What does the Bible say about children?

Many people look for answers in the Bible, and indeed when it comes to parenting, the holy book has quite a few pieces of advice. But the word of God goes beyond a couple of verses about how to raise our children. After all, God is called the Father for a reason, and his believers, children of god. 

In this gallery we have compiled a number of Bible verses that mention children, and we've divided them into different topics. Click through and get to know what the Bible says about children.

Children are a blessing

The Bible tells us that children are a blessing. There are a number of passages that stress their importance in the family, and for God. Let’s take a look at some of them.

Psalm 127:3-5 tells us that the “fruit of the womb is the reward.” It further reads: “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."

Children are important across generations

The Bible says that grandchildren are “the crown of the aged.” Indeed, grandparents are blessed. Proverbs 17:6 also reads that “the glory of children is their fathers.”

Anguish turns to joy when a woman gives birth

John 16:21 points out that a woman feels sorrow when she's in labor, but then her anguish vanishes and she feels joy that “a human being has been born into the world.”

The children of God bring joy

A relationship with God is important in a world with so many distractions and temptations, and parents can be proud of their children for having said relationship. Indeed, 3 John 1:4 reads: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Raising children

The Bible has plenty of parental advice. There are quite a few Bible verses on how to raise children. The following are a few of them.

Honor your father and your mother

This message appears early on in the Bible (Exodus 20:12), and sets the tone for children’s relationships with their parents.

Parents should teach the word of God to their children

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 is pretty clear about this: “You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house [...].”

God is the ultimate teacher

The Bible points out that the Lord will be their teacher, and as a result “great shall be the peace” of children (Isaiah 54:13).

Listen to your mother’s teachings

Father’s instructions are important, but one’s mother’s teachings should not be forsaken. Proverbs 1:8-9 compares a mother’s teachings to a graceful garland for the head and pendants for the neck.

Discipline is important

Proverbs 13:24 reads: “Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.” While this may be interpreted as some sort of corporal punishment, the concept can still apply to discipline in general.

Actions speak louder than words

Accountability is important, and the Bible says children are no exception. Indeed, what we do reveals a lot about ourselves. “Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright,” (Proverbs 20:11).

Education is key

It’s important to educate a child in the way a parent sees fit. These teachings will then have an impact on who they become when they grow up. The Bible stresses this in Proverbs 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Kids will be kids, but discipline will help them

Proverbs 22:15 says that, “Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.” It’s normal for a child to be foolish at times, but discipline will balance things out.

Disciplined kids behave well

A child growing up without discipline will “bring shame to his mother” (Proverbs 29:15).

Discipline is the answer to a good upbringing

The Bible stresses that discipline is really important in a child’s upbringing, and that it will make parents and children happy. "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart,” (Proverbs 29:17).

Fathers should not provoke their children

We’ve read plenty of examples of how discipline is good and how obeying one’s parents is a must. But this shouldn’t be made from a place of anger. Ephesians 6:4 reads: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Obeying one’s parents pleases God

Children obeying their parents is not just the right thing to do for the family dynamic. According to Colossians 3:20, obeying one’s parents also pleases the Lord.

Don’t forget your parents’ teachings

Children should remember the lessons passed on to them by their parents, which includes the word of God. As pointed out in 2 Timothy 3:14-15: “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.”

God loves children

God’s love for children is mentioned in the Bible. Let’s take a look at a couple of verses.

Children are special

Children should not be despised. Matthew 18:10 makes reference to Jesus saying how special the “little ones” are to God.

Children are an example when it comes to receiving the kingdom of God

Mark 10:13-16 mentions an episode when the disciples were rebuking children who were trying to get close to Jesus. Jesus then told 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.” He proceeded to bless them.

Children of God

There are many promises for the children of God. Sure, the meaning of “children” here is debatable, as both adults and children are affectionately called children of God. Still, the Lord is the Father and in His eyes, humans are his children. Let’s take a look at some of the promises made to the children of God.

Belief grants the privilege of becoming God's child

John 1:12 is pretty clear about who becomes children of God. It reads: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

Children are led by the Spirit of God

The children of God “did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.” Instead, they “received the Spirit of adoption as sons,” (Romans 8:15).

God promises to be a father to his sons and daughters

God was pretty specific in his words when he said: “I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me,” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Jesus is the path to become a son of God

God sent his son to Earth, and those who have faith in him are all sons of God (Galatians 3:26).

Jesus is the path to become a son of God

Ephesians 1:5 adds that, “He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.”

Fatherly love

God loves us like a father, and that’s why we are called children of God. If everyone knew God, everyone would be his child. Indeed, 1 John 3:1 reads: “The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.”

Being a children of God is all about doing good

The Bible says that whoever does not practice righteousness nor loves his brother is not a son of God (1 John 3:9-10).