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Bible Verses About Children
Jesus leads the way in seeing how precious children are. He made time for them. He welcomed them, honoured them and took them seriously.
Inspiring verses about children in the Bible
These Bible verses about children are a great reminder that the next generation are such a blessing! Children invite us to laugh freely, embrace life, and to open our arms to the love of our Heavenly Father.
Throughout the Bible we are reminded of God’s love for the little ones in our lives. Because a child’s life is so precious and fragile, these inspiring verses about children remind us that we should protect it and defend it every way we can.
What’s more, we’re truly blessed to be called children of God – and welcomed so gladly by our loving Father.
All of these Bible verses about children are taken from the NIV version of the Bible
Psalm 127:3-5 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
Psalm 139: 13-14 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
Matthew 18:2-5 He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.
Matthew 18:10 See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Mark 9:36-37 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.
Matthew 19: 13-15 Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked them. Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” When he had placed his hands on them, he went on from there.
Mark 10:16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Genesis 33:5 Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.
Matthew 21:15-16 But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant. “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him. “Yes,” replied Jesus, “Have you never read, “‘From the lips of children and infants you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?
Jesus leads, we move
Jesus led the way in caring for children. He made time for children. He welcomed them, honoured them, and took them seriously.
That’s why when children face the cruel hopelessness of poverty, we need to move.
We invite you to come alongside Compassion’s frontline church partners and release a child from poverty, in Jesus’ name. See the difference child sponsorship is making to this group of children in Tanzania. Children and young people are being being discipled to become change-makers.
Bible quotes about children growing up
Both the Old Testament and the New Testament give helpful advice to children. Scripture shares how children should take care to listen to their parents and show them respect. Take a moment to look up these Bible verses with your children.
Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Exodus 20:12 Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honour your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’
Proverbs 1:8-9 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.
Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
Bible verses about parenting children
Discipling children can be challenging. But God’s word, the Holy Bible, gives us lots of encouragement and direction for teaching children about Jesus’ love and grace.
Proverbs 22:6 (NIV) Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 29:17 Discipline your children, and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.
Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
1 Timothy 3:4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 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.
Isaiah 54:13 All your children will be taught by the Lord,
and great will be their peace.
Proverbs 17:6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged,
and parents are the pride of their children.
2 Timothy 1:5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also.
Famous children from Bible stories
Issac
Issac was the miracle child born to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Isaac’s birth fulfilled God’s promise that Abraham would become the father of a great people.
When Issac was a young boy, God asked Abraham to take his beloved son to a mountain to sacrifice him. At the moment Abraham tied Issac up, the angel of the Lord stopped him saying, “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.” (Genesis 22:12)
David
Some time before King Saul died, God had sent Samuel to the family of Jesse to choose a new king. To Samuel’s surprise it was David, Jesse’s youngest son, who was to be God’s chosen king. His seven elder brothers were amazed, but God saw that David loved him.
David the shepherd boy went on to become a great fighter, defeating the Philistine giant Goliath.
Samuel
Samuel was dedicated to God by his mum, Hannah after she had prayed persistently for a child. When Samuel was around four-years-old, he was taken to the tabernacle to serve under Eli the priest. Even as a child, Samuel was given his own tunic, a garment normally reserved for a priest. Samuel was a prophet and heard from God:
“The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’” (1 Samuel 3:10)
Jesus Christ as a boy
Luke 2 gives us an insight into Jesus as a child. The boy Jesus stayed behind at the Passover Festival. His parents found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his questions.
Bible verses about being children of God
Praise God that because of Jesus, we can know Him as our Heavenly Father. We can now be called “children of God”. Children can teach us a lot about how we should approach God as our Heavenly Father.
Jeremiah 31:17 There is hope for your future, declares the Lord, and your children shall come back to their own country.
Romans 8:14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children
Romans 8:17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
Galatians 3:26 So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.
Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Hebrews 12:7-10 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness.
Bible studies and podcasts about children
At Compassion, we’re incredibly passionate about sharing our Christian faith with the next generation. We’re continually creating devotional resources to help disciple children and young people well. You may be interested in:
Justice and the next generation, a podcast from Dr Richmond Wandera (available on the Compassion UK App)
If you’ve enjoyed these Bible verses you may also like:
Discover more about what the Bible says about children from our friends at Compassion International.
Words by
Becca Stanley
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