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Sharia financial literacy is an important aspect in supporting inclusive and sustainable economic development. However, the level of sharia financial literacy among Indonesian society is still relatively low. This condition creates opportunities for Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) to play a strategic role in improving young generations’ understanding of financial management based on sharia principles. Therefore, this community service activity aimed to enhance the sharia financial literacy and inclusion of students through the SAKINAH (Santri Cakap Literasi Keuangan Syariah) Program at Nurul Abshor Islamic Boarding School, Katingan Regency. The program was implemented using a participatory educational approach through socialization, interactive discussions, simple simulations, and participant evaluations. The activity was carried out through collaboration among the Financial Services Authority (OJK) of Central Kalimantan Province, the Islamic Economic Society of Katingan Regency, PT Bank Syariah Indonesia Palangka Raya, Nurul Abshor Islamic Boarding School, the Regional Financial Access Acceleration Team of Katingan Regency, and students of Palangka Raya University. The results showed an improvement in students’ understanding of the importance of saving, the ability to distinguish between needs and wants, sharia financial management, and knowledge of legal and trustworthy sharia financial products and services. The SAKINAH Program was also considered effective in encouraging students to become agents of sharia financial literacy within the pesantren environment and the wider community.

This research aims to examine how the functions of Christian counseling (preventive, curative, developmental, and pastoral) can be integrated into the practice of Christian Religious Education as an effective strategy to support adolescents’ faith development. The background of this study arises from the fact that adolescents experience a crisis of faith that is not only related to theological aspects but also affects their psychological and emotional well-being. On the other hand, christian religious education practices in schools often remain focused on the transfer of doctrinal knowledge without being balanced by adequate personal guidance. This study applies a qualitative method through literature review and conceptual analysis of christian counseling theory, theories of adolescent faith development, and pedagogical practices in christian religious education. The findings indicate that integrating Christian counseling functions into the design of christian religious education learning can create a dialogical, reflective, and pastoral classroom atmosphere, providing opportunities for adolescents to develop spiritual discernment, self-awareness, and the ability to make responsible moral decisions. This article discusses the relevance of counseling to adolescents’ spiritual development, the characteristics of their faith development, the challenges of implementing counseling in Christian educational institutions, and the design of learning based on dialogue, reflection, and mentoring. In this way, the integration of christian counseling in christian religious education is considered a holistic approach that enriches the meaning of faith education and supports adolescents’ faith growth in a contextual, profound, and sustainable manner.

The paradigmatic transformation of Christian Religious Education (CRE) in the digital era has become a crucial issue to be examined because the development of information technology, virtual culture, and globalization has brought significant changes to adolescents’ mindsets, behaviors, and character formation. These conditions have created various moral and spiritual challenges, such as identity crises, declining ethical sensitivity, and the increasing influence of individualistic and hedonistic values among young people. This study aims to analyze the paradigm transformation of Christian Religious Education in shaping adolescent character through a theological-pedagogical perspective that is relevant to the context of the digital era. The research employs a qualitative method using a library research approach and descriptive analysis of various scientific, theological, and pedagogical sources related to Christian education, teacher spirituality, and adolescent character development in the digital age. The findings indicate that the transformation of the CRE paradigm should be directed toward contextual, participatory, and transformative learning by positioning teachers as spiritual role models and facilitators of character formation. Furthermore, the integration of Christian values, the ethical use of technology, and collaboration among schools, families, and churches are important factors in shaping adolescents who possess strong character, integrity, and spiritual maturity amid increasingly complex digital challenges.

