20 Parenting Bible Verses About Children
It can be overwhelming to comb through the Scriptures to find the specific verses you’re looking for. Fortunately, I’ve put together a list of the 20 bible verses about children.
When it comes to parenting, I think we need all the help we can get. As a Christian, it’s my faith that we can use the Bible as one of the most excellent tools for parenting. I’ve grouped the various verses into separate categories to help you find the wisdom, direction, and encouragement you may need on your parenting journey.
Discipline
For most parents, discipline is always a hot topic of conversation. Considering there are 8,000 different parenting styles, it’s nice to have the Bible for some direction.
Often as parents, we can question every little thing or choice we make. Common questions we may ask ourselves are “Did I make the right choice?“, “Should I have grounded her? “, or “Was I too harsh just now? “
I’m sure that list could become quite long after a while. It’s very typical to second guess our decisions as parents. The Bible has a lot to say about discipline! Here are a few of the best verses on the topic.
1. “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11, English Standard Version)
This verse is a great way to remind us that discipline isn’t supposed to be enjoyed, but it’s necessary. Hopefully, everything will go well for our children’s lives.
Don’t be afraid of the tears or the tantrums. Children need discipline for developing godly character in our kids.
2. “A fool spurns a parent’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.” (Proverbs 12:1, NIV)
I like this verse because as kids get older you can remind them that it’s foolish to hate correction.
Ask a little child, “Do you want to be foolish?” Most kids would answer, “No!”
If foolishness is not the desired result, then our kids should eventually realize the value of correction and discipline. That’s the hope!
3. “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4, English Standard Version)
One thing that I struggle with in parenting is letting things go. I can get on the lecture train and keep talking to Addie long after she’s stopped listening, which causes Addie to get angry.
For example, I called for Addie to come upstairs and get her pajamas on. I waited about 2 minutes, still no response. I called her two more times, with a little more intensity in my voice.
As parents, we need to take heed to this verse and try not to provoke our children to anger but instead, respond with grace and patience.
4. “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” (Proverbs 13:24, English Standard Version)
I’m not going to get into the spanking vs. not spanking debate. However, we can take a great principle from this verse. The Bible says parents with dearly loved children are careful to discipline them.
If you love your kids, you are willing to tell them no and correct them when they do something wrong. Unfortunately, we live in a society of parents who indulge their children way too much, perhaps out of fear of their reaction.
My advice? Love your children enough to discipline them. This tip will help them in their development. Boundaries equate to showing your children love!
Teaching & Training
Of course, as parents, we need to be teaching and training the good news to our children. They are counting on us to follow through. How are children going to know what to believe, the difference between right and wrong, or the importance of obedience, if we, as parents, don’t teach them?
Thankfully, the Bible has many beautiful gems for us as parents in this area. Here are just a few in the teaching and training category.
5. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6, English Standard Version)
Proverbs aren’t promises. They’re more like probabilities.
Many of you may know of parents with teens or adult kids who have strayed from how they raised them. That can be painful.
Although they have strayed, it does not make this verse untrue. We can train our kids the best we know how, but their choices are on them at the end of the day.
Use this verse for motivation as you parent your children. Don’t give up on training them!
6. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1, English Standard Version)
We aren’t just saying things to try and ruin all her fun! The foundation for obedience is biblical. I highly recommend using this verse in conversations with your kids.
7. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7, NIV)
This verse is a widespread passage used for wisdom in parenting. We should be using Scripture with our kids, using any opportunity to get his word into their minds and hearts. Some great ideas for this are nightly devotions, conversations in the car, scripture memory, and posting inspiring Bible verses around the house.
Whatever you do, just make an effort to fill their minds and hearts with the truth! You are giving them a vast gift early on in life.
Fear & Anxiety
A difficult situation to navigate in parenting is dealing with fear and anxiety in your kids. I wrote an article specifically about ways to help your kids deal with their anxiety.
8. “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8)
This verse is a great way to read with your kids before bed if they struggle with having bad dreams or are afraid of the dark.
