The Effect of the Problem-Based Learning Model on the Critical Thinking Skills of Students in Christian Religious Education and Character Formation in Grade IX at UPT SMP Negeri 008 Pollung

Abstract

Education in Indonesia is mandated to nurture students holistically by developing their cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains while also strengthening spiritual, moral, and social capacities. Within this framework, Christian Religious Education (CRE) and Character Formation serve a dual function: delivering biblical knowledge and fostering faith, values, and life skills that equip learners to confront real-world challenges critically. Yet, observations at UPT SMP Negeri 008 Pollung revealed that Grade IX students often displayed limited critical thinking skills, characterized by passive listening and rote memorization. Such tendencies highlight the insufficiency of conventional lecture-based instruction. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Problem-Based Learning (PBL) model in enhancing students’ critical thinking within CRE and Character Formation. Employing a quasi-experimental design with a non-equivalent control group, the research involved two intact classes: Class IX-2 (30 students) as the experimental group, which received PBL instruction, and Class IX-3 (30 students) as the control group, which received conventional instruction. A 15-item questionnaire, validated for content and reliability, measured critical thinking skills before and after the intervention. Results revealed that the experimental class achieved an average N-Gain score of 0.6496 (medium), while the control class recorded only 0.1065 (low). Further analysis using an independent samples t-test yielded a value of 8.203, surpassing the critical threshold of 2.000 (α = 0.05), thereby confirming the significant impact of PBL. The findings affirm that PBL fosters active inquiry, collaboration, and problem-solving while integrating biblical principles into real-life contexts. Consequently, PBL emerges as a powerful pedagogical approach for cultivating critical thinking and Christian values simultaneously.