Understanding the Covenant

1. What is the Covenant?
2. What is the “Greater Covenant”?
3. What is the “Lesser Covenant”?
4. What are the powers and blessings manifested through the Covenant?
5. Why is it important to study the Covenant?
6. What does it mean to be firm in the Covenant?
7. What should we do when we are faced with a Bahá’í law or teaching that we do not understand?
8. What is the role of freedom in relation to the Covenant?
9. What should we do if we disagree with a decision that has been made by a Bahá’í Institution?
10. What is the role of questioning and criticism in the Bahá’í community?
11. What is the difference between individual and authoritative interpretation?

The History of the Bahá’í Covenant

1. Where did ‘Abdu’l-Bahá derive His authority as the Center of Bahá’u’lláh’s Covenant?
2. What is the station of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá?
3. Where did Shoghi Effendi derive his authority as Guardian of the Bahá’í Faith?
4. Where does the Universal House of Justice derive its authority as head of the Bahá’í Faith?
5. What is the role of the Institution of the Hands of the Cause of God?
6. What were the conditions set by ‘Abdu’l-Bahá for the appointment of a Guardian after Shoghi Effendi?
7. Did Shoghi Effendi write a Will and Testament?
8. Can the Universal House of Justice function properly without a living Guardian?

Challenges to the Covenant

1. Has the Covenant faced challenges in the history of the Bahá’í Faith?
2. What purposes do challenges to the Covenant serve?
3. How should we respond to challenges to the Covenant?
4. What does the term “Covenant-breaking” mean?
5. What were some of the challenges to the Covenant after the passing of Baha’u’llah?
   • Mizra Muhammad-Ali
   • Mirza Badi’u’llah
   • Mirza Majdi’d-Din
   • Mirza Diya‘u’llah
   • Mirza Aqa Jan
   • Ibrahim Khayru’llah
6. What were some of the challenges to the Covenant after the passing of ‘Abdu’l‑Bahá?
   • Ahmad Sohrab
   • Avarih
   • Ruth White
7. What challenge to the Covenant occurred after the passing of Shoghi Effendi?
   • The claim of Mason Remey
8. What kinds of challenges will the Covenant face in the future?