What Does the Bible Say About Raising Children — Meaning Explained

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.