Teaching with Faith and Compassion in Christian Education: A Biblical Reflection on Matthew 9:36 at SD Negeri Tumbang Korik

Abstract

Faith and compassion are central values in Christian Religious Education (CRE), particularly in contexts where students face social, emotional, and educational vulnerabilities. This study explores how teaching with faith and compassion, grounded in the biblical reflection of Matthew 9:36, is practiced and experienced at SD Negeri Tumbang Korik, Gunung Mas, a public elementary school with 37 Christian students and one CRE teacher. Matthew 9:36 portrays Jesus’ compassionate gaze toward the crowds, emphasizing empathy, attentiveness, and pastoral concern as foundational attitudes in ministry and teaching. Drawing from this biblical perspective, the study examines how compassionate pedagogy becomes an integral expression of faith in classroom practice. Using a qualitative research design, the study integrates exegetical analysis of Matthew 9:36, a systematic literature review (SLR) on compassionate pedagogy and Christian education, and a simple semi-structured interview with the CRE teacher as contextual support. The exegetical analysis highlights compassion as an active response rooted in spiritual discernment, while the literature review synthesizes contemporary discussions on teacher professionalism, ethics of care, and faith-based education. Interview data provide insight into how compassion is embodied in daily teaching practices within a rural public-school context. The findings indicate that faith-informed compassion significantly enhances students’ engagement, emotional security, and moral awareness. The study concludes that teaching with faith and compassion is not an optional pedagogical approach but a core dimension of Christian professionalism. When grounded in Scripture and expressed through consistent care and empathy, compassionate pedagogy contributes meaningfully to holistic student formation and reflects the redemptive character of Christian education.