This study examines the application of the professional code of ethics for Christian Religious Education (CRE) teachers in building student integrity in secondary schools during the digital era. The primary issues discussed include the extent to which the code of ethics is implemented, its impact on students’ moral-spiritual standards, and the challenges of aligning professional ethics with a ministry calling. Using a library research approach, this study analyzes biblical texts, ethics textbooks, and scientific journals published within the last ten years. The findings indicate that the professionalism of CRE teachers must be grounded in Kingdom of God values by integrating pedagogical competence with theological calling through In-Persona Christi theory and the concept of vocatio. Authentic teacher exemplarity is identified as the most effective instrument for adolescent character formation amid the post-truth era, where digital information often blurs moral judgment. This study recommends a kenosis pedagogy approach, requiring educators to be authentically present, humble, and free from intellectual arrogance in order to achieve meaningful transformation of student character, integrity, and moral-spiritual maturity within contemporary Christian educational practice and school life contexts.

This study aims to analyze the relevance of Robert Raikes' Christian educational thinking to the character formation of children in contemporary Sunday School services. This study uses a qualitative approach with a library research method. Data were obtained from various literature sources such as books, scientific journals, and research articles related to Christian education, character education, and the history of Sunday School development. Data analysis techniques were carried out through the stages of data reduction, grouping themes, interpretation, and drawing conclusions using descriptive qualitative methods. The results show that Robert Raikes' thoughts remain relevant in modern Christian education, especially in the formation of children's character through the teaching of God's Word, discipline, role models, and the instilling of Christian values. Sunday School plays an important role as a means of fostering faith, morality, and social responsibility in children from an early age. In addition, the challenges of the digital era require churches to develop more creative, interactive, and contextual learning methods without abandoning the basic values ​​of the Christian faith. This study confirms that the success of children's character formation depends not only on the church, but also on the role of Sunday School teachers and families who work together to build a conducive spiritual environment. Thus, Robert Raikes' thinking makes an important contribution to the development of Christian education that is relevant in the modern era.

This study aims to describe the implementation of spiritual activities and the development of student creativity at SMTK Alor Barat Laut, Alor Regency, as well as to analyze their contribution to the spiritual growth and potential development of students within the context of Christian education. Using a qualitative approach with a case study method, this research involved the principal, teachers, dormitory supervisors, and students as research subjects. Data collection techniques were carried out through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The results of the study show that structured spiritual activities conducted through morning worship, afternoon worship, evening worship, fasting worship, the Bible Reading Movement, memorization of golden verses, praise practice, and tambourine practice have made significant contributions to the spiritual growth and creativity development of students. The active involvement of students as worship leaders and as performers in artistic ministries fosters self-confidence, the ability to express themselves through music and the arts, as well as responsible character grounded in Christian values. Supporting factors for the implementation of these activities include a clear program structure, full support from teachers and dormitory supervisors, and the active participation of the school community, while inhibiting factors include a packed schedule and limited facilities and infrastructure. This study concludes that SMTK Alor Barat Laut has successfully realized holistic education that integrates spiritual formation and creativity development in a balanced manner, so that students grow into individuals who are faithful, creative, and character-driven in accordance with the values of Christian education.

This article explores the map of Christian education approaches from theological, pedagogical, psychological, and contextual perspectives. Christian education plays a vital role in shaping the faith, character, and spirituality of students in a comprehensive manner. Using a literature review method, the study analyzes various sources on Christian education theology. The findings reveal that the theological approach emphasizes the Bible as the primary foundation for learning, while the pedagogical approach focuses on active and participatory teaching methods. The psychological approach tailors instruction to the developmental stages of students, and the contextual approach links faith with students' real-life experiences. Each approach has its strengths and limitations, and Christian educators are encouraged to integrate these approaches to achieve holistic learning goals. The study emphasizes the importance of collaboration among schools, families, and churches to create an educational ecosystem that fosters the spiritual and character growth of students. By combining these approaches, educators can better equip students for both spiritual and personal development.

