Building Faith for Children through Learning Model of Kisah Qur`ani in Junior High School

The essence of religion is to believe in God Almighty who needs to be instilled in children from an early age. Junior High-School as education institutions for children should foster more awareness for religious fundamental. During this time, religious learning was only in the form of habituation without awareness. The problem is, how does the method teach it? An-Nahlawi, a cleric and professor of Egyptian Islamic education, introduced Qur`an-based learning methods. The more appropriate method for a fostering faith is the Kisah Qur`ani (Qur`anic story). Coincidentally, the story is favored by children or adults. In order for the Junior High-School teachers to implement this method, the lesson study approach is used. The study aims to produce a learning model of Kisah Qur`ani about the formation of faith in children in Junior High-School. Research uses a participatory qualitative approach. The first stage produces a draft model; the second is a model discussion with teachers; and the third is the model implementation in two schools. The results showed, the draft learning model of the Kisah Qur`ani was received by the teachers. Based on trials, the Kisah Qur`ani learning model is proven to improve faith cognition in children. With the theme of learning the story of Prophet Adam in QS 2/Albaqarah verses 30-34, as many as 36 children are proven to understand the meaning of faith in the Angels. Whereas before, the teachers educated the meaning of faith to pre Angels is simply to believe in the existence of this supernatural being. However, after using the Kisah Qur`ani method the teacher teaches that the meaning of this faith is to imitate the Angels who always obey Allah and His Messenger. Children can also get messages from this Qur`anic story. Besides this, the method increases children's enthusiasm in learning. They are able to pay attention and answer the questions posed by the teacher. Keywords—Kisah Qur`ani learning model; lesson study; faith's formation; Junior High-School student