Christian Religious Education Teachers as Models of Total Surrender on Genesis 22:8 at SMP Negeri 3 Kabanjahe
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Abstract
This study explores the role of Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers as models of total surrender inspired by Genesis 22:8 within the educational context of SMP Negeri 3 Kabanjahe. Grounded in a qualitative research design, the study investigates how teachers internalize and embody the principle of surrender in their professional identity, pedagogical practices, and relational interactions with students. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, classroom observations, and reflective documentation, enabling a comprehensive understanding of the lived experiences of teachers who view their vocation as both an educational responsibility and a spiritual calling. The findings reveal that total surrender functions as a guiding framework shaping teachers’ emotional resilience, instructional approach, and disciplinary practices. Teachers who adopt this posture tend to demonstrate patience, empathy, and relational consistency, creating classroom environments characterized by trust and moral encouragement. Rather than relying on authoritarian control, they engage students through dialogical and restorative interactions that emphasize growth and understanding. This approach mirrors the theological essence of Genesis 22:8, where trust in divine provision becomes the foundation for calm and faithful leadership amid uncertainty. The study highlights that students respond positively to teachers who embody faith through lived example rather than verbal instruction alone. The presence of surrender-based leadership fosters emotional security and spiritual reflection, contributing to holistic student development. The research concludes that modeling surrender transforms teaching into a relational ministry that bridges biblical spirituality and contemporary educational practice. This study underscores the relevance of biblical narratives as pedagogical resources and affirms that authentic spiritual modeling by teachers plays a vital role in shaping student character and faith awareness.
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