum draws on Bahá'í principles and the global experience of similar institutes worldwide. Participants are expected to be open to applying these principles in their own lives and their community's life — this doesn't mean participants are expected to become Bahá'ís; Bahá'ís are not permitted to proselytize.

  • In a study circle, a group of friends meets regularly or sometimes intensively during campaigns to study, consult and take action. One person serves as a tutor who facilitates the flow of discussions and helps encourage proper planning for the tasks and service components of the books. All the participants support each other in understanding the materials and carrying out various acts of service. Additionally, from the beginning, group members work with their tutor to help expand the circle of unity and service. This means they strive to identify children, junior youth, youth, adults and elderly who are eager to participate in community building activities among family members, colleagues, friends, neighbors or residents of a neighborhood, gradually inviting them and helping them start one or more new service activities. In all these service activities, various arts play a special role, and artistic skills are utilized to keep the group atmosphere warm, dynamic and creative.

Let’s Serve Together

Do you think these programs would be beneficial for the families and children in your neighborhood? Are you interested in connecting with the training institute and begin serving your community through its programs? Are you an organization that would like to collaborate with the Atlantic Regional Training Institute? Then we’d like to hear from you.