Faith-based ethical formation in children: a conceptual framework of parental spirituality, guided digital literacy, and church partnership

Ridwan Tonny Hasiholan Pane; Urbanus urbanus; Karnodin karnodin; Daniel daniel

doi:10.32698/03612

Faith-based ethical formation in children: a conceptual framework of parental spirituality, guided digital literacy, and church partnership

Ridwan Tonny Hasiholan Pane⁽¹⁾, Urbanus urbanus⁽²⁾, Karnodin karnodin⁽³⁾, Daniel daniel⁽⁴⁾,
(1) Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Khatulistiwa Sintang

Indonesia
(2) Institut Agama Kristen Negeri, Palangka Raya, Indonesia

Indonesia
(3) Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Khatulistiwa, Sintang, Indonesia

Indonesia
(4) Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Khatulistiwa, Sintang, Indonesia

Indonesia

Corresponding Author

DOI : https://doi.org/10.32698/03612

Full Text:

Language : en

Abstract

This study examines parental practices in children’s ethical formation and develops a conceptual framework integrating parental spirituality, guided digital literacy, and church partnership. A qualitative case study involved 15 Christian parents from the IFGF Tebelian Congregation. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Three interconnected dimensions emerged: parental spirituality establishes ethical foundations through role modeling and value habituation; guided digital literacy promotes ethical discernment through digital mediation and self-regulation; and church partnership strengthens parental capacity through educational and pastoral support. These findings informed the Faith-Based Ethical Formation Ecosystem, emphasizing the synergistic relationship between family spirituality, digital guidance, and institutional support. Children's ethical formation represents a relational, spiritually grounded, and context-sensitive process. The proposed framework offers a conceptual contribution to faith-based parenting and digital ethics, warranting further validation across diverse sociocultural contexts.

Keywords

Children’s Ethical Formation; Parental Spirituality; Digital Literacy; Church Partnership; Christian Family; Faith-Based Ethical Formation

References

Amanit, J. S., & Willyam, V. (2025). Didaskalia: Pendidikan Kristen di dalam keluarga bagi anak berakar, bertumbuh dan berbuah di era digital. DIDASKO: Jurnal Teologi dan Pendidikan Kristen, 5(2), 167–179.

Andreias, T. (2023). Family involvement: An attempt to synergize parents and church on youth ministry in the post-pandemic era. Veritas: Jurnal Teologi dan Pelayanan, 22(1), 81–96.

Anorico, H. C. (2025). Rediscovering faith and family connections: a study of university students’ engagement in online catechesis. Journal of Beliefs & Values, 1-20.

Archer, B. (2024). Moving from faith development to faith engagement in Christian schools: A scoping review. Journal of Research on Christian Education, 17(1), 136–154.

Aritonang, J. I. P., & Labeti, U. C. S. (2026). Peran orang tua dalam Pendidikan Agama Kristen di keluarga jemaat Gereja Keluarga Allah Klaten. Didaktik: Jurnal Ilmiah PGSD STKIP Subang, 12(3), 325–338.

Bingham, A. J. (2023). From data management to actionable findings: A five-phase process of qualitative data analysis. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22.

Boiliu, N. I., Wiryadinata, H., Hidayat, U. F., & Purba, S. (2023/2024). Peran orang tua sebagai pendidik iman dengan pembentukan moral dan pembentukan iman di Gereja Kristen Jawa se-Klasis Banyumas Selatan. Jurnal Teologi Berita Hidup, 6(2).

Boloje, B. O. (2024). Parenting, family guidance and spiritual education: Proverbs 1: 8–9 and its wisdom ethos for children’s moral development. Verbum et Ecclesia, 45(1), 3285.

Buaya, D. W., & Kolibu, D. R. (2024). The Integration of Technology in Family Christian Religious Education in the Digital Era. ENDLESS: International Journal of Futures Studies, 7(1), 90-103.

Bulan, S. E., & George, A. (2024). Shema and Christian Religious Education in the Family in Deuteronomy 6:4–9: The Bible and the Quest for the Development of Children’s Character. MODERATE: Journal of Religious, Education, and Social, 2(1), 67–84. https://doi.org/10.46362/moderate.v2i1.14

Dennis, M., & Harrison, T. (2021). Unique ethical challenges for the 21st century: Online technology and virtue education. Journal of Moral Education, 50(3), 251-266.

Dethan, V. O., & Wanggai, F. F. I. (2025). Peran keteladanan orang tua dan Pendidikan Agama Kristen bagi anak dalam kehidupan sehari-hari. REAL DIDACHE: Journal of Christian Education.

