Biblical Guidance for Raising Godly Children
The Bible offers clear guidance on raising children, providing principles and teachings related to their upbringing. Here is some of the guidance with scriptures.
Instruct, teach, and be a godly example for children
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. You shall teach them diligently to your children [impressing God’s precepts on their minds and penetrating their hearts with His truths] and shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road and when you lie down and when you get up.
- Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it.
- Titus 2:3-4 Older women similarly are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor addicted to much wine, teaching what is right and good, 4 so that they may encourage the young women to tenderly love their husbands and their children,
- Ephesians 5:1 Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];
Comfort Children, be compassionate towards them, and provide for them.
- Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.”
- Psalm 127:3 “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.”
- Children are basically a gift from God. They are a reward from him.
- Proverbs 31:15 She (the virtuous woman) riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
- this is talking about her getting up early to see to the cooking of the food.
- 1 Timothy 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
- children are most assuredly part of a man’s household.
Children are to be disciplined with love so that they will gain wisdom that results in righteousness and peace.
- Proverbs 3:12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
- Proverbs 13:24 He who withholds the rod [of discipline] hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines and trains him diligently and appropriately [with wisdom and love].- This does not mean beat. It means correct and teach by showing the correct way.
- Proverbs 29:15 The rod and reproof (godly instruction) give wisdom, But a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother.
- Proverbs 29:17 Correct your son, and he will give you comfort; Yes, he will delight your soul.
Don’t Frustrate or discourage children; instead teach and instruct them in God’s ways.
- Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].
Leave your children an inheritance.
- An inheritance does not necessarily mean that you leave them lots of money.
- Leaving them with the memory of how you trained them to follow God is worth more than gold or silver.
- Proverbs 13:22 A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for [the hands of] the righteous.
Bring them up in the fear of the Lord by teaching them His Word.
- Psalms 34:11 Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to fear the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience].
- Proverbs 1:1-8 The proverbs (truths obscurely expressed, maxims) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction; To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight, To receive instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, Righteousness, justice, and integrity; That prudence (good judgment, astute common sense) may be given to the naive or inexperienced [who are easily misled], And knowledge and discretion (intelligent discernment) to the youth, The wise will hear and increase their learning, And the person of understanding will acquire wise counsel and the skill [to steer his course wisely and lead others to the truth], To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation, And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection]. The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant [a]fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. My son, hear the instruction of your father, And do not reject the teaching of your mother.
- Matthew 19:14 But He said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them from coming to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
- Mark 10:14 But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- Luke 2:41 And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him. Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year for the Passover Feast.
- Luke 18:16 But Jesus called them to Himself, saying [to the apostles], “Allow the children to come to Me, and do not forbid them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.
- Remember to frequently bring your children to Jesus.
articlesforchristians 