20 Bible Verses Parents Can Use to Correct Their Kids

Recently we asked our readers to give us their favorite Bible verses they use time and time again when they correct their children. We received a number of e-mails, comments, and replies on social media.

Here were the most often mentioned verses.

Disobedience to Parents

Proverbs 12:15 – “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

Proverbs 13:1 – “A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.”

Ephesians 6:1 – “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

Colossians 3:20 – “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”

Arguing and Complaining

Proverbs 17:22 – “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Philippians 2:14 – “Do all things without grumbling or disputing.”

Envy and Jealousy

Proverbs 14:30 – “A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.”

Selfishness

Romans 12:10 – “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Unkindness

Proverbs 15:1 – “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

Luke 6:31 – “As you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Poor Priorities

Luke 10:27 – “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Vengefulness

Anxiety and Fear

Psalm 23:4 – “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.”

2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Anger

Proverbs 15:18 – “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.”

Proverbs 29:11 – “A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

James 1:19 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow t0 speak, slow to anger.”

Parenting with Proverbs

What strikes me about many of these verses is how most of them are “proverbial.” The Bible is full of proverbs and proverb-like statements—short, memorable sayings of about practical and godly living.

The Book of Proverbs in the Bible is uniquely suited to help parents in moments of correction. Proverbs was written “to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth” (Proverbs 1:4). The heart of the book is intensely personal and fatherly.

Proverbs are ideal for moments of correction because…

• Proverbs are short, memorable, and quotable.
• Proverbs don’t just tell you how to live; they tell you why.
• Proverbs are based on real-life experience.
• Proverbs are God’s own words, not just yours.

This is what inspired me to write Parenting with Proverbs: The Art of Biblical Correction Using Biblical Wisdom.

In the book you’ll find 80 proverbs categorized according to character traits, including:

• Lazy vs. Hardworking
• Sloppy vs. Diligent
• Deceitful vs. Truthful
• Emotionally Impulsive vs. Self-Controlled
• Greedy vs. Generous
• Indifferent vs. Attentive to Elders
• Argumentative vs. Obedient
• Hurtful Words vs. Kind Words
• Prideful vs. Humble
• Envious vs. Rejoicing with Others
• Quarreling vs. Peacemaking
• Bad Friendships vs. Good Relationships
• Bitter vs. Forgiving
• Complaining vs. Gratefulness

Each character trait chapter also includes:

• A short Bible study connecting the proverbs to the person of Christ
• Quick interpretations for in-the-moment corrections
• Dialogue questions for your kids
• The digital version also includes Scripture-memory cards for every proverb in the book.

You can grab the digital book in our store or the softcover book on Amazon.