the universal house of justice

learning concepts
Just as 'Abdu'l-Bahá protected the Bahá'ís after Bahá'u'lláh's Ascension, and as Shoghi Effendi did the same after 'Abdu'l-Bahá passed away, The Universal House of Justice was formed after the passing of Shoghi Effendi to protect and to serve as the head of the Bahá'í Faith. The Universal House of Justice, consists of nine people who look after the affairs of the Bahá'í Faith. They do this important work from their Seat on Mount Carmel, in Haifa, Israel. Bahá'u'lláh told us that the Universal House of Justice would be infallibly guided by God; we can say that obedience to the Universal House of Justice is like obedience to God and to Bahá'u'lláh.

activities
drawing: Colouring page—The Seat of the Universal House of Justice on Mount Carmel.
covenant maze: Treading the Path of the Covenant. Create a maze (e.g.: covenant maze / labyrinthe de l'alliance) with four "rooms": one for each of the Universal House of Justice, Shoghi Effendi, 'Abdu'l-Bahá, and Bahá'u'lláh. Children begin the maze at one end and follow it to the other end, going through each "room" in order according to the successive Heads of the Baha'i Faith. This illustrates the Covenant of Bahá'u'lláh.

reading/prayer for study


reference
The institution of the House of Justice consists of elected councils which operate at the local, national and international levels of society. Bahá’u’lláh ordains both the Universal House of Justice and the Local Houses of Justice in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, in His Will and Testament, provides for the Secondary (National or Regional) Houses of Justice and outlines the method to be pursued for the election of the Universal House of Justice.
(Kitáb-i-Aqdas, Note 49)

This passage, now written by the Pen of Glory, is accounted as part of the Most Holy Book: The men of God's House of Justice have been charged with the affairs of the people. They, in truth, are the Trustees of God among His servants and the daysprings of authority in His countries.
O people of God! That which traineth the world is Justice, for it is upheld by two pillars, reward and punishment. These two pillars are the sources of life to the world. Inasmuch as for each day there is a new problem and for every problem an expedient solution, such affairs should be referred to the House of Justice that the members thereof may act according to the needs and requirements of the time. They that, for the sake of God, arise to serve His Cause, are the recipients of divine inspiration from the unseen Kingdom. It is incumbent upon all to be obedient unto them. All matters of State should be referred to the House of Justice, but acts of worship must be observed according to that which God hath revealed in His Book.
(Bahá'u'lláh, Ishráqát — 8th Ishráq)

experience
June 23, 2007: 1.5 hours, 4 children, average age 7. Not bad for a class held right after coming back from a week-long road trip across the United States. All told, the lesson itself was what took the most time; one of the difficulties we ran into was getting the kids to be able to pronounce "Universal House of Justice". We spent the past few lessons going over some of the Central Figures of the Baha'i Faith ('Abdu'l-Bahá, Shoghi Effendi) so this class was part review: what were the four main things we learned about 'Abdu'l-Bahá? what were the two main things we learned about Shoghi Effendi? Then we asked: what did they both have in common? Answer: they protected the Baha'i Faith after the passing of the One whom they succeeded. That's how the Universal House of Justice fits in. We brought a picture book with photos of the Arc on Mount Carmel, and explained the basics of what the Universal House of Justice is and what it does. As many times before, we also shared pilgrimage stories with the children—they always seem to have lots of questions when we do that, and since we know our own pilgrimage stories very well (we were there!) it's not too difficult to tell.