The Bible has a wealth of wisdom and guidance when it comes to raising children. As parents, we have the immense responsibility of shaping our children’s character, teaching them values, and preparing them for life. The book of Proverbs especially focuses a lot on parenting, emphasizing the importance of discipline, instruction, wisdom, and leading by godly example. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles for raising godly children:
1. Children are a blessing from God
The Bible shows that children are a gift and blessing from the Lord (Psalm 127:3-5). We need to receive each child as precious in God’s sight. Even when parenting is difficult, we can remember that God has entrusted these little ones into our care.
2. Parents are responsible to train up their children
God’s word gives parents the responsibility of training children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). As Deuteronomy 6:6-7 says, we are to teach God’s commands diligently to our children and talk about them throughout the day. This involves formal biblical instruction but also informal day-to-day conversations and modeling godly living.
3. Teach children God’s word
At the heart of training our kids is teaching them God’s word. The Psalmist declares that he has hidden God’s word in his heart that he might not sin (Psalm 119:11). As parents, we need to be actively memorizing Scripture with our kids, catechizing them, and saturating their minds and hearts with biblical truth. This gives them a solid foundation.
4. Discipline is vital
Discipline and correction are key themes in the book of Proverbs. We are told not to withhold discipline from children and that folly is bound up in their hearts (Proverbs 22:15, 23:13). Loving parents will be diligent to apply age-appropriate discipline to steer kids away from foolishness and direct them toward wisdom and maturity.
5. Be an example
More is caught than taught. That’s why the Bible exhorts parents to be godly models for their kids to emulate (Ezekiel 20:18-19). As they observe our love for God, faith, integrity, speech, conduct, love, and priorities, they will be powerfully shaped by our example. We need to walk the talk.
6. Exercise patience and gentleness
Parenting requires immense patience and self-control. The Bible calls parents not to provoke children to anger but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Though discipline is needed, parents must exercise patience, consistency, and gentleness as kids mature over time.
7. Nurture with love and affection
While parents are to train and discipline, the Bible also exhorts us to nurture our kids. Fathers are not to exasperate children but instead bring them up with the loving care and affection of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Healthy and supportive relationships where kids feel valued go hand in hand with good instruction.
8. Teach them to love God and others
Jesus said the greatest commands are to love God and love others (Luke 10:27). A core part of parenting is teaching kids to have a heart for God and for people. We instruct them to love those in need, be servants, honor siblings, and be kind classmates or teammates. Love should be at the center.
9. Do not provoke them to anger
The Bible warns fathers specifically: “Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them” (Ephesians 6:4). Parents can easily exasperate kids by being overbearing, impatient, overly critical, or demanding. We need to parent in ways that provide security, patience, and nurturing care.
10. Instill godly priorities and values
A big part of parenting is instilling values for eternity rather than just temporal success. Teaching kids to fear God, love others, be givers, care for the needy, and invest in the eternal kingdom should be our priorities. Worldly values need to be counteracted with biblical truth and wisdom.
11. Pray for and with your children
Parents are commanded to bring children up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4). Prayer is how we depend on God to give us wisdom and grace for this immense task. Praying for and blessing our kids powerfully steers their hearts Godward. Nothing is more vital than prayer.
12. Teach them to obey and honor you
The Bible instructs children to obey and honor their parents (Ephesians 6:1-3). This is the only command in Scripture that comes with a specific promise of blessing when kept. We should teach kids to respect parental authority by enforcing rules and boundaries while they live under our roof.
13. Do not exasperate or embitter them
Again, the Bible warns fathers specifically: “Do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged” (Colossians 3:21). Parents can easily frustrate their children by being insensitive, overly restrictive, or imposing unrealistic expectations. We need empathy, wisdom, and reasonable boundaries.
14. Train them for spiritual battle
Parents must recognize kids face intense spiritual battles and pressures. We are to train them in the full armor of God – truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer (Ephesians 6:10-18). They need to be equipped to stand firm in the faith and resist the devil’s schemes.
