Constructing Spiritual Foundations: Pedagogical Implications of Matthew 7:24-27 for Christian Education at SDN 021 Tambusai

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between pedagogical competence and the development of spiritual foundations among Christian students at SDN 021 Tambusai through instruction based on Matthew 7:24-27. The research is grounded in the theological emphasis of the parable of the wise and foolish builders, which highlights obedience to Christ’s teachings as the foundation of spiritual resilience. Employing a quantitative descriptive design with a correlational approach, the study involved 171 Christian students as the total population sample. Data were collected using a structured Likert-scale questionnaire measuring two primary variables: teachers’ pedagogical competence and students’ spiritual foundation development, encompassing cognitive understanding, affective commitment, and behavioral intention. The instrument underwent content validation and reliability testing prior to distribution. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Pearson Product-Moment correlation, and simple linear regression at a 0.05 significance level. The findings indicate that students perceive pedagogical competence at a high level, particularly in clarity of explanation, interactive engagement, structured lesson planning, and formative assessment. Statistical analysis reveals a positive and significant correlation between pedagogical competence and spiritual foundation development. Regression results further demonstrate that pedagogical competence significantly predicts students’ internalization of obedient faith as expressed in Matthew 7:24-27. These results suggest that effective and application-oriented teaching strategies contribute meaningfully to shaping resilient and faithful learners. The study concludes that constructing spiritual foundations in Christian education requires intentional pedagogical practice that integrates theological meaning with age-appropriate instructional design.