What Does the Bible Say About Parenting?
What Does the Bible Say About Parenting? The Bible presents parenting as a sacred calling — training children in God's ways through instruction, discipline, love, and consistent example.
Key verse: Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (KJV)
The Bible presents parenting as a sacred calling — training children in God's ways through instruction, discipline, love, and consistent example.
The Bible presents parenting as a sacred calling — training children in God's ways through instruction, discipline, love, and consistent example.
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children." — Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
God designed the family as the primary environment for spiritual formation. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands, '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.' Proverbs 22:6 instructs, 'Train up a child in the way he should go.' Ephesians 6:4 balances correction with encouragement: 'provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.' Timothy's faith was shaped by his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5). Joshua declared for his household, 'as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD' (Joshua 24:15). Biblical parenting is not about producing perfect children but about faithfully pointing them to God. It requires patience, prayer, consistency, and the recognition that children ultimately belong to God and are entrusted to parents for a season.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Discipline & Spanking?
What the Bible teaches about disciplining children, the rod, and raising kids with love and correction.
Key Scripture References
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children."
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
"As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
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 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.
What Does the Bible Say About Honoring Your Parents?
The fifth commandment instructs children to honor their father and mother — the first commandment with a promise — and this principle extends to lifelong respect and care.
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 Divorce?
The Bible teaches that God hates divorce but permits it in cases of sexual immorality and abandonment by an unbelieving spouse.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
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Proverbs 22:6 — Meaning & Devotional
Parenting
Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Deuteronomy. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Deuteronomy on day 49 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “What Does the Bible Say About Parenting?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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