Best Bible Verses About Children

Jesus cares deeply about kids. In Mark 10:14, He says, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.” God cares for us at every age and offers plenty of encouragement and wisdom for both parents and children in the Bible. No matter how young they may be, kids can get to know God and learn to love Him as He loves them! That’s why it’s so important to know scriptures about children.

Christians should practice reading them as a family and using them as prayers. Whether you’re looking for Bible verses for kids or Bible promises for children, this selection offers many opportunities to examine what God’s Word says about our little ones.

Bible Verses About Children

Deuteronomy 5:29

Oh that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!

Deuteronomy 6:6-7

These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Deuteronomy 11:19

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

Psalm 8:2

From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.

Psalm 127:3-5

Behold, children are a heritage of Yahweh. The fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won’t be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate.

Psalm 139:15-16

My frame wasn’t hidden from you, when I was made in secret, woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my body. In your book they were all written, the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Proverbs 1:8-9

My son, listen to your father’s instruction, and don’t forsake your mother’s teaching:
for they will be a garland to grace your head, and chains around your neck.

Proverbs 17:6

Children’s children are the crown of old men; the glory of children are their parents.

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:15

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child: the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 29:17

Correct your son, and he will give you peace; yes, he will bring delight to your soul.

Jeremiah 1:5

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I sanctified you. I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

Isaiah 54:13

All your children will be taught by Yahweh; and your children’s peace will be great.

Matthew 18:1-5

In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to himself and set him in the middle of them and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me.”

Matthew 18:10

See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 19:14

But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.”

Matthew 21:15-16

But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant, and said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?” Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’”

Mark 10:13-16

They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation, and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” He took them in his arms, and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Ephesians 6:1-4

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise: “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” You fathers don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Colossians 3:20-21

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

1 Timothy 4:12

Let no man despise your youth; but be an example to those who believe, in word, in your way of life, in love, in spirit, in faith, and in purity.

3 John 1:4

I have no greater joy than this: to hear about my children walking in truth.

Children in the Bible

There aren’t just scriptures about children but stories about children in the Bible as well. These stories can be just as instructive to kids as selected verses. Examining how children chose to follow God or not follow Him helps young people see that they are a part of God’s story no matter their age.

Samuel

Samuel’s story is a sweeping tale of dedication to God, one that started even before his birth. He was raised by the High Priest Eli at the temple after his mother, Hannah, returned Samuel to the Lord as she promised (1 Samuel 1). He was a well-behaved and helpful boy (1 Samuel 2:26), so God chose to speak to him directly, even though it had been years since God chose to speak directly to His people (1 Samuel 3). Samuel’s faith, even in his childhood, is a powerful testimony to the relationship all children can have with the Lord.

The Boy Kings of Judah

Throughout the history of Judah’s kings, three boys ascended the throne: Joash at age 7, Manasseh at age 12, and Josiah at age 8. Each boy handled his kingship and service to God in different ways.

Joash was raised by the priest Jehoiada and served God when he was young. But when Jehoiada died, he turned away from the Lord and turned to idol-worship until the Lord killed him for his apostasy (2 Kings 12:19-21 and 2 Chronicles 24:17-27).

Manasseh was the son of the good King Hezekiah, but he did evil in God’s eyes when he took the throne from his father. When God allowed him to be taken prisoner by Assyria, Manasseh repented from evil while in exile. The Lord restored Manasseh to His kingdom, and Manasseh worked to make things right (2 Kings 21:1–18 and 2 Chronicles 32:33–33:20).

Josiah, the grandson of Manasseh, was the most faithful of the boy kings. He turned to the Lord as a young man and stayed true to God throughout his reign. Because of his service and humility, God delayed punishing Judah for its crimes under Manasseh until after he died (2 Kings 22–23 and 2 Chronicles 34–35)

Jesus as a Boy

There is only one story told about young Jesus after he was born. It’s found in Luke 2:42-52 and tells about a time when Jesus was 12. On a journey back from Jerusalem, His parents realized that He wasn’t with them or any of their family.

They returned to the city, searching everywhere for their son. Finally, they discovered Him in the temple, talking with the teachers there. When they tried to rebuke Him, He asked, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know I must be in my Father’s house?”

Children can experience the same type of relationship with their heavenly Father, too.

A Prayer for Your Children

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank you for blessing us with these beautiful children. We are honored to be their parents. Guide us as we lead them to know You and Your way. May they grow like your Son did – in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

In Jesus’s name, Amen.