"Train up a child in the way he should go" (Proverbs 22:6). Parents are to teach God's words diligently at home (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), bring children up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4), and not provoke them to wrath (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). Children are a heritage from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5).
Parenting is one of the heaviest and holiest callings in Scripture. These twelve King James passages focus on raising children: training, teaching at home, discipline with love, and encouragement without crushing a child's spirit. For kids' learning activities, see our kids pages; for the household as a whole, see family; for babies, see infants.
Train up a child
1. 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: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Training is intentional formation, not only reaction when things go wrong.
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."
These words shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, talking of them at home, on the road, at bedtime and morning. Parenting discipleship is woven into ordinary hours.
3. Ephesians 6:4
"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."
Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Nurture and admonition belong together—and so does refusing to embitter.
4. Proverbs 1:8-9
"My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother: For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck."
Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Both parents' teaching is meant to adorn a child's life like a graceful ornament.
Discipline and the heart
5. Proverbs 29:17
"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul."
Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul. Loving correction aims at peace in the home, not endless conflict.
6. Proverbs 13:24
"He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes."
He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes. Whatever form discipline takes in your home, Scripture ties love to timely correction—not neglect.
7. Proverbs 22:15
"Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him."
Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him. Children need formation because foolishness is not only "out there."
8. Proverbs 23:13-14
"Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell."
Withhold not correction from the child... Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell. The goal of correction is rescue, not rage. Seek wisdom and gentleness as you apply any discipline.
Heritage, hope, and not provoking
9. 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 an heritage of the Lord... Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them. Parenting starts with receiving children as God's gift, not as a project only.
10. Colossians 3:21
"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged."
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Harshness that crushes the spirit is forbidden. Correction should not become crushing.
11. Isaiah 54:13
"And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children."
And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. A parent's hope: God Himself teaching the next generation into peace.
12. 2 Timothy 3:14-15
"But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."
Continue in the things thou hast learned... from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures. Timothy's childhood Scripture became lifelong wisdom unto salvation. Start early; keep going.
A short prayer
Father, children are Your heritage. Help me train them in the way they should go, teach Your words diligently at home, and bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Keep me from provoking or discouraging them. Give me wisdom, patience, and love in every correction. 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 does the Bible say about parenting?
Train up a child in the way he should go (Proverbs 22:6), teach God's words diligently (Deuteronomy 6:6-7), bring children up in the Lord's nurture and admonition without provoking them (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21), and receive them as God's heritage (Psalm 127:3).
Where does the Bible say train up a child?
Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
How should Christian parents discipline?
Scripture links love with timely correction (Proverbs 13:24; 29:17) and forbids provocation that discourages (Colossians 3:21). The aim is formation and rescue, not anger. Ask your pastor for wise, gentle application in your home.
What if I feel like I've failed as a parent?
God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23). Keep teaching Scripture (2 Timothy 3:14-15), walk in humility, and ask God to teach your children Himself (Isaiah 54:13). Grace meets parents too.
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.
Related: Bible verses about family · Bible verses about mothers · Bible verses about dad · Bible verses about discipline · Bible verses about infants
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