The Faithful Spirituality of Christian Religious Education Teachers: A Reflection on Exodus 29:35 in the Context of SMP Negeri 2 Aramo

Abstract

This study examines the faithful spirituality of Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers and its contribution to students’ understanding of spiritual commitment as reflected in Exodus 29:35 within the educational context of SMP Negeri 2 Aramo. The passage describes the process of priestly consecration, emphasizing obedience, dedication, and faithfulness in fulfilling God’s commands. Within Christian education, this biblical message provides a theological foundation for understanding the spiritual vocation of teachers who function not only as instructors but also as role models of faith and devotion. The purpose of this research is to analyze how the spirituality of CRE teachers influences students’ comprehension of the biblical concept of faithfulness and spiritual responsibility. This study employed a quantitative approach using a descriptive correlational design. The participants consisted of 52 Christian students who were actively involved in CRE learning activities. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale that measured two main variables: the faithful spirituality of the CRE teacher and students’ understanding of the spiritual message in Exodus 29:35. The research instrument included indicators such as spiritual integrity, commitment to the teaching vocation, consistency between faith and practice, and the teacher’s role in encouraging students’ spiritual development. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and Pearson Product–Moment correlation. The findings indicate that students generally perceive the teacher’s spirituality as strong and consistent in daily teaching practices. Statistical analysis also reveals a positive and significant relationship between teacher spirituality and students’ understanding of the biblical concept of spiritual commitment. These results highlight the importance of teacher spirituality as a key element in strengthening the effectiveness of Christian Religious Education.