Bible verses about children

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.

Psalm 127:3

Children are called an heritage of the LORD and a reward, not a burden.

As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:4-5

Children are pictured as arrows in a warrior's hand, and a full quiver as a happy thing.

And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.

Genesis 33:5

Jacob introduces his family to Esau as the children which God hath graciously given.

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

1 Samuel 1:27

Hannah, who had prayed for years, says of Samuel: For this child I prayed.

For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139:13-14

God formed each child in the womb; I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jeremiah 1:5

God knew Jeremiah before he was formed and set him apart before birth.

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

Proverbs 17:6

Grandchildren are the crown of old men; families are a blessing across generations.

But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 19:14

When the disciples turned children away, Jesus said let them come, for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Mark 10:16

Mark adds that Jesus took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Mark 9:36-37

Jesus set a child in the middle of the disciples: receiving such a child in his name is receiving him.

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. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3-4

Grown-ups must become as little children, and the humble child is greatest in the kingdom.

Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 18:10

Jesus warns not to despise one of these little ones, for their angels behold the Father's face.

And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?

Matthew 21:16

When children shouted praise in the temple, Jesus quoted Psalm 8: out of the mouth of babes.

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

Teach God's words to your children at home, on the road, at bedtime and when you get up.

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

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, with the hope that he keeps it when he is old.

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

Fathers are told not to provoke their children to wrath, but to bring them up in the Lord's nurture.

Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

Colossians 3:21

Gives the reason not to provoke children: lest they be discouraged.

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

Do not hide God's works from children; tell the next generation.

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.

2 Timothy 1:5

Timothy's faith dwelt first in his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice.

A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.

Proverbs 13:22

A good man leaves an inheritance for his grandchildren, thinking beyond his own lifetime.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Matthew 7:11

Parents know how to give good gifts, and Jesus uses that to show how much more God gives.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Ephesians 6:1-3

Children, obey your parents in the Lord; honour comes with a promise of long life.

Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Colossians 3:20

Obeying parents is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Exodus 20:12

The commandment to honour parents, counted fifth or fourth depending on how a tradition numbers them.

My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Proverbs 1:8

Listen to a father's instruction and do not forsake a mother's teaching.

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.

Proverbs 20:11

Even a child is known by his doings; young people's choices matter.

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 4:12

Young believers can be an example to everyone in word, love, faith and purity.

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

1 Samuel 3:10

The boy Samuel answered God's call: Speak; for thy servant heareth.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Luke 2:52

Jesus himself grew as a child, in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

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

Timothy had known the holy scriptures from a child.

And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Isaiah 54:13

A promise that all thy children shall be taught of the LORD and have great peace.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

3 John 1:4

John's greatest joy was hearing that his children (in the faith) walk in truth.

The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.

Proverbs 23:24

A father of a wise child shall have joy of him.

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Psalm 103:13

God's care for his people is compared to a father's pity for his children.

Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Isaiah 49:15

A nursing mother forgetting her child is unthinkable, yet God says he is even less able to forget.