Spiritual Life
Spiritual Life
Plymouth Christian Academy aims to be a place where students can flourish spiritually, as well as academically and socially. PCA offers a multitude of opportunities for students to grow in their walk with Jesus Christ. Weekly chapels feature our student praise team and a variety of speakers from both inside and outside of the school. Bible classes offer our students a firm foundation in God’s word. High school students begin each school year with Spiritual Life Retreat, a two-day retreat (three days for seniors) where students grow closer with God and each other through games, small groups, sermons, and worship services. This retreat ensures that the year starts off right, focused on glorifying God in all that we do.
PCA’s commitment to spiritual growth goes beyond obvious spiritual opportunities like chapel and Bible class. PCA firmly believes in the integration of faith and learning, which means that PCA’s faculty of committed Christian teachers intentionally teach every subject from a biblical perspective. Students are taught to see God in math, history, science, English- all subjects. Because God created each field of study, PCA strives for educational excellence in every subject.
Chapel
Elementary Chapel
Elementary Chapel is foundational to the spiritual growth of students at Plymouth Christian and reinforces biblical truths that permeate our curriculum. The weekly chapel program is one of the school’s highest priorities in training young people to learn and grow in their faith, to develop a biblical worldview and share God’s love with others. We strive to create authentic, dynamic worship services that address real problems in practical ways to help students walk continually closer with God. As a staff, we are honored to partner with parents in the spiritual development of their children to equip them to serve God now and in the future.
Since prayer is a bedrock of our faith, PCA provides the opportunity for our elementary students to grow in their prayer life. This initiative, called Connect Groups, is a small group mentoring program for elementary students. This program encourages a deep, abiding relationship with Jesus by teaching our young people to develop a meaningful prayer time and breaking prayer into recognizable pieces. Approximately once every month, during the Connect Group Chapels, the chapel speaker focuses on a different aspect of prayer using scripture, stories, and interactive activities. Following the speaker, students meet with their pre-assigned small groups, led by the 6th grade student mentor, to practice what they learned through directed activities, responsive prayer, and group prayer time. Students also have the opportunity to reflect on their journey in a prayer journal. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” I John 5:14.
Chapel days and times are posted in the weekly parent notice and parents and family are invited to attend and worship with their children.
Romans 12:10
“We pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
Secondary Chapel
Secondary chapel is a time set aside for students to rest from their busy schedules and focus wholly on God. The Student Praise Team leads worship and a variety of speakers from both inside and outside of the school encourage and teach students to grow in their Christian walk. Speakers are carefully selected so that what they present is relevant to the lives of our young people. Many of our chapel speakers are local youth pastors from the churches that our students attend and they bring challenging instruction from God’s Word. In addition to taking part in praise team, students also have opportunities to speak in chapels throughout the year. The goal of weekly chapel is to instruct, exhort, and encourage students toward an increasing appreciation and devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Character Counts
Character Counts is the program used at PCA, from preschool through 12th grade, to promote unity and biblical character education. It is our greatest desire to train, equip and disciple our students to have Christ-like character. We strive to not only build each student’s mind, but his or her character. The program includes six core biblical values that equip our students to live a Christian life in a challenging and demanding world.
To ensure purposeful character education for each student we ask that each parent / guardian emphasizes the monthly pillar of character in the home environment as well. The weekly parent newsletter introduces the character trait as well provides creative ideas to implement and enhance the family unit. Each month, the Godly character counts trait is displayed, taught and communicated in several areas of our school environment; chapels, morning announcements, integrated into all subject areas, daily student and weekly parent communications, all school service projects, leadership training and student mentors.
Our theme verse is 2 Peter 1:5-7… “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.”
The Six Pillars of Character
Trustworthiness
• Be honest • Don’t deceive, cheat or steal • Be reliable — do what you say you’ll do • Have the courage to do the right thing • Build a good reputation • Be loyal — stand by your family, friends and country.
2 Corinthians 8:21 “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.”
Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
Respect
Treat others with respect; follow the Golden Rule • Be tolerant of differences • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate of the feelings of others • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.
Romans 12:10 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Responsibility
Do what you are supposed to do • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your choices.
Romans 14:12 “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”
Fairness
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly.
Luke 6:31 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Ephesians 5:15 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise.”
Caring
Be kind • Be compassionate •Show you care • Express gratitude • Forgive others • Help people in need.
Galatians 6:2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
I John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”
Citizenship
Do your share to make your school and community better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment.
I Peter 1:8 “Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.”
Colossians 3:12 “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”