Pedagogical Competence in Nurturing Dependence on God: An Exegetical Study of Exodus 16:15 among CRE Teachers at SMP Swasta Bakti Pancur Batu

Abstract

This study examines the pedagogical competence of Christian Religious Education teachers in nurturing students’ dependence on God through the teaching of Exodus 16:15 at SMP Swasta Bakti Pancur Batu, Indonesia. Grounded in the understanding that CRE is both an intellectual and spiritual formation process, the research explores how teachers integrate exegetical insight, instructional strategy, and spiritual modeling when presenting the manna narrative-a biblical account that embodies divine provision, trust, and experiential learning. Using a qualitative descriptive approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis involving two CRE teachers selected through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis revealed that teachers’ exegetical understanding of Exodus 16:15 significantly shaped their pedagogical choices, influencing the depth and clarity with which the theme of dependence on God was communicated. Effective strategies included storytelling, reflective questioning, analogies, group discussions, and selective multimedia use, all of which helped contextualize the biblical message within students’ lived experiences. The findings also show variation in pedagogical competence, particularly in lesson planning, instructional diversity, and assessment practices-areas where deeper integration of theological insight and student-centered methods could enhance spiritual formation. Challenges identified include limited resources, time constraints, and diverse student backgrounds, which sometimes hindered deeper engagement with the text. Despite these limitations, the study concludes that when CRE teachers combine robust exegesis, pedagogical skill, and authentic spiritual example, the classroom becomes a transformative space where students learn to trust God meaningfully. The research underscores the need for ongoing professional development in biblical pedagogy to strengthen CRE practice in Indonesian Christian schools.