What Does the Bible Say About Child Upbringing?

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 11 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 9 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 7 helpful votes

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

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

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

Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 5 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.

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 5 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.

Genesis 18:19 ESV / 5 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 / 4 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

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

Hebrews 12:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 3 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.”

Isaiah 38:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these is the life of my spirit. Oh restore me to health and make me live!

Proverbs 22:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold. The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all. The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it. The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked; whoever guards his soul will keep far from them. ...

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

Proverbs 12:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

Proverbs 6:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 3 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.

Psalm 94:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Blessed is the man whom you discipline, O Lord, and whom you teach out of your law,

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ESV / 3 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.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. “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. ...

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV / 3 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—

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

James 3:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

James 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ...

Hebrews 12:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Hebrews 12:5-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? ...

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 2 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.

Titus 2:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 2 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.

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Ephesians 6:1-24 ESV / 2 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. Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ...

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 2 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.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 2 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.

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, ...

John 3:16 ESV / 2 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.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 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.

Mark 10:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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.

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Isaiah 38:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Ecclesiastes 8:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil.

Proverbs 23:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 20:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Blows that wound cleanse away evil; strokes make clean the innermost parts.

Proverbs 3:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

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

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV / 2 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.

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 ESV / 2 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. 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.

55 Bible Verses about Child Upbringing

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:11 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 18:19 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 38:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:1-29 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 6:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 94:12 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 6:6-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 6:1-25 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:1-18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:1-27 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 12:5-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hebrews 11:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Titus 2:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Timothy 1:5 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Philippians 4:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 1:1-32 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 38:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 8:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 6:7 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 6:7-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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