Bible verses about
Parenting
The Bible repeatedly refers to humanity as God’s children. God Himself is the ultimate parent. He knows the heartache of having His children make terrible, life-destroying choices (Genesis 3). He understands what it’s like to lose a child. And He longs for the day when all of His children are reunited with Him, forever.
Since God is love (1 John 4:8), He is the ultimate parent. He extends grace, direction, discipline, and forgiveness to His children — providing a model of perfect parenting for us to follow when we have children of our own.
A parent’s actions have far-reaching implications on their children
Psalm 109:13-15
Let his posterity be cut off. In the generation following let their name be blotted out. Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered by the LORD. Don’t let the sin of his mother be blotted out. Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off their memory from the earth.
Like a mother hen protects her chicks, Jesus longs to save wayward humanity
Matthew 23:37
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not!”
Parenting little children sets them on a lifelong path
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
It is right for children to obey godly parents
Ephesians 6:1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
Parents know their child will eventually leave and form a new family
Genesis 2:24
Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.
Parents who expect obedience also have a responsibility to not provoke their children
Colossians 3:20-21
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.
Honoring my parents brings a blessing from God
Exodus 20:12
Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
My family is important, but not more important than following Jesus
Matthew 10:37
He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.
Adoptive parents are important to a child’s growth and well-being
Esther 2:7
He brought up Hadassah, that is, Esther, his uncle’s daughter; for she had neither father nor mother. The maiden was fair and beautiful; and when her father and mother were dead, Mordecai took her for his own daughter.
When God is my Father, I am part of Jesus’ immediate family
Matthew 12:50
For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Parents have a duty to teach their children about God
Proverbs 1:7-8
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction. My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching.
