The Bible calls households to serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15), children to honor parents (Exodus 20:12; Ephesians 6:1-3), and fathers to bring children up in the Lord without provoking them (Ephesians 6:4). Children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3); parents teach His words diligently (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
Family in Scripture includes marriage, parenting, honor across generations, and households that serve God. These King James passages offer wisdom for the home.
Choose whom you will serve
1. Joshua 24:15
"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua puts the choice before Israel, then stakes his own household: "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
2. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
"And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 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."
God's words are to be in your heart and diligently taught to your children, in daily life at home and on the way.
3. Psalms 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."
Children are a heritage and reward from the Lord. The psalm pictures a household blessed with them.
4. Genesis 2:24
"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."
Marriage leaves father and mother and cleaves to a spouse: the two become one flesh. Family begins with this union.
Parents and children
5. Ephesians 6:1-4
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Children obey and honor parents; fathers must not provoke children but bring them up in the Lord's instruction.
6. Colossians 3:18-21
"Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged."
A household code: wives, husbands, children, fathers. Mutual responsibility under Christ shapes the home.
7. Proverbs 22:6
"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. Early formation matters; the proverb encourages intentional parenting.
8. Exodus 20:12
"Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."
The fifth commandment: honour thy father and thy mother, with a promise of long life in the land.
Honor, care, and unity
9. Proverbs 31:28
"Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her."
Children rise up and call the virtuous woman blessed; her husband praises her. Honor flows toward a godly mother.
10. 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."
Providing for one's own household is a basic duty of faith. Neglecting that care is treated with strong words.
11. Psalms 133:1
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
How good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity. Family peace is a blessing worth pursuing.
12. Proverbs 15:20
"A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish man despiseth his mother."
A wise son makes a glad father. Children's character deeply affects parents' joy.
A short prayer
Lord, as for me and my house, we want to serve You. Help me honor my parents, love my family well, teach Your word diligently, and build a home marked by unity and grace. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best Bible verse about family?
Joshua 24:15, Ephesians 6:1-4, Psalm 127:3, and Proverbs 22:6 are among the most shared.
Where does the Bible say "as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD"?
Joshua 24:15.
What does the Bible say about parents and children?
Children are to obey and honor parents (Ephesians 6:1-3; Exodus 20:12). Fathers are not to provoke children but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).
What Bible verse says children are a heritage from the Lord?
Psalm 127:3: "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
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