What does the Bible say about role of parents?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that parents are called to love, provide for, discipline, and faithfully nurture their children in the Lord, while children are called to honor and obey their parents. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 portrays parents teaching God’s word diligently in the ordinary rhythms of home life, and Proverbs 22:6 commends purposeful training in wisdom. Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21 warn fathers not to provoke or discourage their children, but to raise them with patient instruction and discipline shaped by Christ. Ephesians 6:1-3 and Colossians 3:20 ground children’s obedience in God’s command and promise. Parents also should provide responsibly, act justly toward all their children, and model the covenant faithfulness rooted in marriage.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 6:4

    You fathers, don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

  • Proverbs 22:6

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

  • Colossians 3:21

    Fathers, don't provoke your children, so that they won't be discouraged.

  • Deuteronomy 6:6-7

    [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.

  • Deuteronomy 21:15-17

    [15] If a man have two wives, the one beloved, and the other hated, and they have borne him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers who was hated; [16] then it shall be, in the day that he causes his sons to inherit that which he has, that he may not make the son of the beloved the firstborn before the son of the hated, who is the firstborn: [17] but he shall acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated, by giving him a double portion of all that he has; for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.

  • Genesis 2:24

    Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh.

  • Ephesians 6:1-3

    [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."

  • 2 Corinthians 12:14

    Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.

  • Colossians 3:20

    Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

  • Ephesians 6:1

    Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

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