15. Teach them to manage money & possessions
An important but often neglected area of parenting is teaching kids to be wise managers of money and possessions. The Bible warns against loving money (1 Timothy 6:10) and calls us to be generous and content (1 Timothy 6:6-8). We should teach kids principles of budgeting, saving, tithing, and stewardship.
16. Correct them while there is hope
Proverbs 19:18 says, “Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise you will ruin their lives.” We have a window in childhood to apply age-appropriate discipline and correction. Once kids are older, consequences become more complicated. Early molding is wise and loving.
17. Fathers – do not provoke anger in them
The Bible instructs fathers: “Do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them” (Ephesians 6:4). Fathers can easily exasperate kids by being insensitive, overly critical, demanding, or never pleased. This provokes resentment. Fathers should lead with patience, kindness and empathy.
18. Mothers – exemplify godliness and kindness
God calls older women to urge younger women to love their children (Titus 2:3-5). Mothers have a special role in modeling godliness, purity, kindness, and biblical priorities to impress these virtues on impressionable young hearts and minds.
19. Parents – be humble and admit when you’re wrong
None of us are perfect parents. That’s why it’s so important to humbly admit our mistakes and sins to our kids when needed. This models humility, repairs trust, and provides a godly example of repentance and grace they can emulate. We’re all growing in grace.
20. Bring them to church gatherings
Bringing kids to church services and gatherings helps cement the importance of corporate worship, prayer, fellowship, and sound doctrine. Children learn best by participating. Getting them plugged into the local church early bears fruit long-term.
21. Teach them to serve and consider others
Philippians 2 calls us to look to the needs and interests of others. A vital parenting goal is nurturing a servant heart in kids – teaching them to look out for others, serve people in need, and be considerate of siblings or classmates who are different.
22. Let your speech be gracious and build them up
The Bible exhorts us to let our speech always be gracious and build others up (Ephesians 4:29). Kids face plenty of criticism and negativity. That’s why parents should be encouragers who highlight the positive and speak grace – not condemnation – over their kids.
23. Teach them to resolve conflict biblically
As kids relate to siblings and friends, conflict naturally arises. As parents, we can disciple kids in how to address disagreements biblically – with self-control, patience, humility, forgiveness, and grace. These relationship skills serve them for life.
24. Affirm their gifts, talents and passions
Each child is uniquely gifted by God. Parents should identify their kids’ gifts and encourage them. Affirming their skills, passions and creativity helps them discern God’s hand on their lives. They learn best when they get to utilize their unique talents.
25. Let kids be kids but guide them toward maturity
Kids are naturally immature, silly and irresponsible. Good parents let kids be kids within biblical boundaries but also gradually give them age-appropriate freedom and responsibility to grow into mature adults prepared for wise independent living.
26. Teach them to steward time, relationships and opportunities
Life is short and fleeting. That’s why parents must teach kids to make the most of every moment, build life-giving relationships, and steward opportunities for growth and impact. Redeeming the time is wise living (Ephesians 5:16).
27. Let consequences follow disobedience or foolishness
An important part of parenting is allowing consequences to follow poor decisions. Within biblical wisdom and grace, kids need to experience reaping what they sow. Rescuing kids from consequences stunts their growth. Let consequences motivate maturity.
28. Emphasize character and integrity over achievements
Worldly parenting focuses on temporal achievements like sports trophies and grades. Godly parenting focuses on instilling character qualities like honesty, humility, compassion. These traits shine eternally. Achievements pass away. Character counts forever.
29. Teach them to repent, seek and offer forgiveness
Kids (like all of us) will mess up. When they do, parents should teach the importance of heartfelt repentance before God and making amends. We must model humbly asking forgiveness from kids just as we teach them to ask forgiveness from siblings.
30. Allow them freedom to question and wrestle with faith
As kids grow, it’s natural for them to question and wrestle with faith issues, especially entering young adulthood. Parents should create a safe space for kids to voice doubts, ask tough questions, and own their personal faith instead of just emulating parent’s faith.
In summary, though parenting is challenging, God’s word offers much practical wisdom. Centering our parenting on biblical values instead of worldly priorities is key. By God’s grace alone can we become parents who steward our kids’ hearts wisely and prepare them for godly, faithful, fruitful lives of following Jesus.
