Influence of Religious Education Instruction on God-Centeredness among Grade 10 Students: The Mediating Role of Family Religious Practices
Abstract
Religious education in Catholic schools is expected to help young people connect faith with everyday life. However, limited evidence explains how classroom instruction and family religious practices work together to develop God-centered students. This study examined the influence of Religious Education Instruction on the God-centeredness of Grade 10 students at Father Saturnino Urios University, and explored the mediating role of Family Religious Practices. The study employed a quantitative descriptive-correlational design. Participants were 103 Grade 10 students purposively selected for their sustained exposure to the university’s Religious Education and faith formation programs. Data were collected through a researcher-developed questionnaire that underwent expert validation and reliability testing. Descriptive, correlation, regression, mediation, and group comparison analyses were employed. Findings revealed high levels of Religious Education Instruction, God-centeredness, and Family Religious Practices. A strong positive relationship was found between Religious Education Instruction and students’ God-centeredness. Faith integration emerged as the strongest predictor, together with pedagogical approaches and spiritual and reflective activities. Family Religious Practices partly mediated the relationship, showing that faith experiences at home reinforced the formation received at school. Differences in God-centeredness were also observed according to sex and membership in religious organizations. The study concludes that Religious Education is most effective when it connects Christian teachings with real-life experience, encourages participation and reflection, and involves families in faith formation. An Enhanced Instructional Design is proposed to strengthen school-family collaboration, reflective learning, and lived faith, supporting holistic, values-oriented Catholic education.
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