What does the Bible say about parent responsibility?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that parents are entrusted by God to raise their children in loving, faithful discipline and instruction, pointing them continually to the Lord. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 calls parents to keep God's words in their own hearts and teach them diligently in daily life. Ephesians 6:4 commands fathers not to provoke their children, but to nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord, while Colossians 3:21 warns against harshness that crushes a child's spirit. Proverbs commends wise correction and purposeful training, trusting God to use ordinary parental faithfulness. Children are likewise called to honor and obey their parents in the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ephesians 6:4 7 votes
You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Proverbs 22:6 6 votes
Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
- Deuteronomy 6:7 3 votes
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.
- Colossians 3:21 3 votes
Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.
- Deuteronomy 6:6-7 3 votes
[6] These words, which I command you this day, shall be on your heart; [7] 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.
- Proverbs 29:15 2 votes
The rod of correction gives wisdom, But a child left to himself causes shame to his mother.
- Ephesians 6:1-4 2 votes
[1] Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] "Honor your father and mother," which is the first commandment with a promise: [3] "that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth." [4] You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
- Colossians 3:20 2 votes
Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about parent responsibility and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about parent responsibility