articlesforchristians

What does the Bible say about children? It has much to say regarding children and families.

• God’s original design was for family.
  • Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
• Children are a heritage and a reward.
  • Psalm 127:3-5 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
• Childlessness was a source of sorry.
  • Genesis 11:30  But Sarai was barren; she had no child.
  • 1 Samuel 1:9-10 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the Lord. And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.
• Pregnancy is cause for joy.
  • Psalm 113:9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.
• Unborn babies can feel and experience emotions.
  • Luke 1:44 For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.
• God has plans for children.
  • Jeremiah 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
  • Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace,
• Grandchildren are a source of delight.
  • Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.
• Children are to be dedicated to God.
  • 1 Samuel 1:21-28 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the Lord the yearly sacrifice, and his vow. But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the Lord, and there abide for ever. And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the Lord establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him. And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the Lord in Shiloh: and the child was young. And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli. And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the Lord. For this child I prayed; and the Lord hath given me my petition which I asked of him: Therefore, also I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there.
  • Luke 2:22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
• Little children have guardian angels.
  • Matthew 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
• The kingdom of heaven belongs to children.
  • Luke 18:15-17  And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
• Unborn children are:
  • Designed and formed by God.
    • Psalm 139:13-14  For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
    • Seen and known by God.
      • Psalm 22:10 I was cast upon You from birth; From my mother’s womb You have been my God.
      • Psalm 139:15-16 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
        And in Your book were all written The days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape].
    • Acknowledged and valued.
      • Psalm 22:30-31 Posterity will serve Him; They will tell of the Lord to the next generation. They will come and declare His righteousness To a people yet to be bor —that He has done it [and that it is finished].
      • Psalm 78:5-6 For He established a testimony (a specific precept) in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach to their children [the great facts of God’s transactions with Israel], That the generation to come might know them, that the children still to be born May arise and recount them to their children,
      • Psalm 102:18 Let this be recorded for the generation to come, That a people yet to be created will praise the Lord.
    • Brought out of the womb by God.
      • Psalm 22:9 Yet You are He who pulled me out of the womb; You made me trust when on my mother’s breasts.
      • Psalm 71:6 Upon You have I relied and been sustained from my birth; You are He who took me from my mother’s womb and You have been my benefactor from that day. My praise is continually of You.