Every parent holds beliefs (tightly) about parenting that drive their behavior. The question is, what is driving your beliefs? What worldview or philosophy informs your conclusions about what is right (and what isn’t right) about how to be a parent? What is the goal of parenting?

While much can be said about the philosophy of parenting, this post is simply meant as a compilation of key biblical verses that underlie the Christian philosophy of parenting. I’ll let the verses speak for themselves!

12 Bible Verses About Kids and Parenting

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
the fruit of the womb a reward.
Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the children of one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalm 127:3–6)

“Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20)

“But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:14-15)

“For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:13-14)

“Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.”(Proverbs 13:24)

“Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.”(Proverbs 1:8-9)

“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”(Proverbs 22:6)

“And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them 3 and said, ‘Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'”(Matthew 18:2-4)

“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:2-3)

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’ (this is the first commandment with a promise), ‘that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.’ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1-4)

“And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, ‘Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.'” (Mark 9:36-37)

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)