The Bible is a source of wisdom for parents, and here are 10 particularly helpful Bible verses about parenting.
Becoming a parent has been one of the most incredible things I’ve ever experienced in my life. But let’s get real here: parenting isn’t always a walk in the park; sometimes it’s downright tough. It’s true that there are absolutely amazing moments that make all the hard times worth it, but it doesn’t change the fact that there are indeed some really difficult times.
Recently, I’ve been engaged in a battle with my youngest child regarding learning how to read. He just doesn’t understand why it’s important to know how to read no matter how many times I explain it to him. To be fair, he’s a dreamer, creator, wiggle worm, and also happens to have one of the spiciest personalities I’ve ever encountered (he takes after his father), so reading has been agonizing for him. I’m being completely honest when I say that there has been literal weeping and gnashing of teeth on his part.
“I don’t know that anybody can really be fully prepared for the enormous responsibility that is parenting.”
I don’t know that anybody can really be fully prepared for the enormous responsibility that is parenting; I know I certainly wasn’t. It’s hard enough just making sure that they make it to adulthood somewhat unscathed, let alone ensuring that they grow up to become decent human beings.
But is that all that parenting requires of us? I would venture to say no. As parents, our foremost priority is to point our children to Jesus and to help them thrive in their faith journeys. If we don’t take the time to disciple our children in following Jesus, who will? It certainly won’t be our culture. Right now, more than ever, we’re in a battle for the hearts and minds of our children, and it’s a battle we must win.
“Right now, more than ever, we’re in a battle for the hearts and minds of our children and it’s a battle we must win.”
The encouraging thing, though, is that we don’t have to do it alone. Trust me, if it was solely up to me and my husband to raise our children in the Lord, my family would be in trouble! Thankfully, we have the Holy Spirit to guide us and help us in our weakness (Romans 8:26) and the Bible contains a treasure trove of verses that can help us in our parenting journey. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Bible verses about parenting: The Bible contains a treasure trove of verses that can help us in our parenting journey.
What a relief that I can rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and go to God’s Word for wisdom while training my children in the faith! Since all Scripture is useful for training in righteousness, we can find guidance for raising our kids throughout the entire Bible. However, rather than quote the whole Bible, I want to take a look at just ten Bible verses that I find helpful in my own parenting journey.
10 Bible Verses About Parenting
1. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on 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.”
This section of Scripture gives some of the most practical information for raising godly children, and it’s especially helpful for parents who have no idea where to start. Put simply, we need to talk to our children about God.
Bible verses about parenting: “Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road.“
We should talk to them at home, when we’re traveling, when we go to bed, when we wake up in the morning, and whenever else. In other words, we should talk to our kids about God and then talk to them about him some more! It may seem awkward at first, but the more you initiate conversations with your children about our Creator, the easier it becomes.
2. Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
The book of Proverbs is rich in insight and wisdom for parents and kids. It’s an excellent book to read through with your children, and since it has 31 chapters, you can complete it in about a month if you read a chapter a day. A great place to start wherever we are in our parenting journey is this verse, since it motivates us to give our children a firm foundation. Then, as they grow, they will have a solid faith to build their life upon and direct their paths.
3. Psalm 78:1-7
“My people, hear my teaching; listen to the words of my mouth. I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old—things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.”
Bible verses about parenting: “We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.”
This is a beautiful psalm that shows the importance of sharing our faith with our children and our children’s children. Our kids need to see faith lived out in real life and hear stories of God’s mighty works in our own lives and their ancestor’s lives, as well as the incredible things he has done throughout history.
Genuine faith passed on from generation to generation is a beautiful testimony and it can only happen if we share with our children the wonderful things our God has done.
4. Proverbs 29:17
“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.”
The subject of discipline (even among Christians) is a hot topic and I’m not here to tell you how to discipline your children. However, I will say that kids do need discipline. They need the security that comes with expectations, boundaries, and discipline. When those things are clearly laid out for them, they have the opportunity to thrive.
Bible verses about parenting: “Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.”
5. Psalm 139:13-14
“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.”
Yahweh created your child exactly the way He wanted them to be. All of the unique facets that make your child special have been expertly assembled by a Creator that loves them more than you or your child can ever imagine.
“All of the unique facets that make your child special have been expertly assembled by a Creator that loves them more than you or your child can ever imagine.”
This is why it’s so important that we remind our children that they are seen, known, and loved and that it’s okay for them to be themselves.
6. Philippians 4:6-7
“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.”
My children are still fairly young, but there have already been so many times that I have been anxious for them! As parents, we have many reasons to worry about our children. But instead of wasting precious energy and time on things that are out of our control, how about we hand over some of that worry to the Prince of Peace and allow him to carry some of those burdens for us?
7. Genesis 1:27
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
It’s important to remember that our children are created in the image of God, just like every other human being on the planet. They are precious cargo and have been entrusted to us, on loan, from God the Father. While it seems like a daunting task sometimes, we are responsible for ensuring they are healthy, safe, and cherished.
8. Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Bible verses about parenting: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
The Greek word for exasperate in this verse also means “to provoke to anger.” Children, especially pubescent children, can be difficult to get along with and it doesn’t take much to irritate them. However, we need to be mindful that we’re being consistent and just in our parenting or we risk needlessly angering our children, thereby damaging our relationship and witness.
9. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Our kids are going to really mess up sometimes. And just like we’ve been forgiven of all our mess-ups, they need to be forgiven as well. Even though it can get really hard, especially when we’re frustrated or angry with our children, we shouldn’t withhold forgiveness from them. We need to be quick to forgive and quick to set a good example.
“We need to be quick to forgive and quick to set a good example.”
On the other hand, when we mess up, we need to be sure to ask our children to forgive us. It is good for them to see us putting into practice what we are teaching.
10. Psalm 127:3-5a
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.”
Bible verses about parenting: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
Children are a blessing from God and what a great privilege it is to be entrusted with the care of a child! When times get tough, let’s try to remember what a great privilege parenting is and reflect on all the blessings that come with parenthood.
To be godly parents trying to raise godly children, we can’t just rely on ourselves. We have to allow the Holy Spirit to move freely within us and we need to spend time regularly with the Lord. If you’re not already, I encourage you to begin spending intentional time reading God’s Word and praying for your children every day. If you’re already doing these things, consider taking the next step and include your children in some of your study and prayer time. What a blessing it is for our kids to see us prioritizing our relationship with the Lord!
