Children are a blessing from God and raising them is both a joy and responsibility. The Bible has a lot to say about children, providing wisdom and guidance for parents as well as speaking to the value God places on young ones. Here is an overview of some key Bible passages about children:
Children as a blessing and gift from God
Children are consistently referred to as a blessing and inheritance from the Lord in the Bible. Passages that convey this include:
- Psalm 127:3-5 – Children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is 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!
- Psalm 128:3-4 – Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table. Behold, thus shall the man be blessed who fears the Lord.
- Genesis 33:5 – When Esau meets Jacob again, he asks about all the women and children with him, to which Jacob replies “The children whom God has graciously given your servant.”
- Genesis 48:9 – Joseph brings his sons to his father Jacob to bless them, and Jacob says “Please bring them to me, that I may bless them.”
These and other verses portray children as a gift to treasure, not a burden. God enables conception and desires children to be born into loving families.
Instructions for raising children
A number of biblical passages provide guidance specifically for parents on how to raise their children. Key messages include:
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7 – These commandments I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
- Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.
- Ephesians 6:4 – Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Proverbs 13:24 – Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.
- Colossians 3:21 – Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
In essence, parents are encouraged to teach their children about God, train them in righteousness, discipline with love, and not exasperate or discourage them.
Jesus welcoming and blessing children
Jesus provides a great model of how much God values children. Some examples include:
- Matthew 19:13-15 – People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” And he placed his hands on them and went on from there.
- Mark 10:13-16 – People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
- Luke 18:15-17 – People were also bringing babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
Jesus corrects his disciples’ tendency to ignore or rebuke children, instead inviting them into his presence and blessing them. He says the kingdom of God belongs to those with childlike faith.
Speaking to children’s importance
Alongside instructing parents and caring for children himself, Jesus also spoke words affirming the value and importance of children:
- Matthew 18:1-5 – At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”
- 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.
- Matthew 21:15-16 – But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read, ‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”
Jesus reminds his disciples not to look down on children as inferior. He welcomes them close and values praise and worship from them.
Instructions regarding children
The Bible contains guidance not just for parents, but for all adults on how to view and relate to children. For example:
- 1 Corinthians 14:20 – Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.
- 1 Timothy 4:12 – Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
- 1 John 2:12-13 – I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
While calling for maturity, these verses also demonstrate how God speaks directly to children through Scripture, reinforcing their value in His kingdom.
Prayers for children
In addition to instructions, the Bible contains many examples of prayers for children. These help teach us how to pray for the young ones in our lives:
- Genesis 17:18 – Abraham prays for Ishmael to live under God’s blessing.
- 1 Chronicles 29:19 – David prays for Solomon to have a devoted heart to keep God’s commands.
- Job 1:5 – Job regularly purified his children and offered burnt offerings for them, praying for their holiness.
- 2 Timothy 1:5 – Paul notes Timothy’s sincere faith passed down from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice, evidence of their prayers.
- 3 John 1:4 – The elder prays that Gaius’ children would walk in the truth as believers.
These examples model bringing our children to God in prayer, asking for their faith, wisdom and righteousness.
Instructions to children
While parenting and caring for children are more dominant themes, the Bible does contain some instructions aimed directly at children as well:
- Proverbs 1:8-9 – Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
- Proverbs 23:22 – Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
- Ephesians 6:1-3 – Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
- Colossians 3:20 – Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
These instruct children to respect and obey their parents while also reassuring them of the blessings this brings.
Examples of Godly parenting
In addition to direct instructions, we can learn a lot about raising children well from godly examples in Scripture:
- Hannah prayed earnestly for a child and dedicated Samuel to the Lord – 1 Samuel 1
- The mother of Moses hid him and then arranged for him to be raised by Pharaoh’s daughter – Exodus 2
- Job regularly purified his children and offered sacrifices for them – Job 1:5
- The parents of John the Baptist raised him in righteousness – Luke 1
- Lois and Eunice passed their sincere faith onto Timothy – 2 Timothy 1:5
- Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple, dedicated him to the Lord and raised him well – Luke 2
While none were perfect parents, their positive examples of prayer, teaching, sacrifice and faith point us to godly parenting principles.
Biblical reassurance for those struggling with infertility or the loss of a child
In closing, the Bible also brings comfort and hope to those struggling with infertility or grieving the loss of a child:
- God made Abraham and Sarah wait until old age before finally granting them Isaac – Genesis 21
- God opened and closed Hannah’s womb and blessed her with Samuel after being barren – 1 Samuel 1
- Isaiah 54:1 – “Sing, O barren woman, you who never bore a child; burst into song, shout for joy, you who were never in labor; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”
- 2 Samuel 12:15-23 – After David’s newborn son dies, “David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and went to her and made love to her. She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon.”
- Mark 10:13-16 – Jesus welcomes and blesses the little children, showing His care for those tragically lost in early life.
God is the ultimate giver of life and will meet all those who trust in Him in Heaven, where every tear will be wiped away (Revelation 21:4).