Student character building is an important goal in the education system, particularly in Christian Religious Education (CRE) which emphasizes not only cognitive aspects but also the development of moral and spiritual values. However, various character issues such as low discipline, responsibility, and social awareness remain challenges in the school environment. Therefore, a learning strategy is needed that can integrate Biblical values contextually into the educational process. This study aims to analyze learning strategies based on Matthew 11:28–30 in shaping student character at SMP Negeri 1 Moro’o, West Nias Regency. This study uses a qualitative approach with descriptive methods. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation involving Christian Religious Education teachers and students. The results of the study indicate that the values contained in Matthew 11:28–30, such as love, humility, gentleness, and peace of mind, can be implemented through contextual learning strategies, teacher role models, and reflective learning. The implementation of these strategies contributes to student character building, especially in improving attitudes of discipline, responsibility, and concern for others. The novelty of this research lies in the development of a learning strategy framework based on theological analysis of Matthew 11:28–30 which is practically integrated into Christian Religious Education learning to shape students' character.

Teaching biblical principles to elementary school children plays a significant role in shaping their faith and character, as childhood represents a formative stage for spiritual, intellectual, and moral development. This study aims to examine developmentally appropriate Bible teaching tactics and emphasize the role of Christian Religious Education teachers in the faith-learning process. The approach used is a literature review that combines theological insights, developmental psychology, and Christian didactics. The findings of this analysis indicate that effective teaching methods include the use of storytelling, visual and creative aids, interactive activities, spiritual music, and the teacher's life example. These methods enhance children’s understanding of biblical teachings in a concrete and contextually relevant manner. This research confirms that Bible teaching should not be seen simply as conveying information, but rather as a holistic process of faith formation. The results of this study provide both theoretical and practical benefits, especially for Christian Religious Education teachers, Christian schools, churches, and families in supporting children's holistic faith development.

This study examines the integration of Christian values into the Merdeka Curriculum for Christian Religious Education (PAK) in junior high schools (SMP), focusing on the challenges and strategies for its implementation. The Merdeka Curriculum, introduced in 2022, offers flexibility in instructional design; however, its implementation in the field of PAK requires specific adaptations to maintain the relevance of Christian values such as love, justice, and responsibility. This study employs a descriptive qualitative approach using library research combined with empirical content analysis of various case studies in Indonesian Christian schools. The findings indicate that the primary challenges include resource constraints, the readiness of PAK teachers, technological infrastructure gaps, and the influence of secular digital culture. Effective strategies include the development of a contextual curriculum based on Christian values, the utilization of digital technology in learning, the enhancement of teachers’ professional competencies, and collaboration between schools, families, and churches. The implications of this study suggest that the integration of Christian values into the Merdeka Curriculum can foster the holistic character of junior high school students, equipping them with integrity, resilience, and the ability to face the challenges of the digital age.

This study discusses the importance of family-focused Christian theology in building children's character in the digital era through the Christian Religious Education (PAK) approach. The transformation of information and communication technology has brought major changes, including in the fields of education and character formation. The digital era provides opportunities to increase knowledge and access to learning, but also raises challenges in the form of weakening moral values, integrity, and relationships within the family. The family as a divine institution has a primary role in teaching Christian values ​​through role models, communication, and direct experience. This study uses a qualitative method with a descriptive-analytical approach, which reviews literature and observations of Christian education practices both in families and schools. The results show that families have an important role in developing children's faith and character, while PAK serves as a link between faith education at home and formal education at school. PAK is considered relevant because it can unite students' cognitive, affective, and conative aspects in facing the influence of digital culture. Overall, family-based Christian theology supported by PAK has great relevance in shaping a young generation with integrity, critical thinking, and character. This approach not only instills knowledge of faith but also prepares students to become responsible and wise leaders in utilizing technology in accordance with Christian values.

The digital era presents various opportunities as well as challenges in the world of education, particularly in the formation of student character. The development of technology, social media, and the unlimited flow of information influence the way students think, act, and behave. This condition demands the role and responsibilities of Christian Religious Education (PAK) Teachers that are increasingly complex and strategic. This study aims to describe the responsibilities of PAK Teachers in the formation of student character in the digital era. The research method used is a qualitative method with a literature study approach. Data were collected through a review of scientific journals, academic books, and theoretical sources relevant to the research topic. The results of the study indicate that PAK Teachers are not only responsible for conveying Christian faith material, but also guiding students in internalizing and practicing Christian values such as love, honesty, responsibility, self-control, and empathy, both in real life and digitally. PAK Teachers act as educators, role models, guides, and spiritual counselors who integrate character education into the learning process. In addition, PAK Teachers are required to have adequate pedagogical, professional, personality, and social competencies, as well as the ability to utilize technology wisely. Collaboration with parents and schools is a crucial aspect in sustainably shaping students' character. Thus, Christian Religious Education teachers act as agents of transformation in shaping a generation with Christian character ready to face the challenges of the digital era.

