Bible Verses for Adoption
KJV scriptures celebrating adoption, the heart of God for the orphan, and the joy of growing a family through adoption.
Adoption is one of the clearest pictures of the gospel — God adopts us as His own children through Jesus Christ. Whether you are praying about adoption, walking through the wait, finalizing a placement, or celebrating an adoption day, these King James Bible verses speak of God's heart for the orphan and the beauty of belonging by love rather than by birth. Use them in adoption announcements, gift cards, courtroom prayers, and family devotions.
KJV scriptures celebrating adoption, the heart of God for the orphan, and the joy of growing a family through adoption.
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will." — Ephesians 1:5 (KJV)
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A 7-Day Adoption Reading Pack
For adoptive parents in the waiting, the placement, or the first year home.
10 pages · US Letter · one verse and devotion prompt per day, writing space, the rest of the verse collection, and a closing prayer. No signup.
A 7-Day Adoption Reading Pack
For adoptive parents in the waiting, the placement, or the first year home.
How to use this pack
- Read a page whenever the process feels longest — that is what it is for.
- Answer honestly; adoption paperwork rewards optimism, this pack does not require it.
- Keep the pack for the day your child asks how they came home.
- Day 1
Adopted by God
Ephesians 1:5Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.Ephesians 1:5 (KJV)
Prompt: Scripture calls every believer adopted. What does your own adoption into God's family teach you about the one you are pursuing?
The printed pack leaves writing space here.
- Day 2
The long wait
Romans 8:15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.Romans 8:15 (KJV)
Prompt: Where are you in the wait, and what has it cost you already? Say it to God plainly rather than piously.
The printed pack leaves writing space here.
- Day 3
A child's history
Psalm 68:5-6A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families.Psalm 68:5-6 (KJV)
Prompt: Your child comes with a story that began before you. How will you honour it rather than replace it?
The printed pack leaves writing space here.
- Day 4
Defender of the fatherless
James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.James 1:27 (KJV)
Prompt: God sets the solitary in families. Write what it means to you that this is his heart and not just your preference.
The printed pack leaves writing space here.
- Day 5
Love that is chosen
Galatians 4:4-5But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.Galatians 4:4-5 (KJV)
Prompt: What do you want your child to understand about being chosen, and how will you say it when they are old enough to ask?
The printed pack leaves writing space here.
- Day 6
Hard days ahead
Deuteronomy 10:18He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.Deuteronomy 10:18 (KJV)
Prompt: Attachment takes time and can hurt. Who are the two people you will call on the hard days?
The printed pack leaves writing space here.
- Day 7
A family blessing
Matthew 18:5And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.Matthew 18:5 (KJV)
Prompt: Write a blessing to read on the day the adoption is finalised, and keep it for that day.
The printed pack leaves writing space here.
Closing prayer
Father, you adopted us at great cost and called us your own. Give us endurance in the waiting, tenderness for our child's story, and love that does not depend on it being easy. Amen.
Ephesians 1:5
We are adopted by God Himself
"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."Read in context
Romans 8:15
The Spirit of adoption
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."Read in context
Psalm 68:5-6
God sets the solitary in families
"A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. God setteth the solitary in families."Read in context
James 1:27
Caring for the fatherless is true religion
"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."Read in context
Galatians 4:4-5
Christ came so we could be adopted
"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."Read in context
Deuteronomy 10:18
God's love for the fatherless and stranger
"He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment."Read in context
Matthew 18:5
Receiving a child is receiving Christ
"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me."Read in context
Isaiah 43:1
Called by name, belonging to God
"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by my name; thou art mine."Read in context
John 1:12
Becoming children of God
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."Read in context
How to Use These Verses
- •Ephesians 1:5 is the cornerstone adoption verse — perfect for placement-day cards and announcements
- •Psalm 68:6 ("God setteth the solitary in families") is widely used for adoption nursery decor
- •James 1:27 frames adoption as obedience to God's heart — meaningful for adoption ministry materials
- •Use Isaiah 43:1 in framed art for the child's bedroom
- •Romans 8:15 reminds adoptive parents that their love mirrors God's own adoption of them
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