Topic hub
Bible verses about children
What the Bible teaches about the value of children, raising them in the faith, their place in God's kingdom, and parental responsibility.
What does the Bible say about children?
Children in the Bible are not a sentimental afterthought. They are called a heritage from the Lord. Jesus placed them at the centre of his teaching about the kingdom. The Old Testament makes raising children in the knowledge of God a primary parental duty.
These verses cover the blessing of children, the responsibility of parents, and the way Jesus spoke about childlike faith. They are useful for parents, grandparents, teachers, and anyone thinking about the biblical view of childhood.
Key passages
"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Children are a heritage of the Lord. This verse speaks in the wider setting of prayer and praise as Psalms unfolds its message.
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Train up a child in the way he should go. Train children, not in the way they would go, that of their corrupt hearts, but in the way they should go; in which, if you love them, you would have them go.
"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Jesus says let the little children come unto him. It is well when we come to Christ ourselves, and bring our children. Little children may be brought to Christ as needing, and being capable of receiving blessings from him, and having an interest in his intercession.
"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."
Teach God's words diligently to your children. This verse continues the thought already in view and fits the wider themes of memory and covenant in Deuteronomy.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right."
Children, obey your parents in the Lord. The great duty of children is, to obey their parents. That obedience includes inward reverence, as well as outward acts, and in every age prosperity has attended those distinguished for obedience to parents.
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
The fear of man brings a snare, but trusting the Lord is safe. Many are ashamed to own Christ now; and he will not own them in the day of judgment. But he that trusts in the Lord will be saved from this snare.
Main takeaways
- Children are described as a gift and a heritage from God.
- Teaching children the ways of God is a duty that runs through the whole Bible.
- Jesus held up children as models of the kind of faith his kingdom requires.
Related books
Related people
Central figure of Christianity, teacher, healer, crucified and risen Lord.
Heard of God. The peculiar circumstances connected with his birth are recorded in 1 Sam. 1:20.
Prophet, lawgiver, and the central human figure of the exodus and wilderness story.
Favour, grace, one of the wives of Elkanah the Levite, and the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1; 2).
Related places
Reading paths
A compact route through creation, covenant, exodus, kingship, prophecy, Christ, and new creation.
Further guides
What does the Bible say about marriage?
A full guide to the biblical vision of marriage from Genesis to Ephesians, covering its origins, purposes, duties, and spiritual significance.