The Bible speaks of restoration and reconciliation when children return home, whether physically or spiritually. Today, we’ll discover the biblical lessons on forgiveness, love, and second chances.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Children Salvation
What Does The Bible Say About Children Returning Home
Matthew 19:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
This verse highlights the importance of children in God’s kingdom. Children have a special place in God’s heart, and their innocence and trust are qualities that should be emulated by believers. It reminds us that children are not too young to understand and receive God’s salvation.
As parents and adults, we should encourage and support children in their spiritual journey, allowing them to encounter Jesus and grow in their relationship with Him.
Mark 10:14
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
This verse echoes the sentiment from Matthew 19:14 and emphasizes the importance of children in God’s kingdom. It is a reminder that we should never underestimate the capacity of children to understand and receive God’s love and salvation.
By welcoming and nurturing their faith, we can help children develop a strong foundation in Christ which will guide them throughout their lives.
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
This verse speaks to the responsibility of parents and caregivers to raise children in a godly manner. It emphasizes the importance of teaching children about God’s ways and instilling them with biblical values from an early age.
When children are taught to love and follow the Lord, it lays a solid foundation for their spiritual journey. Although they may stray at times, this verse gives us hope that their upbringing in God’s truth will ultimately lead them back to Him.
Joel 2:28
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
This verse prophesies about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, acknowledging the involvement of children and young people in God’s kingdom. It affirms that children are not excluded from experiencing the powerful work of the Spirit.
We should encourage children to seek the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives, that they may grow in spiritual maturity, and contribute to the work of God’s kingdom through their unique gifts and talents.
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 highlights the responsibility of parents to pass on God’s commandments and teachings to their children. It reveals the importance of intentional and consistent instruction in the ways of the Lord within the family unit.
By embedding God’s truth in their hearts and making it a natural part of daily life, children can grow in faith and knowledge, ensuring their salvation and spiritual maturity.
Psalm 127:3
Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.
This verse acknowledges the blessing and gift that children are to a family. It emphasizes that children are not merely the product of human effort but are part of God’s divine plan.
Children have intrinsic value and worth in God’s eyes, and as parents and caregivers, it is our responsibility to nurture their spiritual growth and guide them toward salvation.
Proverbs 17:6
Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.
This verse celebrates the intergenerational bond between children and their parents or grandparents. It recognizes the joy and honor that comes with the legacy passed from one generation to the next.
As parents, we have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on our children by guiding them in the ways of the Lord and leading them to salvation.
Psalm 8:2
Through the praise of children and infants, you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
This verse speaks of the power and significance of children in proclaiming God’s praises. It reveals that even the voices of children carry weight and can bring victory over the enemy.
We should encourage children to worship and express their love for God, knowing that their heartfelt praises have a profound impact in the spiritual realm.
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 profound peace. It illustrates the crucial role of spiritual instruction in safeguarding the emotional and mental well-being of children.
By leading our children to a personal relationship with God, we can provide them with a solid foundation of peace that will carry them through life’s challenges.
Acts 2:39
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
This verse affirms that the promise of salvation is not limited to a particular generation but extends to all who will respond to the call of the Lord. It emphasizes the inclusiveness of God’s grace and the accessibility of salvation for children.
We should have confidence that God’s promise of salvation applies to our children as we guide them on their spiritual journey.
1 Timothy 4:12
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
This verse encourages children and young people not to underestimate the influence they can have in the faith community, despite their age. It challenges them to set an example of godly character through their actions, speech, and purity.
Children have the potential to inspire others and contribute to the building of God’s kingdom, even in their youthful years.
Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
This verse provides guidance to fathers, reminding them to prioritize the spiritual upbringing of their children. It cautions against provoking or discouraging children but encourages nurturing them in the ways of the Lord.
Parents have the responsibility to create an environment conducive to their children’s spiritual growth, fostering a deep and personal relationship with God.
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 passage underscores the importance of children heeding the wisdom and instruction of their parents. It likens the teachings of parents to a garland and chain—a symbol of honor and adornment.
Children who respect and embrace the guidance of their parents are more likely to develop a firm foundation in God’s truth, contributing to their salvation and spiritual growth.
Psalm 144:12
Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace.
This verse uses poetic imagery to illustrate the positive outcome of raising children in a godly manner. It depicts children as flourishing plants and strong pillars, examples of growth and strength.
When children are nurtured in the ways of the Lord, they become a testimony to God’s faithfulness and grace, reflecting His beauty and character.
Proverbs 23:24-25
The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!
This passage illustrates the joy and delight that parents experience when their children walk in righteousness and wisdom. It emphasizes the importance of raising children who seek God, for they bring joy to their parents.
Parents have the privilege of nurturing their children in such a way that they bring glory to God and delight to their family.
Psalm 127:4-5
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
This psalm compares children to arrows in a warrior’s hands, highlighting their significance and potential impact. It suggests that raising children in a godly manner equips them to face life’s battles courageously and confidently.
Children nurtured in the ways of the Lord are a blessing and a source of strength, bringing honor to their family and ultimately to God.
2 Timothy 3:15
And how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
This verse emphasizes the importance of introducing children to the Scriptures and teaching them about God’s truth from an early age. It recognizes that even from infancy, children can begin to grasp the foundational principles of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
By immersing our children in the Word of God, we lay the groundwork for their understanding of salvation and nurture their faith in Christ.
Isaiah 49:25
But this is what the Lord says: “Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save.”
In this verse, God promises to save the children of His people. It assures us that God is actively involved in the lives of our children, fighting on their behalf and working for their salvation.
We can trust in God’s faithfulness and rest in the knowledge that He is committed to the salvation and well-being of our children.
Psalm 103:17-18
But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
This psalm speaks of God’s enduring love for those who fear Him and keep His commandments. It assures us that God’s righteousness extends not only to the present generation but also to future generations, including our children and grandchildren.
Through our faithfulness in keeping God’s covenant and obeying His Word, we pave the way for a heritage of salvation and blessing for our children and their descendants.
Galatians 3:26
So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.
This verse declares that through faith in Jesus Christ, we become children of God. It highlights the transformative power of salvation, which adopts us into God’s family and grants us the privilege of calling Him our heavenly Father.
As parents and caregivers, we have the responsibility to help our children understand and embrace their identity as children of God, guiding them to live in the fullness of their new identity.
Romans 10:9
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
This verse presents a simple and clear message about salvation. It emphasizes the importance of confessing and believing in Jesus as Lord, acknowledging His resurrection from the dead.
We should teach our children the significance of making a personal confession of faith, acknowledging Jesus as their Savior and Lord, and believing in the power of His resurrection for their salvation.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This well-known verse encapsulates the heart of the gospel, emphasizing God’s love for the world and His sacrificial gift of His Son for our salvation. It highlights that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
As parents, we should ensure that our children grasp the profound truth of God’s love and the significance of placing their faith in Jesus, that they may receive the gift of eternal life.
John 1:12
Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
This verse reveals that through receiving and believing in Jesus, we are granted the privilege of becoming children of God. It emphasizes that salvation is not based on our merit but on our relationship with Christ.
We should teach our children the importance of receiving Jesus into their lives and believing in His name, empowering them to embrace their identity as beloved children of God.