As parents, guardians, and educators, sharing the wisdom of the Bible with our children is a beautiful gift. It offers them guidance, truth, and light as they grow and learn. These 160 Bible verses for children guide young hearts through life’s journey. It is a resource meant to be shared, a foundation upon which young lives can build their understanding of God’s love and the moral compass necessary for navigating the complexities of the world.
Teaching Children Love and Kindness
- Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- 1 John 4:7 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
- Colossians 3:12 – “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
- Proverbs 11:17 – “Those who are kind benefit themselves, but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.”
- Luke 6:31 – “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:15 – “Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.”
- Proverbs 12:22 – “The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.”
- Galatians 6:10 – “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
- Matthew 5:9 – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”
- Psalm 127:3-5 – “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.”
Teaching Children Faith and Trust
- 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.”
- Matthew 21:22 – “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”
- Hebrews 11:1 – “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
- Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
- Mark 5:36 – “Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.'”
- Psalm 56:3 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
- John 14:1 – “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
- Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
- Proverbs 30:5 – “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.”
Teaching Children Courage and Strength
- 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.”
- 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 27:1 – “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
- Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
- Psalm 31:24 – “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.”
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
- Joel 2:28 – “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
- 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.”
- Psalm 28:7 – “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”
- Ephesians 6:10 – “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”
Teaching Children Gratitude and Thankfulness
- 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
- Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.”
- Colossians 3:15 – “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
- Psalm 107:1 – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
- Ephesians 5:20 – “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
- Psalm 9:1 – “I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”
- Psalm 100:4 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”
- Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
- James 1:17 – “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Teaching Children Wisdom and Guidance
- Proverbs 2:6 – “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
- James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
- Proverbs 3:13-14 – “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.”
- Psalm 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.”
- Proverbs 4:11 – “I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”
- Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
- Proverbs 1:5 – “Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.”
- Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”
- James 3:17 – “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”
- Proverbs 19:20 – “Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise.”
Teaching Children Peace and Comfort
- John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
- Philippians 4:7 – “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
- Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
- Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
- 2 Corinthians 1:4 – “Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”
- Psalm 55:22 – “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
- 3 John 1:4 – “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
- Psalm 119:76 – “May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”
- Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
- Psalm 94:19 – “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
Teaching Children the Appreciation of God’s Creation
- Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
- Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
- Psalm 139:14 – “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
- Job 12:7-10 – “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
- Psalm 104:24 – “How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.”
- Genesis 2:15 – “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.”
- Psalm 8:3-4 – “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?”
- Jeremiah 29:5 – “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce.”
- Psalm 96:11-12 – “Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”
- Romans 1:20 – “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Teaching Children Service and Giving
- Matthew 25:35-36 – “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”
- Acts 20:35 – “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”
- Hebrews 13:16 – “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
- 1 Peter 4:10 – “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
- Luke 6:38 – “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
- Proverbs 22:9 – “The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor.”
- Matthew 20:28 – “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Galatians 5:13 – “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
- Philippians 2:4 – “Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
- 1 John 3:17-18 – “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Teaching Children Obedience and Discipline
- Ephesians 6:1-3 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—’so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'”
- Proverbs 6:20-22 – “My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck. When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.”
- Hebrews 12:11 – “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.”
- Proverbs 13:1 – “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.”
- Luke 11:28 – “He replied, ‘Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.'”
- Colossians 3:20 – “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”
- Proverbs 12:1 – “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.”
- Proverbs 23:13-14 – “Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die. Punish them with the rod and save them from death.”
- Psalm 119:34 – “Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.”
- Deuteronomy 5:33 – “Walk in obedience to all that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.”
Teaching Children Joy and Happiness
- Psalm 16:11 – “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
- Philippians 4:4 – “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
- Psalm 118:24 – “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
- Proverbs 17:22 – “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
- Nehemiah 8:10 – “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.'”
- Psalm 126:5 – “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.”
- Proverbs 15:13 – “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
- James 1:2-3 – “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.”
- 1 Peter 1:8-9 – “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
- Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
Teaching Children Patience and Perseverance
- Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
- James 5:7-8 – “Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.”
- Romans 5:3-4 – “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
- Hebrews 10:36 – “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”
- Colossians 1:11-12 – “Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.”
- Psalm 37:7 – “Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”
- Romans 12:12 – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
- 2 Peter 3:9 – “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”
- Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
- Luke 21:19 – “Stand firm, and you will win life.”
Teaching Children Friendship and Community
- Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
- John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
- Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
- Hebrews 10:24-25 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
- 1 Peter 4:8-9 – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”
- Proverbs 22:24-25 – “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
- Romans 12:16 – “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
- Acts 2:44-45 – “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.”
Teaching Children Hope and Assurance
- 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.”
- Proverbs 20:11 – “Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.”
- Psalm 39:7 – “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.”
- 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.”
- Ephesians 6:1-3 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise— ‘so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'”
- Psalm 71:5 – “For you have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.”
- 1 Peter 1:3 – “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
- Psalm 62:5 – “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 – “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
- Titus 3:7 – “So that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
Teaching Children Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
- Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
- Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
- Luke 17:3-4 – “So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
- 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 – “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.”
- Matthew 18:21-22 – “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”
- Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
- 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
- Luke 6:37 – “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
- James 5:16 – “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Teaching Children Respect and Honor
- 1 Peter 2:17 – “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.”
- Ephesians 6:2-3 – “‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—’so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.'”
- Romans 12:10 – “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
- Leviticus 19:32 – “‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.'”
- 1 Timothy 5:17 – “The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.”
- Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;”
- Romans 13:7 – “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.”
- 1 Corinthians 12:25-26 – “So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
- Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,”
- Proverbs 14:31 – “Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.”
Teaching Children Self-Control and Discipline
- Galatians 5:22-23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
- Proverbs 25:28 – “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.”
- 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
- 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 – “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
- Proverbs 16:32 – “Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.”
- Titus 2:11-12 – “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,”
- Proverbs 29:11 – “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
- 1 Peter 4:7 – “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”
- Titus 1:8 – “Rather, [an overseer] must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.”
- Proverbs 17:27 – “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.”
Conclusion
We hope these 160 Bible verses for children serve as guiding lights for our children on their life’s journey. More than words, they are seeds of wisdom, hope, and love, ready to take root in young hearts. May these Scriptures inspire, guide, and comfort them, building a foundation of faith for every step they take. Let’s raise a generation that grows in wisdom, kindness, and a deep connection to God through the Bible’s eternal teachings.