What Does the Bible Say About Raising Children?
What Does the Bible Say About Raising Children? The Bible instructs parents to train children in God's ways through teaching, discipline, love, and personal example.
Key verse: Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
The Bible instructs parents to train children in God's ways through teaching, discipline, love, and personal example.
The Bible instructs parents to train children in God's ways through teaching, discipline, love, and personal example.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." — Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Parenting is one of the Bible's most emphasized responsibilities. The foundational verse is Proverbs 22:6: 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.' Deuteronomy 6:6-7 instructs parents to teach God's commands diligently — 'when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up' — making faith instruction a seamless part of daily life, not just a Sunday activity. Ephesians 6:4 provides the New Testament balance: 'And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.' This means discipline should be firm but not harsh, corrective but not crushing. Proverbs 13:24 affirms loving discipline: 'He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.' Beyond instruction and correction, children need the model of parents who genuinely live their faith. Timothy's grandmother Lois and mother Eunice are commended for passing on 'unfeigned faith' (2 Timothy 1:5). The greatest gift parents can give is a living example of following Christ.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Parenting?
Biblical wisdom for raising children, discipline, and nurturing faith in the next generation.
Key Scripture References
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up."
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What Does the Bible Say About Marriage?
The Bible presents marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman, designed by God to reflect Christ's relationship with the church.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
What Does the Bible Say About Disciplining Children?
The Bible instructs parents to discipline their children in love, correcting them with wisdom and consistency as God disciplines those He loves.
What Does the Bible Say About Divorce?
The Bible teaches that God hates divorce but permits it in cases of sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse.
What Does the Bible Say About Children?
The Bible describes children as a blessing from God, commands parents to raise them in the faith, and records Jesus welcoming and blessing little children.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Proverbs. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Proverbs on day 159 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Raising Children?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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