Modeling Godly Character through Teaching Respect for Parents by Christian Religious Education Teachers at SD Negeri 101951 Sei Buluh

Abstract

Respect for parents is a fundamental moral and spiritual value in Christian teaching, explicitly rooted in Exodus 20:12. In the context of elementary education, the cultivation of this value requires more than cognitive instruction; it demands authentic modeling from educators. This study aims to explore how Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers model godly character in teaching respect for parents, with particular relevance to the context of SD Negeri 101951 Sei Buluh. Employing a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) approach, this research synthesizes scholarly works in the fields of Christian education, biblical theology, character education, and teacher modeling. Literature was systematically identified, screened, and analyzed based on predefined inclusion criteria to ensure academic rigor and thematic relevance. The findings reveal that the piety of CRE teachers plays a decisive role in shaping students’ moral understanding and behavior. Teacher modeling emerges as a central pedagogical strategy through which biblical values are internalized by students, especially at the elementary level where learning is strongly influenced by observation and imitation. The reviewed literature indicates that when teachers consistently embody virtues such as respect, humility, patience, and integrity, students are more likely to practice respect for parents as a lived value rather than a formal rule. Furthermore, modeling godly character strengthens the credibility of Christian instruction and bridges biblical principles with daily educational practice. This study concludes that CRE teachers’ personal spirituality is a critical foundation for effective character education in public schools. Modeling godly character enables respect for parents to be taught as an expression of faith and obedience to God, contributing to students’ holistic moral and spiritual development.