40+ Bible Verses for Children—God's Truth for Toddlers to Teens

Valerie Fentress

Ephesians 6:10-18 tells us that our only weapon against the brokenness of our world is "the sword of the Spirit, that is the Word of God." Scripture is often the anchor for my soul when life gets hard. As a parent, my greatest challenge and mission is to equip my kids to know where to turn when they see the struggles of the world. But there are so many Scripture verses to learn and go to, it’s hard to know where to start. Here are 40+ verses for kids to help you encourage the children in your life to know and turn to Scripture. There is no greater mission than both modeling my need to know God's Word and turning to it in times of need. I pray these verses encourage our children to choose the wisdom of God when they have questions or are facing tough times.

Bible Verses for Children to Memorize

Can you imagine a home without a Bible or a phone without a Bible app? We live in a world where access to Scripture is often in the palm of our hands, but how much of it is written on our minds and hearts? It can be hard to know where to start when we want to spur our kids to memorize God’s word. Contributing writer Jamie Jo Wright says this, "different ages will be capable of various levels of this practice. But what can we do to help our kids not only read the Bible, but understand what they’re reading, potentially enjoy it…”

Here are six Bible Verses for Kids who want to memorize God’s word.

• 1 Samuel 16:7b- The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
• Romans 5:8- But God demonstrates his love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Joshua 1:9- Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
• John 3:16- For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13-14- Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.  Do everything in love.
• 1 Timothy 6:11-12- But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith. 
• 1 Timothy 4:12- Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.

  

Bible Verses for Children Going through Tough Times

Jesus said in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble…” One of the hardest things to watch as a parent is our children going through tough times. It is heart-wrenching to know we can’t solve all of their problems. But teaching our kids that they are not alone in their struggles is what God has faithfully communicated throughout the scriptures. Even Jesus turned to God’s Word to strengthen him when Satan tempted him in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11).

Here are seven Bible verses to remind our kids of the second half of John 16:33: “But take heart, I [Jesus] have overcome the world.”

• Isaiah 41:10- So do not fear, for I am with you;  do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
• Psalm 34:18- The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 -No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
• Psalm 62:1-2 - Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him.
   Truly, he is my rock and my salvation;  he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.
• Joel 2:25- I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten
• Psalm 46:10- Be still, and know that I am God;
• Jeremiah 29:11- "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Bible Verse to Encourage Children

Encouragement is a gift given in hard times, but encouraging scripture is a gift that never fades. In the article "10 Ways Parents Can Engage Kids with God's Word for Life," Meg Bucher writes, “We don’t have to have the whole Bible memorized to lead our children well in Scripturally based truths. We just need to go to God daily with hearts ready to take His direction and lead our children to His feet.”

Here are eight verses to encourage children in spiritually based truth.

• Romans 8:28- And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
• James 1:2-4-Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
• Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• Proverbs 3:5-6- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
• Romans 15:13- May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 16:13- Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.
• Ephesians 2:10- For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9-10- But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Bible Verses for Anxious Children

Children are not immune to the rise in anxiety in our culture, but the good news is that Scripture speaks to this as well. God's Word provides the simple truths all of us (children included) need to ground ourselves in truth and fight the emotions and anxious thoughts we face. Knowing what God’s word says about me and Him helps us to "take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ" ( 2 Corinthians 10:5.) 

Here are six verses to repeat to ourselves and our children when anxiety rears its head.

• Philippians 4:6-7- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
• 2 Timothy 1:7- For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
• Matthew 10:29-31-Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
• 1 Peter 5:7- Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
• Isaiah 41:10- So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
• 1 John 3:1- See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

Bible Verses for Children on Friendship

Second to parents, our kids' friends have the greatest impact on their minds and hearts. Teaching our children what healthy friendships look like is an important process in our children’s mental and emotional health. God made us for relationships, and He has a lot to say about friendships throughout the Bible. 

Here are five verses to help your kids understand friendship, both how to seek godly friends and how to be one.

• Proverbs 17:17- A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
• Romans 12:5- In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
• Philippians 2:3-4- Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
• Proverbs 13:20- Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
• 1 Corinthians 15:33-Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.

Bible Verses for Understanding and Defending Their Faith

Our culture has made a big shift away from Christian faith and values. Even within a Christian community, there can be many different views on cultural topics. Helping our kids have a good understanding of what the Christian faith is and means for their lives is not a new challenge, but it is an important one to communicate to the young believers in our homes. 

Here are four Bible verses to help children understand and defend the Christian faith.

• Ephesians 2:8- For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
• Romans 10:9-13- If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.  As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
• 1 John 2:1- My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.
• Romans 1:25- They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
• 1 Peter 3:15- But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

Bible Verses to Remind Children of the Character of God

The single most important decision we can make is how we answer the question, “Who is God?” Although much about God is mysterious, he is clear throughout Scripture about His character. Helping our kids know what God says about Himself is a launch pad for their faith and confidence in the Lord.  

Here are nine verses to remind children of the character of God.

• Exodus 34:6- The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
• Psalm 103:19- The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.
• Romans 5:8- But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
• Psalms 32:8- I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
• 1 John 4:16- And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
• Isaiah 61:8a- For I, the Lord, love justice; hate robbery and wrongdoing.
• Lamentations 3:22-23- Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
• 1 Samuel 2:2- There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God.
• Psalm 30:5- For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

There is no limit to the number of verses I could list to encourage you and your children in faith because “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). May this list be an encouragement and just the start of your and your children’s exploration of Scripture.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/Anastasiia Stiahailo

Valerie Fentress is the author of An Easter Bunny’s Tale and Beneath the Hood: a retelling woven with biblical truth. She aims to engage believers, especially kids, in the wonder and identity of who God is and who God made them to be. 

You can find out more about Valerie, her books, and her blog at www.valeriefentress.com.