The Social Competence of Christian Religious Education Teachers in Instilling the Value of Generous Giving: A Biblical Reflection on Genesis 24:18–20 at SMK Swasta Yapim Taruna Tambusai

Abstract

The formation of Christian character is a central objective of Christian Religious Education (CRE), particularly in cultivating moral values that reflect biblical teachings. One important value emphasized in Christian ethics is the willingness to give generously to others. This study examines the social competence of Christian Religious Education teachers in instilling the value of generous giving through a biblical reflection on Genesis 24:18–20 at SMK Swasta Yapim Taruna Tambusai. The research employed a qualitative approach to explore how teachers interpret and implement biblical teachings on generosity within classroom learning. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with Christian Religious Education teachers, classroom observations, and document analysis of lesson plans and teaching materials. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify patterns and themes related to teacher social competence and the process of value internalization among students. The findings indicate that the social competence of teachers plays a significant role in creating a supportive and relational learning environment that encourages students to understand and practice the value of generous giving. Teachers demonstrated social competence through effective communication, empathy, relational engagement, and moral modeling during the learning process. The biblical narrative of Rebekah in Genesis 24:18–20 was used as a contextual teaching resource to illustrate the meaning of generosity, hospitality, and willingness to serve others. In addition, teachers applied various pedagogical strategies such as contextual discussions, collaborative learning activities, and practical service-oriented experiences to reinforce the internalization of generosity among students. The study concludes that the integration of biblical reflection, teacher social competence, and experiential learning contributes significantly to the development of generous character among students. Strengthening the relational and pedagogical competencies of Christian Religious Education teachers is therefore essential for fostering moral and spiritual formation in educational contexts.