Ester, E., Rini, W. A., Triyanto, Y., Widiyanto, M. A., & Fernando, A. (2022). The influence of Christian Religious Education in family and parenting styles on adolescent character formation. Evangelikal: Jurnal Teologi Injili dan Pembinaan Warga Jemaat, 6(1), 76–83.

Fristyarini, A., Raihana, S. N., & Muliani, M. (2025). Dynamics of moral and ethical development in children through religious-based education. Journal of Family Sciences, 10(1), 99-113.

Gemar, A. (2023). Parental influence and intergenerational transmission of religious belief, attitudes, and practices: Recent evidence from the United States. Religions, 14(11), 1373.

Geržičáková, M., Dedkova, L., & Mýlek, V. (2023). What do parents know about children's risky online experiences? The role of parental mediation strategies. Computers in Human Behavior, 141, 107626.

Hafashimana, G. (2022). Determining parental involvement in the Sunday School of Burundi Free Methodist Church in Buterere Parish. Journal of Service Science and Management, 15(1), 279–291.

Halawa, D. T., Stevanus, K., & Yulianto, T. (2024). Pendekatan Pendidikan Agama Kristen Anak: Parenting anak dalam keluarga Kristen di era teknologi digital. HARVESTER: Jurnal Teologi dan Kepemimpinan Kristen, 9(1).

Herawati, J. P., Sinaga, E. J., Butar-butar, M. L. E. F., & Sinurat, P. (2024). Dari mimesis menjadi mandiri: Pembiasaan sebagai pedagogi teologis keluarga dalam pembentukan karakter anak usia dini. KURIOS, 10(3), 851–863

Høeg, I. M. (2020). Religious parental transmission and the importance of authenticity. Mission studies, 37(3), 416-434.

Kalensang, P. C., Arifianto, Y. A., & Triposa, R. (2025). Peran orang tua dalam membentuk karakter Kristus dalam diri anak di era digital. EDULEAD: Journal of Christian Education and Leadership, 6(2).

Karimah, I. S., Hendriani, A., Ningtyas, P. M., Kusnadi, U., Hendrawan, B., Putra, Y. P., ... & Herlambang, Y. T. (2024). Kecerdasan Buatan (Artificial Intelegence) dalam Pendidikan. Naturalistic: Jurnal Kajian dan Penelitian Pendidikan dan Pembelajaran, 8(2), 193-204.

Kristeno, M. R., & Tarihoran, E. (2023). Children’s faith development through faith formation activities. Mysterium Fidei: Journal of Asian Empirical Theology, 1(3), 146–151.

Laftona, T., Wilhelmsena, J. E. B., & Holmarsdottir, H. B. (2024). Parental mediation and children’s digital well-being in family life in Norway.

Liu, J., Wu, L., Sun, X., Bai, X., & Duan, C. (2023). Active parental mediation and adolescent problematic Internet use: The mediating role of parent–child relationships and hiding online behavior. Behavioral Sciences, 13(8), 679.

Lochmiller, C. R. (2021). Conducting thematic analysis with qualitative data. The Qualitative Report, 26(6), 2029–2044.

Mermilliod, E. P. (2021). A synthesis of academic research related to church-based family ministry. Christian Education Journal: Research on Educational Ministry, 18(3), 406–423. https://doi.org/10.1177/0739891320974383

Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative data analysis: A methods sourcebook (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Muyapa, L. (2026). Digital parenting: The role of parents in faith formation of children at Kingmi Edoutou Congregation, Nabire Classis. Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence Journal, 5(4).

Muzekki, M., Zulkifli, Z., Erlina, E., Hijriyah, U., & Irfani, B. (2024). Children's Rights in Worship and Morality Education: An Islamic Perspective on the Role of Parents. TARBIYA ISLAMIA: Jurnal Pendidikan dan Keislaman, 14(2), 124-135.

Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 1–18.

Nurmawati, M., & Kurniawan, M. A. (2025). The Role of Parents in Moral Education of Children Aged 0-5 Years. Al-Manarah; Journal of Education and Islamic Studies, 1(02), 78-86.

Purba, N. D., & Retno, P. (2023). The role of parents in Christian Religious Education in the family towards shaping the character of Generation Z children in facing the industry 5.0 era. Journal Didaskalia, 6(1), 11–22.

Putra, Y. P., Ocsis, B., Saputra, W., & Fauzi, R. A. (2025). Kajian studi literatur: Perspektif budaya dan pendidikan di Indonesia. Jurnal Pedagogik Indonesia: Yayasan Lembaga Pendidikan Dan Pelatihan Ksatria Siliwangi, 3(2), 233-239.