Schools are formal educational institutions that play a crucial role in transferring knowledge and shaping students' cognitive, psychomotor, and character development systematically and responsibly. While the "school of life" is often defined as a non-formal learning space, formal schools retain a strategic position because they provide a clear ontological, epistemological, and axiological framework, including in the formation of students' character and self-concept. However, the reality on the ground shows that labeling practices are still prevalent in the school environment, both by teachers and fellow students, which negatively impact students' psychological, emotional, social, and self-concept. Negative labels such as stupid, lazy, naughty, or physical and social labels have been shown to cause "invisible wounds" that affect students' self-esteem and functioning in the long term. This study uses qualitative methods through a literature review to examine the phenomenon of labeling and its impact on the formation of students' self-concept within the framework of Christian Character Education. The results of the study indicate that Christian Character Education, which is based on the values ​​of love, acceptance, and respect for human dignity as God's creation, has a strategic role in restoring the self-concept of students affected by labeling. Christian character education not only instills moral and ethical values, but also builds students' inner and spiritual resilience so that they are able to interpret themselves positively, regardless of the negative labels they receive.

Faith education for children in contemporary Christian families is experiencing a crisis as many parents completely hand over the responsibility of faith education to schools and churches. This study aims to analyze the principles of faith education in Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and formulate strategic roles for Christian Religious Education teachers in empowering parents to implement faith education at home. The research method used is qualitative with a library research approach and hermeneutical analysis of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. The results show that Deuteronomy 6:4-9 emphasizes the importance of parental role modeling, repetitive teaching, integration of faith in daily life, and creation of a faith-rich home environment. Christian Religious Education teachers play a strategic role in empowering parents through theological training, provision of practical materials, continuous mentoring, partnership with churches, and exemplary living. Collaboration between Christian Religious Education teachers and families is essential to build a holistic faith education ecosystem so that children grow with a strong faith foundation from home.

This study aims to describe the application of role-playing techniques in group guidance to improve self-confidence in adolescents at Rantepao Christian High School. A descriptive qualitative approach was used with eight eleventh-grade students with low self-confidence, identified through initial observations and interviews. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation during eight group guidance sessions, and documentation such as student reflection journals. Data analysis followed the Miles and Huberman model, including data reduction, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results showed that role-playing techniques were effective in improving students' self-confidence, as evidenced by increased active participation, group speaking skills, and positive self-expression post-intervention. Students were initially hesitant and shy, but after role-playing in social scenarios such as presentations and peer interactions, they showed significant behavioral changes. Supporting factors included a supportive group atmosphere and positive feedback from counselors and peers. This study contributes to guidance and counseling practices in Christian schools, emphasizing the importance of experiential methods such as role-playing for adolescents in the North Toraja community. Practical implications are recommended for guidance and counseling teachers to integrate this technique into student self-development programs.

This article discusses the role of Christian Religious Education (PAK) in shaping inclusive attitudes of students in the midst of diverse Indonesian society. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, this study examines how PAK can teach the values ​​of love, justice, and respect for differences, and their impact on students' character. The results of the study indicate that PAK not only functions as a transmitter of the doctrine of faith, but also as a means to promote tolerance and interfaith dialogue. Teachers play an important role as facilitators who create a safe and supportive learning environment, and integrate multicultural values ​​into the curriculum. Although PAK faces challenges in the learning approach, collaboration between the church, school, and family can strengthen the impact of religious education. Thus, PAK has great potential in shaping a tolerant generation committed to social justice in a pluralistic society.

