Reconstructing of Christian Adolescent Identity through Christian Faith Education amid the Validation Crisis in the Digital Ecosystem

Authors

  • Jacob Messakh Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Bethel The Way, Indonesia
  • Sostenis Nggebu Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Saint Paul Bandung, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53547/5a1tge32

Keywords:

Christian adolescent character, Christian faith education, digital ethics, Imago Dei, spiritual disciplines

Abstract

The digital age brings real disruption in the form of identity crises, anxiety, and moral degradation in Christian adolescents due to gadget dependence and the search for pseudo-validation on social media. This research aims to formulate a reconstruction strategy for faith development based on a biblical perspective to restore adolescent identity in the midst of the complexity of the virtual world. Through the method of literature review with a theological-practical analysis approach, this research produces three main pillars of character reconstruction, namely the integration of classical spiritual disciplines (such as prayer and solitude) as an antidote to digital noise, the grounding of the fruit of the Spirit (especially self-mastery) into social media ethics, and the optimization of the role of the family and the church as redemptive communities (safe spaces). The three pillars are not just practical recommendations, but are the result of a conceptual synthesis of research that integrates spiritual, ethical, and communitarian dimensions in the reconstruction of Christian adolescent identity. In conclusion, the existential crisis of digital adolescents can be restored through progressive Christian Religious Education, so that they are no longer victims of information flows, but transform into bearers of light and agents of change with integrity in the virtual space.

Abstrak

Era digital membawa disrupsi nyata berupa krisis identitas, kecemasan, dan degradasi moral pada remaja Kristen akibat ketergantungan gawai dan pencarian validasi semu di media sosial. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk merumuskan strategi rekonstruksi pembinaan iman berbasis cara pandang Alkitabiah guna memulihkan identitas remaja di tengah kompleksitas dunia virtual. Melalui metode kajian literatur dengan pendekatan analisis teologis-praktis, penelitian ini menghasilkan tiga pilar utama rekonstruksi karakter, yaitu integrasi disiplin spiritual klasik (seperti doa dan solitude) sebagai penawar kebisingan digital, pembumian buah Roh (khususnya penguasaan diri) menjadi etika bermedia sosial, serta optimalisasi peran keluarga dan gereja sebagai redemptive community (ruang aman). Ketiga pilar tersebut bukan sekadar rekomendasi praktis, tetapi merupakan hasil sintesis konseptual penelitian yang mengintegrasikan dimensi spiritual, etis, dan komunitarian dalam rekonstruksi identitas remaja Kristen. Kesimpulannya, krisis eksistensial remaja digital dapat dipulihkan melalui Pendidikan Iman Kristen yang progresif, sehingga mereka tidak lagi menjadi korban arus informasi, melainkan bertransformasi menjadi pembawa terang dan agen perubahan yang berintegritas di ruang virtual.

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Published

2026-09-30

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