Bible verses about parenting: 18 passages for the hard and holy work of raising kids

Children are indeed a heritage from the LORD, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.

A heritage is something you receive, not something you earn or own. Children are entrusted to parents for a time.

He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

A shepherd walks at the pace of the slowest in the flock. God is pictured gently leading the ewes that are nursing their young, which is to say, the worn-out parents.

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Without finding fault means God does not sigh when you ask again. Parenting sends you back for wisdom daily, and that is allowed.

But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in His arms, placed His hands on them, and blessed them.

The disciples treated the children as an interruption. This is one of the few times the Gospels say Jesus was indignant, and it was on behalf of little ones.

These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

The words go on your own heart first, then to your children. The classroom is ordinary life: the kitchen table, the car, bedtime and breakfast.

We will not hide them from their children, but will declare to the next generation the praises of the LORD and His might, and the wonders He has performed.

Asaph’s psalm goes on to tell Israel’s failures as well as God’s wonders. Passing on faith includes being honest about where we went wrong.

I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am convinced is in you as well.

Timothy’s father was Greek (Acts 16:1), and his faith came through his mother and grandmother. One faithful parent, or grandparent, matters more than you think.

But as for you, continue in the things you have learned and firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

The word for infancy is the one used for a baby. Reading Scripture aloud to a child who does not understand it yet is never wasted.

But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”

Joshua was an old man when he said this. It is a decision a parent makes in public, for a household, and then keeps making.

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

A proverb describes how things usually go, not a guarantee. Some readers also hear in the Hebrew the idea of training a child according to their own way, the way they are made.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

In the Roman world a father had near-total power over his children. Paul put a limit on that power and aimed it at instruction.

Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

The measure of good discipline is a child who is not discouraged. Correction that crushes the spirit has missed the point.

No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it.

The Greek word behind trained gives us the word gymnasium. Discipline is meant to be training toward something, not simply punishment for something.

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Scripture uses a good father’s compassion to describe God. The comparison works the other way too: it shows parents what to aim for.

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

The father saw his son while he was still far off, which means he had been watching the road. In that culture an older man running was undignified. He ran anyway.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Jesus reasons from ordinary, imperfect parents to God. If you want good things for your child, how much more does your Father in heaven.

I prayed for this boy, and since the LORD has granted me what I asked of Him, I now dedicate the boy to the LORD. For as long as he lives, he is dedicated to the LORD.” So they worshiped the LORD there.

Hannah prayed for years for this child, then entrusted him to God. Every parent eventually has to open their hands.

Then He went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But His mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

Mary and Joseph had just spent three frightening days searching for twelve-year-old Jesus, and they did not understand his answer. Mary kept it all in her heart and waited.