christianity

Planting Seeds that Last: Parents, Teachers, and God’s Design for Growth

Jabneh Christian Academy , , , , , , ,

October 13,2025 | Rev. Dr. Natasha Francis-Campbell, author of Parenting with Wisdom: Avoidiing the way of Fools

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.
1 Corinthians 3:6 (NIV)

Every good garden begins with a seed, but before that seed can thrive, someone must plant it. In the same way, every child’s development begins at home with the parents. God has entrusted mothers and fathers with the sacred role of planting the first seeds of character, faith, and learning. These are the earliest lessons a child ever receives. Lessons spoken not only through words but also through daily interactions, love, and example.

The home is the first classroom, and parents are the first teachers. Before a child can hold a pencil or recognise a number, they have already absorbed so much from the environment created by their parents. From the tone of your voice to the way you handle frustration, your child is learning. These moments form the fertile soil where seeds of trust, curiosity, and self-worth are planted.

Research supports what Scripture already teaches. According to the Cleveland Clinic, early child development occurs across multiple domains — physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and moral. Each domain requires intentional nurturing. The Tanoto Foundation also highlights that early stimulation and caregiving play a vital role in shaping a child’s character and lifelong outlook. Every bedtime story, every shared prayer, every word of encouragement becomes part of that sacred process of planting.

Then, as children grow, teachers and caregivers come alongside to water what was planted. The role of educators is not to replace the parent, but to complement and strengthen what began at home. When a teacher celebrates your child’s progress, corrects with patience, or encourages creative thinking, they are watering the seeds of potential you’ve already sown. Together, parents and teachers form a partnership designed by God, each one working in alignment with His purpose.

Still, even as we plant and water, the verse reminds us of a truth we must never forget: “God gives the increase.” Growth, the transformation of a tender seed into a flourishing tree, belongs to Him alone. Parents may sometimes feel anxious or discouraged when progress seems slow or when challenges arise, but we must rest in the assurance that God is at work beneath the surface, even when we cannot see it.

Our responsibility is faithfulness. Faithful planting. Faithful watering. Faithful praying. God’s responsibility is fruitfulness. He alone breathes life into what we nurture.

Dear parent, never underestimate the power of your influence. The seeds you plant today, seeds of faith, kindness, discipline, and perseverance, will bear fruit in due time. Whether your child becomes a scientist, an artist, or a leader, it is the values and love sown early that will guide their growth. Your role is not small; it is sacred. You are the planter in God’s garden of generations.

Therefore, continue to speak words of life over your child. Continue to model love and patience. Continue to trust God’s process, even through tears and uncertainty. As you plant, know that others, teachers, caregivers, mentors, and friends will come along to water. Yet, only God can bring the increase that turns potential into purpose.

Reflection Prayer for Parents

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for entrusting us with the gift of parenthood and the privilege of planting seeds in the hearts of our children.
Teach us to plant with love, to nurture with wisdom, and to trust You with the results.
Help us to create homes filled with peace, learning, and faith, where our children can flourish in Your presence.
Bless the teachers and caregivers who come alongside us to water these seeds with care.
May we work together in unity and humility, knowing that You alone bring the growth.
Strengthen every parent who feels weary, and remind us that our labour in You is never in vain.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Setting the Tone for Success: A Parent’s Guide to the New School Year

Jabneh Christian Academy , , , , , ,

Jabneh Christian Academy
Theme 2025–2026: “Fighting for Our Children Until the Rain Comes” (2 Samuel 21:10, 14)
Term 1 Sub-theme: “Standing on the Rock – Establishing Firm Foundations in Prayer, Discipline, and Values.”

The first days of school set the stage for the months ahead. At Jabneh Christian Academy, we believe that success does not happen by accident. It is built on prayer, partnership, and a consistent approach. As resilient parents, you play a vital role in shaping your icon’s school journey. Here are some practical ways to set the right tone from the very start:

1. Establish God-Centred Routines

Begin and end each day with prayer. Invite your icon to thank God for the new day and ask for His strength to stand firm, just as Rizpah stood on the rock until the rain came. Consistent spiritual routines help your child understand that school is not just about academics, but also about character and destiny.

2. Value the Timetable

The school timetable is more than a schedule—it is a tool for responsibility. Review it with your icon each evening. This simple step reduces morning stress and teaches accountability. Encourage your child to prepare their bag, uniform, and materials the night before.

3. Create a Home Learning Space

Even though textbooks remain at school, your icon will still need a quiet, prepared space to complete homework and review lessons. A small desk or table with minimal distractions can communicate: “This is my place to focus.”

4. Build Independence, Not Dependence

It is tempting to do everything for your child, especially on busy mornings. Yet true love teaches independence. Encourage your icon to manage simple tasks: packing their bag, tying their shoes, or setting out their clothes. As we say at Jabneh, “We should never reduce children’s ability by doing too much for them. That is not the loving thing to do.”

5. Guard Your Words and Atmosphere

Children absorb more than we realise. Speak words of blessing, encouragement, and resilience. A calm, positive home atmosphere helps them walk into school with confidence and a readiness to learn. Remember: the tone you set at home echoes in the classroom.

6. Partner with the School

Our Zone of Optimal Performance works best when parents and teachers each give their 50%. Stay connected through school updates, respond promptly to notices, and support classroom expectations at home. Together, we are fighting for our children until the rain comes.

The new school year is a fresh opportunity to lay strong foundations. Resilience, courage, integrity, and faith are not just value words; they are life skills that will shape your icon’s future. As parents, you are not spectators; you are co-builders. Let us stand on the Rock together and watch God send the rain of blessing over our icons.

Prayer
“Lord, thank You for the gift of my child. Help me set the right tone at home, model resilience, and partner faithfully with Jabneh. May this school year be filled with growth, excellence, and Your rain of blessing. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Fighting for Our Children Until the Rain Comes

Jabneh Christian Academy , , , , , ,

Reflections from the Parents and Teachers’ Conference 2025–2026


Scripture: “Rizpah, daughter of Aiah, took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night… After that, God answered prayer on behalf of the land.” (2 Samuel 21:10, 14)

At Jabneh Christian Academy, we entered this new school year under a powerful charge from Scripture: “Fighting for Our Children Until the Rain Comes.”

This theme was at the heart of our Parents and Teachers’ Conference. We gathered as staff, board members, and resilient parents and were reminded of Rizpah’s vigil in 2 Samuel 21. She spread sackcloth on a rock and stood guard, refusing to allow the birds or beasts to devour her sons. Her persistence and faith stirred the king to act, and eventually, God sent the rain.

Like Rizpah, we too are called to stand guard over our children. Our fight is not physical but spiritual, moral, and practical. It is the fight to protect hearts and minds, to build strong values, to discipline in love, and to resist the culture of neglect and nonchalance that robs children of their destiny.

The Zone of Optimal Performance

At Jabneh, we describe our partnership as a 50-50 covenant. Parents and school must walk hand in hand. Excellence cannot be sustained if one side is weak. When we both give our best, our children, the icons of God’s kingdom, will soar into their full potential.

A Prayer for the Rain

As we move forward, we do so with faith that God will honour our watchfulness. Like Rizpah, we will not give up until the rain comes: the rain of favour, blessing, growth, and success over every child, every home, and every aspect of Jabneh Christian Academy.

“Lord, give us the vigilance of Rizpah, the wisdom of David, and the unity of Your Spirit as we fight for our children. May the rain of Your blessing pour upon this institution and upon the lives of our icons. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”