There are so many emotions that come along with being a parent. You will feel everything from overwhelming joy to paralyzing fear. The love that God instilled in us for our children is unlike any other. With that being said, most of us need some encouraging Bible Verses for parents to keep us motivated throughout this journey.
Just hours after my daughter was born, I found myself searching for scripture about parents. Because she was in the NICU, I was overwhelmed with fear and worry. This whole parenting thing came at us so quickly. We were forced to make decisions without much time to even realize the new role we were in.
My hope as a parent is to guide my children to become the people God made them to be. Maybe this means encouraging them in the things they are interested in or simply leading in an example of Christ.
The BEST Bible Verses for Parents
Whether you are a new mom or you have a few kiddos, this journey is one of the Lord’s greatest callings on our life. We must be prepared for all the things parenting brings and most of all that we keep God in the center of our lives.
These Bible Verses for parents will guide you in your role as a parent and will help you through the rough patches.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Tademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™
1. Psalm 28:7
" The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."
In those hard moments, when you are struggling with fear and worry use this verse as a reminder that you CAN trust in Him.
2. Lamentations 3:22-23
" Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."
I love this verse because it reminds me that each day is a fresh start to start over again. No matter how hard parenting may feel God has compassion for us!
3. Ephesians 4:32
" Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
It’s easy to become frustrated with our children. Often, I find myself beating myself up for my reaction. This verse reminds me to not only forgive my children and my spouse for their sins, but being kind and compassionate to myself as well.
4. GENESIS 18:19
"For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.”
Each of us were chosen to be parents. God knew we were ready to guide and direct these children in the way of the Lord. It’s our job to follow what the Lord has called us to; The Mission of Parenting.
5. Proverbs 29:17
"Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire."
Even though you may not want to discipline your children, know that this is what the Lord has called you to. Just as he disciplines us, we must do the same for our children.
[How Do You Parent a One-Year Old?? Here is my simple guide on Gentle Parenting]
6. Mathew 6:33
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
It’s so important to remind ourselves that we need to seek Him first, especially when raising children. Sometimes we get caught up in doing what is “right” instead of looking to Christ for guidance.
7. Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
God created you to be a parent long before you were even born. Even though it may feel like just parenting, it’s truly one of the most important jobs the Lord has entrusted us with.
8. Matthew 22:37
"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."
As I mentioned earlier, we need to love the Lord FIRST. When He is the center of our life, we will parent from a place of Godliness without much effort.
9. John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
When I read this verse, I’m reminded to love my children as Christ loves me. Even more than that, I need to be an example of love to show my children the character of Christ.
10. Psalm 24:1
"The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;"
It’s so easy to get caught in the trap of wanting what is best for our children. But they are no ours, they are the Lords. It’s important to remember what we think is best doesn’t necessarily align with the Lord’s plan.
11. Ephesians 4:2-3
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. "
Parenting has been the must humbling experience of my life. It’s taught me a bit about patience (let’s face it… I’m still learning), but it’s mostly taught me about Christ’s love.
12. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
As a parent I often need a reminder of what Godly love is. I refer to this verse often because it guides my heart, mind, and actions to look more like Christ.
13. Deuteronomy 6:6-9
"These commandments that 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. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."
When I first read this verse, it gave me a mental picture of what it looks like to be a Godly parent. I try to incorporate this verse into my daily life as much as I can.
14. Psalm 78:4
“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.”
We need to share the good news of Jesus with our children because they are the next generation. I think it’s especially important to praise the Lord in front of them to show them what it looks like to love the Lord.
15. Proverbs 22:6
"Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
This was one of the very first verses I ever read about Christian parenting. It’s my mission as a stay-at-home-mom, to raise my girls in the way of the Lord. When they grow older, I hope they continue turning to Him through out all of life’s battles.
[How do you serve the Lord as a Stay-At Home Mom? 6 Ways You Can Honor Him!]
16. Joshua 1:8
"Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
I’ve mentioned this quite a bit on the blog, but our actions as a parent matter. We can bring our kiddos to church and say all the right things, but if our actions don’t align they aren’t learning about Christ. Do these things to show your children how to love the Lord.
17. Joel 1:3
"Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation."
Our job is tell our children about the Lord in hopes that they will continue to pass this on.
18. Isaiah 54:13
“All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace.”
Of course, we want our children to know the Lord so they will feel this peace. But it’s important that we are teaching them not only through our words, but most importantly our actions.
19. Romans 15:4
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."
Through out our parenting journey, there will be bumpy patches but that’s when we need to turn to scripture. The Bible was written for us to turn to so we could run the race of life with endurance. Just because the Bible is old doesn’t mean that it can’t apply to us today.
20. Joshua 24:15
"But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Remember that parenthood is about serving the Lord. Pray to Him often asking for guidance in this journey, since it is our mission to honor and glorify Him!
My Thoughts..
No matter where you are in your parenting journey, raising children with the Lord as your center will be challenging. But when we apply these Bible Verses for parents, we will find comfort in knowing that the Lord is with us through it all. I hope these verses help you to become the parent God is calling you to be.
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