Jakarta Theological Seminary

Children occupy an important position in ancient Jewish tradition and Batak culture. This study examines the alignment between the biblical perspective of Luke 18:15–17 and the philosophical meaning of children in Batak culture. The study employs a descriptive-analytical qualitative approach through Contextual Biblical study, literature review and Greek lexical analysis of biblical texts and Batak cultural literature. The research findings reveal a profound alignment between the Luke 18:15–17 narrative and Batak philosophy. In Luke 18:15–17, Jesus affirms the significant value of children by welcoming them as exemplars of those who receive the Kingdom of God, while also correcting the disciples’ actions. The act of parents bringing their children to Jesus demonstrates how precious the children’s future was to them. Batak society likewise places children as the highest priority. Batak parents willingly sacrifice many things for the education and future of their children. Intradisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary implications: In conclusion, both perspectives affirm that care for children transcends mere cultural obligation, as it is a spiritual calling that aligns with the will of God. This study provides a biblical-contextual foundation for the nurturing and education of children in the context of the contemporary Batak church and community.

Mental health problems, particularly anxiety disorders, are increasingly prevalent among adolescents and have become a significant concern for the church as a spiritual community. This study aims to analyze the role of God’s servants in preventing and addressing anxiety disorders among adolescents at GKSI Maranatha Anugrah Sewan, Tangerang. The research employs a qualitative method through direct observation of youth ministry activities and informal interviews with participants. The findings reveal that church ministers play a strategic role in enhancing adolescents’ mental well-being through practical biblical teaching, empathetic pastoral counseling, and the establishment of prayer and openness communities. The application of Scripture Therapy, devotional counseling, and Healing Prayer Circles has proven effective in reducing anxiety levels, strengthening spiritual security, and fostering healthy social relationships. A holistic and collaborative pastoral approach involving professional support is essential for the church to create a safe environment that promotes recovery and spiritual growth among youth

Abstract The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the church’s capacity to appropriate digital technology in fulfilling its vocation as the body of Christ. The issue is no longer whether digital engagement is possible, but how it ought to be theologically discerned. This article contends that the church’s digitalization unfolds within the unresolved tension between corporeal ecclesial presence and disembodied digital space. Rather than opting for one or conflating both, the present paper understands this tension as ecclesial liquidity—signifying a renewed pilgrimage of faith and inviting deeper reflection on the church’s ontological identity. Viewed through the lens of Society 5.0, digitalization emerges as a contextual imperative shaped by shifting socio-cultural paradigms. Theologically, the challenge lies in maintaining the church’s sacramental and incarnational nature while inhabiting digital domains. In this view, the digitalization of the church becomes an intentional effort to reimagine the body of Christ as imago ecclesiae within the digital context.

This study aims to describe the role of spiritual intelligence in increasing the professionalism of Christian Religious Education teachers. The professionalism of Christian Religious Education teachers plays an important role in the success of giving birth to students with Christ's character. Spiritual intelligence is the result of an intimate and intense relationship with God. Through this research, the author conveys that through spiritual intelligence, God actually speaks and guides teachers in living their professional lives and responsibilities. The indicators of spiritual intelligence presented in this study help to understand how spiritual intelligence actually works. The research method used is qualitative. Collecting data using the method of observation and literature study. The results of the study concluded that when a teacher has spiritual intelligence, the ability to understand the nature of oneself is created, able to understand God's will so that the spirit to move his life is the Holy Spirit. Thus his existence both body and soul (all thoughts and feelings) is directed to become a teacher similar to the Lord Jesus Christ.

This study explores how Pentecostal pneumatology provides a theological foundation for shaping children’s spirituality in the digital era. The research addresses the problem of spiritual superficiality among Generation Alpha, which grows up in a technology-saturated environment that both connects and distracts. Using a qualitative theological approach that integrates hermeneutic and grounded theory methods, this study analyzes biblical texts (Acts 2; Joel 2) and recent scholarly findings in Pentecostal and Christian education. The results show that the Holy Spirit continues to work powerfully in digital contexts, forming children as active participants in God’s redemptive mission. A Spirit-led transformative framework is proposed, encompassing experiential, relational, cognitive, ethical, and missional dimensions that guide Christian education and family discipleship. The study concludes that technology can serve as a sacred medium for faith formation when it is directed by the Holy Spirit and supported by a Spirit-centered pedagogy. Keywords: Christian education; digital culture; Pentecostal pneumatology; spiritual formation; spirituality of children Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengkaji bagaimana pneumatologi Pentakosta memberikan dasar teologis untuk pembentukan spiritualitas anak di era digital. Permasalahan utama yang diangkat adalah meningkatnya kecenderungan superfisialitas iman di kalangan Generasi Alfa yang tumbuh dalam budaya digital yang sarat dengan konektivitas, namun sering kali miskin kedalaman rohani. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan teologi kualitatif dengan metode hermeneutik dan grounded theory, yang menggabungkan kajian eksegesis terhadap teks biblika (Kisah Para Rasul 2 dan Yoel 2) dengan analisis kepustakaan atas penelitian-penelitian terkini dalam bidang teologi Pentakosta dan pendidikan Kristen. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Roh Kudus tetap berkarya secara aktif dalam konteks digital, membentuk anak-anak sebagai peserta yang berdaya rohani dalam misi penebusan Allah. Melalui kerangka Spirit-Led Transformative Formation, ditemukan bahwa pembentukan spiritualitas anak dapat dikembangkan melalui lima dimensi, yaitu pengalaman, relasional, kognitif, etis, dan misioner. Dengan demikian, teknologi tidak harus dipandang sebagai ancaman bagi iman, tetapi dapat menjadi media kudus untuk pendidikan rohani apabila diarahkan oleh bimbingan Roh Kudus serta didukung oleh pendekatan pedagogis yang berpusat pada karya-Nya. Kata kunci: budaya digital; formasi rohani; pendidikan Kristen; pneumatologi Pentakosta; spiritualitas anak