What Does the Bible Say About Children Obeying God?

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 16 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Even a child makes himself known by his acts, by whether his conduct is pure and upright.

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him.

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

John 3:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 6 helpful votes

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Mark 16:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:1-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, ...

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Acts 5:29 ESV / 4 helpful votes

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

John 14:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Isaiah 54:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children.

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes

The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.

1 Timothy 5:7-10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

1 Timothy 5:3-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

Acts 2:38 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Malachi 4:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”

Hosea 14:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.

Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Proverbs 30:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The eye that mocks a father and scorns to obey a mother will be picked out by the ravens of the valley and eaten by the vultures.

Proverbs 23:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Discipline your son, for there is hope; do not set your heart on putting him to death.

Proverbs 10:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother.

Proverbs 1:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching,

Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey the voice of his father or the voice of his mother, and, though they discipline him, will not listen to them, then his father and his mother shall take hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city at the gate of the place where he lives, and they shall say to the elders of his city, ‘This our son is stubborn and rebellious; he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton and a drunkard.’ Then all the men of the city shall stone him to death with stones. So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Deuteronomy 4:40 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore you shall keep his statutes and his commandments, which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land that the Lord your God is giving you for all time.”

Leviticus 19:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.

2 John 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes

So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. ...

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.

1 Timothy 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive,

Ephesians 6:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Romans 12:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 8:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Acts 5:1-42 ESV / 2 helpful votes

But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. ...

Luke 18:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Luke 2:52 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.

Mark 10:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.

Mark 7:9-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And he said to them, “You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

Matthew 18:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you strike him with a rod, he will not die. If you strike him with the rod, you will save his soul from Sheol.

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

Proverbs 17:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.

Proverbs 13:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, but the sinner's wealth is laid up for the righteous.

Proverbs 6:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.

Proverbs 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.

Psalm 103:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

Psalm 37:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes

He is ever lending generously, and his children become a blessing.

Psalm 34:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

Psalm 19:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;

Nehemiah 9:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments,

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”

1 Samuel 15:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.

Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes

You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you are sitting in your house, and when you are walking by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

Deuteronomy 4:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

How on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children—

Exodus 21:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Whoever strikes his father or his mother shall be put to death.

Genesis 22:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice.”

72 Bible Verses about Children Obeying God

Colossians 3:20 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:11 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:6 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:24 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Colossians 3:21 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 127:3 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 20:12 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 16:16 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-24 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:1-4 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 5:29 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 14:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:13-16 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 54:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 29:15 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:7-10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 5:3-4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 2:38 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 19:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Malachi 4:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hosea 14:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 30:17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:22 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:18 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 10:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 4:40 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Leviticus 19:3 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 John 1:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 2:1-25 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 4:12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 3:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 6:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 5:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:1 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 8:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 5:1-42 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 18:17 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 2:52 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 10:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Mark 7:9-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 18:3 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 15:4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 23:13-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 6:20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 1:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 103:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 37:26 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 34:11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 19:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Nehemiah 9:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 15:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 15:22 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 11:19 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 4:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Deuteronomy 4:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Exodus 21:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Genesis 22:18 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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