9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, English Standard Version)
Not only is this verse great for kids who deal with fears, but it’s also great for parents. I have written this verse out for many friends of mine who have gone through extensive suffering.
We can remind our kids that they don’t have to be worried or afraid because God has always promised to be with them. And He always keeps his promises.
Anger
Raise your hand if you are a super calm parent and never lose your temper or lack patience. That’s what I thought.
We’ve all experienced anger at least a few times.
● What do we do with those angry feelings?
● How do we parent our children through their angry outbursts?
10. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20, NIV)
My husband and I had this verse as a part of our wedding vows. It’s rich with wisdom for parenting too!
If your child is experiencing frequent angry moments, this is an excellent verse to have them memorize. It’s a great reminder to listen first before responding, think about your words before you say them, give yourself some time to cool down and honor God in your responses.
11. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1, NIV)
Proverbs is so full of wisdom! If you are dealing with a sassy talk from your kids or many raised voices, this verse is a great tool to use with your kids.
This verse is a great reminder to speak gently in order not to stir up anger. You can apply this verse to everyone in the house.
Kindness
I think we can all agree that as parents we would like our children to be kind humans. Kindness isn’t something that little children come with naturally. Parents have to teach them. The best place for kids to start learning kindness is at home!
12. “Be kind to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:32, NIV)
When there is constant fighting happening between siblings or they are exchanging rude words, you may want to memorize this verse as a family.
Write it down and post it on the fridge. Remind each other about the importance of forgiveness!
13. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4, NIV)
I’m pretty sure that selfishness runs rampant in most families. Kids are born selfish. Think about some of their first words: “Mine!” and “No!”
How perfect that God has gifted parents with verses in the Bible can help us guide our children towards humility and kindness.
14. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” (I Corinthians 13:4-5, NIV)
One of the phrases we frequently say in our house is love keeps no record of wrongs. We want our daughter to know the importance of letting things go and not holding grudges. It’s not healthy for her heart and mind to do that.
Sometimes training pays off, and you get to see the fruits of your labor in parenting!
I recommend posting these verses somewhere in your house, using them as the standard for how you desire everyone to treat each other.
Encouragement
Sometimes in parenting, we just need to be encouraged. It’s a tough job and a never-ending one. Thankfully, there are many encouraging Bible verses about children for parents.
15. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” (3 John 4, English Standard Version)
When you see your children following Biblical principles and choosing obedience, it’s a reason to rejoice and celebrate!
16. “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” (Psalm 127:3, NIV)
17. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, English Standard Version)
There might be days when you feel like your words keep hitting the wall with your kids because you’re on the 5th timeout with your child. I’ve been there.
This verse is a great encouragement because it reminds us that God started the work in our children, and he promises to see it to completion.
18. “For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” (Psalm 139:13-14, NIV)
Psalm 139 is terrific, and a great reminder that God has been at work since before our babies were born. He created every part of them! He has a purpose for their lives.
Prayer
The last category for uplifting Bible verses about children is one of my favorites.
There are so many verses about prayer throughout the Bible, but these are two that I believe are very helpful in parenting.
19. “Cast all of your cares upon Him because He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7, NIV)
Whether you have worries as a parent or your child is struggling, this verse reminds us that God wants us to cast our cares upon him. It’s comforting to know he cares for us!
20. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)
It doesn’t matter if your child’s fears are big or small. What’s important is that as parents, we are teaching our children to go to God with their struggles.
Teaching them about prayer and praying with them is one of the most significant ways to bless our little ones while raising them.
If you want some ideas on how to pray for your kids specifically, I encourage you to read my article on prayer!
Wrapping Up
I hope you feel more encouraged and motivated as you continue to strive to raise your kids in a godly way. God has given us the Bible as our most incredible tool for parenting!
It’s filled with wisdom if we would just take the time to dig a little deeper.
Parenting isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress. Progress in parenting is always something to celebrate!