This study's objective is to describe the implementation of teaching modules as a Christian Religious Education learning strategy at Palangka Raya Christian High School. Teaching modules are used as learning tools in the Merdeka Curriculum to help teachers design structured, contextual, and student-centered learning. Seventeen students in the tenth grade served as research subjects for this study, which employed a descriptive qualitative method. Data collection was carried out thru observation of the learning process, analysis of learning documents, and evaluation results of student learning. The study's findings show that the implementation of teaching modules is able to support the systematic implementation of learning, increase students' active participation in discussions and group activities, and help achieve fairly good assessment results. Nevertheless, some constraints were found in the implementation of learning, such as time limitations and supporting facilities. Overall, the implementation of the teaching module has positive implications for improving the quality of the Christian Religious Education learning process and outcomes, and has the potential to be developed sustainably to shape students' character based on Christian values.  

The era of globalization presents serious challenges for Christian Religious Education (PAK) through the currents of value relativism, consumerism, and digital influences that threaten the formation of the spiritual character of the younger generation. This study aims to analyze strategies for integrating spiritual values ​​into Christian Religious Education (PAK) to ensure its relevance and effectiveness in facing the dynamics of the times, with a focus on a holistic approach that combines a contextual curriculum, hybrid learning media, faith-based digital literacy, and strengthening teacher competencies. The research method uses a qualitative descriptive approach based on library research through thematic content analysis of books, scientific journals, and related literature. The results indicate that effective integration of spiritual values ​​through strategies such as interactive digital learning, school-church-family collaboration, and systematic evaluation produces students who are strong in faith, critical of global influences, and ethical in character. In conclusion, the need for ongoing synergy to shape a generation of Christians who are adaptive and imbued with integrity in the era of globalization is emphasized.

This research is motivated by the persistent difficulty elementary school-aged children have in controlling their emotions and behavior in social situations, particularly within the context of church community development. The study aimed to examine the effect of Christian values-based emotion management training on improving children's self-control. The study used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental one-group pretest-posttest design on 30 children aged 7–12 years at the GPM Wonreli–Kisar Congregation. The intervention was implemented over four days through activities involving emotion recognition, value reflection, emotion regulation training, and social simulations. Data were collected using a self-control scale and analyzed using paired-difference tests and effect size calculations. The results showed a significant increase in self-control scores after the training, with the largest changes in rule compliance and impulse control, and a more moderate increase in resilience to frustration. The effect size indicates a strong practical impact of the changes. These findings indicate that training that integrates social experiences and value reflection can facilitate the shift in behavioral control from external control to internal awareness. Practically, this research provides a basis for developing a community-based child development program that emphasizes not only discipline but also the understanding of values ​​in character formation and self-regulation.

The rapid development of digital technology in the past decade has transformed Christian Religious Education (PAK) through synchronous–asynchronous models, Learning Management Systems (LMS), and blended learning, thereby expanding access and enriching both cognitive and spiritual learning experiences. However, this digital shift also introduces new risks related to child protection in online environments. National regulations mandate schools and higher education institutions, including PAK, to embed safeguarding principles into digital learning practices. Recent literature identifies three main research streams: the effectiveness of technology-enhanced learning, Christian ethics and digital spirituality, and faith-based digital literacy. Nonetheless, three research gaps remain: (1) limited integration of legal norms into technology-driven pedagogy, (2) absence of a safeguarding-by-design framework tailored for PAK, and (3) insufficient evaluation instruments to measure child protection outcomes in digital learning environments. This study aims to: (a) analyze the juridical implications of child protection regulations for the design, implementation, and evaluation of technology-based PAK strategies, (b) develop a “child-safe technology-based PAK framework” that integrates theological-pedagogical formation with regulatory compliance. The scientific contribution of this study lies in offering a PAK strategy that is not only pedagogically effective but also legally compliant, ethically grounded, and pastorally responsive thereby fostering a safe, inclusive, and child- centered learning ecosystem in the digital era.