Cultivating Students’ Honesty through Christian Pedagogy: An Exegetical Study of Genesis 29:25 at SDN 23 Pekanbaru
Keywords:
Honesty , Christian Religious Education, Christian PedagogyAbstract
This study explores how Christian pedagogy can effectively cultivate students’ honesty through an exegetical reflection on Genesis 29:25 within the learning context of SDN 23 Pekanbaru, where 180 Christian students and two Christian teachers (including the Christian Religious Education teacher) participate in daily character development activities. Honesty, as a core moral and spiritual value, is increasingly challenged by contemporary pressures such as academic competition, fear of punishment, and peer influence. Therefore, a biblically grounded pedagogical model is needed to nurture integrity at an early age. Using a qualitative design that integrates a systematic literature review with simple, semi-structured interviews, this study examines how the biblical narrative of Jacob’s deception and Laban’s subsequent deceit can shape students’ understanding of truthfulness. Exegetical insights emphasize that dishonesty damages relationships, results in long-term consequences, and contradicts God’s calling for His people to live in integrity. The findings indicate that honesty is cultivated most effectively through narrative-centered pedagogy, moral reflection, teacher modeling, and relational classroom practices. Students respond positively when honesty is taught not merely as a rule but as a character virtue rooted in their Christian identity. Interviews reveal that reflective storytelling, guided discussion, and restorative discipline strengthen students’ willingness to tell the truth, while fear-based approaches lead to concealment and further dishonesty. The study concludes that Christian pedagogy must integrate biblical truth, emotional safety, consistent teacher example, and supportive peer culture to shape honest character. Ultimately, Genesis 29:25 provides a powerful moral lens through which students learn that truthfulness builds trust, fosters integrity, and forms a foundation for their spiritual and ethical development.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Frida Simanjuntak (Author)
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