Putri, A., Arisha, D., Salsabilah, A., Salimah, R., & Pradana, S. (2025). The Family's Role in Early Childhood Moral and Spiritual Development. SocioSphere: Interdisciplinary Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(2), 93-102.

Rantung, D. A., Sianipar, D., Limbong, M., Silvanita, K., Widiarty, W. S., & Kaliey, I. M. (2025). Capacity Building in Christian Religious Education, Family Education, and Entrepreneurial Spirit Development: Strengthening Services and Growth of Congregation at Toraja Church in Kuala Lumpur. International Journal of Asia Pacific Community Service, 2(2), 52-57.

Rezeki, S., Putra, Y. P., & Wahid, R. (2026). Implementation of Religious Habits in Forming the Religious Character of Elementary Madrasah Students. Journal of Future Education, 3(2), 24-31.

Rumondor, M. Y. Y., Mawikere, M. C. S., & Raintung, A. (2025). Following Christ, not trends: Christian ethical formation for adolescents in the digital age. International Journal of Education, Information Technology, and Others, 8(3. A), 128-139.

Samosir, C. M., Boiliu, N. I., Lewankoru, M. L., Ribka, & de Fretes, E. A. (2026). Pemahaman teologis orang tua Kristen tentang formasi iman anak dalam keluarga di Gereja Protestan Maluku. Manna Rafflesia, 12(2).

Sari, D. A., Baharuddin, B., & Mubarrok, A. H. (2026). The Dynamics of Family Education Models in Developing Children's Spirituality and Creativity. Berkala Ilmiah Pendidikan, 6(2), 81-95.

Saunders, C. H., Sierpe, A., von Plessen, C., Kennedy, A. M., Leviton, L. C., Bernstein, S. L., et al. (2023). Practical thematic analysis: A guide for multidisciplinary health services research teams engaging in qualitative analysis. BMJ, 381, e074256.

Sciacca, B., Laffan, D. A., Norman, J. O. H., & Milosevic, T. (2022). Parental mediation in pandemic: Predictors and relationship with children's digital skills and time spent online in Ireland. Computers in human behavior, 127, 107081.

Shin, W., & Lwin, M. O. (2022). Parental mediation of children’s digital media use in high digital penetration countries: Perspectives from Singapore and Australia. Asian Journal of Communication, 32(4), 309–326.

Sirait, J. E., Cibro, R. C. K., Sugiono, S., & Hardori, J. (2023). Strategi Pendidikan Agama Kristen dalam keluarga untuk membangun attitude anak 6–12 tahun. Edukasi: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama Kristen, 14(2), 112–121.

Sitanggang, M. H. (2023). Spiritual education for children as a shared responsibility between parents and the church. Evangelikal: Jurnal Teologi Injili dan Pembinaan Warga Jemaat, 7(1), 80–88.

Soares, F., Schuenke-Lucien, K., & Boothby, N. (2026). Activating systems of care for whole child development in fragile contexts: A case study from Haiti using the qualitative impact protocol. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 1476718X261428293.

Sugihyono, S. (2025). The role of Christian education in developing responsible digital literacy among adolescents. JURNAL TRANSFORMASI: Jurnal Teologi Dan Kepemimpinan, 4(1), 50-58.

Tarihoran, E., Firmanto, A. D., & Kurniawan, A. Z. (2024). Improving the quality of children's faith formation through catechesis for First Communion preparation in the parish with a holistic approach. EDUKASI: Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan Agama dan Keagamaan, 22(1).

Trisnawati, M. I., Setiyaningtiyas, N., Wijoyoko, G. D., & Jelahu, T. T. (2026). The family as the domestic church: An empirical study of Christian spirituality formation in early childhood within a parish pastoral framework. International Perspectives in Christian Education and Philosophy.

Utami, K., Apriliya, S., & Saputra, E. (2022). The urgency of digital literacy and ethics for parents in educating children in the digital age. Jurnal Kependidikan, 8(1), 58–67.

Wati, O., & Dewantara, A. W. (2021). Peran orang tua sebagai pendidik iman anak di tengah perkembangan teknologi digital. CREDENDUM: Jurnal Pendidikan Agama, 3(2).

Weeland, J., Helmerhorst, K. O., & Lucassen, N. (2021). Understanding differential effectiveness of behavioral parent training from a family systems perspective: Families are greater than “some of their parts”. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 13(1), 34-57.

Withey, S. (2023). Rethinking the place of the family in the post-Covid church in the UK: An exploration of families’ engagement with church during and after Covid. Practical Theology, 16(6), 642–654.