Children are a precious gift, and the Bible recognizes their significance in our lives. Through its verses, we find guidance on how to love and nurture the next generation. Join us as we explore these scriptures and uncover the profound lessons they offer about loving and raising children.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Hearing God
Bible Verses About Loving Children
Matthew 18:2-5
“He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’”
This verse teaches us the importance of childlike faith. Just as children trust and depend on their parents, we are called to trust and depend on God. We should approach God with humility and simplicity, recognizing our need for His guidance and care.
Furthermore, Jesus highlights the value of children in the kingdom of God. They are not to be overlooked or disregarded, but rather embraced and welcomed in Jesus’ name. This verse reminds us to have a heart of love and compassion towards children, treating them with kindness and respect.
Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him.”
This verse beautifully expresses the biblical perspective on children. They are not a burden or inconvenience, but a precious gift from God. Each child is seen as a blessing and a heritage to be cherished and nurtured.
As believers, we should value and appreciate the role of children in our lives and society. They have the potential to bring joy, love, and light into our world. This verse reminds us to be grateful for the gift of children and to approach them with a sense of awe and gratitude.
Ephesians 6:4
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
This verse specifically addresses fathers and their role in raising children. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing and guiding children in a way that honors God. Fathers are called to be loving, patient, and supportive, avoiding harshness or provocation.
Instead of exasperating their children, fathers are to provide them with godly training and instruction. This includes teaching them about God’s love, His Word, and His ways. Fathers play a vital role in shaping their children’s spiritual lives, and this verse reminds them of their responsibility to guide their children towards a deep and meaningful relationship with God.
Mark 10:14-16
“When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
This powerful passage showcases Jesus’ love and care for children. He rebukes those who try to prevent children from coming to Him, reassuring them that the kingdom of God is for those who have childlike faith.
Jesus physically embraces the children, expressing His tender affection and blessing them. This passage reminds us of the immense value Jesus places on children and teaches us to have a similar attitude towards them.
Proverbs 22:6
“Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of early spiritual training in a child’s life. When children are taught and guided in the ways of the Lord from a young age, it lays a solid foundation for their future faith and behavior.
Parents and guardians have a significant role in shaping their children’s spiritual journey. By teaching them biblical principles, demonstrating godly behavior, and creating an environment that fosters a love for God, we can help set them on a path of righteousness that will endure throughout their lives.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
This passage instructs us to diligently teach our children about God’s commandments and His ways. It emphasizes the importance of integrating discussions about God and His Word into every aspect of our daily lives.
Whether we are at home, on the go, or preparing for bed, we are called to seize every opportunity to talk about God and His truth with our children. By doing so, we create a culture of faith and a deep awareness of God’s presence in our lives.
Psalm 34:11
“Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the LORD.”
This verse speaks to the responsibility we have as parents or mentors to teach children the fear of the Lord. It is our duty to instruct them in God’s ways and help them develop a healthy reverence and respect for God.
Through our words, actions, and prayerful guidance, we can lead children to develop a deep understanding of who God is and His rightful place in their lives. This verse encourages us to actively invite children to listen and learn, emphasizing the importance of intentional spiritual instruction.
Colossians 3:21
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
This verse reminds fathers (and parents in general) to be mindful of their words and actions towards their children. It warns against behaviors that can embitter or discourage them.
As parents, we have a profound impact on our children’s emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being. It is crucial to create a home environment that fosters love, encouragement, and affirmation. This verse calls us to reflect on our parenting approach and ensure that we are nurturing our children’s hearts and souls.
1 Timothy 5:8
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of caring for our children’s physical and material needs. It emphasizes our responsibility as parents to provide for our families.
While this verse specifically addresses the provision of basic necessities, it also speaks to the broader concept of providing a safe and stable home environment. It calls us to prioritize our children’s well-being and prioritize their needs above our own.
Psalm 103:13-14
“As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.”
This passage beautifully describes God’s compassion towards His children. It draws a parallel between the earthly love of a father for his children, and the divine love and care that God extends to those who fear Him.
God intimately knows and understands our frailty, weaknesses, and limitations. Just as a loving father sympathizes with his children’s struggles, God shows compassion to us in our times of need. This verse reminds us of God’s tender heart towards His children and encourages us to take comfort in His unfailing love and mercy.
Proverbs 29:17
“Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.”
This verse underscores the importance of disciplining our children. Discipline serves as a form of guidance and correction, nurturing their character and helping them develop into responsible and honorable individuals.
When children are raised with appropriate discipline, respecting boundaries and understanding consequences, it brings peace and joy to the family. This verse encourages us to embrace the role of discipline in parenting, understanding its long-term benefits for both the child and the parent.
Proverbs 1:8-9
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
They are a garland to grace your head
and a chain to adorn your neck.”
This verse highlights the importance of honoring and embracing parental instruction. It encourages children to attentively listen to their father’s instruction and not neglect the teachings of their mother.
