Reimagining the Domestic Church: An Integrative Theological Framework for Family-Based Bible Education for Generation Z in Indonesia
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This paper addresses the critical challenge of spiritual formation for Generation Z within Christian families in Indonesia, a demographic profoundly shaped by the confluence of global digitalization and distinct local socio-cultural values. The pervasive influence of digital technology presents an ambivalent reality: while offering unprecedented access to spiritual content and global faith communities, it simultaneously fosters potent tendencies toward hedonism, individualism, and a fundamental disruption of traditional intergenerational faith transmission mechanisms. Existing research in Christian education and practical theology often remains siloed, focusing either on formal institutional contexts like churches and schools or on generational studies, leaving a significant gap in understanding the family as the primary, dynamic locus for contextual and effective discipleship. This study employs an in-depth qualitative theological literature review and synthesis, critically engaging the foundational work of Robert Pazmiño on ontological foundations, Thomas Groome on shared praxis, and Amos Yong’s pneumatological perspective, while integrating it with Binsen Sidjabat’s local Indonesian pedagogical insights and generational research from the Barna Group. We argue that a robust, family-based biblical education model, which is both theologically sound and culturally contextualized, is not merely beneficial but essential for nurturing the resilient faith of digital-native Indonesian youth. The proposed integrative framework moves beyond prescriptive methods to offer a holistic paradigm that emphasizes relational authenticity, dialogic learning, the adaptive and redemptive use of digital tools, and the strategic leveraging of Indonesian collectivist values. The findings culminate in a practical, theologically-grounded model for families and churches, positioning parents as curators of spiritual exploration rather than mere instructors. The study concludes by highlighting the imperative for empirical validation and outlining specific avenues for further research, including cross-denominational case studies and digital ethnography.
Source: Pharos Journal of Theology
Authors: Eirene Mary, I Putu Ayub Darmawan, Samuel Udau
Institution: Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Simpson Ungaran
Language: English
Subfield: Religious studies
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $375
OpenAlex ID: W7110101232