The Pedagogical Competence of Christian Religious Education Teachers in Love and Forgiveness Based Education at SDN 106803 Pematang Johar
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Abstract
This study explores the pedagogical competence of Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers in implementing love- and forgiveness-based education, drawing on both a systematic literature review (SLR) and qualitative field insights from SDN 106803 Pematang Johar, Indonesia. In an era marked by moral fragmentation and spiritual fatigue, the study emphasizes that CRE must transcend cognitive transmission to become a transformative process of character formation grounded in the theology of divine love. The SLR, conducted following PRISMA guidelines, analyzed 35 peer-reviewed studies published between 2013 and 2024, focusing on teacher competence, affective-spiritual pedagogy, and relational learning. Complementing this, qualitative triangulation through interviews, observations, and document analysis provided contextual validation. The findings reveal that effective CRE pedagogy integrates theological depth, pedagogical creativity, and emotional intelligence. Teachers who embody Christ-like compassion and forgiveness create classrooms as “healing spaces,” where moral formation unfolds through dialogue, reflection, and reconciliation. The study also identifies a persistent gap between teachers’ theological understanding and their ability to design measurable affective learning outcomes. Reflective journaling, storytelling, and dramatization emerged as key strategies fostering moral awareness and empathy among students. Despite these strengths, systemic barriers-such as limited pastoral training and lack of institutional frameworks-hinder sustained implementation. The research concludes that love- and forgiveness-based education represents both a pedagogical innovation and a theological necessity, demanding professional formation that unites theology, psychology, and educational practice. When CRE teachers embody divine love in teaching, education becomes a sacred act of restoration-forming not merely informed minds but compassionate hearts attuned to grace.
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