Ra'ah: Journal of Pastoral Counseling

A BIBLE-BASED PASTORAL APPROACH TO CHILDREN’S FAITH EDUCATION IN THE DIGITAL AGE

YANNI PAEMBONAN — 2026-04-11

The aim of this article is to analyze the relevance of pastoral approach in children's faith education in the digital era. The issue addressed is how the church and family can nurture children's faith amidst the challenges of digital technology development, which influences how children learn, interact, and understand spiritual values. The research method used is qualitative with a literature review approach, analyzing various books and journals relevant to the research topic. The findings show that the pastoral approach plays an important role in shaping children's faith through contextual pastoral guidance, open dialogue, and wise utilization of digital media. It also emphasizes that faith education for children should not only focus on doctrinal teaching but also on pastoral relationships that support holistic faith growth. Therefore, the pastoral approach remains relevant in children's faith education in the digital age because it helps the church and family address technological challenges while supporting children's spiritual development comprehensively.

PAUL’S THEOLOGY OF WORK (2 THESSALONIANS 3:10-12): THE CHURCH’S ROLE IN ADDRESSING UNEMPLOYMENT AMONG GENERATION Z

APRILIO TITUS GUMELAR — 2026-04-16

Unemployment among Generation Z presents a serious challenge amidst the digital economic shift affecting social and spiritual aspects. This study aims to address: how Paul’s theology of work in 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 is understood and what its implications are for the role of the church. The method employed is a qualitative approach through biblical exegesis and hermeneutics, supported by a literature review. The research findings indicate that work is a responsibility of faith that rejects passivity and dependency, and forms part of the Christian witness of life. Based on these findings, the church is understood as an agent of transformation that plays a role in shaping the work ethic, self-reliance, and responsibility of the younger generation. Consequently, the church needs to develop an integrative programme combining spirituality and economic empowerment as a concrete response to Generation Z unemployment.

THE ART OF SPIRIT-LED PRESENCE: DISCERNMENT AND CARE IN PASTORAL COUNSELING

PAUL F. DAVIS — 2026-04-21

This article presents a qualitative, dialogical exploration of Spirit-led presence as the foundational principle for pastoral crisis counseling. Drawing from an in-depth interview with counselor-educator Paul F. Davis, the study examines the integration of theological insight, relational attunement, and ethical discernment in ministry to individuals experiencing acute emotional, spiritual, and situational distress. Moving beyond prescriptive technique, the analysis foregrounds attentive presence, spiritual discernment, and non-coercive care as central to effective pastoral response. The dialogical format itself mirrors the unfolding, responsive nature of crisis encounters. Thematic findings highlight the transformative power of presence to facilitate meaningful interventions, the critical role of emotional and spiritual attunement, and the ethical necessity of boundaries and referral. Aimed at pastors, Christian counselors, and ministry leaders particularly within the Indonesian context this article offers reflective, practitioner-based wisdom to inform a relationally grounded, biblically aligned approach to crisis care that honors the integrity of both counselor and counselee.