May these verses for kids edify the ones you raise, or are helping to raise, and may we too learn from the wisdom present in God’s word.
Parents carry a great responsibility to prepare their children to function well in the world, to know what is good, and to choose it. As they grow, kids will begin to learn from others besides their parents: teachers, family members, neighbors, other adults, and other children.
In addition to the practical knowledge we give them, we also have the responsibility and blessing as Christians to teach them in the way of Jesus.
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
To be righteous is to be “morally right or justifiable” and we know through Scripture that righteousness is defined by God. The Bible lays out God’s precepts for His followers. Children coming up in the world are in a position to learn about God’s commandments through us. We have the chance to model life-giving behavior and tell them about Scripture.
Not only that, but they can also learn by reading God’s word themselves. We can do our part to help them in this learning process by highlighting key ideas or sharing our own struggles.
Whether there is someone you are mentoring, raising, or teaching, here are 20 Bible verses for kids for teaching wisdom, and bringing them closer to the Lord.
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20 Bible Verses for Kids
“Jesus said, ‘Leave the little children alone, and don’t try to keep them from coming to me, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’” (Matthew 19:14)
Jesus welcomes children into the Kingdom. He wants no one to keep them from learning, and even says Heaven belongs to them. Why? Children are faster to forgive, love, and are much more teachable than their adult counterparts.
“A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, heartache to his mother.” (Proverbs 10:1)
The Bible draws many contrasts between wisdom and foolishness. Wise people learn and do right. When a child learns and walks in righteousness, they bring honor to their parents, and to God.
“Foolishness is bound to the heart of a youth; a rod of discipline will separate it from him.” (Proverbs 22:15)
Kids require loving discipline in order to grow in their relationship with God. After the Fall, all of humanity has been subject to sin (Genesis 3). Thus, we have to teach our children lessons that don’t come naturally, such as expressing gratitude.
“Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)
When children have a great role-model, they can emulate positive behaviors and cultivate a great Christian community.
“Start a youth out on his way; even when he grows old he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6)
Children taught how to walk in righteousness are less likely to depart from their teachings later in life.
“Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” (Exodus 20:12)
God calls upon children to honor their parents, when they are young and even when they become adults. This commandment reveals God’s value of the parent-child relationship.
“Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, offspring, a reward.” (Psalm 127:3)
Children are considered a blessing in God’s kingdom.
“For it was you who created my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13)
God’s intimate relationship with us, and our children, begins when we are still in the womb. He forms us and even knows the number of hairs we will come to have on our heads (Matthew 10:30).
“The one who loves a father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; the one who loves a son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37)
While God desires for children to love their parents, no relationship should be more important than the one we have with Him.
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.” (Proverbs 17:17)
Children should be encouraged to know the difference between a true and false friendship. The Bible makes clear who we should consider friends.
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1)
Just as God seeks our obedience, He also wants children to obey their parents.
“Listen to your father who gave you life, and don’t despise your mother when she is old. (Proverbs 23:22)
This is another reminder for children to practice obedience. Even when kids become adults, God still desires obedience.
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“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
As children the world can appear to be cruel and uncertain. Even when children do not have the answers, and neither do their parents, they can take hope knowing that God is trustworthy. He has the answers they seek.
“Consider the birds of the sky: They don’t sow or reap or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth more than they?” (Matthew 6:26)
God always provides, and this is a crucial lesson for children in some way feel like they are growing up lacking. They may lack financially, a home, a parent, but God looks after all of us.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3)
God’s presence is always near. This will not only encourage positive behavior in children, but also serve as a reminder that they are never alone.
“When I observe your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you set in place, what is a human being that you remember him, a son of man[a] that you look after him?” (Psalm 8:3-4)
For God to design the intricacies of space and nature, and still care more about humanity, is an uplifting idea. Some children grow up feeling uncared for, but God’s love is everlasting and beyond comprehension.
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.” (Psalm 27:10)
No matter the neglect children have faced at home or somewhere else, God’s love never ceases.
“A rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a youth left to himself is a disgrace to his mother.” (Proverbs 29:15)
The sinful nature of humanity is present in children just as with adults. Only through discipline can we be retrained to walk more completely in righteousness.
“And we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” (1 John 4:16)
Children who get a head start in perfecting their ability to love others will be well on their way to fulfilling the second greatest commandment.
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
The sacrifice of Jesus is evidence of God’s love. Though children may not fully understand this at a young age, knowledge of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian faith. The greater their foundation now, the more they can learn later.
A Blessed Generation
As God’s word has influenced and guided us through life, our children are next in line to receive those same blessings. Every moment of struggle and every moment of triumph is an experience we pass along to the next generation.
Once upon a time we were the children of the next generation, learning from our parents, peers, and Scripture. The generation before us taught what they knew. We can do the same for our kids.
We benefited from the success and failures of our predecessors because God uses all things for good (Romans 8:28). The next generation will benefit in the same way.
As we teach our children what we have learned, we should also recognize that in teaching them, we can also relearn information for ourselves, or learn ideas we never have before.
When the Bible says that it is available for reproof, there is no age limit given (2 Timothy 3:16). No matter who we are there is something to learn. If the Bible considers all of us to be sinners then surely there is at least one way we can all improve in our relationships to God and one another (Romans 3:23).
We can conclude the entirety of the Bible is useful for gaining wisdom, for anyone and at any age. After all, we are all kids, all children of God.
May these verses for kids edify the ones you raise, or are helping to raise, and may we too learn from the wisdom present in God’s word.
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