What does the Bible say about parenting?

Key Bible verses about parenting

1. Deuteronomy 6:6-7

   These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.

2. Psalm 78:4-7

   We will not hide them from their children, telling to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, his strength, and his wondrous deeds that he has done. For he established a covenant in Jacob, and appointed a teaching in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children; that the generation to come might know, even the children who should be born; who should arise and tell their children, that they might set their hope in God, and not forget God’s deeds, but keep his commandments,

3. Psalm 127:3

   Behold, children are a heritage of the LORD. The fruit of the womb is his reward.

4. Proverbs 22:6

   Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

5. Proverbs 1:8-9

   My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching; for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

6. Proverbs 13:24

   One who spares the rod hates his son, but one who loves him is careful to discipline him.

7. Proverbs 29:15

   The rod of correction gives wisdom, but a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.

8. Ephesians 6:4

   You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

9. Colossians 3:21

   Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

10. Hebrews 12:9-11

    Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days disciplined us as seemed good to them, but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

11. 2 Timothy 1:5

    having been reminded of the sincere faith that is in you, which lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, in you also.

12. 2 Timothy 3:14-15

    But you remain in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them. From infancy, you have known the holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Scripture: World English Bible (public domain). Short quotations in the introduction are from the ESV. Read each passage in its chapter for the full context.