Nurturing Self-Control Through Pedagogical Competence: A Biblical Approach from Genesis 4:7 at SMPN 2 Blitar

Abstract

This study explores the role of Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers’ pedagogical competence in nurturing students’ self-control based on the biblical foundation of Genesis 4:7, within the context of SMPN 2 Blitar. The research employs the Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method to analyze and synthesize findings from national and international studies related to pedagogical competence, moral education, and the cultivation of self-control in Christian education. Through a comprehensive review of 32 peer-reviewed articles published between 2015 and 2024, the study identifies patterns, theoretical frameworks, and pedagogical strategies relevant to developing moral discipline and emotional regulation among adolescents. The findings reveal that teachers’ pedagogical competence—covering aspects such as lesson planning, classroom management, student-centered approaches, and formative assessment—plays a pivotal role in shaping students’ self-control and spiritual character. The study further emphasizes that integrating biblical narratives, especially the moral lesson in Genesis 4:7 about mastery over sin, provides a transformative framework for moral formation in the classroom. Teachers who apply a faith-integrated pedagogy can guide students to internalize values of patience, empathy, and responsibility, fostering both moral and academic maturity. The discussion highlights the harmony between educational psychology and biblical ethics, proposing that effective pedagogical practice rooted in Scripture can cultivate holistic Christian character. This article concludes that developing teachers’ pedagogical competence through continuous professional formation and biblical reflection is essential for fostering self-control among students in Christian Religious Education, thereby contributing to the moral integrity and spiritual growth of the next generation.