Professional Competence of Christian Religious Education Teachers in Developing Teaching Materials on the Birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-2): A Case Study at UPTD SDN 156485 Gabungan Hasang 2

Abstract

This study examines the professional competence of Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers in developing teaching materials on the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-2) at UPTD SDN 156485 Gabungan Hasang 2, Central Tapanuli, Indonesia. Focusing on a qualitative descriptive approach, the research aims to understand how teachers translate biblical narratives into age-appropriate, pedagogically effective, and contextually relevant learning materials for primary school students. The study involved semi-structured interviews with the CRE teacher and other Christian educators and classroom observations. Findings indicate that the CRE teacher demonstrates high competence in content knowledge, instructional design, and contextual adaptation. Students actively participated in lessons, demonstrating comprehension, critical thinking, and the internalization of values such as faith, hope, and perseverance. The teacher’s ability to contextualize biblical narratives to students’ personal experiences and local culture enhanced learning relevance and spiritual reflection. Despite challenges such as limited resources, time constraints, and occasional variability in student engagement, the teacher employed adaptive strategies to ensure meaningful learning outcomes. The study highlights the central role of professional competence in fostering holistic religious education that integrates cognitive, affective, and spiritual dimensions. The findings contribute to the discourse on CRE pedagogy by demonstrating effective strategies for material development, student engagement, and value integration in primary education, particularly in small rural schools. Recommendations include enhancing teacher training programs in instructional design, contextual adaptation, and resource utilization to support CRE teachers in cultivating knowledge, moral formation, and spiritual growth among students.