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One of the most challenging jobs in the world is being a parent. Doing so means you are responsible for the well-being and development of another person… a mini you. This is a responsibility that shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Children don't ask to come into the world. Moreover, you are looked to as a parent for food, clothing, shelter, and protection. For the earlier years of a child’s life, if you don’t provide, they simply do without the basic necessities of life.
Some take this task more seriously than others, as reflected in their parenting styles. Some are laid back and let the children do what they want; others are very strict and may be regimented… reading blogs, magazines, and books on parenting. While some simply “parent like mom and dad did.”
However, the most excellent resource for parenting is found in the pages of the Holy Bible. There are several scriptures giving guidance and Godly principles to parents raising children.
Setting an Example
We all want our children to grow up to be good people with integrity and good morals. The basis of this is found in scriptures. However, seeing their parents living out those same values and principles is an even more considerable influence on a child.
Do as I say, not as I do, doesn’t work with children. My father was an alcoholic when I was growing up. So I thought if I showed interest in drinking, he would treat me better and be around to spend more time with me.
However, that didn't work and even led to me trying alcohol before I started Kindergarten.
A few years later, I stumbled upon him and my mom arguing because he would leave for weeks at a time. As he packed his bag and headed for the front door, my mother asked my dad what type of example he was setting for his child (me) by being gone all the time and neglecting his family.
My father looked me in the eyes and said, “I’m showing you the way NOT to go, and he went out the door and left. That happened 31 years ago, but I've always remembered that moment.
As a parent, you should be the most significant influence on your children. They should feel empowered by you, not giving in to self-limiting beliefs or destructive habits. Therefore, this influence shouldn’t be given away.
Unfortunately, many parents leave their children in front of the TV all day, giving away their influence to shows that don't totally reflect the values they wish to instill in them.
Even in school, teachers are very influential in our children's lives, but their influence shouldn't take the place of what you teach them at home.
Moreover, a child's self-esteem is greatly influenced by how you treat them. Plus, you show them how to treat others by your behavior and how they allow others to treat them. Furthermore, they repeat words that you speak and, in many cases.
I recall a time when I was punished in school for using profanity. It was in 1st grade. I didn't know it was improper to use certain words at the time because my dad used those exact words all the time. As parents, we should always think before we speak. Little ears are always listening, even when we don't think they are.
Unfortunately, each child we have doesn’t come with owner’s manuals like cars do. Then we would be able to address every situation as it comes and know that an issue would be fixed. However, because it isn’t that way, we must be patient, loving, understanding, and ever learning to be the best parent we can be for our children.
Verses found in the Bible will help set a strong foundation and guideline for effective parenting. In fact, many parents view strong biblical foundations as the most vital aspect of parenting. Even if you aren't of the Christian faith, you will find these biblical principles wise, practical, and eye-opening.
29 Powerful Bible Verses about Parenting in 2024
1. Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God's wisdom and will for his abilities and talents]; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
2. Deuteronomy 6:6-9
“These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up. 8 And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand (forearm), and they shall be used as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”
3. Proverbs 11:29
“He who troubles (mismanages) his own house will inherit the wind (nothing), And the foolish will be a servant to the wise-hearted.”
4. Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].”
5. Titus 2:7-8
“And in all things show yourself to be an example of good works, with purity in doctrine [having the strictest regard for integrity and truth], dignified, 8 sound and beyond reproach in instruction, so that the opponent [of the faith] will be shamed, having nothing bad to say about us.”
6. 1 Peter 5:2-3
“Shepherd and guide and protect the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not [motivated] for shameful gain, but with wholehearted enthusiasm; 3 not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation].”
7. Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”
8. Genesis 18:19
“For I have known (chosen, acknowledged) him [as My own], so that he may teach and command his children and [the sons of] his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is righteous and just, so that the Lord may bring upon Abraham what He has promised him.”
9. Hebrews 12:7-8
“You must submit to [correction for the purpose of] discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 Now if you are exempt from correction and without discipline, in which all [of God's children] share, then you are illegitimate children and not sons [at all].”
10. Joshua 24:15
“If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15
11. Isaiah 54:13
“And all your [spiritual] sons will be disciples [of the Lord], and great will be the well-being of your sons.”
12. Proverbs 1:8-9
“My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not reject the teaching of your mother. 9 For they are a garland of grace on your head, And chains and ornaments [of gold] around your neck.”
13. Hebrews 12:11
“For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].”
14. Proverbs 3:1-3
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2 for length of days and years of life [worth living] and tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you. 3 Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; bind them [securely] around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
15. Psalms 127:3
“Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.”
16. Proverbs 17:6
“Grandchildren are the crown of aged men, and the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives].”
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17. Matthew 19:14
“But He said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
18. Proverbs 15:20
“A wise son makes a father glad, but a foolish man despises his mother.”
19. 3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear that my children are living [their lives] in the truth.”
20. Colossians 3:20
“Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings].”
21. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.”
22. Deuteronomy 5:29
“Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear [and worship Me with awe-filled reverence and profound respect] and keep all My commandments always, so that it may go well with them and with their children forever!”
23. Matthew 18:1-3
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child and set him before them, 3 and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
24. Proverbs 29:17
“Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; Yes, he will delight your soul.”
25. Matthew 6:31-34
“Therefore do not worry or be anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted), saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ 32 For the [pagan] Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; [but do not worry,] for your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. 34 “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
26. Hebrews 12:10
“For our earthly fathers disciplined us for only a short time as seemed best to them; but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness.”
27. Psalms103:13
“Just as a father loves his children, so the Lord loves those who fear and worship Him [with awe-filled respect and deepest reverence].”
28. Psalms 127:3-5
“Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. 5 How blessed [happy and fortunate] is the man whose quiver is filled with them; they will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies [in gatherings] at the [city] gate.”
29. Deuteronomy 11:18-21
“Therefore, you shall impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul, and tie them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as bands (frontals, frontlets) on your forehead. 19 You shall teach them [diligently] to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths], speaking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. 20 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21 so that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens are above the earth.”
Final Thoughts on Powerful Bible Verses About Parenting
It is no easy task to raise children. It may feel like you are your child's hero during one season of life, and the next, they can't stand you. However, it is more important than ever that we as parents remain consistent. In a world that is a stormy sea of trouble, we are to be a stable place where our children can return and find love, faith, wisdom, and grace. Even if they make choices with which we disagree.
Furthermore, as believers in Christ, we must pray for our children daily. Laying ahold of the promises mentioned in scripture and helping them see their value as reflected by its verses.
“All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2nd Timothy 3:16-17)
Lastly, remember Isaiah 55:11, which says, “So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” If scripture says it, look for it to come to pass in your life by faith as you pray and demonstrate great values before your kids.
And if you want more inspirational bible verses, be sure to check out these blog posts:
- 27 Best Bible Verses About Success & Prosperity
- 45 Inspiring Bible Verses About Leadership & Leading Others
- 31 Bible Verses About Helping Others in Need
