Abstract:
This study looked at parental responsibility of Mary and Joseph from the gospel
of Luke 2:40-52 in relationship with the Christian understanding of parenting in
Moree community. The study also examined the rights of the child pertaining
to children within the constitutionally enacted laws of Ghana and its relationship
towards the total welfare of the child. The hermeneutical design employed to
examine the text in Luke 2:40-52 was the text-centred narrative criticism
approach. Through a facilitated rigorous close reading with objectivity, the text
established the theme of parenting by Mary and Joseph. The text demonstrated
how Mary and Joseph played their role as responsible parents. They provided
the basic necessities their child depended on for growth and development like;
feeding, clothing, shelter and medical care as seen from how Jesus grew from
childhood to adolescent hood. In addition, Mary and Joseph inculcated spiritual
and moral disciplines in Jesus with their Jewish religious faith and practices for
attaining wisdom and favour towards intellectual and moral growth dimensions
to ensure holistic developmental growth for their child. The text climaxed with
how Mary and Joseph searched for Jesus with compassion when he got missing
during a pilgrim advent in Jerusalem. The study was then pointed to parental
perversion in Moree community where unacceptable traditions entrenched in
cultural values infiltrate against conventional standards on child care delivery
and practices is deliberated. Thus the study recommended the parental model of
Mary and Joseph to the Christian parents at Moree for adoption and practice.
The study then summoned the Christian community to embrace parenting as
part of religious requirement in obedience to God and contribution to nation
building and development.
