Introduction
Being a parent means loving without an instruction manual. Between the tiredness, the questions and the fear of getting it wrong, you look for solid landmarks. The Bible offers no recipe, but it gives precious principles and a lot of encouragement. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, move in five steps: passing on the faith, praying for your children, correcting with gentleness, setting an example, and then entrusting your children to God. Read one in the evening, when the house is quiet.
Passing On the Faith Every Day
1. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
"These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and 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 up."
Moses asks parents to keep God's commandments on their hearts, then to teach them diligently to their children on every occasion: at home, on the road, at bedtime, on rising. Faith is passed on through ordinary life more than through formal lessons. Read all of Deuteronomy 6.
2. Psalm 78:4
"We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of Yahweh, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done."
The psalmist promises not to hide from the next generation the praises of the Lord and his wondrous deeds. Telling your children what God has done in your life is a treasure. A simple testimony, in your own words, is sometimes worth more than a fine explanation. Read all of Psalm 78.
3. Psalm 145:4
"One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts."
David hopes that each generation will commend God's works to the next and declare his mighty acts. A family that prays, sings and gives thanks together prepares for this handing down. Choose a small ritual, like an evening prayer, and keep it even when it is hard. Read all of Psalm 145.
4. 2 Timothy 3:14-15
"But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing 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, which is in Christ Jesus."
Paul reminds Timothy that he has known the holy writings from infancy, which are able to make him wise for salvation. Biblical teaching given in childhood bears fruit in the long run. Even if your child drifts away, what you passed on to him remains a seed. Read all of 2 Timothy 3.
Praying for Your Children
5. Job 1:5
"It was so, when the days of their feasting had run their course, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and renounced God in their hearts.” Job did so continually."
Job rose up early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for each of his sons, in case they had sinned. The gesture belongs to another age, but the idea remains: a father or a mother intercedes for their children, even grown ones. Praying for them is an act of love. Read all of Job 1.
6. Colossians 1:9
"For this cause, we also, since the day we heard this, don’t cease praying and making requests for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,"
Paul tells the Colossians that he does not cease to pray for them, that they may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom. This prayer can become yours for your children: may they know God and choose his ways with wisdom. Read all of Colossians 1.
7. Luke 11:11-13
"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he won’t give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he asks for an egg, he won’t give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"
Jesus compares the human father, who gives good gifts to his children, with the heavenly Father who gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. If you know how to give bread to your child, God is even more attentive. His goodness goes beyond your good will. Read all of Luke 11.
8. Matthew 19:14
"But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these."
Parents bring their children to Jesus so that he will bless them, and the disciples want to send them away. Jesus welcomes them and says that the kingdom of heaven belongs to those who are like them. Your child has a place with him, with no condition and no feat to perform. Read all of Matthew 19.
Correcting with Love and Gentleness
9. Ephesians 6:4
"You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."
Paul asks fathers not to provoke their children to wrath, but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Authority and gentleness go together. A child who is corrected without humiliation learns security and respect more easily. Read all of Ephesians 6.
10. Proverbs 3:11-12
"My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction; for whom Yahweh loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights."
The father of the proverb recalls the Lord's discipline: he corrects the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. Parents' discipline should always carry this mark, love. Correct so that the child may grow, not to hurt him or to vent your anger. Read all of Proverbs 3.
11. Proverbs 15:1
"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. In moments of tension, the tone often makes the difference. Take a breath before you answer a child who is shouting: your gentleness can defuse a conflict better than a punishment. Read all of Proverbs 15.
12. 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12
"As you know, we exhorted, comforted, and implored every one of you, as a father does his own children, to the end that you should walk worthily of God, who calls you into his own Kingdom and glory."
Paul describes his ministry as that of a father with his own children: he exhorts, comforts and urges them to walk worthily of God. These three gestures make a beautiful parenting program: say what is right, comfort in sorrow, encourage them to move forward. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 2.
Setting an Example
13. Titus 2:7
"In all things be showing yourself an example of good works. In your teaching, be showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility,"
Paul asks Titus to show himself an example of good works in all things. This call applies to parents: your children imitate what they see more than what they hear. Watching your own example, in the way you speak, work and forgive, is powerful teaching. Read all of Titus 2.
14. Psalm 101:2
"I will be careful to live a blameless life. When will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a blameless heart."
David resolves to walk with a blameless heart within his house. Home is where we are most real. Living uprightness there is already a form of teaching, even when you think nobody is watching. Read all of Psalm 101.
15. Psalm 34:11
"Come, you children, listen to me. I will teach you the fear of Yahweh."
David invites children to come and listen to him so that he can teach them the fear of the Lord. The parent thus becomes a teacher, but first a guide who shows the way by following it himself. Take the time to sit down with your children and talk to them simply about God. Read all of Psalm 34.
16. Proverbs 14:26
"In the fear of Yahweh is a secure fortress, and he will be a refuge for his children."
Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and his children have a refuge with him. A living faith gives children a safe place to come back to. Even when they drift away, they know the door stays open. Read all of Proverbs 14.
Entrusting Your Children to God
17. Isaiah 44:3
"For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and streams on the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring:"
God promises to pour out his Spirit on the offspring and his blessing on the descendants, like water on thirsty ground. You can lean on this image to pray for your children: may God's Spirit reach them where you cannot go. Read all of Isaiah 44.
18. Psalm 112:2
"His offspring will be mighty in the land. The generation of the upright will be blessed."
This psalm says that the offspring of the upright will be mighty in the land and the generation of the upright will be blessed. It is not a mechanical guarantee, but a promise of hope for those who walk with God. Many parents hold on to it for children going through a hard time. Read all of Psalm 112.
19. 1 Peter 5:7
"casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you."
Peter invites us to cast all our worries on God, because he cares for us. Parents have many worries: health, school, friendships. Laying them down in prayer does not excuse you from acting, but it lets you sleep in peace. Read all of 1 Peter 5.
20. 2 Timothy 1:12
"For this cause I also suffer these things. Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day."
Paul affirms that he knows whom he has believed, and that he is persuaded God is able to guard what he has entrusted to him. A parent who entrusts his children to God can take up this conviction: the one to whom you entrust them is more faithful and more powerful than you. Read all of 2 Timothy 1.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bible verse is good for parents?
Deuteronomy 6:6-7 on passing on the faith in everyday life, Ephesians 6:4 on raising children without provoking them and Proverbs 22:6 are essential landmarks. For encouragement, Isaiah 44:3 promises God's Spirit on your descendants.
How can I pray for my children?
Pray for their health, their wisdom, their friendships and their relationship with God. Bless them each evening by resting a hand on their head. Ask God to help you listen to them and love them as they are, with their strengths and their weaknesses.
What does the Bible say about disciplining children?
The Bible asks parents to correct and instruct, but without provoking their children (Ephesians 6:4, Colossians 3:21). Discipline aims to guide with love, never to humiliate. It always comes with gentleness, patience and encouragement.