The Discipling Teacher: Professional Responsibility in Christian Religious Education - A Biblical Reflection on Gospel of Matthew 28:20 in the Context of UPT SPF SDN No. 104220 Durian Simbelang

Abstract

This study examines the role of teachers as disciplers in fulfilling their professional responsibility within Christian Religious Education through a biblical reflection on Gospel of Matthew 28:20. In this passage, Jesus instructs His followers to teach others to observe all His commandments, emphasizing the importance of teaching as a continuous process of discipleship and spiritual formation. The purpose of this research is to analyze how the professional responsibility of Christian Religious Education teachers contributes to the development of students’ understanding of biblical teachings and their application in daily life within the educational setting of UPT SPF SDN No. 104220 Durian Simbelang. This study employed a quantitative descriptive research approach. The participants consisted of 34 Christian students who actively participated in Christian Religious Education classes. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire using a five-point Likert scale designed to measure students’ perceptions of the teacher’s professional responsibility and the implementation of discipleship-oriented teaching practices. The instrument included indicators such as the teacher’s commitment to guiding students in understanding biblical teachings, the consistency between teaching and personal example, the encouragement of spiritual growth among students, and the teacher’s efforts to help students apply the message of Gospel of Matthew 28:20 in their daily lives. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques to determine the overall level of implementation of these practices in the classroom. The findings indicate that students generally perceive the Christian Religious Education teacher as demonstrating strong professional responsibility and a consistent commitment to discipleship-based teaching. By integrating professional competence with spiritual responsibility, teachers not only convey biblical knowledge but also foster students’ character formation and spiritual growth. The study highlights the importance of viewing teaching as an act of discipleship that contributes to the holistic development of students within the educational community.