Parents are called to provide guidance and wisdom to their children, to help shape their character and direct their paths. By heeding their instruction and cherishing their teachings, children are adorned with wisdom, grace, and the benefits that come from a heart willing to learn.
Proverbs 15:20
“A wise son brings joy to his father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.”
This verse illustrates the joy that wise and obedient children bring to their parents. It contrasts it with the disappointment and sorrow that come from a child who rejects or disdains the teachings and guidance of their mother.
A wise son or daughter exhibits traits such as humility, respect, integrity, and a willingness to learn. These qualities bring fulfillment and delight to their parents’ hearts. This verse reminds us of the impact our choices and attitudes as children can have on our parents.
Psalm 78:4
“We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD,
his power, and the wonders he has done.”
This verse calls us to pass on the stories of God’s faithfulness to the next generation. It urges us to proclaim His mighty acts and the wonders He has performed in our lives.
Parents, grandparents, and mentors are entrusted with the responsibility of sharing God’s goodness and faithfulness with the younger generation. By doing so, we nurture their faith and inspire them to seek God in their own lives.
Psalm 113:9
“He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children. Praise the LORD.”
This verse celebrates the miraculous provision of children to those who have been barren or in despair. God is acknowledged as the one who brings joy and fulfillment to those who long for children.
It reminds us of God’s ability to bring forth life and fulfill the desires of our hearts. It prompts us to praise and thank Him for His goodness and the ways in which He blesses us.
3 John 1:4
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
This verse expresses the deep joy and fulfillment that comes from seeing our spiritual children walking in the truth of God’s Word. It reflects the heart of a spiritual mentor or leader who rejoices in the spiritual growth and faithfulness of those they have discipled.
When we invest in the lives of others, pouring into them and helping them grow in their understanding and practice of the truth, it brings a profound sense of fulfillment. This verse encourages us to prioritize the spiritual growth and well-being of those entrusted to our care.
Psalm 139:13-14
“For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.”
This beautiful passage acknowledges God as the Creator of life and celebrates the uniqueness and wonder of every human being. It teaches us to appreciate and value the sanctity of life, recognizing that each person is fearfully and wonderfully made by God.
As parents, we have the privilege and responsibility of caring for and nurturing the precious lives entrusted to us. This verse serves as a reminder of the sacredness of every individual, prompting us to treasure and protect the lives of our children.
Genesis 33:5
“Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. ‘Who are these with you?’ he asked. Jacob answered, ‘They are the children God has graciously given your servant.’”
This verse demonstrates the gratitude and recognition of children as gracious gifts from God. Jacob acknowledges the children in his life as blessings bestowed on him by God.
As believers, we are called to have a similar attitude towards the children in our lives. They are not merely a result of our human efforts, but divine gifts entrusted to us. This verse reminds us to appreciate and cherish the children God has placed in our care, acknowledging His hand in their existence.
Psalm 127:4-5
“Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gate.”
This passage uses the analogy of children as arrows in a warrior’s hands. It emphasizes the strength and blessing that children bring to their parents’ lives.
Children are like arrows, symbolizing their potential to have a significant impact on the world. They are gifts that empower parents and bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment. This verse encourages us to embrace the joys and challenges of parenthood, recognizing that a full quiver of children brings confidence and honor.
Proverbs 4:1-2
“Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction;
pay attention and gain understanding.
I give you sound learning,
so do not forsake my teaching.”
This verse highlights the importance of parental instruction and the value of wisdom passed down from parents to their children. It calls children to attentively listen, pay attention, and gain understanding from the teachings of their parents.
A father’s instruction is an invaluable resource, providing guidance, knowledge, and practical wisdom for navigating life’s challenges. This verse encourages children to embrace the wisdom and knowledge offered by their parents, reminding them of the benefits of attentive listening and learning.
Isaiah 54:13
“All your children will be taught by the LORD,
and great will be their peace.”
This verse assures us that when our children are taught by the Lord, they will experience great peace. It underscores the importance of incorporating the Lord’s teachings into our children’s lives.
By directing our children towards God’s truth, we lead them to a place of peace and security. His teachings provide guidance and wisdom that surpass the understanding of the world. This verse encourages us to prioritize the spiritual education of our children, trusting that it will result in their lasting peace.
What Does the Bible Say About Loving Children?
The Bible teaches us that children are a precious gift from God, and that we are called to love, cherish, and care for them. In Psalm 127:3, it says that “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.” This verse reminds us that children are not just a responsibility, but also a blessing from God.
Jesus also expressed the importance of loving and caring for children. In Matthew 19:14, He said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” This shows us that Jesus values children and desires for us to treat them with love and kindness.
In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul instructs fathers not to provoke their children to anger, but to bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). This emphasizes the need to nurture and guide children in a loving and supportive manner.
It is clear from the Bible that loving children is not only a responsibility, but also a privilege. As followers of Christ, we are called to demonstrate love and compassion to all children, knowing that they are deeply loved by God.