The Resilient Personality of Christian Religious Education Teachers: An Exegetical Study of Exodus 2:23 at SMK Negeri 1 Lumut

Abstract

This study investigates the resilient personality of Christian Religious Education teachers through an exegetical analysis of Exodus 2:23 and an empirical exploration at SMK Negeri 1 Lumut - Central Tapanuli. Resilience, understood as the capacity to persist in teaching responsibilities despite adversity, is increasingly necessary in contemporary educational contexts marked by fluctuating student behavior, administrative demands, and limited institutional resources. Exodus 2:23, which narrates Israel’s prolonged suffering, their persistent cry, and God’s remembrance of the covenant, serves as a theological lens for understanding resilience as a spiritual posture rooted in perseverance, hope, and divine attentiveness. Using a qualitative descriptive method involving interviews, observations, and document analysis, this study examines how CRE teachers internalize and enact resilient dispositions within their daily practice. The findings reveal that the teachers demonstrate resilience through emotional stability, adaptive pedagogy, reflective spirituality, and strong collegial collaboration. Challenges such as behavioral diversity, inadequate learning materials, and high workload are met with renewed commitment to their vocational calling and reliance on spiritual strength. The exegetical insights from Exodus 2:23 provide a meaningful framework for interpreting these experiences, showing that teacher resilience resonates with biblical themes of lament, persistence, and God’s faithful accompaniment. The study concludes that the resilient personality of CRE teachers is shaped by the integration of spiritual grounding, pedagogical adaptability, and communal support. These findings underscore the importance of institutional encouragement, ongoing spiritual formation, and scriptural reflection in sustaining teacher resilience and enhancing the transformative impact of Christian education.