Moral Firmness of Christian Religious Education Teachers in Teaching the Ten Commandments at SMP Negeri 1 Lahomi
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Abstract
Moral education plays a vital role in shaping students’ character, particularly within Christian Religious Education (CRE), where biblical values serve as the foundation of ethical instruction. One of the core moral frameworks in Christian theology is the Ten Commandments as recorded in Exodus 20, which provide guidance for human relationships with God and others. This study aims to analyze the moral firmness of Christian Religious Education teachers in teaching the Ten Commandments at SMP Negeri 1 Lahomi. Moral firmness is understood as the teacher’s consistency, clarity, and integrity in upholding and communicating moral values grounded in biblical principles. This research employed a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) method to synthesize scholarly works related to moral firmness, teacher moral authority, Christian pedagogy, and the teaching of the Ten Commandments. Relevant literature was collected from reputable academic databases and theological journals, selected based on predefined inclusion and quality criteria. The selected studies were analyzed using thematic synthesis to identify recurring concepts and patterns related to moral firmness in Christian education. The findings indicate that moral firmness is a crucial pedagogical quality that enhances teacher moral authority, supports adolescent moral development, and strengthens the effectiveness of teaching biblical moral principles. CRE teachers who demonstrate moral firmness are better able to contextualize the Ten Commandments, promote moral reflection, and guide students toward internalizing Christian values. The study also reveals that moral firmness differs from authoritarianism, as it integrates ethical conviction with relational sensitivity and grace. Moral firmness is essential for effective teaching of the Ten Commandments in Christian Religious Education. This study contributes theoretically to Christian education scholarship and offers practical insights for CRE teachers seeking to strengthen moral instruction in junior high school contexts.
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