Parenting
Raise children with God's wisdom — find encouragement and guidance for the sacred calling of parenting.
Scripture on Parenting
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6— KJV
“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.”
Deuteronomy 6:6-7— KJV
“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”
Psalm 127:3— KJV
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4— KJV
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:3— KJV
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
Psalm 103:13— KJV
“He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.”
Proverbs 13:24— KJV
“And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
Isaiah 54:13— KJV
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
3 John 1:4— KJV
“Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.”
Proverbs 17:6— KJV
“We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.”
Psalm 78:4— KJV
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Luke 2:52— KJV
“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.”
2 Timothy 3:15— KJV
“Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”
Psalm 128:3— KJV
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.”
Proverbs 31:28— KJV
Devotional Reflection
Parenting is one of the most beautiful and most exhausting callings in the world. You love someone more than you ever thought possible—and the weight of responsibility for their soul can feel crushing. You are not alone in feeling inadequate.
God does not expect you to be a perfect parent. He is the perfect parent. Your role is to reflect His heart—to love consistently, discipline thoughtfully, and above all, to point your children to Him. Deuteronomy 6 is the foundation: talk about God when you sit, when you walk, when you lie down, when you rise. Not just in formal devotions, but in the rhythm of everyday life.
Christ's example of childlike faith—'Unless you become like little children...'—tells us that children have something to teach us. Their dependency, their trust, their openness to wonder. In parenting, we are not just raising them. We are being shaped by them.
For every parent who has made mistakes, for every parent who is scared—God's mercies are new every morning. Your children are His heritage, in His hands, and He loves them even more than you do. Trust Him with your children today.
A Prayer for Parenting
Lord, thank You for the gift and the weight of parenting. I know I don't always do it right. Give me wisdom I don't naturally have. Help me to be patient when I am weary, consistent when I want to give up, and gentle when I am frustrated. Guard my children's hearts. Draw them to Yourself. Use even my imperfections for their good and Your glory. Amen.
Go Deeper
Read Deuteronomy 6 as the foundational parenting text of Scripture. Study the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15) to see the Father's heart—it will both move and guide you.