100 Bible Verses about Raising Your Children

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 197 helpful votes

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 148 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 106 helpful votes

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 93 helpful votes

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 88 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 81 helpful votes

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 75 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 75 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 74 helpful votes

Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 ESV / 66 helpful votes

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 61 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 56 helpful votes

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Genesis 18:19 ESV / 54 helpful votes

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

Proverbs 15:5 ESV / 53 helpful votes

A fool despises his father's instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV / 46 helpful votes

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

James 5:12 ESV / 42 helpful votes

But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

2 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 42 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 42 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV / 37 helpful votes

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 34 helpful votes

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Matthew 18:6 ESV / 34 helpful votes

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.

Proverbs 23:13 ESV / 34 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die.

Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 31 helpful votes

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.

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 29 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

1 Timothy 5:8 ESV / 26 helpful votes

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Isaiah 54:13 ESV / 25 helpful votes

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV / 22 helpful votes

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 22 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Proverbs 17:6 ESV / 21 helpful votes

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

Psalm 103:13 ESV / 21 helpful votes

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

3 John 1:4 ESV / 19 helpful votes

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 19 helpful votes

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 19 helpful votes

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV / 19 helpful votes

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Matthew 7:12 ESV / 18 helpful votes

“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 16 helpful votes

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

2 Timothy 3:17 ESV / 15 helpful votes

That the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 ESV / 15 helpful votes

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Ephesians 5:1 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Malachi 2:15 ESV / 15 helpful votes

Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth.

1 Samuel 1:27-28 ESV / 15 helpful votes

For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ESV / 15 helpful votes

And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Leviticus 19:29 ESV / 15 helpful votes

“Do not profane your daughter by making her a prostitute, lest the land fall into prostitution and the land become full of depravity.

Isaiah 38:19 ESV / 14 helpful votes

The living, the living, he thanks you, as I do this day; the father makes known to the children your faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV / 14 helpful votes

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ...

Deuteronomy 4:9-10 ESV / 14 helpful votes

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children— how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’

Hebrews 12:6 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.”

Romans 6:23 ESV / 13 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Psalm 34:11 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

1 Chronicles 16:11 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!

James 1:27 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

John 16:21 ESV / 12 helpful votes

When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world.

Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 1:5 ESV / 12 helpful votes

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Proverbs 2:1 ESV / 12 helpful votes

My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,

Psalm 78:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might, and the wonders that he has done.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 12 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Revelation 1:1 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

2 Timothy 3:15 ESV / 11 helpful votes

And how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Colossians 3:23 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

John 3:16 ESV / 11 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Matthew 19:13-14 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Proverbs 23:14 ESV / 11 helpful votes

If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 21:1-31 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The king's heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will. Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin. The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty. ...

Proverbs 10:1 ESV / 11 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

Proverbs 4:1 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Hear, O sons, a father's instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,

Proverbs 3:12 ESV / 11 helpful votes

For the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV / 10 helpful votes

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Galatians 6:7 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Romans 8:28-29 ESV / 10 helpful votes

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Matthew 18:10 ESV / 10 helpful votes

“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 23:1-35 ESV / 10 helpful votes

When you sit down to eat with a ruler, observe carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for they are deceptive food. Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. ...

Proverbs 1:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 9 helpful votes

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV / 9 helpful votes

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 9 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Corinthians 11:1-34 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you. But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven. ...

1 Samuel 2:26 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 ESV / 9 helpful votes

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Leviticus 19:3 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV / 8 helpful votes

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

Luke 1:37 ESV / 8 helpful votes

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Psalm 113:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

He gives the barren woman a home, making her the joyous mother of children. Praise the Lord!

1 John 1:9 ESV / 6 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Ephesians 5:25-33 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, ...

John 3:16-17 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Isaiah 40:30 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;

Proverbs 23:21 ESV / 6 helpful votes

For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags.

Mark 13:13 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 5 helpful votes

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Deuteronomy 22:6 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“If you come across a bird's nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.

2 Corinthians 12:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children.

Romans 8:14 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Judges 13:1-25 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And the people of Israel again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, so the Lord gave them into the hand of the Philistines for forty years. There was a certain man of Zorah, of the tribe of the Danites, whose name was Manoah. And his wife was barren and had no children. And the angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold, you are barren and have not borne children, but you shall conceive and bear a son. Therefore be careful and drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for behold, you shall conceive and bear a son. No razor shall come upon his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb, and he shall begin to save Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” ...

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