Psychologist highlights the Bible as ideal guide for child upbringing

The Acting Registrar of the College of Counselling and Psychology, and a fellow of the Ghana Academy of Christian Counsellors, Dr. Mary Anane-Mensah, has urged adults to incorporate biblical teachings in raising children, especially in the post-pandemic era, as the world rapidly evolves with digitalisation.

According to Dr. Anane-Mensah, children are facing numerous challenges in this era because the global system has become “brittle and incomprehensible.”

She explained that the non-linear and unpredictable nature of the world today has left children more confused than ever, making the situation seem hopeless.

“Because things are evolving so fast, and the dynamism is so much that even the adults are confused, not to mention the children. If the adults are confused, I wonder what is happening to the children,” she remarked.

Dr. Anane-Mensah continued, “Now, they live in a digital age. We have a confused generation that is growing more and more confused because we’re relegating the Bible to the background. It’s very important that we go back to the basics.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st Biennial Pan-African Association of Catholic Exegetes (PACE) conference, held at Christ the King Catholic Church, Dr. Anane-Mensah emphasised that biblical principles and values are crucial for the holistic growth and development of children in this challenging period.

She stressed that adults should find innovative ways to make the Bible more appealing and practical for children by setting exemplary lifestyles based on biblical teachings, without altering its content.

“Our standard is Luke 2:52; it says that the child Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, and favour with God and man. That is our standard,” she stated.

She added, “When our children are just growing in stature, getting bigger and bigger, without wisdom or favour with God and man, then their growth is not complete.”

Concluding her address, Dr. Anane-Mensah presented a BALL gift to the children, encouraging them to “Believe the Bible, Admit the Bible, Love the Bible, and Live the Bible.”

“It’s a ball that I’m giving as a gift to the children, but I believe there are adults who also love playing ball,” she humorously added.

The Pan-African Association of Catholic Exegetes (PACE) is a long-standing organisation of biblical scholars that has existed since the early 1980s. Every two years, PACE organises a residential biblical conference for Catholic Biblical Scholars from across Africa.

This year’s 21st Biennial PACE conference officially opened on Monday, 9th September 2024, at Christ the King Catholic Church, Cantonments.